South Carolina’s coastal location means that it experiences its fair share of tropical storms, and even hurricanes, all of which can cause significant damage to homes.
Despite the varying weather-related risks, the average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina is $1,793 per year or $149 a month. This is around 6% lower than the national average of $1,899.
However, the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in South Carolina.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Best homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina
Of the companies we looked at, USAA has the lowest home insurance rates in South Carolina, with an average annual policy cost of $726 per year — less than half of the average rate across the state. Allstate has the next lowest average rates at $928 per year.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest South Carolina insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of South Carolina residents to find the best homeowners insurance in South Carolina.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $2,074 | 835 |
Allstate | $928 | 829 |
USAA | $726 | 882 |
Travelers | $3,701 | 800 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,252 | -- |
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
Read our full State Farm home insurance review
Why State Farm tops our best list
Not only does State Farm offer affordable rates, it also excels when it comes to customer satisfaction ratings, scoring an 835 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power's 2021 home insurance study, making it one of the top-rated companies in the industry. Customers can lower rates even more by bundling home and auto policies or choosing a higher deductible.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Why Allstate tops our best list
Allstate scored an 829 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2021 home insurance study, making it one of the top homeowners insurance providers in South Carolina. Allstate offers over eight discounts that include autopay, zero claims, and bundling, where homeowners can save up to 25% when they combine their auto and home insurance policies into one plan.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius and Allstate
Why USAA tops our best list
South Carolina is home to a large military presence, so it’s no wonder USAA made our list. While USAA home insurance is only for military members and their families, it offers a complete line of insurance products for every budget. Customers can earn discounts for opting for e-billing, having zero claims, or for being a loyal member.
How to get a quote
Online through USAA
With over 165 years of experience and impeccable financial ratings, Travelers is one of the most trusted home insurance companies in the business. It offers personalized coverage and a slew of policy add-ons to ensure you have exactly the right protection.
Pros
4 customizable policy packages with several available add-ons, like extended replacement cost and water backup coverage
Offers eco-friendly green home coverage and discounts
Protect expensive family heirlooms and appliances with equipment breakdown, guaranteed replacement cost, and personal articles coverage
File claims online — plus, Travelers has special catastrophe centers for claims after a natural disaster
Cons
Below-average customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Read our full Travelers home insurance review here
Why Travelers tops our best list
Travelers have a long track record of satisfied customers and have been in business for more than 165 years. To protect family heirlooms and possessions, policyholders can choose from four customizable home insurance policy packages with policy add-ons like extended replacement cost and water backup coverage.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius and Travelers
South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance is ideal for homeowners who are already members of the bureau and looking for flood or earthquake insurance on top of their standard home insurance policy.
Pros
Offers earthquake and flood insurance policies — hard to come by with most insurers
Save 10% when you bundle your home and auto insurance together
Earn a 5% discount for going 5+ years with no claims or lapse in coverage
File claims online — with 24/7 customer support
Cons
Farm Bureau membership required for coverage
Minimal information about coverages and discounts available online
Why South Carolina Farm Bureau tops our best list
South Carolina Farm Bureau is a favorite of many Palmetto State residents looking for affordable home insurance with a local human touch. Customers can take advantage of the bundling their home and auto insurance and save up to 10% on their premium.
How to get a quote
Online through South Carolina Farm Bureau
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in South Carolina
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in South Carolina, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in the state are State Auto, Allstate, and USAA.
The average Allstate rate in Charleston is $626 per year, while residents in the state capital of Columbia enjoy rates of $601 per year with USAA.
City | Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
Aiken | State Auto | $587 |
Anderson | State Auto | $561 |
Bluffton | Narragansett Bay | $649 |
Charleston | Allstate | $626 |
Columbia | USAA | $601 |
Florence | State Auto | $530 |
Fort Mill | USAA | $588 |
Goose Creek | Allstate | $626 |
Greenville | State Auto | $555 |
Greer | USAA | $571 |
Hilton Head Island | Narragansett Bay | $685 |
Mauldin | USAA | $571 |
Mount Pleasant | Allstate | $626 |
Myrtle Beach | Allstate | $716 |
North Charleston | Allstate | $626 |
Rock Hill | State Auto | $581 |
Simpsonville | USAA | $571 |
Spartanburg | State Auto | $554 |
Summerville | Allstate | $626 |
Sumter | State Auto | $552 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in South Carolina
Shopping for home insurance in South Carolina might not be at the top of your to-do list, but with help from Policygenius, you’re one step closer to checking it off your list. We can help you find a policy with coverage options that suit your insurance needs that work within your budget.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in South Carolina for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for dog and pool owners, and those with a poor credit score.
