Best Independent Insurance Agencies in Charleston, SC (2026)
Local agencies that can compare more than one insurance company, ranked by a formula you can check.
Disclosure: Quote My Policy is not an insurance agency and is not on this list. No agency paid to be listed or was asked to take part. The order comes from a published scoring formula applied to facts each agency publishes about itself. Our reviewers are licensed agents in Anderson: Joshua Pannell, Katie Stone and JJ Taylor work at Select Insurance, LLC, and our founder Bryan DeVore owns an agency. Those agencies are left off every list.
Facts checked October 29, 2026
Reviewed by Bryan DeVore, Founder, Quote My Policy ·
Charleston is the seat of Charleston County. This list covers independent agencies with an office in Charleston.
Every agency here has an office in the area, says on its own website that it represents more than one insurance company, and has at least one named agent we found in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search. The order comes from a fixed scoring formula, not from our opinion, and no agency paid or asked to be included.
See exactly how the points work on how we rank local agencies.
The 8 agencies, ranked
1. Maury Donnelly & Parr (Charleston)
Score 88/100Maury Donnelly & Parr (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “We represent different insurance companies so we can offer you a variety of policies unique to you.”
Charleston office of Maury Donnelly & Parr, an independent brokerage serving clients since 1875 with a private client group for high-value homes.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
- Farm
Found in the SC license search: Beth Bolin, individual #366452; Elizabeth Tomaseski, individual #1508767; Matthew Cochrane-Logan, individual #466350; Phillip Mollica, individual #1426889; Rob Whitman, individual #1379685; Robert Phelan, individual #108097
- Office: 850 Morrison Drive, 4th Floor, Charleston, SC 29403 · 800-638-9202
- In business since 1875
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 18/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 10/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 15/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
2. Anderson Insurance Associates (Charleston)
Score 86/100Anderson Insurance Associates (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “As independent insurance agents, we offer you numerous choices to help you get the coverage you need for you, your family and your business.”
Writing insurance on the coast since 1981; a Trusted Choice agency and member of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina.
Also has an office in Pawleys Island, plus Hilton Head, Greenville and Aiken offices by appointment.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Julius J. "Jules" Anderson, Jr. (Managing Member), individual #200750; Kristi Hutto (Insurance advisor), individual #487825; John Spence (Commercial lines), individual #214771; Telfair Parker, Jr., individual #636236; Andrew Parker, individual #1100109
- Office: 3491 Shelby Ray Court, Charleston, SC 29414 · 843-763-7525
- In business since 1981
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am–4:30 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 18/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 15/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
3. C. T. Lowndes & Company (Charleston)
Score 82/100C. T. Lowndes & Company (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “We represent multiple insurance companies.”
Family-owned Lowcountry agency in business since 1850, with seven South Carolina offices including Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, Walterboro, Moncks Corner, Edisto Island and Myrtle Beach.
Offers a dedicated coastal insurance program covering wind exposure, alongside flood, high-value home and employee benefits.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Henry H. Lowndes, Jr. (Owner), individual #149637; Sarah Lowndes (Owner, Chief Advertising Officer, Chief Operating Officer), individual #999079; Paulette Klingel (Sales), individual #333112
- Office: 749 St. Andrews Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29407 · 843-763-0120
- In business since 1850
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Fri 9:00 am–2:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 9/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
4. The Steadman Agency (Charleston)
Score 81/100The Steadman Agency (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “We are an Independent Insurance agency representing dozens of carriers in the primary and surplus lines market.”
Family-run agency tracing its roots to 1897, with a downtown Charleston office near the South Carolina Aquarium and a second office in Walterboro.
Specializes in home, marine, umbrella, wind and flood insurance, including excess flood.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Paul Steadman, AAI, ARM, AU, CIC (President), individual #181260; Amy Bunton, AIAM (Personal Lines Manager), individual #476366; Julie Smyly, CISR (Personal Lines Account Manager), individual #184377; Vicky Dopson (Personal Lines Account Manager), individual #155631; Bill Steadman (Commercial Lines Broker), individual #646782; Brandy Maxey, CISR (Commercial Lines Manager), individual #168929
- Office: 40 Calhoun Street, Suite 215, Charleston, SC 29401 · 843-723-4001
- In business since 1897
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 18/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 15/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 0/5
5. Taylor Agency (Charleston)
Score 81/100Taylor Agency (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “As your insurance advocate, we work for you and not for any individual insurance carrier.”
Family-run agency headquartered in Charleston with offices in Summerville, Daniel Island, Kiawah Island and Orangeburg.
