Home insurance in South Carolina

The average cost of South Carolina home insurance premiums is $2,977 per year for a home with a replacement cost value of $350,000.^* South Carolina’s home insurance premiums are slightly higher than the national average because of the higher risk of natural disasters, like hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. However, the cost of your premium depends on several factors, including your home’s exact location, age, and composition.

The best way to find out how much you'll pay for a home insurance policy in South Carolina is to get a quote. 

^{* Based on data from the Consumer Federation for America}

Many factors affect home insurance rates in South Carolina, including:

• The cost of rebuilding your home. The more expensive your home is to rebuild from the ground up, the more coverage you need, and the higher your premium will be. 

• The age of your home. Older homes are often more expensive to insure due to an increased risk of claims or rare/vintage building materials.

• The age and condition of your roof. Older roofs lead to higher rates and potentially coverage limitations.

• Location-based risks. Homes at a higher risk for natural disasters, such as hurricanes, are often more expensive to insure. Your proximity to a fire station and the crime rate in your ZIP code can also affect your rate. 

• Claims history. A history of recent or frequent claims can increase your coverage costs. 

• Your credit history. Insurers in South Carolina can use your insurance-based credit score to determine your rates. If you have poor credit, you may see a higher premium. 

• Coverage details. Your deductible, limits for each type of coverage, and any additional coverages will impact your final cost. 

Home insurance does not cover every type of damage South Carolina homeowners may encounter. Common exclusions include:

• Flood damage 

• Mudflow

• Sinkholes

• Most instances of mold and rot

• Pest infestations

• Replacement of systems, components, or materials that fail due to wear and tear

• Intentional damage

• Earthquakes

Note: Although wind damage is typically covered in South Carolina, you may have to pay a separate deductible for wind/hail damage. 

The state of South Carolina does not mandate that homeowners carry insurance. However, if you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will likely require you to carry a certain amount of coverage for the entirety of your loan. 

Once you pay off your mortgage, you can drop your home insurance coverage, but that doesn’t mean you should. Without homeowners insurance, you’ll need to pay out of pocket if your property or belongings are damaged or stolen. 

How much home insurance you’ll need in South Carolina will depend on the value of your property and assets, and your desired level of protection. Consider the following coverages and general recommendations below:  

• Dwelling coverage. Choose a limit that's high enough to fully rebuild your home to its original state should it be destroyed.

• Other structures coverage. Typically set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. Consider purchasing more if the detached structures on your property, like a garage or pool house, exceed that limit. 

• Personal property coverage. Typically, at least 50% of your dwelling coverage limit. Take a home inventory to determine the value of your belongings and your coverage needs.

• Loss of use coverage. This part of your policy is typically set to at least 20% of your dwelling coverage limit. This coverage can help you pay for necessary expenses, like hotel stays, pet boarding, and restaurant meals, if you are displaced after a covered event. 

• Medical payments coverage. Standard limits generally range from $1,000 to $5,000 and will help pay for guests’ medical expenses if they’re injured on your property, regardless of who was at fault.

• Liability coverage. This part of your policy covers expenses (including legal) if someone is injured on your property or you or a covered household member is at fault for another party’s property damage. You should carry enough coverage to protect your assets (e.g., real estate, savings, investment accounts, etc.) 

If you’re a homeowner in South Carolina, you may want to invest in the following home insurance endorsements or separate policies:  

• Flood insurance. If you live in an area of South Carolina that experiences heavy rainfall or hurricanes, consider adding a flood endorsement to your policy or purchasing standalone flood insurance. If you have a mortgage and live in a flood zone, your lender may require flood insurance. 

• Extended replacement cost coverage. If the cost to rebuild your home exceeds your original dwelling coverage limit, this endorsement can extend that limit, often by as much as 25% or more. This endorsement can be well worth the investment if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, as construction and labor prices often surge after a major event.

• Water backup coverage. This endorsement covers water damage caused by sewer or sump pump backup, which is typically excluded from a standard home insurance policy.

• Windstorm insurance. Coastal areas of South Carolina experience frequent, severe windstorms. If wind damage is limited or excluded from your policy, consider adding a wind coverage endorsement or purchasing a windstorm insurance policy.

• Ordinance or law coverage. If a covered peril damages your home and repairs require extra work (and expenses) to meet local building codes, this endorsement can cover the additional cost.