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Residents of the Palmetto State have a lot to deal with when it comes to protecting their home — enduring from hurricanes to pests to crime. Thankfully, there are several high-quality homeowners insurance companies servicing the state.
Some of our favorites include Allstate, Auto-Owners, Cincinnati Insurance, USAA, and State Farm. These companies have been selected by a thorough process looking at factors like discounts, premium costs, coverage, company reputation, and more.
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 Price | AM Best Financial | J.D. Power | |
| Allstate | $ 419 | A+ | 829 |
| Auto-Owners | $ 1,173 | A++ | 843 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $ 1,913 | A+ | NA |
| USAA | $ 777 | A++ | 889 |
| State Farm | $ 1,628 | A++ | 829 |
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Best South Carolina Homeowners Insurance Companies
Allstate
Allstate’s strength is in the diversity of its offerings and discounts, which allow you to pick and choose the coverage that works best for your circumstances. It has a great website with tons of useful information.
Best Discount Options
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Diverse discounts opportunities
- Informative website and digital tools
- Above-average customer service
- Convenient mobile app
Cons
- High complaint ration on NAIC complaint index
- Financial strength ratings good, but not great
- Some standard coverage isn’t included
Discounts available
- Early signing discount
- Home buyer discount
- Hail-resistant roof discount
Unique features
Allstate also has a mobile app for its customers’ convenience. You can use it to get quotes, access resources, and more. The company’s coverage isn’t as comprehensive as what other homeowners insurance companies offer. For example, you’ll need to purchase extended coverage for items like jewelry.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Allstate:
Auto-Owners Insurance
If you prefer doing your insurance business in person or by phone rather than digitally, Auto-Owners could be a good fit for you. Auto-Owners doesn’t have an online quote tool, nor can you report a claim online.
Best Claims Satisfaction
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Financially solid
- High claims satisfaction
- Several possible discounts and unique add-ons
Cons
- Poor digital experience
- Few online capabilities
- Not rated by all credit agencies
Discounts available
- Multi-policy discount
- Green discount
- Paid-in-full discount
Unique features
Auto-Owners offers some unique coverage options with Homeowners Plus. This can include damage from appliance leaks and coverage for food spoilage during a power outage.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Auto-Owners:
Cincinnati Insurance Co.
Cincinnati Insurance is a writer of business and individual policies based in Ohio, though it has a strong presence in Georgia. It positions itself toward high-net-worth individuals, but it sells policies for homes of any value.
Best for High-Value Homes
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Good for high-value homes
- Homeowners Plus endorsement
- Good customer service
- Option for flexible increased coverage
Cons
- Expensive coverage
- No online quotes or claims
Discounts available
- Bundle discounts
- Good claim history discounts
- Home alarm discount
Unique features
The Executive Homeowner Plus endorsement offers uncommon coverage, including personal property replacement without a deduction for depreciation.
USAA
USAA appears at the top of rating lists for its excellent customer service, comprehensive policies and fair prices. The only catch is that you must be a current or former member of the military community to purchase a policy — but if you are, the company should be your first stop.
Best for Military Members
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Outstanding customer service
- Policies tailored to military family needs
- Strong financial rating
- Option for flexible increased coverage
Cons
- Only available to current and former military members and their families
- Limited discounts
Discounts available
- Save 10% if you bundle with auto
- Claims-free 10% discount
- Home security system discount
Unique features
USAA’s policies are written with service men and women in mind. This means they have details that anyone in the military can appreciate, such as full coverage for uniforms for active duty or deployed members.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on USAA:
State Farm
State Farm offers above-average customer support along with competitive pricing and solid coverage options. For those new to home ownership, its Simple Insights blog can tell you everything you need to know about home ownership in general.
Best for Fast Claim Payments
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Financially strong
- Excellent web presence
- 19,000+ agents nationally
- Informative blog
Cons
- Limited discounts
- Higher premiums
Discounts available
- Multiple policy discount
- Fire, smoke, or burglar alarms discount
- Impact-resistant roof discount
Unique features
State Farm’s comprehensive website makes it easy to get a detailed quote in minutes. You can also pay your bill, file and manage a claim, and handle most maintenance tasks either online or via the company’s app.
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on State Farm:
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in South Carolina
According to the NAIC, the average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina is $1,285, which is slightly more than the national average of $1,173. Your insurance costs depend on many factors, such as the proximity of your home to flood plains or coastal areas. Insurers also evaluate standard elements such as home size and age, crime rates, your credit rating, and more.
Home Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
In South Carolina, it’s important to add flood coverage to your policy. Flooding can be caused by many things, from a spring thaw to a hurricane. South Carolina is vulnerable to flooding, so protecting your home and belongings is a must. You should also consider windstorm or hurricane coverage. South Carolina has a long history of hurricanes and tornadoes. It’s imperative to protect yourself from risk of loss as well as the danger they present.
The Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Largest Companies by Market Share in South Carolina | Average Annual Premium |
| Lighthouse Property Insurance | $372 |
| Allstate | $419 |
| First Community Insurance | $726 |
| USAA | $777 |
| Homeowners of America | $908 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,173 |
| Progressive | $1,331 |
| Universal North America | $1,530 |
| State Farm | $1,628 |
| Encompass | $1,741 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $1,913 |
| South Carolina Farm Bureau | $2,844 |
Cost of Homeowners Insurance by Age of Home
| Age of Home (years) | Sample Annual Premium |
| 5 | $1,279 |
| 20 | $1,755 |
| 35 | $1,846 |
| 50 | $1,851 |
| Average Across Ages | $1,683 |
Top 3 Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation – $372
- Allstate – $419
- First Community Insurance Company – $726
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowners Insurance Companies in South Carolina
- South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company – $2,844
- Cincinnati Insurance Company – $1,913
- Encompass – $1,741
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/most recent grant cycle is the summer of 2020. You can sign up on the website to be notified when applications are open.
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
Is homeowners insurance required in South Carolina?
The state doesn’t require that you have homeowners insurance but if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to purchase it. Even without a mortgage, you should still consider homeowners insurance to protect your belongings.
What is the cheapest homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
Your policy price varies based on factors like the size and location of your house, your credit score, and your assets. Based on the average annual premiums we examined, Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation offers the cheapest homeowners insurance in South Carolina.
Methodology
We evaluated the companies based on their customer rating and experience, financial stability, and coverage to determine the best providers. To compare home insurance companies across the board, we then calculated a Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Customer Ratings — Customer ratings are an indication of satisfaction with the process of filing a claim. We measured this using J.D. Power Homeowners Satisfaction ratings.
- Coverage — As there isn’t one company to fit everyone’s needs, we evaluated companies by the amount of coverage options and add-ons available.
- Confidence — It is extremely important for insurance companies to fulfill customers’ claims. Companies with sound financial strength will not have issues paying out claims, regardless of the amount. However, companies with weak financial strength might not be able to pay out claims. We measured this using AM Best’s ratings, which specializes in assessing the financial strength of insurance companies.
- Customer Experience — The amount of complaints a company receives is an indicator of the overall customer experience as it expresses dissatisfaction. We have based this measure on the NAIC National Complaint Index.
About the Authors
Lorraine Roberte is a South Florida-based personal finance writer. Her work has been published on sites such as Thrive Global, Elephant Journal, Red Tricycle and Tweak Your Biz.
