Updated: November 4, 2025
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American National offers the cheapest car insurance in Charleston. Auto Owners, Farm Bureau, GEICO and Progressive also provide coverage in the city.
Car insurance in Charleston costs an average of $894 per year for minimum coverage and $1,723 per year for full coverage.
American National also offers the cheapest car insurance in South Carolina at $414 per year for minimum coverage and $749 per year for full coverage.
American National delivers rates of $454 per year for minimum coverage and $829 per year for full coverage, both coming in 49% below the city average of $894. Auto Owners and Farm Bureau present alternatives at $726 and $802 annually for minimum coverage.
Other budget-friendly insurers in the city include American Family, Farm Bureau and GEICO. The variety of quality insurers gives Charleston drivers multiple paths to affordable coverage.
| American National | $38 | $69 | -53% |
| Farm Bureau | $55 | $101 | -31% |
| Auto-Owners | $61 | $106 | -27% |
| GEICO | $59 | $112 | -25% |
| American Family | $54 | $122 | -23% |
Young drivers pay $851 annually with Auto Owners for minimum coverage, reflecting elevated risk insurers associate with less experienced operators. Adult drivers from American National enjoy Charleston's lowest rates at $454 per year.
Senior drivers face costs of $693 annually with American National, a 53% premium over adult rates. American National provides the best pricing for both adult and senior drivers.
American National and Farm Bureau offer the lowest car insurance rates for young drivers in Charleston, with monthly premiums starting at $98 and $103, respectively.
| American National | $98 | $1,177 | -47% |
| Farm Bureau | $103 | $1,237 | -45% |
| American Family | $128 | $1,541 | -31% |
| Auto Owners | $130 | $1,555 | -30% |
| Geico | $141 | $1,690 | -24% |
In Charleston, American National provides the lowest rates for adult drivers (26 to 64), saving drivers around 52% on average. GEICO and Allstate are also among the top affordable providers for this age group.
| American National | $38 | $454 | -52% |
| American Family | $54 | $652 | -31% |
| Farm Bureau | $55 | $664 | -29% |
| Geico | $59 | $703 | -25% |
| Auto Owners | $61 | $727 | -23% |
For seniors in Charleston, American National provides the lowest rates for both minimum and full coverage car insurance. The company's minimum coverage costs $58 monthly or $693 annually, while full coverage runs $94 per month or $1,130 per year.
| American National | $58 | $693 | -49% |
| Farm Bureau | $69 | $825 | -39% |
| Geico | $75 | $905 | -34% |
| American Family | $87 | $1,040 | -24% |
| Auto Owners | $99 | $1,191 | -13% |
These insurance companies offer the lowest rates for high-risk drivers in Charleston:
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for bad credit drivers in Charleston, with monthly rates starting at $98 for minimum coverage and $224 for full coverage.
| Geico | $98 | $1,177 | -41% |
| American National | $106 | $1,273 | -36% |
| Farm Bureau | $108 | $1,296 | -35% |
| Nationwide | $130 | $1,561 | -22% |
| Travelers | $137 | $1,643 | -17% |
American National offers the most affordable car insurance in Charleston for drivers with a DUI. Its rates are 53% below average for minimum coverage and 55% cheaper for full coverage policies.
| American National | $55 | $664 | -53% |
| American Family | $63 | $755 | -46% |
| Farm Bureau | $66 | $796 | -43% |
| State Farm | $98 | $1,176 | -16% |
| Progressive | $109 | $1,303 | -7% |
Drivers in Charleston with an accident can find the lowest rates with American National, starting at $49 per month, 57% less than the city's average premium.
| American National | $49 | $589 | -57% |
| Farm Bureau | $70 | $839 | -38% |
| American Family | $76 | $917 | -32% |
| Geico | $85 | $1,014 | -25% |
| Auto Owners | $88 | $1,052 | -22% |
For Charleston drivers with speeding tickets, American National offers the most affordable car insurance options. Its minimum liability coverage costs $49 monthly, while full coverage with higher limits runs $88 per month.
| American National | $49 | $589 | -49% |
| Geico | $59 | $703 | -40% |
| Farm Bureau | $63 | $753 | -35% |
| Auto Owners | $67 | $809 | -31% |
| American Family | $75 | $901 | -23% |
American National and Farm Bureau both serve Charleston well. American National leads with exceptional affordability and reliable service, offering competitive rates while maintaining solid financial stability.
