Home insurance* in South Carolina costs an average of $1,653 per year for Kin customers with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. The state’s coastal regions, with a high risk for hurricanes and flooding, play a part in making it the 19th most expensive state to insure a home, according to the Consumer Federation of America.
Other factors driving home insurance costs in South Carolina include rising home repair costs caused by inflation and supply chain issues, and insurance companies passing on the cost of reinsurance to their customers.
How much is homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
On average, South Carolina home insurance costs $138 per month, or $1,653 per year, for Kin policyholders with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. However, the actual rate you pay depends on your home’s exact location, the type of construction and building materials used, the age of your roof, details about your policy selections, and more.
| Dwelling coverage amount |
Average monthly premium |
Average annual premium |
| $300,000 |
$62 |
$748 |
| $500,000 |
$104 |
$1,247 |
| $750,000 |
$156 |
$1,870 |
| $1,000,000 |
$208 |
$2,493 |
Average premiums for Kin home insurance customers as of February 2026.
Average cost of home insurance in South Carolina by region
The area you live in plays a significant role in determining how much you pay for home insurance. Coastal, low-lying regions with a higher risk for hurricane and storm damage are generally more expensive to insure than other areas of the state since homes here are more likely to experience claimable damage.
| Region |
Relative cost |
Primary risk factors |
| Lowcountry |
Highest |
Hurricanes, windstorms, flooding |
| Midlands |
Moderate |
Hurricanes, windstorms, wildfires |
| Pee Dee |
Lower |
Hurricanes, windstorms, flooding |
| Upcountry |
Most affordable |
Lower risk of hurricanes and flooding |
Home insurance in high-risk areas in South Carolina
Because of the risk involved in insuring homes in certain areas, home insurance is getting more expensive in the state, and certain companies have stopped renewing policies altogether. As a result, some South Carolina homeowners may have trouble finding affordable coverage — or securing coverage at all.
South Carolina’s primary insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage is the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA), often called the "Beach Plan" or "Wind Pool." This association offers wind and hail protection for coastal properties that struggle to find coverage for wind and hail in the private market.
However, these policies are significantly narrower than a standard homeowners insurance plan. For example, SCWHUA does not provide coverage for common causes of loss or damage, such as fire or theft. It also does not include personal liability or medical payments coverage. For these reasons, a SCWHUA policy is best used to supplement a home insurance policy that excludes wind and hail — it’s not a suitable replacement for a traditional home insurance policy due to its coverage limitations.
Factors that impact the cost of home insurance in South Carolina
Many factors impact the cost of home insurance in South Carolina, including:
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Severe weather: South Carolina has a high risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, and floods due to its low-elevation, coastal regions that sit in the path of major storm systems. Insurers tend to charge more for home insurance in areas at higher risk for large claims.
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Construction costs: Inflation, high demand, and supply chain issues have combined to drive up the cost of labor and construction materials in South Carolina. These increased costs make it more expensive for insurers to pay out claims, so companies charge higher rates to compensate.
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Reinsurance costs: Insurers buy reinsurance in case of catastrophic losses after a major disaster. When global reinsurance rates increase, insurers often pass those added costs along to the consumer (though there are signs that the reinsurance market is cooling off in 2026).
How to lower the cost of home insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina homeowners can take proactive measures to potentially reduce their home insurance costs:
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Residential Retrofit Income Tax Credit: The South Carolina Department of Revenue offers a tax credit for home fortification projects that upgrade a home’s roof and openings, such as windows and doors, and make them more resistant to events like windstorms and floods. In addition to providing a state tax credit for the lesser of 25% of the project cost or $1,000, hardening your home against disasters may help you land lower rates.
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Catastrophe Savings Account: South Carolina residents can open a Catastrophe Savings Account to put aside money for qualified home repair expenses and even cover home insurance deductibles. Contributions are tax-free in the state, but funds must be used to recover from losses caused by a disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or windstorm, that the governor declares an emergency. While this doesn't lower the cost of insurance, it can help homeowners handle homeownership costs in tough scenarios.
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Higher deductible: You can increase your policy’s deductible to lower your insurance premium. But remember, you’ll have to pay more out of pocket toward repairs if you file a claim with your insurer.
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Discount opportunities: Your insurer may offer discounts. Here are several to ask about:
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Bundling discounts for buying another type of insurance, such as auto insurance or life insurance, from your home insurance provider
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Loyalty discounts for customers who keep their policy open and make on-time payments for a certain amount of time
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Paperless discounts for handling everything online or over the phone
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Green discounts for homes that meet certain energy-efficiency criteria
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Home upgrades: Installing fire and smoke alarms, water detection devices, sprinklers, upgraded roofing materials, or other upgrades can reduce your home’s risk profile and may lower your rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance expensive in SC?
South Carolina is the 19th-most expensive state for home insurance on average, according to the Consumer Federation of America. If you live in a coastal region, your home insurance rates could be even higher than homes in other areas of the state.
Do I need flood insurance in South Carolina?
While it is not required by state law, your mortgage lender may require you to buy flood insurance as a condition of your loan. Even if it’s not required, it’s typically a good idea to carry flood coverage because standard home insurance policies usually do not cover flood damage.
Are hurricanes covered by South Carolina home insurance?
Most standard home insurance policies in South Carolina will cover damage caused by wind, including from hurricanes. However, your policy may have a separate deductible for hurricanes, expressed as a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your home’s insured value. Your home policy typically will not cover flooding caused by hurricanes unless you’ve purchased a flood endorsement or a standalone flood insurance policy.
What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?
Most insurance companies require you to carry coverage equal to 100% of your home’s total estimated replacement cost. This isn't about your home's market value (what it would sell for), but rather what it would actually cost to rebuild it from the ground up today.
Many home insurance policies include a coinsurance clause, often referred to as the 80% rule or the 80/20 rule. If your coverage limit falls below 80% of your home’s full replacement cost, your insurer may not pay the full amount for a claim — even for small losses. Instead, you could face a coinsurance penalty, meaning you’ll have to pay a larger share of the repair costs out of pocket.
