South Carolina Home Insurance at a Glance
For the same house, home insurance in South Carolina averaged $1,980 a year ($165 a month) across the 3 insurers we compared, 36.2% below the average of the 50 states and D.C. That’s for a 2,000 sq ft wood-frame house with a composition roof, built in 1997 and insured for $300,000 with a $1,000 deductible.
For the same home, prices among the 3 insurers we compared ranged from $93 to $243 a month, a $150-a-month gap for identical coverage. These are sample prices for one example home, not quotes or offers.
- $300K dwelling
- $1,000 deductible
- $300K liability
- Built 1997
- Composition roof
- 2,000 sq ft wood-frame house
- See the homes we priced
Rates as of Sept. 30, 2026 · Page updated Oct. 22, 2026
South Carolina home insurance: key numbers
- Home
- $1,980/yr $165/mo
- Renters
- $339/yr $28/mo
- Condo
- $367/yr $31/mo
How much is homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
Homeowners insurance in South Carolina averages $165 a month for the house we priced, with rates as of Sept. 30, 2026. The 3 major insurers we compared are USAA (military families only), State Farm and Travelers, and each one priced our sample home in all 212 South Carolina ZIP codes in our data, which span 44 counties. For this house, South Carolina is the 16th least expensive of the 50 states and D.C.
Our figures are for a $300,000 dwelling; insuring a larger or costlier house for more usually costs more.
For the same insurers and ZIP codes, the South Carolina average rose 1.2% since Nov. 2025, from $1,957 a year ($163 a month) on Nov. 30, 2025, to $1,980 ($165) on Sept. 30, 2026, as USAA’s (military families only) rose 6.5%, State Farm’s didn’t change and Travelers’ didn’t change.
Homeowners insurance averages by insurer in South Carolina for our sample home (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
| Insurer | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| USAA (military families only) | $93 | $1,119 |
| State Farm | $159 | $1,910 |
| Travelers | $243 | $2,910 |
USAA (military families only) averaged $93 a month ($1,119 a year), State Farm $159 ($1,910) and Travelers $243 ($2,910) for our sample home.
By ZIP code: each insurer’s yearly price for the same house ranged across South Carolina: USAA (military families only) $851 to $1,441, State Farm $1,406 to $3,816 and Travelers $2,115 to $7,689.
Who has the cheapest homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
Prices for the same home vary so much by insurer and ZIP code that the lowest one for our sample home may not be lowest for you, so compare a few quotes. The home table above lists every insurer’s average for the same home.
What changes your price: where the house sits, its value, age and roof, your deductibles, claims and credit, and whether you add a car. In South Carolina, ZIP code averages for this house ran from $137 a month in Greenville to $298 in Summerville, while insurers’ statewide averages ran from $93 to $243.
Your ZIP code matters
Where is home insurance cheapest in South Carolina? Costs by city
For the same house, Greenville has the lowest average of the cities in the table with at least 5 ZIP codes, $141 a month, and Charleston the highest, $188, 14.2% above the state average. 8 more cities have only 3 or 4 ZIP codes in our data and are marked as small samples.
Same sample home: average home insurance prices in 13 South Carolina cities (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
| City | Per month | Per year | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville 7 ZIP codes | $141 | $1,689 | −14.7% |
| Florence 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $143 | $1,721 | −13.1% |
| Spartanburg 5 ZIP codes | $148 | $1,775 | −10.3% |
| West Columbia 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $153 | $1,835 | −7.3% |
| Anderson 4 ZIP codes, small sample | $155 | $1,864 | −5.8% |
| Columbia 10 ZIP codes | $157 | $1,888 | −4.6% |
| Sumter 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $160 | $1,921 | −2.9% |
| Myrtle Beach 5 ZIP codes | $183 | $2,190 | +10.6% |
| Beaufort 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $184 | $2,208 | +11.5% |
| North Charleston 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $184 | $2,213 | +11.8% |
| Charleston 7 ZIP codes | $188 | $2,261 | +14.2% |
| Fort Mill 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $190 | $2,275 | +14.9% |
| Summerville 3 ZIP codes, small sample | $212 | $2,542 | +28.4% |
| South Carolina 212 ZIP codes | $165 | $1,980 | Baseline |
Each city covers the ZIP codes in our data with that city as their main mailing address; small sample means fewer than 5 ZIP codes.
