7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
Charleston, the capital city of West Virginia, has roots dating back to the late 1700s. Though it’s the most populous city in the Mountain State, Charleston has a population of only about 47,000.[1] Drivers in Charleston pay an overall average of $121 per month for car insurance. That’s slightly higher than the state’s average cost of car insurance of $114.
The cost of car insurance in West Virginia is a little less than the overall national average of $154 per month. In less populated areas, drivers typically face a decreased risk of traffic accidents and property damage because fewer drivers are on the road. This may decrease the overall cost of car insurance for drivers in the area.
Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance coverage in Charleston.
Charleston drivers pay $88 per month for liability-only coverage and $153 for full coverage, on average.
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Charleston for full coverage, with a monthly rate of $59.
Charleston drivers with incidents on their records pay an average of $127 per month for liability coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Charleston
Insurance companies take many factors into account when determining your premiums, including your age, ZIP code, vehicle type, and driving record.
Every company takes a slightly different approach to calculating premiums and assessing the risk you pose, which means you may get significantly different quotes across companies. Shopping around can help you lock in the best coverage for your situation.
Find more information below about three of the top insurance companies in Charleston that consistently offer low average rates and quality coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | 9.3 | $56 | $33 | Cheap rates |
USAA | 9.4 | $67 | $39 | Veterans |
Erie | 9.0 | $68 | $40 | Families |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $35/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $59/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Charles
November 19, 2024
New Car Price
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
State Farm offers some of the cheapest rates for Charleston drivers looking for affordable car insurance policies. Policyholders can save more money from one or more of the company’s 10 advertised discounts. The company earned an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, the highest level possible.
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Offers rideshare insurance
Gap insurance not available
Accident forgiveness limited to long-time customers
Best insurer for veterans: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $41/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $71/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA provides affordable rates for Charleston drivers. The company only works with and sells coverage to active and reserve military members, veterans, and qualified family members. USAA tailors coverage to benefit military members, with discounts for storing your car during deployment or simply garaging your car on a military base. The company earned an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.
SafePilot telematics program rewards safe drivers with a discount of up to 30%
Variety of discounts
Coverage only available for active-duty and former military members and their families
No 24/7 customer service
Best insurer for families: Erie
User Reviews | 4.1 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $42/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $72/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Lana
November 10, 2024
Erie Insurance
George
November 6, 2024
Good People
Judie
November 4, 2024
Great Coverage
A super-regional insurer, Erie has affordable average car insurance rates for Charleston drivers. Families can benefit from a number of savings opportunities, including the company’s Rate Lock feature and youthful driver, college student, and multi-policy discounts. The company boasts an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.
Offers other insurance products, like life insurance, renters insurance, and home insurance
Top J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Mid-Atlantic region
Limited online services for customers
Only available in 12 states
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Charleston
Car insurance is an unavoidable expense. The good news is that you can find ways to save money on your necessary auto coverage.
Here are some different ways to help you save:
Shop around. Different companies offer varying car insurance rates. Shopping around is the best way to lock in the lowest rate for your unique situation.
Look for a discount. Many insurance companies provide a variety of discounts for customers. Take a minute to see if you qualify for any.
Increase your deductible. Setting a higher collision and comprehensive deductible often leads to lower auto insurance premiums. If you have the money on hand to cover a higher deductible, consider this option.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Charleston: State Farm
Liability car insurance covers any property damage and bodily injury you cause the other driver during an accident. This type of insurance won’t cover your own vehicle repair costs or medical expenses. Liability-only car insurance is generally the cheapest coverage option. But the lack of protection for your vehicle repairs could lead to an expensive bill after an accident.[2]
The average cost of liability insurance in the city is $88 per month, and here are some of the cheapest car insurance options in Charleston.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $35 |
USAA | $41 |
Erie | $42 |
GEICO | $64 |
National General | $71 |
Progressive | $75 |
Nationwide | $79 |
Direct Auto | $83 |
Root | $84 |
Clearcover | $85 |
Allstate | $88 |
Dairyland | $99 |
CSAA | $101 |
Foremost | $103 |
Liberty Mutual | $118 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Charleston: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance provides more financial protection than a liability-only policy. On top of liability coverage, a full-coverage auto insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage. After an incident, this type of policy can help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle.
Most auto lenders require drivers with an auto loan or lease to carry this coverage, but it’s a good idea for any driver who wants to avoid out-of-pocket expenses after an at-fault accident.
