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Jerry Data & Research
Compare & find the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, (Jan 2025)
Compare & find the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, (Jan 2025)
Compare 50+ top insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Illinois.
Find Insurance Savings
No long forms
No spam or unwanted calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
R.E. Fulton
Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
Reviewed by Josh Damico, Head of Insurance Operations
Edited by Lina Zhang, Lisenced Insurance Agent
Learn more about our insurance review board
What's on this page?
- Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Charleston
- Best Car Insurance Companies in Charleston
- Best cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston
- Car insurance quotes in Charleston by rating factors
- How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in Charleston?
- Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston after driving violations
- Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston by age
- Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston based on insurance history
- Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston for popular cars
- How to lower car insurance costs in Charleston
- FAQ
- Methodology
- Meet our Experts
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Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Charleston
On average, auto insurance in Charleston costs about $90 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance and about $190 per month for full coverage insurance. Charleston drivers pay 12% more than the average.
Finding
cheap car insurance in Illinois
can be Ill-annoying!—sorry, I’ll show myself out. Lame jokes aside, if there was a single best car insurance company in Charleston, everyone would have heard of it by now. The truth is that the best auto insurance policy varies from driver to driver, and you need to compare tons of quotes to find the coverage and the price you want.
The bonus truth is that
Jerry
makes it easy to find and compare cheap car insurance
quotes for free. All it takes is 45 seconds to sign up and less than a minute to receive the five to seven most competitive offers in your area. So skip the stress of shopping and go straight to the savings!| Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $69 | Isabella, 36 Zip: 61920 | Toyota Camry L | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Bristol West | $170 | Estelle, 26 Zip: 61920 | Chevrolet Cruze LT | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Clearcover | $71 | Kate, 23 Zip: 61920 | Dodge Avenger R/T | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Jan 31, 2025Best Car Insurance Companies in Charleston
If you wanted to find the best rates in Charleston, you'd have to compare hundreds of insurance providers and thousands of coverage options...but we've done all the research for you!
To discover the best of the best, Jerry conducted one of the nation's largest shopping surveys.
We found that
State Farm
, Allstate
, Country Insurance, Travelers
, and Assurant held the biggest market shares in Illinois. However, they didn’t necessarily earn the highest ratings. Because every car insurance provider calculates premiums differently, the best insurance policy varies from driver to driver.
You’ll have to compare quotes from at least three companies while shopping for auto insurance to find what works for you.
The table below shows how drivers in Charleston rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
| Insurance Company | Overall Rating | Price | Claims Experience | Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.4 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| Allstate | 4.4 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
Liberty Mutual | 4.2 | 4 | N/A | 4.2 |
State Farm | 3.9 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 4.1 |
Geico | 3.7 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
Best cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston
Illinois car insurance laws require every driver—including those in Charleston—to carry
liability car insurance
and Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage
. Liability insurance covers the costs of treating anyone you injure in an at-fault accident and repairing (or replacing) any property you damage. However, UM/UIM bodily injury coverage covers the medical expenses of you and your passengers if they exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage limits.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Charleston
The minimum liability coverage requirements in Charleston, Illinois, follow a 25/50/20 (plus 25/50) rule.
To put it simply, you'll need a policy that covers at least:
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 of UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per accident
By sticking with the minimum required liability coverage, you’ll probably pay the lowest rates. Jerry helps Charleston drivers find low rates for no-frills coverage.
Isabella (36 years old)
$69
per month
Bristol West
Estelle (26 years old)
$170
per month
Clearcover
Kate (23 years old)
$71
per month
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Charleston?
In Charleston, drivers should consider topping up their liability coverage beyond the state's minimum requirement of 25/50/20.
The state minimum coverage requirements provide a lot of protection, but medical and repair bills tend to add up.
If you cause a car accident and the injured party’s expenses exceed your coverage limits, you’ll have to pay the rest out of pocket. They also have the right to sue you in a personal injury lawsuit for up to two years after the accident, according to
Illinois’s car accident laws
.The bottom line: Doubling your liability and UM/UIM coverage limits won’t double your rates, but it’ll provide better financial protection in the event of a serious car accident.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Charleston
Full-coverage car insurance
isn't required by law, but it provides coverage for repairs to (or a replacement of) your vehicles.- Collision insurance covers the costs of repairing or replacing your car following an accident with another vehicle or stationary object.
