How Much Is Flood Insurance in South Carolina? Average Flood Insurance Cost and Coverage

Flood insurance costs vary by county in South Carolina, and considered factors include the home's structure and elevation, flooding frequency, and cost of replacement and repairs. Flood damage is typically not a covered peril under homeowners or renters insurance policies.

Finding out how likely flooding is in your location is possible with the help of a flood map. Having flood insurance is essential even if your area is not in great danger because a flood could happen anywhere, and the cost of repairs can be extensive. One inch of water can inflict losses of up to $25,000, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Cost of Flood Insurance in South Carolina
• Flood Insurance Companies in South Carolina
• Flood Insurance Coverage
• Flood Insurance Cost Factors in South Carolina
• Do You Need Flood Insurance?
• South Carolina Flood Insurance FAQs

In South Carolina, you may anticipate paying around $625 annually for flood insurance. The rates for a property might vary widely, depending on its particular hazards and closeness to a flood zone. As a result, inhabitants of areas with a higher risk of flooding will often pay higher insurance costs.

The average flood insurance cost in South Carolina is $142 less than the national average. The state may have fewer flood-prone areas than others, which could account for this lower cost. Depending on what county you live in, your South Carolina flood insurance premium may be higher or lower.

According to MoneyGeek’s findings, Darlington County has the highest rate at around $1,249 per year, while Union County is the lowest at roughly $236 annually. A breakdown of South Carolina's annual flood insurance premiums by county is below.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurance companies offer flood insurance to South Carolina residents. Private insurers can provide either a basic policy (which is the same as NFIP coverage) or an excess policy (additional coverage). A private provider can be the best option if NFIP insurance is inadequate or if the home is not part of an NFIP community.

The NFIP also collaborates with insurance companies in South Carolina to provide flood insurance. The following table provides contact information for South Carolina insurance providers that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

There are no restrictions or requirements for flood insurance in South Carolina, making it simple to get. To get started, call the NFIP's toll-free hotline (877-336-2627) or your local, independent insurance agent. You can also reach out to a private insurance company.

Because the National Flood Insurance Program has a 30-day waiting period, you should get a flood insurance policy as soon as possible. However, the typical waiting period via a private insurance company in South Carolina is 10 days. Get in touch with your insurer for confirmation.

A single inch of floodwater may cause up to $25,000 in damages to a home. You could repair or restore your home and belongings if you have flood insurance in South Carolina.

A traditional flood insurance policy covers structural damage to a home and personal belongings. There is no coverage for flood-related damage to vehicles (comprehensive insurance on your auto policy covers that), cash and paperwork, pools, decks and patios, basement items and landscaping.

The building coverage of flood insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home's structure if it is destroyed by a covered event. An NFIP flood policy offers coverage up to $250,000.

Here are a few examples of what flood insurance could help pay for:

• Foundation walls
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning
• Built-in appliances
• Permanent carpets
• Built-in furniture

Your personal property's repair or replacement is covered under the contents coverage of flood insurance. Under the NFIP insurance program, the contents coverage level is no more than $100,000.

The following personal items are often covered by flood insurance:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Electronic equipment
• Washers and dryers
• Artwork

Prior to October 2021, the price of flood insurance was decided by where a home was located on a flood map. You can view the historical risk of floods and costs in South Carolina counties via the interactive map on FEMA’s website.

In South Carolina, Lee, Edgefield, and Dillion counties have had the fewest floods (seven each) since 1996, with an average annual premium for flood insurance of $693, $646, and $766, respectively. Charleston County, on the other hand, has experienced the most floods (150), and it costs $737 yearly on average for flood insurance.

Charleston has had the most floods, but it does not have the state's highest premium, potentially because its flooding affects a greater area.

FEMA's new risk assessment methodology (Risk Rating 2.0), implemented in October 2021, evaluates specific property risks, such as:

• Foundation type
• Dwelling structure
• Elevation
• Replacement and repair costs
• Frequency of flooding
• Proximity to water bodies

Flood insurance prices calculated by Risk Rating 2.0 are considered fair. However, your premium still greatly depends on where you live. The following discusses a few of the elements that affect flood insurance costs in South Carolina.

Most standard renters and homeowners insurance policies do not provide coverage for floods. Flooding may occur anywhere, so obtaining flood insurance is a good decision regardless of whether you live in a low or high-risk area of South Carolina. However, those in high-risk areas with government-backed mortgages must obtain flood insurance.

Private or NFIP flood insurance policies have benefits. They will cover flood damage even if the president doesn't issue a disaster declaration. A typical family can receive up to $5,000 in federal disaster aid, but the costs of flood damage often surpass the cap. That’s why flood insurance is imperative to have since it pays to policy limits.

Overall, flood insurance provides its policyholder with a safety net in the event of flooding, both financially and emotionally.

For further help with the details of flood insurance in South Carolina, MoneyGeek provides answers to frequently asked questions associated with this topic.