American National P&C offers the most affordable full and minimum coverages in North Charleston, South Carolina. For families with teens, Auto-Owners provides the best rates. American Family excels in customer service, while Auto-Owners offers the best overall value, balancing price and service to meet various coverage needs.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in North Charleston, SC (2024)
American National P&C offers North Charleston's cheapest minimum coverage at $366 annually. Auto-Owners, scoring 83 out of 100, is also the best choice for balancing affordability and service.
Updated: November 19, 2024
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Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in North Charleston
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 30,900 quotes from 14 companies in South Carolina, including the city of North Charleston. We used six sources and original research to rate the cheapest companies and develop a scoring system for insurance providers based on ZIP codes in North Charleston only. Our scores are based on affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience, coverages offered and financial stability.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in North Charleston, SC, as of August 2024.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in North Charleston
American National P&C has the cheapest car insurance in North Charleston.
- American National P&C: $366 per year
- Auto-Owners: $593 per year
Dairyland has the most expensive minimum coverage policy, with an annual premium of $4,356. The $3,990 difference from the lowest rate highlights the importance of comparing car insurance quotes to ensure you get the best deal.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
American National P&C | $366 | $31 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $593 | $49 |
American Family | $683 | $57 |
Progressive | $772 | $64 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau | $819 | $68 |
Allstate | $829 | $69 |
GEICO | $887 | $74 |
Travelers | $940 | $78 |
State Farm | $1,018 | $85 |
Bristol West | $2,489 | $207 |
Dairyland | $4,356 | $363 |
State Minimum Liability Requirements
In South Carolina, car insurance minimum requirements include:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
If you're at fault in an accident, your policy will cover up to these limits. For example, if someone's injuries cost more than $25,000, you'll be responsible for covering the extra amount out of pocket. Similarly, if multiple people are injured, your policy covers up to $50,000, and you'd be liable for anything beyond that.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in North Charleston
American National P&C offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in North Charleston.
- American National P&C: $627 per year
- Auto-Owners: $1,085 per year
Dairyland's full coverage policy costs $7,466 annually. The $6,839 difference between the most and least expensive insurers highlights the importance of comparison shopping. Full coverage policies, which include comprehensive and collision insurance, are typically more expensive than minimum coverage.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
American National P&C | $627 | $52 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,085 | $90 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,386 | $115 |
American Family | $1,466 | $122 |
Travelers | $1,571 | $131 |
GEICO | $1,622 | $135 |
Allstate | $1,645 | $137 |
Progressive | $1,776 | $148 |
State Farm | $1,943 | $162 |
Bristol West | $4,450 | $371 |
Dairyland | $7,466 | $622 |
Why You Need Full Coverage in South Carolina
A full coverage policy includes comprehensive coverage for damage to your vehicle and collision coverage. It usually also comes with increased liability limits.
- Collision insurance covers your vehicle against accidents involving other vehicles, objects like trees or light poles, rollovers and pothole damage.
- Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision incidents that cause vehicle damage or loss, such as theft, natural disasters and collisions with animals like deer.
Selecting full coverage insurance is wise for new cars to protect your investment. For older vehicles, the cost of additional coverage outweighs the benefits, adding hundreds to your premiums. If you lease or loan a car, full coverage is required.
To know how much car insurance you need, weigh the pros of increased protection against the cost of higher premiums. This balance is crucial, as lower coverage could leave you underinsured.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Charleston After a Driving Offense
American National P&C is the cheapest car insurance option for drivers with violations in North Charleston.
- Speeding ticket and at-fault accident: American National P&C ($796 per year)
- DUI: American National P&C ($896 per year)
Dairyland charges the highest rates for all these offenses. Its annual premium after an at-fault accident is $11,523, a $10,727 difference from the lowest rate after a speeding ticket. This proves how the seriousness of a driving violation affects car insurance costs.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
- Accident
- DUI
- Speeding
American National P&C | $796 | $66 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,196 | $100 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,535 | $128 |
American Family | $1,541 | $128 |
GEICO | $1,745 | $145 |
State Farm | $2,148 | $179 |
Allstate | $2,152 | $179 |
Travelers | $2,179 | $182 |
Progressive | $2,350 | $196 |
Bristol West | $5,815 | $485 |
Dairyland | $10,390 | $866 |
In North Charleston, serious driving offenses result in higher insurance premiums. On average, a speeding ticket raises annual premiums to around $3,883, while a DUI increases rates to about $4,349. This difference highlights the importance of comparing insurance rates, as drivers with offenses can find significant savings by exploring different providers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Charleston for Teens and Their Families
Auto-Owners provides the cheapest full coverage car insurance for teens in North Charleston. Here are the best options for a policy covering two parents with a teen driver:
- Auto-Owners: $2,491 per year for female teens and $3,009 per year for male teens
- Travelers: $2,844 per year for female teens and $3,606 per year for male teens
Bristol West charges the highest annual rate of $8,225 for female teens, with a $5,734 difference from the cheapest option. This significant gap stresses the importance of comparing providers, especially when insuring high-risk teen drivers.
