Updated: January 25, 2026
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American National: Cheapest across many driver profiles in Charleston. Full coverage starts at $69 monthly, with minimum coverage at $38, offering 32% savings compared to the city average.
Farm Bureau: Second cheapest at $100 monthly for full coverage and $55 for minimum coverage. It offers competitive pricing for young drivers, senior drivers and drivers with an accident on their record.
Auto-Owners: Ranks third for affordability in Charleston. The insurer works well for various drivers who need low-cost coverage.
Cheapest Monthly Rates by Coverage and Driver Profile in Charleston:
Charleston drivers can find affordable coverage whether they want minimum or full protection. American National leads with the lowest minimum coverage at $38 monthly, 53% less than Charleston's average. American Family follows at $54 per month with 23% savings.
American National also wins for full coverage at $69 monthly, 53% below the city average. Farm Bureau takes second place at $100 per month, 31% under average costs. Compare quotes from multiple companies since your ZIP code and driving record influence your final premium.
| American National | $38 | $69 | -53% |
| American Family | $54 | $122 | -23% |
| Farm Bureau | $55 | $101 | -31% |
| Geico | $59 | $112 | -25% |
| Auto Owners | $61 | $106 | -27% |
Not in Charleston? Read more about the cheapest car insurance or the best provider in South Carolina.
Adding a teen to your Charleston auto policy often leads to higher costs. Younger drivers pay more because they have less experience behind the wheel and a higher likelihood of accidents.
Farm Bureau and American National tie at $170 monthly for the cheapest rates. Auto-Owners comes in at $217 per month. Adding your teen to your current family policy costs less than buying them a separate one.
A defensive driving course cuts premiums by 5% to 15%, which helps offset the extra cost.
Note: Teens under 18 cannot legally purchase auto insurance without a parent or guardian as co-signer in most cases. They must also meet South Carolina's licensing requirements and state coverage minimums.
| Farm Bureau | $170 | $2,041 | -50% |
| American National | $170 | $2,041 | -50% |
| Auto Owners | $217 | $2,599 | -37% |
| Geico | $259 | $3,110 | -24% |
| American Family | $267 | $3,202 | -22% |
Drivers age 65 and older in Charleston have access to several lower-cost coverage options. American National offers the lowest rate at $94 per month for full coverage, while Farm Bureau follows at $114 per month and GEICO ranks third at $141 monthly.
Seniors can save more by completing a defensive driving course, which can cut premiums by up to 10% for three years. Many insurers also offer accident forgiveness programs for drivers 65 and older, providing financial protection after a first at-fault accident.
| American National | $94 | $1,130 | -53% |
| Farm Bureau | $114 | $1,373 | -42% |
| Geico | $142 | $1,700 | -29% |
| American Family | $161 | $1,932 | -19% |
| Auto Owners | $165 | $1,980 | -17% |
A traffic violation or at-fault accident does not lock you into high premiums forever, though some Charleston insurers respond more favorably than others. After a DUI, American National offers the lowest minimum coverage at $55 per month, with American Family close behind at $62.
For speeding tickets, American National again comes in lowest at $49 per month, followed by GEICO at $58. Drivers with at-fault accidents also see American National as the least expensive option at $49 per month, while Farm Bureau follows at $69.
These violations remain on your driving record for several years. Speeding tickets affect rates for three to five years, while serious offenses like DUIs can raise premiums for up to a decade. Checking rates across multiple insurers matters more after a violation, since each company applies its own approach when pricing risk.
| At-Fault Accident | American National | $49 | -57% |
| At-Fault Accident | Farm Bureau | $70 | -38% |
| DUI | American National | $55 | -53% |
| DUI | American Family | $63 | -46% |
| Speeding Ticket | American National | $49 | -49% |
| Speeding Ticket | Geico | $59 | -40% |
Your ZIP code matters more than you might think when shopping for car insurance in Charleston. The priciest area, 29414, costs $171 monthly for full coverage, while drivers in 29424 pay just $130 monthly.
That's a $41 difference between neighborhoods in the same city. Traffic patterns, crime statistics and accident rates in your specific ZIP code drive these variations. Even if two areas seem similar, your exact location determines whether you'll pay closer to Charleston's highest or lowest rates.
| 29414 | $171 |
| 29407 | $164 |
| 29425 | $156 |
| 29409 | $141 |
| 29403 | $139 |
| 29492 | $131 |
| 29412 | $131 |
| 29424 | $130 |
| 29401 | $130 |
| 29424 | $130 |
| 29401 | $130 |
| 29492 | $131 |
| 29412 | $131 |
| 29403 | $139 |
| 29409 | $141 |
| 29425 | $156 |
| 29407 | $164 |
| 29414 | $171 |
Auto-Owners leads Charleston insurance with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. The company excels at customer service and offers strong coverage options for local drivers.
Travelers, Farm Bureau, American National and Progressive complete the top five. These insurers stand out for different reasons: some have lower rates, others handle claims well and several provide coverage that fits various driver situations.
| 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 |
IntelliDrive rewards safe driving with policy discounts
Mobile claims filing with live status tracking
Coverage available for drivers with prior incidents
Rates may rise after an at-fault accident
Claims can take longer during major storm events
No disappearing deductible option
Travelers is a solid option for Charleston drivers who want dependable support during severe weather events. With round-the-clock customer service and a well-designed mobile app, policyholders can file claims quickly and follow progress in real time, which helps during hurricanes and major storms.
The company’s long history in South Carolina means adjusters are familiar with hurricane-related damage, theft, and storm-driven losses common in the Charleston area. While Travelers does not include features like accident forgiveness or shrinking deductibles, its broad coverage options and responsive support make it a practical choice for drivers who prioritize stability and consistent claims handling during unpredictable weather seasons.
Highly rated customer service through local agents
Fast claims handling for common accident claims
Coverage options for long-distance travel breakdowns
No rideshare coverage for Uber or delivery drivers
Customer service depends on local agent hours
Fewer add-on options than larger insurers
Auto-Owners works well for Charleston drivers who prefer working with a local agent and value consistent, hands-on service. Its agent-based model gives policyholders direct access to someone familiar with local driving conditions and storm-related risks.
Coverage includes protection for theft and weather damage common in coastal areas, with claims often handled efficiently when storms affect the region. While rates may run higher than some national insurers and coverage choices are more limited, Auto-Owners appeals to drivers who want personalized service backed by regional experience during Charleston’s storm season.
Charleston drivers deal with high insurance costs, but comparing quotes can lead to huge savings.
Combine auto with home or renters insurance for 15% to 25% savings. Stack multi-car discounts (10% to 25% per vehicle) with good driver and paperless billing perks. Charleston drivers often achieve 30% to 40% total reductions through smart bundling.
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 usually reduces premiums by 10% to 15% annually. The key consideration: only select an amount you can comfortably pay out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.
Insurance companies regularly adjust rates based on Charleston's changing risk factors and claims data. Your driving record also improves after three years, potentially qualifying you for better rates with different insurers.
Our Charleston FAQ section clarifies insurance options and pricing to help you find affordable coverage.
Charleston car insurance runs about $144 a month for full coverage. While that's not the cheapest in South Carolina, it's more affordable than Ladson at $176 monthly and much higher than Salem's bargain rate of $51 a month.
Finding affordable car insurance in Charleston starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and South Carolina’s insurance requirements all shape your premium. Even within city limits, drivers in ZIP code 29414 often pay more than those in 29424.
We partnered with the South Carolina Department of Insurance to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Charleston ZIP code.
Our ratings for the best car insurance in Charleston are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).
Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across Charleston neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.