- Comprehensive coverage also covers the costs of repairing or replacing your car but it only applies to damages caused by theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
If you have a car loan, your lender will require you to maintain collision and comprehensive coverage until you’ve paid off your car. You can cut costs by using Jerry to find the lowest full coverage car insurance rates in Charleston.
| Insurance Coverage | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Progressive | $69 | Isabella, 36 Zip: 61920 | Toyota Camry L |
• 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Clearcover | $103 | Lucas, 39 Zip: 61920 | Hyundai Sonata Sport |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | National General | $137 | Willie, 44 Zip: 61920 | KIA Optima LX |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Electric | $125 | Henrietta, 24 Zip: 61920 | Nissan Sentra S |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Dairyland | $132 | Sadie, 39 Zip: 61920 | KIA RIO LX |
Last Updated Jan 29, 2025The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
In helping hundreds of Charleston drivers find cheaper rates, we found the average cost for minimum liability coverage to be $90 per month or $1,080 per year.
The average cost for full coverage insurance in Charleston is $190 per month or $2,280 per year.
| Insurance coverage | Average insurance cost (monthly) | Average insurance cost (yearly) |
|---|---|---|
State minimum coverage | $63 | $761 |
Full coverage | $112 | $1,349 |
While the national average can give you an idea of potential insurance costs, individual insurance premiums are influenced by many factors. Car insurance rates are determined by your driver profile, driving record, and claims history, among other things.
Your actual costs could be hundreds of dollars higher than the average—or, if you use a quote-comparison app, hundreds of dollars less.
Average cost of car insurance in Charleston by zip code
Even though two nearly-identical drivers live in the same city, their car insurance rates can vary depending on their zip codes.
High-risk neighborhoods have a higher rate of vandalism, motor vehicle theft, and car accidents. People living in these neighborhoods pay more for car insurance.
| Zip Code | Average State Minimum Coverage Rate | Average Full Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
61920 | $52 | $107 |
"Jerry is the new benchmark in app usefulness. Period. It is SO EASY and the results are SO GOOD, and they specifically point out that no one is going to start calling and emailing me all the time. I gave very little info, it pulled up all my existing insurance info, and showed me how to get the same insurance for less, lesser coverage for huge savings, or better coverage for about the same I currently pay. I am personally saving around $1,400/year with my new insurance, and the entire process (including follow ups to sign the docs from the insurance companies) took less than an hour. If you make over $1,400/hour, this may not be worth your time. Otherwise, get the app and use it now!"
Sean S.
Car insurance quotes in Charleston by rating factors
Insurance companies in Charleston use many rating factors when
calculating your auto insurance premium
: - Your driving record and claims history: Accidents and tickets will increase your insurance rates.
- Your age: Insurers consider young drivers to be a higher risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel.
- Your vehicle: Luxury, high-performance, and sports cars are more expensive to insure.
- Your parking spot: If you park your car in a neighborhood with a high incidence of auto insurance claims, your rates will likely be higher.
- Your credit score: Drivers with bad credit scores often pay higher premiums than drivers with good credit scores for the same amount of coverage.
How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in Charleston?
How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in Charleston?
Allowed (with applicable limitations): Gender, age, driving experience, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, marital status, zip code, insurance history
Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Charleston currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Charleston:
Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston after driving violations
Your
Illinois driving record
plays a large role in deciding your car insurance rates. For one, the number of driver violation points on your driver’s license can add quite a few dollars to your monthly premiums.Some car insurance companies will work with a high-risk driver profile, while others won't, particularly if you received a serious conviction for a DUI or reckless driving in Illinois.
Last Updated Jan 26, 2025Cheapest car insurance in Charleston after DUI
Illinois takes drinking and driving very seriously. Under the state’s
DUI laws
, driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or more could net you a:- Fine of up to $2,500
- Jail sentence of up to one year
- Driver’s license suspension of at least one year
- Community service sentence of up to 100 hours
And that’s just for the first offense!