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- Female
- Male
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,491 | $2,926 |
Travelers | $2,844 | $5,552 |
State Farm | $3,078 | $3,731 |
Allstate | $3,236 | $3,349 |
Progressive | $4,495 | $12,083 |
GEICO | $4,546 | $4,685 |
Bristol West | $8,225 | $13,540 |
In North Charleston, individual teen car insurance averages $7,337 annually, while family plans cost $4,518. Insurers view teens as high risk, leading to higher premiums and making individual policies harder to secure. Joining a family plan offers both financial savings and easier approval.
Cheapest Car Insurance in North Charleston for Military Drivers
American National P&C has the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in North Charleston. Here are the top providers with the lowest premiums:
- American National P&C: $627 per year
- Auto-Owners: $1,085 per year
USAA, which ranks third with an annual premium of $1,287, is worth considering for its services tailored to the needs of military families and veterans.
- 22-29
- 30-59
- 60 +
- Full Coverage
- Minimum Coverage
American National P&C | $627 | $52 |
Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,085 | $90 |
USAA | $1,287 | $107 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,386 | $115 |
American Family | $1,466 | $122 |
Travelers | $1,571 | $131 |
GEICO | $1,622 | $135 |
Allstate | $1,645 | $137 |
Progressive | $1,776 | $148 |
State Farm | $1,943 | $162 |
Bristol West | $4,450 | $371 |
Dairyland | $7,466 | $622 |
How to Compare Cheap North Charleston Car Insurance Quotes Online
Comparing rates helps you save on car insurance in North Charleston. However, it can take about 15 minutes per insurer and up to over an hour for three or more companies. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help make the process much easier. Enter your key details like age, driving history, credit rating and coverage preferences to get an instant estimate.
Car Insurance Calculator
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Dec 06, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Best Car Insurance in North Charleston: Summary
Choosing the right auto insurance depends on how you prioritize factors like service, cost and coverage. Based on MoneyGeek's research using specific criteria, here are the top insurers in North Charleston:
- Best overall: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100)
- Best for service: American Family (MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100)
- Best cheap: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 87 out of 100)
Auto-Owners offers an outstanding balance of low cost and service quality, while American Family excels in customer service and affordability.
Best Overall Car Insurance in North Charleston
Auto-Owners ranks as the top provider of the best car insurance in North Charleston, excelling in service and affordability.
- Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($1,085 per year)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,466 per year)
Auto-Owners stands out for its strong customer satisfaction and cost efficiency, making it the go-to choice for drivers seeking reliable full coverage.
Auto-Owners excels with high marks in affordability (29/30) and claims (20/20), making it a standout option for drivers who prioritize these areas.
The insurer offers roadside assistance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement with added perks like accident forgiveness and a coverage package that bundles multiple protections for convenience.
For those seeking more, Auto-Owners also provides diminished value coverage, addressing a vehicle's reduced worth after an accident, and deductible modification, which can waive collision deductibles in specific situations.
- Ranks first in North Charleston for claims
- Ranks second for cost, with an average annual premium of $1,085 for full coverage
- Offers rare coverages like diminished value and deductible modification
- Doesn't rank top in the city for customer satisfaction
MoneyGeek ranks North Charleston's car insurance, focusing on customer satisfaction and affordability. Claim service, coverage options and insurer stability are secondary considerations.
Best Car Insurance in North Charleston for Customer Service
American Family is the top choice in North Charleston for customer-focused car insurance. It emphasizes satisfaction, efficient claims handling and comprehensive coverage options — regardless of price.
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,466 per year)
- Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($1,085 per year)
American Family earns the highest satisfaction rating, driving its top MoneyGeek score. The company ensures a positive customer experience throughout the insurance process.
American Family scores highly for customer satisfaction (34/45), claims handling (22/30) and coverage (20/20).
The insurer offers rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance. It also provides OEM coverage for repairs with manufacturer parts, accident forgiveness to prevent rate increases after your first accident and gap insurance to cover the difference between your vehicle’s value and what you owe if totaled.
- Ranks first in North Charleston for coverage options
- Ranks second in the city for claims
- Offers OEM coverage and roadside assistance
MoneyGeek ranks North Charleston's car insurers, prioritizing customer satisfaction and claims effectiveness while weighing coverage options and company stability.
Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in North Charleston
Auto-Owners is the best option in North Charleston for low-cost car insurance without compromising service quality.
- Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($593 per year)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($683 per year)
Auto-Owners' high affordability and claims handling ratings drive its top MoneyGeek score for minimum coverage policies.
Auto-Owners achieves outstanding scores for affordability (38/40) and claims (20/20). With an average annual premium of $593, it provides cost-effective minimum coverage without sacrificing quality.
- Ranks first in North Charleston for claims service
- Ranks second in the city for affordability and coverages
- Doesn't rank in the city for customer satisfaction
MoneyGeek ranks North Charleston's top car insurers, prioritizing affordability for basic policies and customer satisfaction while also factoring in claims, coverage options and company stability.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Charleston
North Charleston's average car insurance cost is $1,944, which exceeds the state average of $1,688 by $256. South Carolina's average surpasses the national average of $1,781 by $163.
Driving record, vehicle type and coverage level affect rates. Location also plays a critical role due to differences in traffic patterns, accident rates and vehicle theft risk. For example, North Charleston's premium of $1,944 is higher than Columbia's $1,664. Rates may be even lower in less densely populated areas.
Charleston | $1,749 |
Columbia | $1,664 |
North Charleston | $1,944 |
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.