Cheapest South Carolina Homeowners Insurance Quotes (2024)

USAA offers some of the cheapest homeowners insurance policies in South Carolina, with average premiums of $1,588 per year.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken
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  • 12+ years writing about insurance and personal finance

Emily is a widely recognized expert on personal finance and has authored several personal finance books. She’s a frequent guest on national and regional media.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
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Andrew Huang
Data reviewed byAndrew Huang
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Andrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
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Updated November 22, 2023

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At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

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A homeowners insurance policy can protect South Carolina property owners from tropical storm damage. The state has an 80% chance of tropical storms every year, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.[1] 

Residents on the coast may also want to consider a flood insurance add-on to help protect their homes from coastal flooding, storm surges, and water damage.

South Carolina homeowners pay an average of $2,795 annually for $300,000 of dwelling coverage — though certain insurers, like USAA, offer coverage for $1,588 per year, on average.

Quick Facts
  • USAA, Allstate, and State Farm are some of the best and cheapest home insurance companies in South Carolina.

  • Homeowners insurance in South Carolina is relatively expensive compared to the national average.

  • Wind, rain, and flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms puts South Carolina homes at risk.

Best home insurance companies in South Carolina

Many top insurance companies offer homeowners policies in South Carolina, with some providing cheaper coverage than others. Comparing coverage options can help you find the best policy to suit your situation and needs.

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Average Annual PremiumBest for
USAA4.0$1,382Cheapest rates
Chubb3.9$1,458Flood insurance
Allstate4.1$2,237High coverage limits
State Farm4.1$2,285Discounts
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify’s partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique profile.

Insurify Quality (IQ) Score

Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best home insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for homeowners to better compare home insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Cheapest rates: USAA

USAA logo

USAA

Cheapest rates
Average Monthly Cost:
$115
Insurify Quality Score:
4

For South Carolina homeowners who want a low-cost policy, USAA offers the cheapest average annual premiums of all the insurers on this list. Policyholders pay around $1,382 per year, which is significantly less than the state average for homeowners insurance.

USAA has provided financial products and services to U.S. military members, veterans, and qualifying family members since 1922. While you’ll need to be affiliated with the U.S. military to get a homeowners policy from USAA, South Carolina has the 10th-highest number of active-duty military personnel among all the U.S. states.[2]

Pros
  • High AM Best financial strength rating

  • Exclusive benefits for military members

Cons
  • Restrictive membership eligibility

  • Doesn’t offer its own flood insurance coverage

Best insurer for flood insurance: Chubb

Chubb logo

Chubb

Flood insurance
Average Monthly Cost:
$121
Insurify Quality Score:
3.9

Flood insurance can provide valuable peace of mind for South Carolina coastal homeowners.

Chubb offers a supplemental flood insurance policy that provides up to $15 million in coverage, including up to $7,500 in alternative living cost coverage if you need to vacate your house, $30,000 in basement property coverage, and up to $250,000 for debris removal after a covered loss. This coverage provides significantly more protection than the coverage the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers.

Pros
  • AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)

  • Offers up to $5,000 in preventative coverage before floods

Cons
  • Online quotes not available

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating

Best insurer for high coverage limits: Allstate

Allstate logo

Allstate

High coverage limits
Average Monthly Cost:
$186
Insurify Quality Score:
4.1

If you’re concerned that a standard homeowners policy won’t be enough to protect you, Allstate offers personal umbrella policies of up to $5 million. These policies can help cover you in the event of a large liability claim.

For instance, if you’re one of the many South Carolina homeowners who have a pool to stay cool in during the hot summers, an umbrella policy from Allstate could protect you if one or more people sustain injuries in your pool. It could help cover their medical costs, lost wages, and funeral expenses.

Pros
  • Up to $5 million in personal liability coverage available

  • Multiple available discounts

Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating

  • Not the cheapest insurer available

Best insurer for discounts: State Farm

State Farm logo

State Farm

Discounts
Average Monthly Cost:
$190
Insurify Quality Score:
4.1

If you aren’t eligible for a USAA homeowners policy but you want cheap coverage, State Farm is worth consideration. This insurer offers multiple discounts South Carolina residents can take advantage of, including a bundling discount and discounts for installing home security features, roof reinforcements, and more.

