The Best and Cheapest Home Insurance in South Carolina (2024)
American National has the cheapest homeowners insurance in South Carolina, at $1,052 per year on average.
Compare Home Insurance Quotes in South Carolina
Best Cheap South Carolina Home Insurance
To find the best insurance companies in South Carolina, ValuePenguin collected quotes from top companies across the state in every ZIP code. Our editors rated companies based on cost, coverage options, availability and customer satisfaction.
Cheapest homeowners insurance in SC
American National is the cheapest homeowners insurance company in South Carolina.
Its home insurance rates are half as expensive as the state average. A policy from American National costs around $1,052 per year for $350,000 of dwelling coverage. It's also affordable for high-value homes at $1,444 for half a million dollars of dwelling coverage.
Compare Home Insurance Quotes from Companies in South Carolina
Allstate also offers very affordable South Carolina homeowners insurance rates.
A policy from Allstate costs $1,323 per year for $350,000 of dwelling coverage. That's 42% cheaper than the South Carolina average.
Best SC homeowners insurance quotes by dwelling coverage amount
$200,000
$350,000
$500,000
$1 million
Company | Annual rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | $651 | |
| Chubb | $941 | |
| Allstate | $997 | |
| Universal | $1,058 | |
| State Farm | $1,120 | |
$200,000
Company | Annual rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| American National | $651 | |
|
| Chubb | $941 | |
|
| Allstate | $997 | |
|
| Universal | $1,058 | |
|
| State Farm | $1,120 | |
$350,000
Company | Annual rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| American National | $1,052 | |
|
| Allstate | $1,323 | |
|
| Chubb | $1,628 | |
|
| State Farm | $1,639 | |
|
| Universal | $1,945 | |
$500,000
Company | Annual rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| American National | $1,444 | |
|
| Allstate | $1,778 | |
|
| State Farm | $2,196 | |
|
| Chubb | $2,330 | |
|
| Universal | $2,761 | |
$1 million
Company | Annual rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| American National | $2,826 | |
|
| Allstate | $3,369 | |
|
| State Farm | $3,750 | |
|
| Chubb | $4,717 | |
|
| $5,497 | ||
What homeowners insurance do I need in South Carolina?
South Carolina homeowners need to make sure their insurance policy protects against flood, wind and hail damage. Hurricanes, tropical storms and heavy rains can cause major flooding in coastal cities and towns further inland near rivers, lakes or streams.
Homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage, though you may have to pay a separate deductible. However, some companies don't offer wind coverage for homes near the coast, so check your policy if you live in an area with tropical storms or hurricanes.
Standard home insurance doesn't cover flood damage. You should consider buying separate flood insurance, even if your home isn't in a designated flood zone.
Best homeowners insurance in SC for most people: Allstate
-
Editor's rating
- Cost: $1,323/yr
Allstate is a great option because it's affordable and offers lots of ways to customize your coverage.
Pros:
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Affordable SC home insurance quotes
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Offers coverage to coastal homes
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Sells flood insurance
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Lots of discounts
Cons:
-
Mixed service reviews
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Not the best option for bundling auto and home policies
Allstate has some of the most affordable homeowners insurance in South Carolina. A policy from Allstate costs around $1,323 per year for $350,000 of dwelling coverage. That's 42% cheaper than the South Carolina state average.
Allstate also offers cheap rates for luxury homes. A policy from Allstate costs $3,369 per year for $1 million of dwelling coverage, which is 46% less than average.
You could pay even less for an Allstate policy if you qualify for some of its home insurance discounts. For example, you could save money by buying a policy one week before your coverage ends or signing up for automatic payments.
Unlike some other major companies, Allstate offers homeowners insurance along the South Carolina coast.
If your home is in a flood zone, you can buy a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy through Allstate. It also sells private flood insurance through its partner company, Better Floods.
However, Allstate's customer service is just okay. The company gets an average number of complaints according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It also has an average score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. If you need to file a claim, you'll find better customer service elsewhere.
Best for cheap home insurance in SC: American National
-
Editor's rating
- Cost: $1,052/yr
American National is half as expensive as the SC average, regardless of how much coverage you need.