Many Charleston drivers struggle to find affordable insurance rates after a DUI conviction, but Jerry can help.
Cheapest car insurance in Charleston after an at-fault accident
If you need another reason to keep a
clean driving record
, keep in mind that high-risk drivers pay higher car insurance rates. Even multiple small, at-fault car accidents can add up to a significant price premium.So if you’re wondering why your rates are so high, first check your
Illinois driving record
—and then download Jerry to compare quotes and find a better plan.| Accident Type | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $143 | Carolyn, 24 Zip: 61920 | Nissan Sentra S | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Bristol West | $170 | Carolyn, 26 Zip: 61920 | Chevrolet Cruze LT | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Jan 31, 2025Cheapest car insurance in Charleston after other driving violations
Most traffic violations increase your insurance rates, such as driving without a license, stunt driving, or reckless driving in Illinois. If you’re stuck with a ticket and unaffordable coverage, here’s where to look in Charleston:
Last Updated Jan 31, 2025Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston by age
Car insurance rates start high, drop, and then rise again. Teen drivers pay more, middle-aged drivers pay less, and senior drivers pay more again—although not as much as when they were new to the road.
If you fall outside the ideal bracket for car insurance savings (25 to 75), here’s what you can do:
Cheapest car insurance in Charleston for young drivers
In Charleston, teen drivers pay the highest premiums of any age group because they have the highest chances of getting into a car accident. To find the best
cheap car insurance for young drivers
, add teen drivers to an existing policy or look for good student discount programs. Jerry makes it easy to find sensible and affordable coverage in Charleston for new drivers who want to learn the rules of the road without breaking the bank.
Jerry (21 years old)
$154
per month
Bristol West
Carl (24 years old)
$151
per month
Clearcover
Kate (23 years old)
$71
per month
Dairyland
Richard (21 years old)
$199
per month
Cheapest car insurance in Charleston for senior drivers
The best seniors' car insurance
includes savings programs for retirees, infrequent drivers, and drivers with a clean claims history.Because older drivers can suffer vision and hearing losses, they’re more likely to get into car accidents. And because they’re more likely to suffer serious injuries in a collision, they pay higher rates.
Jerry helps senior drivers in Charleston find car insurance providers that value their experience. Connect with our expert customer service team to get end-to-end support and answers to all your questions.
Jim (68 years old)
$69
per month
Over 3,500,000 customers and counting
We love saving our customers money. Turns out, they love it too! Here's what they have to say about their switch with Jerry:
Needed to make adjustments to my finances and expenses. Saved me money and time
Joann
They have great pricing and coverage!
Christina
Great insurance I've had so far great helpful employees
Sallie
Great coverage for a great price!
Jaime
Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston based on insurance history
Insurance providers consider you a high-risk driver if you drove without car insurance in the past, ie. you were an uninsured motorist. As you can guess, a
car insurance lapse can raise your insurance rates
.With Jerry's automatic reminders, you can find a fresh start at a new company and remember your payments. You'll receive a detailed price comparison when it's time to renew so you can see if your current rates are still the most competitive in Charleston.
Ann (36 years old)
$69
per month
Bristol West
Walter (26 years old)
$170
per month
Mercury
Daisy (52 years old)
$75
per month
Ann (36 years old)
$69
per month
Bristol West
Travis (26 years old)
$170
per month
Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston for drivers with poor credit
Making your payments on time is as important to auto insurance companies as driving safely. Even good drivers in Charleston will see their insurance rates increase if their credit score is 550 or less.
Compared to their poor credit counterparts, Charleston drivers with a high credit score pay almost 20% less for car insurance! However, you can make up the difference by shopping around with Jerry’s quick quote-comparing app.
| Credit Range | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
> 750 | The General | $80 | Ruth, 26 Zip: 61920 | GMC Acadia Denali | • State Minimum Liability |
660 - 750 | Progressive | $71 | Anne, 24 Zip: 61920 | Nissan Sentra S | • State Minimum Liability |
660 - 750 | Progressive | $71 | Dollie, 24 Zip: 61920 | Nissan Sentra S | • State Minimum Liability |
550 - 659 | Progressive | $69 | Ann, 36 Zip: 61920 | Toyota Camry L | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
< 550 | National General | $66 | Curtis, 41 Zip: 61920 | Toyota Camry | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Jan 27, 2025Cheap car insurance quotes in Charleston for popular cars
The type of car you drive helps determine your annual insurance premiums. A model with good safety ratings, driver-assistive technology, and vehicle anti-theft systems costs less to insure. If it’s cheap to repair, then so much the better!