Lowest vs. highest ZIP code for our sample home (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
Lowest
29609
Greenville (Greenville County)
$137/mo
$1,639 a year
Highest
29486
Summerville (Berkeley County)
$298/mo
$3,580 a year
Of the 212 South Carolina ZIP codes we priced, Summerville’s 29486 had the highest average for our sample home, about 2.2 times that of the lowest, 29609 in Greenville.
The five highest-priced ZIP codes are 29486 in Summerville ($298 a month), 29708 in Fort Mill ($232 a month), 29732 in Rock Hill ($218 a month), 29577 in Myrtle Beach ($202 a month) and 29928 in Hilton Head Island ($202 a month).
Same house, different state: how does South Carolina compare?
South Carolina costs less for the identical house than all 2 of its neighbors: its $165 a month is 22.0% below Georgia’s $211.
Same sample home: average home insurance prices in South Carolina, neighboring states and the 50 states and D.C. (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
| Place | Per month | Per year | SC vs. this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $165 | $1,980 | Baseline |
| Georgia | $211 | $2,536 | −22.0% |
| North Carolina | $293 | $3,512 | −43.6% |
| Average of the 50 states and D.C. | $258 | $3,101 | −36.2% |
Same sample house in every state; each figure averages every insurer we priced there, so one high-priced insurer can lift a state’s average.
Of the other 49 states and D.C., 15 have a lower average for this house than South Carolina and 35 a higher one.
Compare all states: home insurance costs for the same house in all 50 states and D.C.
What does a South Carolina homeowners policy cover?
A standard homeowners policy pays to repair or rebuild after covered damage such as fire, lightning, wind and hail, theft and some water damage from burst pipes; flood and earthquake damage need separate coverage. All six coverages below are inside the $1,980-a-year South Carolina average for our sample home.
- Dwelling ($300,000): the house itself, from the foundation to the roof.
- Other structures ($30,000): a detached garage, carport, fence or shed.
- Personal property ($150,000): furniture, clothes and electronics.
- Loss of use ($30,000): a rental and other extra costs while repairs keep you out.
- Personal liability ($300,000): legal defense and damages if you’re responsible for someone’s injury or property damage.
- Medical payments ($5,000): smaller medical bills for a guest hurt at your home.
Say a storm damages the roof and the repair costs $15,000. With the $1,000 deductible we priced, the policy would pay up to $14,000. With a 2% wind and hail deductible on the same $300,000 house, you’d pay the first $6,000 instead, and the policy up to $9,000.
Is $200 a month a lot for home insurance in South Carolina?
It’s more than our sample home averages in South Carolina, $165 a month, which makes South Carolina the 16th least expensive of the 50 states and D.C. for this house. 2 of the 3 insurers we compared averaged under $200 for the same house: USAA (military families only) ($93) and State Farm ($159). If a quote for your home is near $200, compare its dwelling limit and deductibles with ours ($300,000 and $1,000) before you decide.
Why your South Carolina quote may differ from these prices
Use our one-house figures as a starting point when you compare home insurance quotes for yours.
Your roof: Our sample house has a composition roof, and we priced it without a roof age. Insurers often charge more for older roofs, so ask how your roof’s age and material change your quote.
Your claims and credit: a recent claim, or weaker credit where an insurer uses it, can push a South Carolina quote above the $165 a month our claim-free, good-credit owner averages.
Your deductibles: our house has one $1,000 deductible for covered losses other than a hurricane. If your policy has a separate percentage deductible for wind and hail, your premium and your out-of-pocket cost after a storm will both differ from ours.
