The Best Homeowners Insurance in South Carolina [2023]

The average cost of basic home insurance coverage in South Carolina is $2,379, which is below the national average of $2,777 according to Insurance.com. 

The cost of a home insurance policy for your South Carolina home can differ vastly based on a few key factors:

• The age of your home: Is your home an older home that is at risk of more structural wear and tear?

• The square footage of your home: How big is your home? In general, larger homes will cost more to insure.

• The materials used to build your home: Was your home built using materials prone to things like rotting or structural damage?

• Building costs in your area: Because insurance deals with repairs and replacement, coverage increases with increased building costs.

• The location in which you live: What are crime rates like? How close are you to a fire department? How close are you to the water or the shoreline?

• Any additional features: Does your house have a swimming pool or hot tub that could pose a potential risk to guests? Do you have pets, and if so, what are their breeds? Surprisingly, insurers will look at these things when assessing prices.

• Your deductible: A higher deductible will decrease your premium, but could cost you more if you file a claim. Talk to your insurance provider about diminishing deductibles to get the best plan that suits your payment needs.

With so many insurance companies to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down the best coverage options for your specific needs. Below are the best providers based on coverage, cost, and customer ratings in South Carolina.

USAA

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Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,974

Notes: Basic policy includes extra coverage and highest rated customer service

State Farm

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Average Annual Rate: ~ $2,189

Notes: Useful coverage options with cheap rates

Travelers

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Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,404

Notes: A unique list of coverage add-ons to build out your home insurance policy

Allstate

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Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,515

Notes: Cheapest quotes in South Carolina

Average rates are for annual policies with $250,000 in dwelling coverage.

If you’re looking for a good home insurance provider with an affordable rate, you’re in luck. Allstate has the cheapest annual home insurance premiums at $1,515 and is also listed as one of the best homeowners insurance companies to choose from in SC. Other affordable options in the state include: 

• USAA

• Travelers

• South Carolina Farm Bureau

• State Farm

• Cincinnati Insurance

Don’t forget that insurance prices vary depending on each homeowner’s location and coverage needs but shopping around to get the best annual rate and premium home insurance quotes is a good idea if cost is an important factor in your decision.

Below, we tackle some common questions to help you make a more informed decision about which homeowners insurance to choose in South Carolina specifically.

• Is South Carolina Homeowners Insurance a Requirement?
• What Does Homeowners Insurance in South Carolina Cover?
• Which Additional Coverages Are Recommended in SC?
• How Do I File a Complaint?

It’s best not to cut corners when it comes to coverage or insuring your home, however, there are a few ways that you can reduce your costs, without sacrificing your coverage.

• Increase your deductible. This will help reduce monthly costs to your insurer, but it may mean paying more out of pocket should you need to make a claim. Similarly, paying your 6-month or 1-year premium in full will drive down monthly costs.

• Bundle policies. Bundling your home and auto insurance can help you save 5–15% on your premiums. Talk to your insurance provider about home and car insurance bundling options and how that helps you save.

• Take the necessary steps to make your home disaster-resistant. Some examples include:

  • Install a smoke detector and/or fire alarm.

  • Get a burglar alarm and/or deadbolt locks.

  • Install a sprinkler system.

• Nix the high-risk accessories. Similar to the above point, rid your home of things that are considered “high risk.” For example, did the kids go off to college? Time to throw out that trampoline that’s sitting in the backyard.

• Seek out other discounts. Some things to look into:

  • Do you work from home? Insurance providers may feel you’re less prone to theft or may spot a fire or flood sooner.

  • Are you retired? You may qualify for a discount. 

  • Does your employer offer a group deal?

  • Even something as simple as choosing paperless billing can help you save!

• Keep good credit. Some agencies will look at your credit history and charge less for those with good financial strength and standings.

As always, consult your insurance agent to see which of the above discounts you qualify for.

At Expertise.com, our goal is to connect South Carolina residents with the best local experts and agencies, so you can find the homeowners policy that safely insures your home and most prized possessions. 

View our list of the 14 best homeowners insurance agencies here. 

Learn more about the best homeowners insurance policy options in your respective South Carolina cities below:

• Charleston Homeowners Insurance

• North Charleston Homeowners Insurance

• Mount Pleasant Homeowners Insurance

• Columbia South Carolina Homeowners Insurance

• Rock Hill South Carolina Homeowners Insurance

Our methodology evaluates each provider based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.