Pros:
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Cheapest quotes in South Carolina
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Local agents
Cons:
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Can't compare quotes online
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Customer service is just average
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Can't manage your policy online
American National has the cheapest homeowners insurance for most South Carolina homeowners.
A policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage costs $1,052 per year from American National. That's half the statewide average and $271 per year less than the second-cheapest company, Allstate.
It also offers excellent rates for high-value homes. American National charges around $2,826 per year for $1 million of dwelling coverage, which is $534 per year less than Allstate.
However, American National lacks the helpful online tools you'd get from larger insurance companies. It doesn't offer online quotes on its website or provide any info about discounts or coverage options online.
If you're interested in American National, you'll have to call a local agent to ask about coverage options or get a quote.
Typically, customers enjoy better service when they have a local agent to help with claims. However, American National gets an average number of complaints, according to the NAIC. That means you can likely get better customer service elsewhere.
Best-rated homeowners insurance in SC: Auto-Owners
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $2,517/yr
Auto-Owners offers the best customer service for homeowners in South Carolina.
Pros:
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Excellent customer service
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Lots of discounts and coverage add-ons
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Great for bundling with auto insurance
Cons:
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Rates are expensive
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Can't get online quotes
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May not offer coverage to coastal homes
South Carolina homeowners can count on Auto-Owners to help fix their homes quickly after an accident.
Auto-Owners only gets one-third the complaints of an average insurance company its size, according to the NAIC. That means customers are typically happy with the claims process at Auto-Owners.
However, great service comes at a price. Home insurance from Auto-Owners costs around $2,517 per year , which is 10% more expensive than the state average.
Fortunately, Auto-Owners has plenty of home insurance discounts to help lower its rates. Some of its discounts are very easy to get. For example, you'll save money if you've paid your home insurance bill on time for the past three years.
Auto-Owners sells insurance through a network of independent insurance agents. You'll need to call a local agent to get a quote. People living on the South Carolina coast may not be able to get home insurance from Auto-Owners. In this case, you should ask your agent to compare quotes from Cincinnati or Chubb. Both companies also have very few customer complaints.
Best home insurance in SC for expensive homes: Chubb
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $2,330/yr
Chubb is the best option for valuable homes in South Carolina.
Pros:
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Affordable rates
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Standard policy includes extra coverage
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Offers flood insurance with high limits
Cons:
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Mixed customer service reviews
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No online quotes
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May not cover homes under $500,000
Chubb is an excellent choice if your South Carolina home would cost more than $500,000 to rebuild.
Chubb's standard home insurance policy comes with coverage perks that most companies charge extra for. One example is extended replacement cost, which pays to rebuild your home if it costs more than your dwelling limit.
Chubb is also a great option if you live near the South Carolina coast. It offers flood insurance with much higher limits than a government-backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy. For example, you can get additional living expenses coverage from Chubb, which pays your costs if you have to move out of your home because of flood damage. NFIP policies don't offer this coverage.
However, Chubb's customer service has mixed reviews. It gets very few complaints compared to similar-sized companies, according to the NAIC. However, Chubb has a below-average score on J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey. That means other companies may have an easier claims process after an emergency.
Best for military families in South Carolina: USAA
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $2,103/yr
USAA's basic policy includes extra coverage tailored for military members.
Pros:
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Excellent customer service
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Basic policy includes extra protection
Cons:
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Few coverage add-ons and discounts
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Only available to military members, veterans and their families
USAA homeowners insurance is great for active or retired military members and their families.
A standard policy from USAA covers your uniform with no deductible as long as the damage occurred on active or reserve duty. You also get replacement cost coverage, which most other companies charge extra for.
Rates from USAA are just average. A policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage costs $2,103 per year. In addition, most homeowners can't buy a policy from USAA. Coverage is only available for military members, veterans and their families.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina
Home insurance in South Carolina costs an average of $2,298 per year for $350,000 of dwelling coverage.
As with most coastal states prone to hurricanes, the price of homeowners insurance in South Carolina is higher than the average cost of home insurance across the U.S., which is $2,159 per year.