State Farm estimates that its policyholders save more than $1,000 on their annual premiums when they bundle their homeowners, auto insurance, and other coverages.

Pros
  • Several discounts available for South Carolina residents

  • Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating

Cons
  • Average annual premiums are higher than some competitors

  • AM Best changed outlook to negative in late 2023

Cheapest home insurance in South Carolina

USAA offers the cheapest home insurance in South Carolina, with policyholders paying average annual premiums of $1,588 for $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage. Inexpensive policies are also available through Heritage Insurance Holdings and Chubb, with average annual premiums of $1,854 and $1,920, respectively.

Here are some of the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina.

Insurance CompanyAverage Annual Premium
USAA$1,588
Heritage Insurance$1,854
Chubb$1,950
Southern Fidelity$2,004
Cincinnati Insurance$2,006
Lighthouse Prop Ins Corp$2,128
Allstate$2,237
State Farm$2,285
Bankers Insurance Group$2,384
Central Mutual Insurance Co$2,488
Nationwide$2,756
ASI$2,855
Auto-Owners$2,953
Armed Forces Insurance$3,045
Travelers$3,124
Assurant$3,173
American National P&C$3,236
Universal Insurance Company of North America$3,532
Foremost$3,973
QBE Insurance$4,030
Encompass$4,327
Allied$4,847
Southern Farm Bureau$5,838
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify’s partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique profile.

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Cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina

Homeowners insurance in South Carolina costs $2,795 per year, on average, for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, but several factors can affect your premiums. If you purchase a flood insurance add-on, for example, your premiums may increase — but not necessarily. Certain home insurance companies offer cheaper policies than others, so it’s essential to shop around to find affordable coverage that meets your needs.

Other factors that influence your homeowners insurance costs include your chosen deductible, location, age and condition of your home, types of coverage you need, and more.[3]

Why Did My Homeowners Insurance Go Up?

Why Did My Homeowners Insurance Go Up?

Cost of homeowners insurance by dwelling coverage amount

Increasing the amount of dwelling coverage on your policy will also result in higher annual premiums. You’ll pay about $3,000 more per year if you choose $500,000 in dwelling coverage versus $100,000, for example.

The table below shows how average annual homeowners insurance premiums change based on coverage limits in South Carolina.

Coverage LimitsAverage Annual Premium
$100,000$1,260
$150,000$1,632
$200,000$2,003
$300,000$2,795
$400,000$3,532
$500,000$4,265
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify’s partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique profile.

Cost of homeowners insurance by deductible

Your home insurance rates will also vary based on your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your homeowners coverage kicks in.

It’s common to see deductibles of $500 or $1,000, so if you file a claim after an incident, you’d need to pay that out of pocket before your insurance company covers any costs. Choosing a higher deductible typically results in lower annual premiums.

Deductible AmountAverage Annual Premium
$500$2,852
$1,000$2,795
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify’s partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique profile.

How to get cheap homeowners insurance in South Carolina

If you’re searching for affordable insurance in South Carolina, you can take several steps to help lower your premiums.

Comparison shopping for an affordable policy is important, but here are some other common savings strategies:

  • Increase your deductible. Increasing your deductible is one simple way to help lower your homeowners insurance premiums, sometimes by a fairly significant amount. Before you do this, consider your risk tolerance and whether you can afford to pay a higher deductible out of pocket in case an incident occurs.

  • Bundle your policies. If you need a homeowners policy and another insurance product — like life or auto insurance — consider buying them from the same company to save on both policies with a bundling discount.

  • Ask about discounts. Besides a bundling discount, ask your insurer about other applicable discounts. Common homeowners insurance discounts include paid-in-full, claims-free, and customer loyalty discounts.

  • Make strategic home improvements. Certain home improvements may also help you get cheaper coverage. For instance, reinforcing your home against property damage with storm shutters or a metal roof could make your policy more affordable. Other home improvements — like upgraded plumbing, HVAC, and more — may also reduce your insurance costs.

South Carolina homeowners insurance rates by city

Homeowners insurance rates vary by state, but they can also differ based on your ZIP code. For instance, if you live in a coastal town in South Carolina, your insurance company may view your home as being more of a risk to insure than a property further inland. But other factors, such as the crime rate in your area and your proximity to police and fire stations, will also affect your costs.