The average cost of full coverage is $153 per month, but the table below shows the cheapest companies in Charleston to start your search.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $59 |
USAA | $71 |
Erie | $72 |
GEICO | $108 |
Progressive | $127 |
Nationwide | $135 |
Root | $138 |
National General | $148 |
Allstate | $150 |
Clearcover | $175 |
Direct Auto | $184 |
CSAA | $191 |
Liberty Mutual | $219 |
Foremost | $240 |
Dairyland | $269 |
Cheapest recent rates near Charleston, West Virginia
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $50/mo for liability only and $93/mo for full coverage in Charleston and other West Virginia cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, West Virginia within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Charleston, West Virginia within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in West Virginia
It’s illegal to drive on public roads in West Virginia without a minimum amount of liability insurance. In addition to property damage and bodily injury liability insurance, you also need to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. And, per West Virginia law, insurance companies must also give you the option to purchase underinsured motorist coverage.
Take a look at the state’s minimum insurance requirements below:[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Uninsured motorist property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
Many drivers decide to purchase more than the minimum insurance requirements, for a greater level of financial protection. Here’s a look at some of the optional coverages you can consider:
Comprehensive coverage
If a non-collision incident — like a fallen tree, theft, vandalism, fire, or severe weather — damages your vehicle, comprehensive coverage can help you repair or replace your car.
Collision coverage
After an at-fault accident, collision coverage will kick in to cover your repair or replacement costs. Collision applies whether you hit another vehicle, or a stationary object such as a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
Roadside assistance coverage
Specifics vary by insurer, but roadside assistance coverage typically includes towing, jump-starts, tire replacement, gas delivery, and other services.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle and your medical expenses if a driver without insurance, or with insufficient insurance, causes an accident with your vehicle. It can also pay if you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Accident forgiveness
An optional coverage, accident forgiveness can help keep your car insurance rates low if you buy it before causing an accident. The coverage waives the premium increase you'd otherwise see at renewal following an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Making a mistake on the road can have a lasting effect on the cost of your car insurance premiums. In general, drivers with an incident on their record — like a speeding ticket, driving under the influence charge, or at-fault accident — pay more for car insurance than people with a clean driving record.[4] Incidents can affect your car insurance costs for three to five years.
Charleston drivers with an incident pay $174 per month for car insurance, on average. How much your premium increases after an incident will depend on the severity of the offense and whether you have prior infractions on your record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
You typically need to pay an up-front fine for a speeding ticket. Receiving a speeding ticket is a red flag for insurance companies, so insurers will likely charge you higher premiums, via a surcharge, for several years following a ticket.
Drivers in Charleston with a speeding ticket pay an overall average of $202 per month for car insurance. Find some of the cheapest options for drivers in this category below, and see how liability-only rates compare to those for drivers with a clean record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $35 | $50 |
USAA | $41 | $59 |
Erie | $42 | $62 |
GEICO | $64 | $92 |
National General | $71 | $102 |
Progressive | $75 | $107 |
Nationwide | $79 | $114 |
Direct Auto | $83 | $119 |
Root | $84 | $128 |
Clearcover | $85 | $122 |
Allstate | $88 | $126 |
Dairyland | $99 | $142 |
CSAA | $101 | $147 |
Foremost | $103 | $158 |
Liberty Mutual | $118 | $181 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
Many insurers view a past at-fault accident on record as an indicator of future claims. With this higher risk indicator, drivers with an at-fault accident tend to pay more for car insurance. Each month, drivers in Charleston with a past at-fault accident pay an overall average of $197 for car insurance.
See how liability rates for a clean driving record compare to rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $35 | $50 |
USAA | $41 | $59 |
Erie | $42 | $62 |
GEICO | $64 | $93 |
National General | $71 | $103 |
Progressive | $75 | $109 |
Nationwide | $79 | $115 |
Direct Auto | $83 | $123 |
Root | $84 | $129 |
Clearcover | $85 | $132 |
Allstate | $88 | $127 |
Dairyland | $99 | $142 |
CSAA | $101 | $151 |
Foremost | $103 | $158 |
Liberty Mutual | $118 | $181 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
One of the most serious moving violations, a DUI comes with financial consequences. Drivers with a DUI pay significantly higher rates for car insurance than drivers with less serious incidents in their past.
In Charleston, drivers with a past DUI pay an overall average of $221 per month for car insurance.