Dwelling coverage | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,466 |
| $350,000 | $2,298 |
| $500,000 | $3,163 |
| $1,000,000 | $6,191 |
Home insurance rates in South Carolina are similar to those in its neighboring state, Georgia, where the average cost of coverage is $2,217 per year. But it's much cheaper than Florida, where home insurance costs around $3,128 per year.
SC homeowners insurance quotes by city
Newport, a small city outside of Fort Mill, has the cheapest home insurance rates in South Carolina at $1,683 per year.
Pawleys Island, a barrier island along the Atlantic coast, has the most expensive rates with an average of $4,728 per year.
City | Annual rate | % from avg |
|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | $1,947 | -15% |
| Adams Run | $2,855 | 24% |
| Aiken | $1,929 | -16% |
| Alcolu | $2,300 | 0% |
| Allendale | $2,214 | -4% |
Rates are for a policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage.
Home insurance rates vary greatly between South Carolina cities. Many of the most expensive cities are on the Atlantic coast. That's because they're more likely to sustain damage from tropical storms and hurricanes.
For example, homeowners insurance in Myrtle Beach costs an average of $4,033 per year. That's 75% more expensive than the state average.
Best homeowners insurance in South Carolina
USAA is the best-rated insurance company in South Carolina.
However, USAA is only available to military service members and some members of their families.
South Carolina homeowners who can't get USAA insurance should consider Auto-Owners, Cincinnati or Farm Bureau. All three companies have far fewer complaints than expected, according to the NAIC. That means their customers are typically happy with the service they get from these companies.
Company |
Rating
|
Complaints
|
|---|---|---|
| USAA | Low | |
| Auto-Owners | Low | |
| Cincinnati | Low | |
| Farm Bureau | Low | |
| State Farm | Average |
Customer service reviews can be as important as price when shopping for home insurance in South Carolina.
A company with excellent customer service will help you get your life back to normal quickly after damage to your home. Poor customer service can mean a long and complicated claims process, and you may have to pay more for repairs.
What home insurance is important in SC?
South Carolina homeowners need to make sure their insurance protects against wind and hail.
Many homeowners across the state should also consider buying flood insurance, even if they don't live near the coast. That's because South Carolina is often hit by tropical storms and hurricanes. Its low elevation also makes it prone to flooding.
South Carolina can also experience hail storms that can damage homes. If you have an older roof, it's important to understand how your roof is protected by insurance.
Does SC homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?
Homeowners insurance covers some types of hurricane damage, but not all of them. Hurricanes and tropical storms can damage your home with heavy winds, rains and flooding.
South Carolina homeowners typically have a hurricane deductible. This is different from your regular home insurance deductible. It's usually between 2% and 5% of your dwelling coverage limit.
Is wind damage covered by home insurance in SC?
Most homeowners insurance policies cover wind damage. However, South Carolina homeowners may have a separate deductible for wind damage. Most of the time, this deductible is a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
If your home is near the coast or in an area with severe windstorms, your insurance company may exclude wind damage from your policy. Wind coverage is essential for homes in these areas, so check your policy or speak with an agent to make sure you have wind protection. If your insurance policy doesn't cover wind damage, you may be able to buy windstorm insurance.
Does my homeowners policy include flood insurance in South Carolina?
Standard home insurance doesn't cover weather-related flood damage.
You'll need to buy a flood insurance policy to protect your home against flood damage.
In addition, if your home is in an area with a high risk of flooding, your mortgage company may require you to buy flood insurance.
South Carolina homeowners can get flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurance company. The average cost of an NFIP policy in South Carolina is $651 per year for $275,816 of coverage.
Coastal South Carolina isn't the only part of the state prone to flooding. Since SC has a lower elevation than most other states, it's at risk of inland flooding near lakes and waterways. That's why South Carolina homeowners should consider getting flood insurance, even if they don't live along the coast.
Flood insurance usually has a waiting period before coverage starts. NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, while the waiting period for private insurance is usually shorter.
If you're concerned about flooding, you should buy a policy immediately. If a storm is already headed your way, you typically can't get coverage until it passes.