Here’s the average cost of homeowners insurance in five South Carolina cities.

CityAverage Annual Premium
Charleston$4,590
Columbia$1,873
Lexington$1,772
Myrtle Beach$3,904
Summerville$3,035

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How much homeowners insurance do you need in South Carolina?

Generally, you’ll want enough homeowners insurance coverage to repair or replace your home and personal property after a claim. And if you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to purchase a home insurance policy. However, the amount of coverage you need depends on your individual preferences, risk level, and more. If you live on the beach, for example, you might buy additional coverage in case of issues like coastal floods and storm surges.

Before you purchase a home insurance policy, it’s essential to read the fine print to determine what the policy covers and what it doesn’t. This will help ensure your coverage aligns with your needs and preferences.

What are some of the biggest risks when owning a home in South Carolina?

While risks to your home vary depending on where you live in the country, your home and personal belongings are at risk no matter where you live, and South Carolina is no exception.

Here are three of the most common perils homeowners face in this state.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/a0c151e1ba/accidental-tearing-apart-cracking-etc.svg

    Wind damage

    The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources estimates an 80% annual likelihood of a tropical storm hitting the state. Hurricanes are also fairly common, and these storms can produce sustained winds of more than 100 mph.[1] High winds can damage your roof, siding, shingles, gutters, and landscaping. The risk of downed trees is also a consideration during storms like these.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/68ed522f01/windstorm-and-hail.svg

    Storm surge

    Storm surge is another risk to South Carolina homes. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources estimates the highest storm tide on record was 20 feet above ground level, and it traveled nearly 10 miles inland up nearby rivers.[1] While this risk is especially high for coastal residents, it can also affect homes further inland and in close proximity to rivers. People who want to protect their homes from storm surges should consider a flood add-on, as standard home insurance policies don’t typically cover flood damage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/4ec24627d2/flood-coverage.svg

    Inland flooding

    Sustained rains can also result in inland flooding, presenting another significant risk to South Carolina homes. People who live in areas prone to flooding might consider a flood insurance rider to protect their properties.

South Carolina homeowners insurance FAQs

Learn how to change your home insurance, and check out the answers to common questions about South Carolina homeowners insurance below.

  • How much is home insurance in South Carolina?

    The average cost of home insurance in South Carolina is $2,795 per year for $300,000 of dwelling coverage. But homeowners — especially on the coast — often purchase flood insurance, which can increase their home insurance costs.

  • Which company has the cheapest homeowners insurance in South Carolina?

    USAA is one of the cheapest home insurance companies in the state, with average annual premiums of $1,588 per year. But many homeowners may not be eligible for USAA insurance, so the next cheapest insurer is Chubb, which has average annual premiums of $1,950.

  • Does South Carolina require homeowners insurance?

    South Carolina law doesn’t require homeowners to purchase home insurance. But if you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require it. Even without requirements, it’s important to purchase home insurance to protect your property and assets.

  • What is the most common home insurance coverage in South Carolina?

    Flood insurance is a common home insurance coverage in South Carolina, as more than 88,000 single-family homes in the state have an active flood insurance policy with the NFIP.[4]

Methodology

Insurify’s team of data scientists analyze millions of home insurance quotes and weigh publicly available reviews, claims payout rates, complaint indexes, financial strength scores, company reputations, and proprietary quoting data. Our editorial team applies this insight to inform our unbiased reviews and recommendations.

Sources

  1. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. "SC Hurricanes Comprehensive Summary." Accessed November 16, 2023
  2. U.S. Department of Defense. "2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community." Accessed November 16, 2023
  3. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance." Accessed November 16, 2023
  4. FEMA. "Cost of Flood Insurance for Single-Family Homes under NFIP’s Pricing Approach." Accessed November 16, 2023
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Andrew Huang
Data reviewed byAndrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
Headshot of Andrew Huang, Directory of Analytics at Insurify
Andrew HuangVice President, Performance Marketing
  • Chartered financial analyst

  • 12+ years in data analysis and marketing

Andrew applies his vast knowledge of analytics and insurance industry trends to help inform Insurify’s content and marketing efforts.

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