South Carolina homeowners face elevated wind and flood exposure, especially along the coast. Insurers have tightened underwriting and raised rates in a broader hard market, driven by higher catastrophe losses and reinsurance costs. The U.S. recorded a record 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023, with a five-year average near 20 events per year — more than double the long-term average — underscoring growing severe-weather risk in the Southeast (NOAA NCEI). Even so, several strong, service-focused insurers remain available in the state.
Our top picks — Allstate, Auto-Owners, Cincinnati Insurance, USAA (eligibility required), and State Farm — combine financial strength and service with broad availability. We weighed recent customer satisfaction insights from the J.D. Power U.S. Home Insurance Study, current financial strength indicators (AM Best; accessed 2025), coverage options, and state-specific needs like hurricane/wind deductibles and flood. South Carolina’s strong building codes (IBHS “Rating the States” score of 92/100) and mitigation programs such as SC Safe Home can also influence premiums and insurability (IBHS; SC Safe Home).
The 5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- Allstate
- Auto-Owners
- Cincinnati Insurance
- USAA
- State Farm
Compare South Carolina’s top insurance companies
| Average Annual Premium* | AM Best Financial Strength Rating | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Rating** | |
| Allstate | $1,567 | A+ | See study |
| Auto-Owners | $1,479 | A++ | See study |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $1,618 | A+ | See study |
| USAA | $809 | A++ | See study (eligibility applies) |
| State Farm | $1,747 | A++ | See study |
*Rates pulled from Coverage.com. AM Best ratings should be verified at quote time; State Farm publicly lists AM Best A++ (Superior) on its financial strength page (source; accessed 2025). For other carriers, confirm current ratings via AM Best’s guide above.
**See the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Home Insurance Study for current satisfaction leaders; scores are reported on a 1,000-point scale.
Best South Carolina Homeowners Insurance Companies
Allstate
Allstate combines a broad agent network with robust digital tools and numerous discounts. In coastal South Carolina, expect percentage hurricane or wind deductibles to apply (commonly 1%–5% of your dwelling limit) and roof-age underwriting to affect price; review these terms when comparing quotes (Insurance Information Institute).
Best Discount Options
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Broad discount selection and strong digital tools
- Large agent network for local support
- Flexible endorsements (e.g., water backup, service line)
- Educational resources for storm readiness
Cons
- Coastal wind/named-storm deductibles can be 1%–5% of Coverage A (check trigger and terms)
- Roof age/condition may affect eligibility and price in SC coastal ZIP codes
- Some valuables may require scheduling for full coverage
Discounts available
- Early signing discount
- Hail- or impact-resistant roof discount
- Homebuyer discount
Unique features
Allstate’s app and portal streamline quotes, billing, and claims. In wind-exposed areas, confirm your named-storm deductible percentage and whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or ACV (important in coastal markets). See background on hurricane deductibles from the Insurance Information Institute.
*See the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Home Insurance Study for current rankings and methodology.
Further Reading on Allstate:
Auto-Owners Insurance
Auto-Owners operates through independent agents and is frequently cited among satisfaction leaders in the J.D. Power study. Expect traditional service with agent guidance, plus endorsements like water backup and service line that address today’s most common gaps (III: water/sewer backup; III: service line).
Best Claims Satisfaction
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Consistently strong satisfaction marks (see J.D. Power study)
- Financially strong (A-range AM Best typical among leading carriers)
- Useful add-ons: water backup, service line, equipment breakdown
- Agent-assisted policy design and claims
Cons
- Limited online quoting; most shoppers work with an agent
- Digital experience less robust than large direct writers
- Underwriting appetite and coastal deductibles vary by ZIP code
Discounts available
- Green discount
- Multi-policy discount
- Paid-in-full discount
Unique features
Auto-Owners offers Homeowners Plus and other endorsements that can address appliance leaks and food spoilage losses. Ask your agent about water backup, service line, and equipment breakdown coverage to close common gaps (III).