Farm Bureau provides a compelling alternative with strong regional presence. Farm Bureau particularly appeals to Charleston drivers who prefer working with a local carrier offering personalized service through local agents.
| Auto-Owners | 93 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Travelers | 88 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Farm Bureau | 86 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| American National | 86 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| Progressive | 85 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
3rd most affordable overall
Best customer experience in Charleston
Good add-on coverage selection
More expensive rates on average compared to some providers
Auto-Owners earned our top spot for car insurance in Charleston. The company can save most drivers an average 27% on coverage and they offer an add-on that allows you to be reimbursed for any of your car's lost value in the case of a claim. Auto-owners also has the best customer experience in the city, tying for the best agent service rating and 2nd highest multi-platform forum ratings among national and regional insurers.
Car insurance in Charleston costs an average of $894 per year for minimum coverage and $1,723 per year for full coverage. These rates sit slightly above the South Carolina state average of $581 for minimum coverage.
American National offers rates well below the city average at $454 for minimum coverage. Charleston drivers should expect moderate premiums with solid opportunities to find affordable coverage.
| Full Coverage | $144 | $1,723 |
| Minimum Coverage | $75 | $894 |
In Charleston, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $66 to $171 per month. ZIP code 29414 is the most expensive, while 29401 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.
| 29414 | $95 | $171 |
Finding affordable car insurance in Charleston can feel overwhelming, with local rates higher than many other cities and numerous coverage options to sort through. Our step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to lower your costs while getting the right protection for your needs.
Start by determining how much coverage you need as a Charleston driver. Consider local risks like flooding and hurricanes when choosing your coverage levels. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to understand what protection best suits you.
Learn about types of car insurance that could save you money. If you drive infrequently, consider pay-per-mile coverage. Don't own a car? Look into non-owner insurance for occasional driving.
Research average vehicle insurance costs in Charleston to set realistic expectations. This helps you identify truly competitive rates and avoid overpaying. Compare quotes against these averages to find a good deal.
Maximize savings through car insurance discount opportunities. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Many insurers offer additional savings for safe driving records or installing anti-theft devices.
Look into each insurer's customer service ratings and claims satisfaction scores. Check how well they handle hurricane-related claims in Charleston. A company's financial strength matters during widespread disaster events when many claims are filed simultaneously.
Contact at least three different insurance companies for quotes. Use a mix of local agents, online tools and direct carrier websites. Comparing multiple quotes helps you find the best rates.
Set a yearly reminder to review your policy and shop for new quotes. Your circumstances may change, and insurance companies regularly adjust their rates.
Car insurance rates in Charleston depend on your driving record, vehicle and credit score. American National and Farm Bureau offer the lowest average premiums in the area, but compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.
Looking for affordable car insurance in Charleston? Our FAQ section provides clear answers about finding the right coverage at the best rates. We help you understand your options and make smart choices that protect your finances without overpaying.
American National offers Charleston's lowest rates, averaging $454 for minimum coverage and $829 for full coverage. Rates vary by personal factors, so compare multiple quotes.
Auto-Owners leads Charleston's car insurance market with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, scoring 5 points higher than Travelers. The company excels in both affordability and service quality.
In Charleston, drivers pay $1,723 per year for full coverage and $894 for minimum coverage auto insurance. Your actual rates will vary based on individual factors.
Charleston car insurance costs are higher than average, ranking 338th for minimum coverage affordability and 347th for full coverage compared to other South Carolina cities.
To help Charleston drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed Charleston auto insurance rates based on data and information from the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in Charleston and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in South Carolina to tailor options as closely as possible to you.
Charleston Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages in Charleston with the following characteristics:
Certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, were adjusted to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in Charleston
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for both minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in South Carolina are:
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
Our Best Company Rating Methodology
We rated all companies in Charleston based on the following rating scale:
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
