Average car insurance cost in Charleston, WV

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The average car insurance cost in Charleston, West Virginia is $1,991 per year, according to Insure.com data analysis. Also, the car insurance rates in Charleston is $14 less than the average rates in West Virginia and $96 more than the national average.

Most insurance providers consider factors such as location, city demographics, population density, and average resident age, accident rates, theft and vandalism rates while determining your car insurance premium. This may lead to either lower or higher costs compared to other regions.

This article provides details on the most and least expensive car insurance companies in Charleston, the average car insurance rates categorized by age and gender, and the cost of car insurance in Charleston based on coverage limits. Whether you’re a new driver or an experienced driver, this article will help you find the most cost-effective auto insurance in Charleston. Read on to learn more.

Cheap car insurance companies in Charleston

Nationwide provides the best value for car insurance in Charleston with coverage limits of 100/300/100, costing $1,153 annually.

A close second is Erie Insurance, which offers car insurance at $1,568 per year.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in Charleston by coverage limits

The average car insurance rates in Charleston based on coverage types are as follows:

• State minimum coverage: $587 per year (limits are 25/50/25)
• Liability only coverage: $663 per year (limits are 50/100/50)
• Full coverage: $1,991 per year (limits are 100/300/100)
• Non-owners coverage: $393 per year

In many states, it’s a legal requirement for drivers to maintain the state minimum coverage, although these requirements vary by state. The state minimum coverage does not cover vehicles listed on your policy in an at-fault accident.

To avoid the risk of insufficient coverage and out-of-pocket expenses, it’s advisable to opt for full coverage or non-owner coverage, especially if you frequently borrow or rent vehicles and don’t own one yourself.

Average car insurance rates by gender in Charleston

The average car insurance per year for female drivers in Charleston, West Virginia, is $1,999.

Whereas the yearly average car insurance rate for male drivers is $1,984, which is $15 less than what female drivers pay.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, women are considered to be safer drivers than men, and statistics have proved this. They often enjoy lower auto insurance premiums due to their lower incidence of severe accidents compared to men.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

Average car insurance rates by age in Charleston

Car insurance rates in Charleston, are highest for teens at $6,351 per year or $529 per month. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the rates are higher for teens (16- to 19-year-olds) as they are more prone to road accidents due to their lack of experience on the road. To address this, there are specific driving laws for teens to help them drive better. Additionally, parents can potentially reduce teen insurance rates by adding them to their existing auto insurance policy.

As teens age and build a positive driving history, it’s common for car insurance rates to decline. Young adults typically pay $3,125 annually for their car insurance, which is $3,226 less than what teens pay for their insurance coverage.

In Charleston, adult drivers pay an average of $1,983 per year for car insurance, while senior drivers pay $1,965 annually.

The rates for adults and seniors are notably lower compared to the rates for teens and young adults as they are more likely to obey the speed limits and follow the rules of the road, as per the Insurance Information Institute.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

The table below depicts the average annual rates for drivers of different age groups:

Car insurance rate trends in Charleston

Examining car insurance rate trends in Charleston, West Virginia, we observe a upward trend from 2022 to 2023. Subsequently, from 2022 to 2023, the rates experienced increase overall, with an increase of 31% or $469.

The table below shows the trend for last four years:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the insurance rates in Charleston, are lower than the average insurance cost in West Virginia. Shopping around and taking advantage of available discounts, drivers in Charleston can find affordable car insurance options. Additionally, many car insurance companies offer discounts for customers who purchase multiple policies through the same company.

Sources

• Insurance Information Institute. “What determines the price of my auto insurance policy,” Accessed September 2024.
• Insurance Information Institute. “Auto insurance for teen drivers,” Accessed September 2024.
• Insurance Information Institute. “Senior driving safety and tips,” Accessed September 2024.

Methodology

Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to get car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors have 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 individual rates may vary.

Prachi Singh

Contributing Researcher

 

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Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.