Average car insurance cost in Charleston, South Carolina

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According to our data, the average annual cost of car insurance in Charleston is $2,508 – $141 more than the South Carolina average cost and $5 less than when compared to the national average.

Insurance rates can differ significantly depending on where you live. Factors like population density, accident rates and theft statistics all play a role in determining premiums. As a result, drivers in some ZIP codes pay higher premiums.

Understanding how car insurance rates in Charleston stack up against state and national averages can help you make informed decisions. We’ll walk you through local trends, rate changes and how to save on your premiums.

Cheap car insurance companies in Charleston

Auto-Owners offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Charleston at $1,846 per year with coverage limits of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 total per accident and $100,000 for property damage.

The second most affordable option in Charleston is Nationwide, with an average annual premium of $1,966.

Car insurance rates differ from one company to another because each insurer has its own underwriting process to determine premiums. That’s why shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is key to finding affordable coverage that meets your needs.

Below is a breakdown of average yearly and monthly car insurance rates from different insurers in Charleston.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in Charleston by coverage limits

Here’s a breakdown of average car insurance rates in Charleston by coverage type.

• State minimum coverage: $783 per year (limits are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Liability only coverage: $1,039 per year (limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $50,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Full coverage: $2,508 per year (limits are $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Non-owners coverage: $488 per year

While liability insurance is required in nearly every state to drive legally, the minimum coverage limits differ by state. This coverage protects you financially if you’re responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property in a crash.

Minimum liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to others – it won’t help with your own medical bills or car repairs. You should consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage for adequate protection.

Average car insurance rates by gender in Charleston

In Charleston, the average annual car insurance cost for female drivers is $2,476. Male drivers, on the other hand, pay $2,540 per year – that’s $64 more than what female drivers pay. While most states allow insurers to use gender when setting rates, there are states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania that prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women tend to drive more cautiously and are involved in fewer serious accidents than men. Insurers factor this into their premium calculations, which is why men often pay more for car insurance.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

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Average car insurance rates by age in Charleston

Teen drivers in Charleston pay the highest car insurance premiums, at $8,108 per year or $676 per month.

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that teens aged 16 to 19 are more likely to be involved in crashes due to inexperience, which leads to higher insurance rates. On average, teen drivers pay $4,058 more annually than young adult drivers.

As teen drivers get older and gain more experience, their car insurance premiums usually decrease. On average, young adults aged 20 to 24 pay $4,050 per year for car insurance – that’s $4,058 less than what teen drivers typically pay.

Adult drivers aged 25 to 55 pay an average of $2,518 per year for car insurance, while seniors aged 60 to 75 pay around $2,477 annually.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

Below you’ll find average annual full coverage car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups.

Car insurance rate trends in Charleston

From 2023 to 2025, drivers in Charleston experienced an upward trend in car insurance premiums, with average rates Increased by 22% or about $449.

The graph below tracks insurance costs from 2022 to 2025, highlighting long-term trends that help explain today’s rate changes.

How drivers can save on insurance even with higher rates

Drivers in Charleston pay higher than the state average for car insurance. The good news? You can often cut costs by comparing quotes from several insurers and using discounts – like bundling policies, safe driver rewards, or low-mileage savings.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned car insurance rates in 2025 from Quadrant Information Services. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors analyzed 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident
• $100,000 property damage per accident
• $500 comprehensive and collision deductible

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates may vary.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

 

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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.