What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?
A consumer guide from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the group of state insurance regulators, explains that many policies reduce a partial-loss payment if you insure for less than 80% of your home’s replacement cost, the cost to rebuild it. For our $300,000 sample house, that’s at least $240,000, so check your limit against a current rebuilding cost, not the home’s market value.
Why is home insurance cheaper in South Carolina than in most states?
For our sample house, South Carolina is the 16th least expensive of the 50 states and D.C. Our figures don’t separate causes; these official records show what South Carolina homes face.
Hurricane Hugo came ashore near Charleston on Sept. 22, 1989, with a storm tide of 19.8 feet above mean sea level at Bulls Bay, the National Weather Service says.
South Carolina’s SC Safe Home program offers mitigation grants of up to $7,500 for primary homes in coastal counties; it opens for applications twice a year and wasn’t taking them in October 2026.
How do hurricane and wind deductibles work in South Carolina?
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket on each claim before your insurer pays. The house we priced has a $1,000 deductible for covered losses other than a hurricane, including wind and hail. Our sample request also includes a 2% hurricane deductible, a setting we use in every state; real policies near the coast may carry a larger hurricane deductible, so ask for yours.
Some South Carolina insurers offer an optional deductible that applies only to wind or hail losses, the South Carolina Department of Insurance says.
Your wind and hail deductible in dollars (illustration only)
| Dwelling coverage | 1% | 2% | 5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| $300,000 (our sample home) | $3,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 |
The table shows deductibles, not premiums. At 2%, the deductible on our sample home’s $300,000 dwelling is $6,000, more than the $1,980 a year that house averages in South Carolina.
A higher deductible usually lowers your premium, so weigh the lower price against the bigger bill you’d face after a storm.
How to find cheaper home insurance in South Carolina
For our sample home, South Carolina insurers’ statewide averages ran from $1,119 to $2,910 a year. These are the levers you control; how much each one moves a quote depends on the insurer and the house, and none of them comes with a promised price.
Compare at least three insurers: even one insurer’s price moves a lot by address: Travelers’ for our sample home ran from $2,115 to $7,689 a year depending on the South Carolina ZIP code.
Price two deductibles: ask each insurer for the premium at your current deductible and one step higher, and keep any percentage wind and hail deductible in dollars in mind (2% of $300,000 is $6,000, about 36 months of South Carolina’s $165-a-month average premium).
Ask about a tougher roof and safety devices: impact-resistant roofing, smoke detectors, burglar alarms and dead-bolt locks are common discounts to ask about.
Bundle with care: some insurers take roughly 5% to 15% off when you buy home and car insurance together, the Insurance Information Institute says; compare both ways before you decide.
Keep the coverage you need: insuring at least 80% of the rebuilding cost protects you on partial losses, so a lower price that comes from a lower limit can cost you after a large claim.
Guard a clean record: our sample owner has no claims in 10 years, and the $165-a-month South Carolina average assumes that clean record; a recent claim can raise a quote.
What if an insurer won’t renew your South Carolina home?
South Carolina insurers must give 60 days’ written notice before they don’t renew a homeowners policy, and can’t nonrenew solely because of claims caused by acts of God, the state Department of Insurance says. Read the notice and your policy’s own cancellation and nonrenewal terms, then start shopping right away. If a notice doesn’t make sense to you, or you need help with a claim, call the South Carolina Department of Insurance at 803-737-6160.
In the coastal area, the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (the Wind Pool) offers wind and hail coverage when private insurers won’t; you apply through a licensed agent.
In our data, every insurer we compared priced our sample home in all 212 South Carolina ZIP codes.
Got a nonrenewal notice?
- Note the date your coverage ends and start shopping now.
- Get quotes from at least three insurers (we compared 3 in South Carolina, from $93 to $243 a month for the same house), or ask a licensed agent to compare them for you.
