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Amica and Chubb are among the best home insurance companies in South Carolina, according to our analysis.
We analyzed data from more than 30 insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in South Carolina. Below are the insurers that earned 5 stars in our analysis.
Rates are based on a sample homeowner with good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Not available | ||
$2,395 | ||
Not available | ||
USAA* | $1,715 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
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Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.The best homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina
Here's more information about the best home insurance companies in South Carolina.
Amica
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Simple online claims filing and tracking.
- You can start a quote online but have to finish the buying process by phone.
Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners offers plenty of ways to customize your policy and save money on home insurance.- Large number of discounts.
- Has optional specialty coverage not offered by many other insurers.
- Very few consumer complaints.
- No online quotes or claims submission.
Auto-Owners has been in business for more than a century. Its homeowners policies include all the basics, but you can also add coverage for things like identity theft or the failure of major appliances. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is another optional add-on, enabling you to rebuild your home after a total loss even if your dwelling coverage limit is too low.
Auto-Owners sells homeowners insurance through independent agents.
» READ MORE: Auto-Owners homeowners insurance review
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.- Significantly fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Large number of potential discounts.
- Most consumers aren't able to get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Chubb generally serves affluent policyholders with high-value homes, offering lofty coverage limits and plenty of perks. For example, the company covers water damage from backed-up sewers and drains, and pays to bring your home up to the latest building codes during reconstruction after a claim. (Many insurers charge more for these types of coverage.)
If you insure a secondary or seasonal home in South Carolina with Chubb, you can sign up for the company’s Property Manager service at no charge. With this service, a Chubb representative will inspect your home after a hurricane, report its condition to you, submit a claim on your behalf and help prevent further damage.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Far fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Rates are below the national average, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
- Available only to active military members, veterans and their families.
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
In addition, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy brand-new replacements for your stuff.
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other home insurance companies to consider
Looking for more of the best homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina? These insurers received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5:
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,870 | ||
Auto Club Group (AAA) | Not available | |
$1,495 | ||
Not available | ||
$2,155 | ||
Not available | ||
$2,350 | ||
$2,055 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Carolina?
The average annual cost of home insurance in South Carolina is $2,350. That’s 11% more than the national average of $2,110.
In most U.S. states, including South Carolina, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In South Carolina, those with poor credit pay an average of $4,230 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 80% more than those with good credit.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina by city
How much you pay for home insurance in South Carolina depends on where you live. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Charleston is $4,435 per year. Meanwhile, in Columbia, homeowners insurance costs about $2,055 per year, on average.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Aiken | $2,260 | $188 |
Anderson | $2,085 | $174 |
Beaufort | $3,530 | $294 |
Charleston | $4,435 | $370 |
Columbia | $2,055 | $171 |
Conway | $3,950 | $329 |
Easley | $1,960 | $163 |
Florence | $2,735 | $228 |
Fort Mill | $1,910 | $159 |
Goose Creek | $3,415 | $285 |
Greenville | $1,880 | $157 |
Greenwood | $1,970 | $164 |
Greer | $1,910 | $159 |
Lancaster | $2,180 | $182 |
Lexington | $2,110 | $176 |
Mount Pleasant | $4,315 | $360 |
Myrtle Beach | $5,315 | $443 |
North Augusta | $2,280 | $190 |
North Charleston | $3,790 | $316 |
Rock Hill | $1,890 | $158 |
Simpsonville | $1,940 | $162 |
Spartanburg | $1,910 | $159 |
Summerville | $3,175 | $265 |
Sumter | $2,395 | $200 |
West Columbia | $2,175 | $181 |
The cheapest home insurance in South Carolina
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the South Carolina average of $2,350.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,495 | ||
$1,870 | ||
Heritage | Not rated | $1,880 |
$2,055 | ||
$2,155 | ||
USAA* | $1,715 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Common risks for South Carolina homeowners
Here are a few problems you might encounter as a South Carolina homeowner, plus how to make sure your home is covered.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricanes and other tropical storms can cause massive damage with their potent combination of wind and water. Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance policies may not cover all damage from hurricanes.
Most homeowners insurance policies pay for damage from wind but not flooding. However, a separate deductible may apply to wind or hurricane claims. (A deductible is the amount of a claim you’re responsible for.) For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for wind or hail claims. So if your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind or hail damage yourself.
If your house is in a high-risk coastal location, your insurance carrier may not include wind coverage in your homeowners policy. You can buy separate wind coverage through private insurance companies or the South Carolina Wind Pool.
Flooding
Standard homeowners insurance generally won’t cover flood damage. If you’re at risk, consider buying separate flood insurance. (Your lender may even require you to do so if you live in a flood plain.)
To check your flood risk, start by looking up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps can be outdated and don’t always capture all types of flood risk. Another source to check is First Street, a private company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
South Carolina insurance department
In South Carolina, the Department of Insurance oversees the insurance industry. Its website is a valuable resource for shopping for home insurance or filing complaints against your insurance company. You can reach the agency by emailing consumers@doi.sc.gov or calling 800-768-3467.
- Looking for more insurance in South Carolina?
- Find home insurance in other states
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is home insurance required in South Carolina?
Is home insurance required in South Carolina?
Home insurance isn't required by state law, but your mortgage lender will likely require you to buy homeowners insurance in South Carolina. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
How can I save money on South Carolina home insurance?
How can I save money on South Carolina home insurance?
Here are three ways to save money on homeowners insurance in South Carolina:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your annual rates will be lower.
Bundle your home and auto insurance for an overall lower rate.
Some insurers will provide home insurance discounts if you invest in safety enhancements, such as storm shutters to prevent wind damage. Reach out to your insurer to ask if such discounts are available.
Does South Carolina home insurance cover hurricanes?
Does South Carolina home insurance cover hurricanes?
Most South Carolina homeowners insurance policies cover damage from wind but not flooding, so you’ll likely need a separate flood insurance policy or add-on to cover the full risk of hurricane damage. If you live on the coast, your homeowners policy may not cover wind either. Check with your agent or insurance company to see whether you need additional coverage.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in the 25 largest cities in each U.S. state by population. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.
Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:
$300,000 in dwelling coverage.
$30,000 in other structures coverage.
$150,000 in personal property coverage.
$60,000 in loss of use coverage.
$300,000 in liability coverage.
$1,000 in medical payments coverage.
We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