*See the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Home Insurance Study for current rankings and methodology.
Further Reading on Auto-Owners:
Cincinnati Insurance Co.
Cincinnati Insurance serves a wide range of homes and is well-suited to higher-value properties needing broader limits and tailored scheduling. In SC’s coastal zones, confirm wind coverage terms and consider pairing homeowners with a separate wind policy if needed; the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA) is the market of last resort for wind in designated coastal territories (SCWHUA).
Best for High-Value Homes
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Strong option for higher-value homes and custom features
- Financially strong and agent-supported
- Flexible scheduling and higher limits
- Coastal coordination guidance for wind and flood
Cons
- Premiums can be higher for coastal or complex risks
- Online quotes/claims limited; agent interaction expected
Discounts available
- Bundle discounts
- Claims history discounts (varies)
- Alarm/security system discount
Unique features
For high-value homes, ask about extended replacement cost and code-upgrade (Ordinance or Law) coverage, which can be crucial with today’s building-code requirements (III).
USAA
USAA consistently earns top-tier satisfaction in J.D. Power’s research (reported separately due to eligibility limits) and offers comprehensive coverage tailored to military life. Eligibility is limited to current and former military members and their families; within that community, USAA remains a strong option for price and service.
Best for Military Members
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Consistently high satisfaction and strong claims support
- Policies tailored to military families
- Financial strength in the A++ range (verify at purchase)
- Competitive pricing for many eligible members
Cons
- Eligibility restricted to the military community
- Coastal wind deductibles and roof requirements can affect pricing
Discounts available
- Claims-free discount (varies)
- Home security system discount
- Bundle home and auto for added savings (eligibility required)
Unique features
USAA includes military-specific benefits (e.g., uniforms coverage for active duty) and strong disaster response support. Confirm hurricane or named-storm deductible details if you live near the coast (III).
*See the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Home Insurance Study for current rankings and methodology.
Further Reading on USAA:
State Farm
State Farm offers competitive coverage, a deep agent network, and robust digital claims tools. The company reports AM Best A++ (Superior) on its financial strength page (State Farm financial strength), and it continues to score well in customer satisfaction research like the J.D. Power 2024 study. In coastal areas, review wind/named-storm deductibles and roof coverage terms closely.
Best for Fast Claim Payments
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Extensive agent network and strong digital tools
- AM Best A++ per company disclosures
- Reliable claims handling and educational resources
- Broad availability in South Carolina
Cons
- Premiums can be higher in coastal ZIPs with wind exposure
- Separate hurricane/wind deductibles apply in many areas (1%–5%)
Discounts available
- Fire, smoke, or burglar alarms discount
- Impact-resistant roof discount
- Multiple policy discount
Unique features
State Farm’s website makes it easy to get a detailed quote and file claims. Pair homeowners with a separate wind policy if your home is in a coastal territory that excludes wind; coordinate with the SC Wind pool if needed (SCWHUA).
*See the J.D. Power 2024 Home Insurance Study for current rankings and methodology.
Further Reading on State Farm:
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in South Carolina
No single, authoritative statewide “average premium” is published by the South Carolina Department of Insurance or NAIC for homeowners policies. Prices vary widely by ZIP code, distance to the coast or floodplains, roof age/condition, construction type, and the hurricane or wind deductible you choose. In coastal states like SC, special wind or hurricane deductibles commonly range from 1%–5% of the dwelling limit and materially affect your out-of-pocket costs and premium (III). Given current hard-market conditions and reinsurance pass-through, compare multiple quotes and confirm deductibles and roof settlement terms (III).