- If insurers turn you down, ask a South Carolina-licensed agent about the South Carolina Wind Pool.
- If the notice looks wrong, call the South Carolina Department of Insurance at 803-737-6160.
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How much is renters insurance in South Carolina?
Renters insurance for our sample renter averages $28 a month ($339 a year) in South Carolina. For our sample renter, prices among the 4 insurers we compared ranged from $12 to $64 a month, a $52-a-month gap for the same coverage.
Renters insurance averages by insurer in South Carolina for our sample renter (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
| Insurer | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| USAA (military families only) | $12 | $146 |
| Allstate | $15 | $178 |
| State Farm | $22 | $265 |
| Travelers | $64 | $766 |
USAA (military families only) averaged $12 a month ($146 a year), Allstate $15 ($178), State Farm $22 ($265) and Travelers $64 ($766) for our sample renter.
We don’t name a lowest renters insurer in South Carolina (the methodology explains when we do); the renters table above lists every insurer’s average for the same renter, from $12 to $64 a month.
Travelers’ renters average is about 3.9 times the other insurers’ average; without it, South Carolina’s renters average would be $16 a month ($196 a year).
South Carolina’s renters average is the 6th most expensive of the 50 states and D.C., 32.3% above their average of $21 a month ($256 a year). Our sample renter’s policy costs about 17% of what our sample home costs to insure in South Carolina.
For the same insurers and ZIP codes, the South Carolina renters average didn’t change since Nov. 2025, from $28 to $28 a month, as Allstate’s didn’t change, State Farm’s didn’t change and Travelers’ didn’t change.
By ZIP code, the South Carolina renters average for our sample renter ran from $25 a month in Gilbert (29054) to $39 in Summerville (29486).
Our sample renter lives in an apartment built in 2005 and insures $40,000 of belongings with $300,000 liability and a $1,000 deductible. The renter is 40, single, with good credit and no claims. Rates as of Sept. 30, 2026, from 848 sample prices by 4 insurers across 212 South Carolina ZIP codes.
- $40K belongings
- $300K liability
- $1,000 deductible
What does renters insurance cover in a South Carolina apartment?
Your landlord’s insurance is for the building; a renters policy is for your belongings and your liability. The policy we priced pays up to $40,000 for belongings after a covered fire, storm or burglary and $300,000 if you’re responsible for someone’s injury or property damage. In South Carolina, that package averages $28 a month; flood and earthquake damage need separate coverage.
How we got these renters prices: each insurer’s average across the 212 South Carolina ZIP codes in our data. Sample prices, not quotes or offers.
How much is condo insurance in South Carolina?
Condo insurance for our sample condo averages $31 a month ($367 a year) in South Carolina. For our sample condo, prices among the 3 insurers we compared ranged from $13 to $43 a month, a $30-a-month gap for the same coverage.
Condo insurance averages by insurer in South Carolina for our sample condo (rates as of Sept. 30, 2026)
| Insurer | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| USAA (military families only) | $13 | $150 |
| State Farm | $37 | $440 |
| Allstate | $43 | $511 |
USAA (military families only) averaged $13 a month ($150 a year), State Farm $37 ($440) and Allstate $43 ($511) for our sample condo.
We don’t name a lowest condo insurer in South Carolina (the methodology explains when we do); the condo table above lists every insurer’s average for the same condo, from $13 to $43 a month.
South Carolina’s condo average is the 15th least expensive of the 50 states and D.C., 23.7% below their average of $40 a month ($481 a year). Our sample condo’s policy costs about 19% of what our sample home costs to insure in South Carolina.
For the same insurers and ZIP codes, the South Carolina condo average barely moved since Nov. 2025: it fell 0.1%, from $31 to $31 a month, as USAA’s (military families only) fell 0.6%, Allstate’s didn’t change and State Farm’s didn’t change.
By ZIP code, the South Carolina condo average for our sample condo ran from $26 a month in Walterboro (29488) to $36 in St. George (29477).
