The average auto insurance policy costs $125 per month in North Charleston. If you're paying too much, compare rates today.
Car insurance coverage costs an average of $1,508 each year in North Charleston. That's greater than than the statewide average in South Carolina ($1,414) and less expensive than the national average of $1,548. Our guide to car insurance in North Charleston — researched and written by The Zebra's team of licensed insurance experts — includes average premiums based on age, credit score, driving history, and marital status. Read on for more information.
| North Charleston Average (yearly) | South Carolina Average | United States Average |
| $1,508 | $1,414 | $1,548 |
One of the most important determinants of your car insurance rates is the insurance company you work with. In North Charleston, USAA offers the cheapest rates for the average insurance customer. We've listed the best cheap car insurance companies in North Charleston below. Use this information as a starting point and be sure to compare quotes specific to your unique driving profile.
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| USAA | $1,218 |
| GEICO | $1,356 |
| Travelers | $1,407 |
| State Farm | $1,461 |
| Progressive | $1,553 |
Check out our guide to learn how to find the best cheap car insurance.
North Charleston drivers in their 50s pay relatively affordable car insurance rates just $1,353 each year, on average. Those in their 60s don't pay significantly more ($1,392).
Teenage drivers pay North Charleston's most expensive auto insurance rates. One of the most effective ways to lower your car insurance rates as a driver in North Charleston is to age out of your teens. The difference in rates paid by teenage drivers and drivers in their 20s in North Charleston is $3,068, the largest such difference between any two age groups.
| Age | Average Yearly Rate |
| Teenagers | $5,056 |
| 20s | $1,987 |
| 30s | $1,480 |
| 40s | $1,425 |
| 50s | $1,353 |
| 60s | $1,392 |
| 70s | $1,677 |
Learn more about how age influences auto insurance rates.
In some cases, a driver's marital status and gender may affect their car insurance rates. In North Charleston, married drivers pay $126 less than do single drivers for car insurance. Married drivers enjoy less expensive rates than their single counterparts in most locations, based on data showing they file fewer insurance claims. In North Charleston, insurance rates for those who are widowed are less expensive than rates for those who are single.
Gender is another factor that can influence auto insurance rates. In North Charleston, the gap in car insurance rates between genders is $33 per year, with male drivers paying more than female drivers.
| Marital Status/Gender | Average Annual Rate |
| Female | $1,475 |
| Male | $1,508 |
| Single | $1,508 |
| Married | $1,382 |
| Divorced | $1,508 |
| Widowed | $1,473 |
No matter where you live, steering clear of accidents and citations is the best way to keep your auto insurance rates affordable. Speeding tickets, reckless driving citations, DUIs and DWIs, and at-fault accidents all can trigger insurance rate hikes.
North Charleston drivers found guilty of reckless driving pay the price when it comes to auto insurance, facing a rate increase of $546 per year versus the city average. A ticket for speeding results in a $291 rate hike, on average, while a DUI violation costs $612per year in insurance premiums.
| Violation/Incident | Average Annual Rate |
| DUI/DWI | $2,119 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,053 |
| At-fault Accident (damages less than $1,000) | $2,032 |
| At-fault Accident (damages greater than $2,000) | $2,151 |
| Speeding Ticket (16-20 mph over speed limit) | $1,798 |
Learn more about citations' impact on auto insurance rates.
One of the byproducts of a good credit score is lower car insurance costs. Drivers who keep their credit score up typically pay less for auto insurance than do drivers with less-than-stellar credit histories. In North Charleston, an improvement in credit score from the "Very Poor" tier (300-579) to the "Exceptional" tier (800-850) corresponds to a 59% drop in car insurance costs. Moving from "Very Poor" to "Fair" credit is a great way to save money on car insurance. In North Charleston, improving your credit to "Fair" could help you earn $1,276 in savings on insurance premiums each year.
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Rate |
| Very Poor | $3,062 |
| Fair | $1,785 |
| Good | $1,508 |
| Very Good | $1,393 |
| Exceptional | $1,269 |
Get additional information on how credit impacts car insurance costs.