Home Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
Standard homeowners policies exclude overland flood — a key risk in SC from hurricanes, storm surge, and inland rainfall. Consider flood coverage through the NFIP (priced under Risk Rating 2.0) or private flood. FEMA notes that just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage (FloodSmart). Also review: water/sewer backup (commonly $5k–$25k limits at modest cost), service line ($10k–$20k typical limits), equipment breakdown (coverage for HVAC and home systems), and Ordinance or Law (code upgrades), which can be crucial given South Carolina’s strong building codes and post-storm rebuild requirements (III; III; III; IBHS 2024). Understand your hurricane/wind deductible percentage and trigger; these are commonly 1%–5% in coastal markets (III).
The Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Selected insurers (not a market-share ranking) | Average Annual Premium for $200K Dwelling Coverage |
| State Farm | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Allstate | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| USAA (eligibility applies) | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Auto-Owners | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Cincinnati Insurance | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Travelers | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Progressive (ASI) | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Nationwide | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Liberty Mutual | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| Farmers | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
| American Family | Varies by ZIP, wind exposure, and deductibles |
Cost of Homeowners Insurance by Age of Home
| Age of Home (years) | Indicative premium tendency (sources below) |
| 5 | Often lower vs. older homes due to newer codes and roofs; may qualify for mitigation credits (IBHS 2024) |
| 20 | May trend higher as roofs age; confirm roof settlement (replacement cost vs. ACV) and any wind/hail deductible |
| 35 | Older roofs and systems can increase price; consider water backup/service line endorsements (III) |
| 50 | Expect stricter underwriting and potential code-upgrade needs; increase Ordinance or Law limits (III) |
| Average Across Ages | Highly property-specific; hurricane/wind deductibles commonly 1%–5% in coastal markets (III) |
Top 3 Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- There is no single “cheapest” insurer statewide. Prices hinge on wind/flood exposure, roof age, construction, and your hurricane/wind deductible selection (often 1%–5%) (III).
- Quote multiple carriers and compare identical limits and deductibles; ask about mitigation credits (e.g., FORTIFIED roof) and SC Safe Home grants that can reduce losses and premiums (SC Safe Home; IBHS).
- Layer coverage correctly near the coast: homeowners + wind (if excluded) via the state wind pool where necessary + flood (NFIP/private) (SCWHUA; FEMA).
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowners Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- “Most expensive” varies by property and ZIP code. Coastal, surge, and wind exposure — plus older roofs — often drive higher premiums and deductibles (III).
- Premiums can change materially with named-storm/hurricane deductible percentages; confirm triggers, per-event vs. annual application, and your out-of-pocket capacity (III).
- Mitigation (roof upgrades, opening protection) and strong codes help reduce loss severity and may earn credits in SC (IBHS 2024).
Helpful Resources for South Carolina Homeowners
The South Carolina Department of Insurance provides insurance advice in easily digestible articles and more thorough brochures. While there, you can also look into the South Carolina Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program. If your home is on coastal property, these funds can help you with weatherproofing your home. The next grant cycle is in December 2021 page provides current application details when cycles open. You can sign up on the website to be notified when applications are open. Also review the state’s 2024 Hurricane Guide for preparedness and insurance tips.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website also has a variety of resources for South Carolina homeowners. It can walk you through every step, whether you’re just getting started or already maintaining a homestead.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Methodology
All rates are pulled from Coverage.com. We evaluated companies using recent customer satisfaction insights from J.D. Power (2024), market context from the Insurance Information Institute, and financial strength indicators verified via AM Best’s rating guide (accessed 2025). For market perspective, we also referenced NAIC market-share tables published by the Insurance Information Institute (III/NAIC). To compare home insurance companies across the board, we then calculated a Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Customer Ratings — Customer ratings indicate satisfaction with pricing, service, and claims. We used the latest J.D. Power Homeowners Satisfaction findings.
- Coverage — We compared base policy features and the breadth of add-ons (e.g., water backup, service line, equipment breakdown, flood options).
- Confidence — We assessed financial strength using AM Best ratings guidance; many large carriers maintain A to A++ ratings, which signal strong claims-paying ability.
- Customer Experience — We reviewed publicly available complaint trends and service indicators alongside satisfaction studies and state consumer resources.