Our sample condo is a 2,000-square-foot unit in a building built in 2005, with $60,000 of coverage for the unit, $60,000 for belongings, $300,000 liability and a $1,000 deductible. The owner is 40, single, has good credit and no claims in 10 years.
- $60K unit coverage
- $60K belongings
- $1,000 deductible
- Built 2005
Which part of a South Carolina condo is yours to insure?
The association’s master policy covers the building, and your condo policy covers what the declaration and master policy leave to you. In our sample policy, $60,000 covers the inside of the unit and $60,000 your belongings, and that package averages $31 a month in South Carolina.
What to check with your HOA before you buy condo insurance
- The master policy: ask the association or manager for its certificate of insurance and declarations page.
- Bare walls or more: find out whether it stops at the bare walls or also covers fixtures and finishes; that sets your unit coverage.
- The master deductible: ask how large it is and whether the association can pass part of it to owners after a storm.
- Loss assessment: ask your insurer how much loss assessment coverage your policy includes (it can pay your share if the association bills owners for a covered loss to shared parts of the building).
South Carolina city guides
Home $188/mo
7 ZIP codes in our data
You may also want to compare: car + home insurance in South Carolina
Many South Carolina homeowners insure a car too. Some insurers take roughly 5% to 15% off when you buy home and car insurance from them together (Insurance Information Institute), but the same insurer has to write both policies, and buying both from one insurer isn’t always the lower-priced choice, so compare both ways.
See South Carolina car insurance rates · How bundling home and auto insurance works
Frequently asked questions about home insurance in South Carolina
How much is home insurance in South Carolina?
For the house we priced, South Carolina averages $1,980 a year ($165 a month) across the 3 insurers we compared and 212 ZIP codes, with rates as of Sept. 30, 2026. By ZIP code, the average runs from $137 a month in Greenville to $298 in Summerville, so your address matters.
Which South Carolina city has the cheapest home insurance?
Of the South Carolina cities in our table with at least 5 ZIP codes, Greenville had the lowest average for our sample home, $141 a month, and Charleston the highest, $188.
How much is insurance on a $400,000 house in South Carolina?
We priced a $300,000 dwelling, not $400,000. For that house, South Carolina averages $165 a month. A $400,000 house usually costs more to insure, so get quotes for your own rebuild cost, and remember the 80% rule.
Does South Carolina home insurance cover wind and hail damage?
Generally, yes, minus your deductible: a standard homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage. Some insurers use a separate percentage deductible for wind and hail, so work out what yours means in dollars; on our $300,000 sample house, 2% is $6,000, or $4,020 more than a year of the South Carolina average premium for that house.
Is flood damage covered by home insurance in South Carolina?
No. A standard South Carolina home or renters policy doesn’t cover flooding. You can buy it through federal flood insurance (NFIP) or a private insurer, and a new NFIP policy usually takes 30 days to start, so don’t wait for a storm warning.
Are South Carolina home insurance rates going up in 2026?
For the house we priced, the South Carolina average rose 1.2% for the same insurers and ZIP codes between Nov. 30, 2025 and Sept. 30, 2026, to $165 a month. Your own renewal depends on your insurer, your home and your claims.
What does renters insurance cost in South Carolina?
Our sample renter, insuring $40,000 of belongings with $300,000 liability, pays an average of $28 a month ($339 a year) in South Carolina across the 4 insurers we compared.
What does condo insurance cost in South Carolina?
Our sample condo, with $60,000 of unit coverage and $60,000 for belongings, averages $31 a month ($367 a year) in South Carolina across the 3 insurers we compared.
Who regulates home insurance in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Department of Insurance licenses insurers, oversees their rates and forms, and helps consumers with complaints about claims and nonrenewals. Its consumer line is 803-737-6160.
Official resources for South Carolina homeowners
- South Carolina Department of Insurance Consumer help, complaints and licensed insurers. Consumer line: 803-737-6160.