Does South Carolina property insurance cover hail damage?
Homeowners insurance usually protects your home from hail damage.
If you live in a part of the state with frequent hail storms, your homeowners insurance policy may have special requirements. Some companies restrict when you can make claims for hail damage. For instance, you may not be able to make claims for cosmetic damage. You also may see higher rates after making hail claims.
South Carolina had 13 days of hail storms that caused property damage from January 2023 to January 2024, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA). Greenville County had 12 hail storms during this period, which was far more than any other area. Lexington County outside Columbia had the second-most at seven storms.
Does home insurance in South Carolina cover my roof?
If you have a newer roof, your homeowners insurance should pay to fix or replace it after damage.
However, many South Carolina insurance companies only cover older roofs between 10 and 20 years old based on the condition of your roof before it was damaged.
This is called its actual cash value, and it means you probably won't get enough money from your insurance company to completely pay for a new roof after a hurricane or hail storm.
If your roof is more than 20 years old, your insurance company may not cover it at all.
Understanding how much your insurance company will pay to fix your roof is important so you can prepare financially to replace it if it suffers major damage.
If you can afford to replace your older roof, consider doing so before problems occur. That's because roof leaks can affect many other parts of your home. And you'll likely pay less for home insurance once you have a brand-new roof.
How to get the best homeowners insurance in SC
The best home insurance for you will have the coverage you need and reliable customer service at an affordable price. To find the best insurance company, shop around, look for discounts, and ensure you have the proper protection.
Compare rates from multiple companies to find the cheapest price. There's a difference of $2,851 per year between the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies in South Carolina. You can save a lot of money by gathering quotes from a handful of different companies.
Look for a company that offers lots of discounts you qualify for. Many companies offer discounts that are easy to get, such as signing up for automatic payments or getting your bill via email. Some companies also provide home insurance discounts to retirees or military veterans.
Many companies in South Carolina also offer discounts when you upgrade your home to protect against damage. For example, you may be able to save money if you have hurricane shutters or wind-resistant film on your windows.
Make sure your policy has the right protection for your home. When comparing quotes, check the fine print to ensure each company offers the same coverage.
For example, a policy could be much cheaper if it doesn't include wind coverage or offers less protection for your roof.
Frequently asked questions
Why is home insurance so expensive in South Carolina?
Home insurance in South Carolina can be very expensive if you live near the coast. That's because wind and hail from hurricanes and tropical storms can cause major damage. Other areas with severe weather can also have expensive home insurance rates. For example, Greenville has a high number of hail storms each year that can cause damage to your home.
Is home insurance required in South Carolina?
The state of South Carolina doesn't require you to have homeowners insurance. But if you have a mortgage, your lender typically requires you to buy home insurance.
Who is writing homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
Many major insurance companies sell home insurance in South Carolina, including Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide and Progressive. However, some companies may not cover homes near the coast.
Several mid-size companies may offer you coverage if you can't get a policy from a major company. These include American National, Chubb, Universal and Cincinnati.
How much is homeowners insurance in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The average cost of home insurance in Myrtle Beach is $4,033 per year for $350,000 of dwelling coverage. That's 75% more expensive than the South Carolina average of $2,298 per year.
How much is homeowners insurance in Charleston, SC?
Home insurance in Charleston costs an average of $3,481 per year for $350,00 of dwelling coverage. That's 51% more than the statewide average. A policy in neighboring Summerville costs around $2,930 per year, while coverage in Mount Pleasant costs $3,242 per year.
Methodology
To find the best cheap home insurance in SC, ValuePenguin collected homeowners insurance quotes from each of South Carolina's ZIP codes. Rates are for a 45-year-old man with no prior insurance claims.
Quotes include:
- Dwelling coverage: $200,000, $350,000, $500,000 or $1 million
- Personal liability: $100,000
- Medical payments: $5,000
- Deductible: $1,000
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurance company filings and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.
Home insurance ratings combine NAIC complaint index ratings for home insurance, results from the most recent J.D. Power home insurance study and ValuePenguin's editor's ratings.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.