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).

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Flood insurance includes structural coverage and contents coverage. Renters in South Carolina can select contents-only coverage for flood insurance.

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South Carolina residents pay roughly $625 per year for flood insurance. The rates differ by county.

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Your flood insurance price may vary based on your coverage amount and deductible, as well as the location, home's age and design, and its flood risk.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in South Carolina

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.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in South Carolina

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.

South Carolina Flood Insurance Cost Per County
ABBEVILLE COUNTY$620
AIKEN COUNTY$615
ALLENDALE COUNTY$539
ANDERSON COUNTY$628
BAMBERG COUNTY$963
BARNWELL COUNTY$693
BEAUFORT COUNTY$542
BERKELEY COUNTY$492
CALHOUN COUNTY$702
CHARLESTON COUNTY$737
CHEROKEE COUNTY$863
CHESTER COUNTY$1,141
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY$651
CLARENDON COUNTY$779
COLLETON COUNTY$765
DARLINGTON COUNTY$1,249
DILLON COUNTY$766
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY$397
DORCHESTER COUNTY$564
EDGEFIELD COUNTY$646
FAIRFIELD COUNTY$830
FLORENCE COUNTY$584
GEORGETOWN COUNTY$1,069
GREENVILLE COUNTY$719
GREENWOOD COUNTY$651
HAMPTON COUNTY$725
HORRY COUNTY$493
JASPER COUNTY$563
KERSHAW COUNTY$829
LANCASTER COUNTY$627
LAURENS COUNTY$808
LEE COUNTY$693
LEXINGTON COUNTY$781
MARION COUNTY$731
MARLBORO COUNTY$1,022
MCCORMICK COUNTY$568
NEWBERRY COUNTY$844
OCONEE COUNTY$616
ORANGEBURG COUNTY$807
PICKENS COUNTY$688
RICHLAND COUNTY$753
SALUDA COUNTY$928
SPARTANBURG COUNTY$676
SUMTER COUNTY$640
UNION COUNTY$236
VEGA BAJA MUNICIPIO$339
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY$876
YORK COUNTY$568

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in South Carolina

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.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in SC and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Neptune Flood

727-202-4815

Aon Private Flood

888-281-0684

Hiscox - FloodPlus

866-283-7545

FloodSimple Insurance Services

844-803-8788

Chubb

866-324-8222

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.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Nat. Prop. & Casualty

(417) 887-4990

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Auto Owners Insurance Co.

Refer to the Agent locator

Bankers Insurance Group, DBA: First Community Insurance Company

(800) 627-0000

Centauri Specialty Ins. Company

(866) 318-4113

Farmers Insurance Group

(866) 865-2965

FedNat Insurance Company

(800) 293-2532

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

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.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

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.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Flood insurance only covers water damage caused by natural catastrophes. The insurance does not provide coverage for floods caused by unnatural occurrences, such as a leaking appliance, damaged roof or pipes.

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.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

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

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

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

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in South Carolina

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.

Risk Rating 2.0

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.

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    Flood Risk

    South Carolina may have fewer flood-prone areas than other states, which could be why the cost is lower for flood insurance. Due to the fact that Risk Rating 2.0 analyzes flood risk on an individual property basis, your risk and your neighbor's risk may differ, though. And if you live in a moderate or high-risk area, expect to pay more.

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    Coverage Type

    The premium you pay depends on the coverage type or degree of protection you choose, with a more expensive premium being linked with a comprehensive policy. Rates and coverage will also vary according to your county.

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    Deductible

    The premium for a policy with a higher deductible will be lower. However, you will be liable for paying the deductible before the insurer pays on a claim. Typically, deductibles fall between $1,000 and $10,000.

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    Age of Structure

    Flood insurance providers base their prices on the age of your property. If your house is fairly old, you should expect to pay a higher premium.

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    Structure Design

    In addition to the home's age and location, other factors, such as design and the quality of its construction materials, are taken into account.

Do You Need Flood Insurance 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Flood Insurance

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

What is the average cost of flood insurance in South Carolina?

Which companies offer flood insurance in South Carolina?

What kind of damage does flood insurance cover?

What affects flood insurance rates in South Carolina?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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