South Carolina home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your home insurance policy that pays to repair or replace your home after a covered loss. Your dwelling coverage amount should be equal to your home’s replacement cost, not the current market value.
With average South Carolina home prices in the upper $270,000 range, homes with dwelling coverage limits of $200,000 to $300,000 cost around $107 to $142 each month to insure.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $835 |
$200,000 | $1,281 |
$300,000 | $1,793 |
$400,000 | $2,319 |
$500,000 | $2,893 |
Personal liability coverage is the portion of your home insurance policy that pays for the medical, legal, or repair bills in the event you’re legally responsible for someone’s injury or property damage.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $1,854 |
$200,000 | $1,395 |
$300,000 | $1,793 |
$400,000 | $1,727 |
$500,000 | $1,810 |
South Carolina home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on a covered claim before your insurance company reimburses you for the damage or loss. A higher deductible means lower monthly payments, but larger out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
As you can see in the table below, South Carolina residents can save around $425 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $2,097 |
$1,000 | $1,823 |
$2,000 | $1,669 |
Home insurance discounts in South Carolina
Insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who have safety features installed in their homes. Here is the average yearly rate and average discount percentage for homes in South Carolina with deadbolt locks, smoke detectors, and home security systems.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Dead bolt | $1,788 |
Smoke alarm | $1,787 |
Burglar alarm | $1,747 |
Home insurance companies in South Carolina for dog owners
A walk on the beach with your best friend is a great way to meet people and make new friends, but you might want to be sure your pet is on a leash. If you have a dog considered a “dangerous breed,” you may pay more for your home insurance. Some providers charge higher rates for certain breeds and could even deny coverage if you own one.
With an average rate of $726 per year, USAA has the cheapest home insurance rates in South Carolina for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Travelers' average yearly rate is almost $3,701.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
USAA | $726 |
Allstate | $928 |
State Farm | $2,074 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,252 |
Travelers | $3,701 |
Home insurance companies in South Carolina for poor credit
A few late payments can really cause your credit score to go down, and could raise your insurance rates to boot. Insurance companies consider a poor credit score an indicator of risky behavior and an increased risk of filing an insurance claim, so many charge higher rates.
With an average rate of $1,501 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in South Carolina for a homeowner with poor credit. Meanwhile, Travelers' rates are the highest of the providers we analyzed, with a $9,242 yearly rate.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $1,501 |
USAA | $1,801 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,988 |
State Farm | $3,562 |
Travelers | $9,242 |
Home insurance companies in South Carolina for pool owners
Home insurance rates are higher for those with a swimming pool. Some insurance companies consider swimming pools to be high risk, meaning there’s a higher likelihood of liability claims.
With an average rate of $726 per year, USAA has the cheapest home insurance rates for South Carolina homes with a swimming pool, while Travelers has the most expensive rates at $4,071 per year.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
USAA | $726 |
Allstate | $928 |
State Farm | $2,074 |
South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,252 |
Travelers | $4,071 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina homeowners have many options when it comes time to shop for home insurance. But where do you start? Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in South Carolina.
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of insurance experts is ready to help you find quotes from top companies — at no cost or obligation to you.
Ask about a South Carolina FAIR plan. If you’re struggling to get coverage with a traditional home insurance provider because of your claims history or you live in an area of South Carolina at high risk of hurricanes, consider last-resort coverage via the South Carolina FAIR Plan.
Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford. A higher deductible means you’ll pay less upfront for your insurance, but a larger chunk when it's time to file a claim. A Policygenius agent can help you pick out a deductible that works within your budget.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve identified your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will send over a few quotes for you to review in the comfort of your home.
Sign the policy, and pay your first premium. After you’ve settled on the company that works best for you, Policygenius will do all of the paperwork for you. All you need to do is sign on the dotted line and pay your first premium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in South Carolina?
The average home insurance rate in South Carolina is about $149 a month or $1,793 per year. That’s only about $100 less per year than the national average.
Do I need hurricane and flood coverage in South Carolina?
It’s a good idea to have additional coverage for high winds and storm surge if you live along the coast. While not legally required to have hurricane and flood insurance in South Carolina, many mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before extending a home loan.
Why does the type of dog I have determine my homeowners insurance rates?
Insurance companies consider certain dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to cause injury to someone, resulting in more insurance claims. An increased risk means higher home insurance rates for those with certain breeds.