Here’s a breakdown of average liability quotes for drivers with a DUI in Charleston and how they compare to rates for drivers with a clean record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $35 | $61 |
USAA | $41 | $71 |
Erie | $42 | $73 |
GEICO | $64 | $111 |
National General | $71 | $123 |
Progressive | $75 | $130 |
Nationwide | $79 | $137 |
Direct Auto | $83 | $144 |
Root | $84 | $131 |
Clearcover | $85 | $148 |
Allstate | $88 | $153 |
Dairyland | $99 | $172 |
CSAA | $101 | $159 |
Foremost | $103 | $179 |
Liberty Mutual | $118 | $205 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
Most auto insurance companies consider your age when determining your premiums. Drivers typically pay lower starting around 25, and the downward trend in rates can continue for decades.
But around age 70, senior drivers might face increased car insurance rates because of increased accident risks.
Senior drivers in Charleston pay an overall average of $94 per month for car insurance. Take a look at the average car insurance quotes for older drivers in Charleston below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $44 | $26 |
Erie | $53 | $31 |
USAA | $55 | $32 |
GEICO | $83 | $49 |
Progressive | $88 | $52 |
Nationwide | $97 | $57 |
National General | $109 | $52 |
Root | $112 | $68 |
Allstate | $116 | $68 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $63 |
CSAA | $141 | $75 |
Clearcover | $146 | $71 |
Liberty Mutual | $178 | $96 |
Foremost | $186 | $80 |
Dairyland | $208 | $76 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm
Teen drivers lack experience behind the wheel, so they typically pay the highest insurance rates by driver age. Although it’s impossible to change your age, you don’t have to overpay for car insurance.
Teenagers in Charleston pay an overall average of $246 per month for car insurance.
Young drivers can save on car insurance costs by getting good grades, driving a safe vehicle, increasing their deductible, and looking for discounts. Also, shopping around can help you find the best deal for your needs.[5]
Explore the cheapest average quotes for young drivers below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $111 | $66 |
USAA | $131 | $76 |
Erie | $133 | $77 |
GEICO | $191 | $113 |
Root | $229 | $139 |
Progressive | $244 | $144 |
Nationwide | $259 | $151 |
Allstate | $293 | $172 |
National General | $316 | $152 |
CSAA | $339 | $179 |
Clearcover | $351 | $171 |
Direct Auto | $367 | $166 |
Liberty Mutual | $413 | $222 |
Foremost | $467 | $200 |
Dairyland | $479 | $176 |
Charleston car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies in West Virginia can consider your credit history when determining premiums. In general, insurers offer lower rates to drivers with excellent or good credit. Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance.
Here are the average rates for full-coverage car insurance by credit tier:
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Charleston?
Drivers in Charleston pay an average monthly premium of $121, which is slightly higher than the state average of $114.
Coverage in Charleston is more affordable than some other popular cities in the Mountain State. For example, drivers in Huntington pay an average of $161 per month for full-coverage insurance, while Morgantown drivers pay $141.
Car insurance is generally cheaper in less populated cities like Charleston partially due to lower accident rates and traffic density.
More cities in West Virginia
If you live elsewhere in West Virginia, you’ll likely find different car insurance premiums.
Charleston drivers typically pay a bit less for coverage than drivers in other West Virginia cities. See how average quotes compare below.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Huntington | $161 | $89 |
Martinsburg | $142 | $76 |
Morgantown | $141 | $74 |
Charleston car insurance FAQs
Before you start comparing quotes from top insurers, you should determine how much coverage you need. The following information should answer any remaining questions and help you navigate the process of buying cheap auto insurance in Charleston.
How much is car insurance in Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston drivers pay $153 per month for full-coverage insurance and $88 for liability coverage. The overall cost of car insurance in the state is $121 per month. How much you pay for coverage depends on your driving record, age, vehicle type, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in Charleston?
State Farm is the best car insurance company in Charleston. It earned an above-average customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power and has an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 9.3 out of 5. Other top insurers include Erie and USAA.
What companies have the cheapest car insurance in Charleston?
State Farm, USAA, and Erie are the cheapest liability auto insurers in Charleston, with rates as low as $35, $41, and $42 per month, respectively.
Keep in mind that insurance professionals typically recommend buying more than your state's minimum required amount of coverage. Minimum coverage can leave you vulnerable to substantial financial loss if you cause an accident. And it won't pay to repair your vehicle.
How much is car insurance in West Virginia per month?
The overall cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $114 per month. On average, drivers in the state pay $76 per month for liability coverage and $153 for full-coverage insurance.
What car insurance do you need in West Virginia?
West Virginia drivers must carry the following amounts of minimum coverage:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in West Virginia
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts: Charleston city, West Virginia."
- III. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner. "Automobile Mandatory Limits."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- III. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.