- SC Safe Home Coastal mitigation grants and the next application window.
- South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association Coastal wind and hail coverage.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: homeowners guide Coverage basics and the 80% rule.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center The official source for FEMA flood maps.
- FloodSmart FEMA’s site for the National Flood Insurance Program.
How we calculated these prices
We priced the same house with 3 major insurers, and the same apartment and condo with 4 and 3, in each of the 212 South Carolina ZIP codes in our data, using licensed insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services, with rates as of Sept. 30, 2026. Each South Carolina figure is the average of the ZIP-code averages, and monthly figures are yearly figures divided by 12. These are sample prices for one example home, renter and condo, not quotes or offers.
Full details
The homes we priced
- Home (HO-3, a standard homeowners policy): Our sample home is a 2,000-square-foot, two-story wood-frame house with a composition roof, built in 1997, insured for $300,000 with $150,000 for belongings, $300,000 liability and a $1,000 deductible for covered losses other than a hurricane. Our price requests also set a 2% hurricane deductible, the same setting in every state. The owner is 40, single, has good credit and no claims in 10 years.
- Renters (HO-4, a renters policy): Our sample renter lives in an apartment built in 2005 and insures $40,000 of belongings with $300,000 liability and a $1,000 deductible. The renter is 40, single, with good credit and no claims.
- Condo (HO-6, a condo unit-owner policy): Our sample condo is a 2,000-square-foot unit in a building built in 2005, with $60,000 of coverage for the unit, $60,000 for belongings, $300,000 liability and a $1,000 deductible. Same owner profile as the home.
- All three are in protection class 3 (a fire-protection rating), 1,000 feet from a hydrant and 3 miles from a fire station, with the distance to the coast set at 10 miles in every state’s price requests, so differences between ZIP codes come from how each insurer prices that ZIP code.
How the averages work: for each insurer and ZIP code we used its lowest eligible price, averaged the insurers in each ZIP code, then averaged the ZIP codes, so every ZIP code counts the same. Percentages are worked out before rounding, so they can differ slightly from the rounded dollars shown. The price change compares the same insurers in the same ZIP codes on Nov. 30, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026.
Which insurers we name: we don’t name a lowest-priced insurer when its lead over the next one is more than 30%, or when it was priced in fewer than 90% of a place’s ZIP codes, and we show the average without any insurer priced at more than twice the others. Each section says which insurer, if any, passed these tests for that line. We also never name an insurer that sells only to members, such as USAA (military families only) or an AAA insurer, and when the two lowest are within 5% of each other we call it a near tie.
Sample: Home: 636 sample prices from 3 insurers across 212 ZIP codes in 44 counties. Renters: 848 from 4 insurers. Condo: 636 from 3 insurers. South Carolina here means the 212 South Carolina ZIP codes in our rate data; cities group them by main post-office city.
Insurer notes: we review every note an insurer attaches to a price before publishing.
- Allstate’s home prices in 212 ZIP codes are left out: they carry an insurer note we are still reviewing, so they stay out of our averages until we decide.
- Southern Farm Bureau’s condo prices in 212 ZIP codes, renters prices in 212 ZIP codes and home prices in 212 ZIP codes are left out: they carry an insurer note we are still reviewing, so they stay out of our averages until we decide.
- Travelers’ condo prices in 212 ZIP codes are left out: they carry an insurer note we are still reviewing, so they stay out of our averages until we decide.
- Some counted prices carry notes that don’t change the coverage we priced (for example, a rating-tier label); we keep them.
Comparisons: neighboring-state figures use the same method and rates; the 50-states-and-D.C. figure averages each state’s average and D.C.’s.
Sources for local facts: South Carolina Department of Insurance, National Weather Service, South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, FEMA, Insurance Information Institute.
Rates as of Sept. 30, 2026; price changes compare prices as of Nov. 30, 2025.
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- About the Author
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