Here are the five most popular models on Charleston’s roads:
- Toyota RAV 4
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda CR-V
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Equinox
MORE: How different kinds of cars affect your car insurance rates
| Popular Car | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry L | Progressive | $69 | Ann, 36 Zip: 61920 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Jan 31, 2025Cheapest car insurance in Charleston for new vs. old car
It's usually less expensive to insure an old car than a new one.
We have found that the average insurance cost for a car older than 10 years is $73 per month in Charleston. The average cost for insuring a car less than four years old goes up to $218 per month
Isabella (36 years old)
$69
per month
State Auto
Melvin (30 years old)
$67
per month
Clearcover
Kate (23 years old)
$71
per month
The General
Mike (27 years old)
$100
per month
How to lower car insurance costs in Charleston
1. Shop around and compare quotes
You can't get the best deal on auto insurance without comparing quotes from at least three different companies. Experts recommend comparison
shopping for car insurance quotes
every six months.Take a look at the most competitive plans in five minutes or less with Jerry. Download the app, sign up, and get five to seven quotes delivered straight to your phone. It’s the best money you’ll never spend—because our five-star-rated app is free!
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Getting the right
car insurance discount
can transform a good rate into a great one. You could save by joining a program for:- Good drivers. If you’ve held aclean driving recordfor at least three years, you’re due for some sweet discounts.
- Telematics device users. Telematics devices track how far you drive, when you drive, and how you drive. If you brake often and hard, this isn’t the program for you. But if you’re a calm and mellow driver, you could reap a low rate as a reward!
- Good students. Full-time high school and college students with a B average or better can translate their scholastic successes into savings.
- Insurance bundlers. Bundle your car and home insurance and you could pay less for each of them.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.
Why is car insurance in Charleston so expensive?
- Congestion: Because driving in Charleston incurs a higher risk of dents, dings, and cracked windows than driving in the countryside, insurance rates are higher, too.
- Motor vehicle theft: Similar to congestion, high motor vehicle theft rates in Charleston lead insurance providers to increase your premiums.
- Fatality rates: Around one quarter of the fatal car crashes in Illinois in 2021 happened on urban roads. Because of the high costs associated with motor vehicle fatalities, Charleston drivers pay higher rates.
FAQ
How much is car insurance in Charleston?
People living in Charleston pay on average $90 per month – or $1,080 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in Charleston costs on average $190 per month of $2,280 per year.
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free.
What is the cheapest car insurance in Charleston?
Based on thousands of Charleston drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in Charleston costs an average of $90 per month for state-minimum coverage and $190 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!
What is the best car insurance in Charleston?
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Founders, State Auto, and Travelers receive good ratings from Charleston drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
What is the minimum car insurance in Charleston, Illinois?
The state-minimum car insurance in Charleston, Illinois is as follows:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability per accident
These coverages are commonly referred to as 25/50/20 coverage.
Additionally, Illinois drivers must also carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
Methodology
The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.
Meet our Experts
R.E. Fulton
Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
Lina Zhang
Licensed Insurance Agent
15 Years Working in Insurance
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to Jerry’s rapid growth.
Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. Before founding YourMechanic, Lina served as an intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a postdoctoral biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
Lina is a member of the State Bar of California, and a licensed property and casualty insurance broker in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Josh Damico
Head Of Insurance Operations
18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s Vice President Insurance Operations and a licensed insurance professional with 18 years of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh worked for 14 years at GEICO, most recently as Director of Insurance Sales, Service, and Underwriting in the Buffalo, New York region, where he doubled the size of the team to 950+ licensed associates. Josh Damico is a licensed insurance agent in 48 states. Josh has appeared on news channels like FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.