Runs a Hurricane Resource Center and hurricane update newsletter, and insures waterfront, marshfront and historic homes.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: W. Lee Taylor, Jr. (President & CEO), individual #150419; Lee Elf Taylor (Vice-President, Controller), individual #133173; Lauren Taylor Huffman (Vice-President, Operations), individual #362936; Kimberly Elf Taylor (Vice-President, Marketing, Personal Insurance), individual #447996; Meredith Thomason (Marketing Specialist, Commercial Insurance), individual #354012
- Office: 147 Wappoo Creek Drive, Wappoo Centre, Charleston, SC 29412 · (843) 762-1805
- In business since 1979
- Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:30 pm; Fri 8:30 am–3:30 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 18/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 15/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 0/5
6. Bridge Insurance
Score 51/100Bridge Insurance is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “Our agents take the time to understand your unique needs, compare quotes from multiple carriers, and recommend coverage that truly fits your life and budget.”
Locally owned West Ashley agency founded by Scott Myers, with a focus on auto, commercial auto, trucking and business insurance.
Also offers dedicated windstorm and hail coverage, SR-22/DUI, ride-share and golf cart policies.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Scott Myers (Owner & Insurance Agent), individual #496282
- Office: 7 Gamecock Ave, Suite 706, Charleston, SC 29407 · (843) 974-5150
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 0/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 3/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
7. Covenant Insurance Group (Charleston)
Score 51/100Covenant Insurance Group (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. Its website publishes a list of the insurance companies it works with.
West Ashley office of a group headquartered in Mount Pleasant, with further offices in Summerville, Beaufort, Chapin, Sumter and Columbia.
Offers personal, business, life and health coverage.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Business
- Farm
Found in the SC license search: Emily Perry, individual #1227786
- Office: 1032 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407 · (843) 795-0189
- Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–4:30 pm; Fri 8:00 am–4:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 0/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 18/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 10/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 3/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
8. Dunes Insurance (Charleston)
Score 45/100Dunes Insurance (Charleston) is an independent agency with an office in Charleston. In its own words: “We are a local independent agency designed to provide lower premiums and higher coverage with a hometown service approach.”
Founded in 2010 by childhood friends Trey McMillan and Matt Turbeville; insures coastal property from James Island and Folly Beach to Kiawah, Seabrook and Edisto.
Other offices in Hilton Head Island, North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Umbrella
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Matt Turbeville (Agent/Partner), individual #586122
- Office: 656 Ellis Oak Avenue, Suite 112, Charleston, SC 29412 · 843.737.6236
- In business since 2010
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 16/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 8/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 3/15
- Transparency
- 5/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 0/5
Why these lists include only independent agencies
An independent agency can quote with several insurance companies, so one conversation in Charleston can produce more than one price. A captive agent represents a single company. Captive agents can be excellent; they just answer a different question, which is why we rank them separately or not at all.
What to have ready before you call
An agent can only compare what they can see. Five minutes of gathering saves a second round of calls.
- Your current declarations page, so the agent can match or improve the coverage you already have
- Driver's license numbers and vehicle VINs for everyone and everything on the policy
- For a home: year built, roof age and material, and any updates to wiring, plumbing or heating
- Any claims or tickets in the past five years, so quotes aren't revised later
- The date you need coverage to start
Check an agent's license yourself
Every person on these lists appeared in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search when we checked. Licenses lapse and change, so look the person up yourself before you buy. Our step-by-step guide shows how, and what the search can and can't tell you.
Rather not call around?
Tell us what you need and how you’d like to be reached. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals. Quotes are free, with no obligation to buy.
Common questions
With a fixed formula of up to 100 points: years in business, the coverage the agency offers, how many of its named people we found in the South Carolina license search, whether it publishes its staff and hours, convenience (online quote requests, evening or Saturday hours, other languages) and depth on the topic. The full formula is on our How we rank page. We do not use reviews or star ratings.
No. No agency paid, and none was asked to take part. Quote My Policy is not an agency and is not on the list.
We include independent agencies with an office in Charleston whose own website says they represent more than one insurance company, and with at least one named person we could find in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search. If your agency meets those rules, email info@quotemypolicy.com with your website and we will check it the same way.
Each person we list by license number appeared in the South Carolina Department of Insurance individual license search on the date shown. The public search confirms a license record, not every detail of it, so look the agent up yourself before you buy.
Keep reading
Sources
Each agency’s own website, linked above, and the South Carolina Department of Insurance individual license search. Checked October 29, 2026. Spot an error? Email info@quotemypolicy.com and we will re-check it.
General information only, not insurance advice. Being on this list is not an endorsement, and leaving an agency off is not a judgment of it. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals.