Home insurance in South Carolina costs about $227 monthly or $2,722 annually on average. Residents pay $7 more per month, or $87 more annually, than the national average, making it the 15th most expensive state for home insurance.
Average Home Insurance Cost in South Carolina
Updated: June 2, 2025
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Rates updated:
Jun 06, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Depending on your financial history, home details and other personal information, home insurance costs in South Carolina can range from $2,845 to $43,686.
South Carolina's home insurance premiums are the 15th most expensive in the country, at 3% above the national average.
To find the best home insurance in South Carolina, determine what coverage you need beforehand, research costs and discounts in your area, and shop around.
How Much Is Home Insurance in South Carolina?
| South Carolina Average | $227 | $2,722 | 3% |
| National Average | $220 | $2,635 | 0% |
*These rates represent a home built in 2000 out of frame with $250,000 Dwelling, $125,000 Personal Property and $200,000 Liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Average Home Insurance Cost by City
Depending on your city, various risk factors (including your property’s age, weather-related factors and home valuations) differ significantly, affecting home insurance costs. For example, the average monthly home insurance cost in Charleston is around $312; in Myrtle Beach, it’s much higher at $433.
| Charleston | $312 | $3,741 |
| Columbia | $193 | $2,310 |
| Myrtle Beach | $433 | $5,194 |
| North Charleston | $290 | $3,477 |
| Sumter | $204 | $2,443 |
*These rates represent a home built in 2000 out of frame with $250,000 Dwelling, $125,000 Personal Property and $200,000 Liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Why Is Home Insurance So Expensive in South Carolina?
Home insurance is expensive in South Carolina mainly because of the increasing number of claims, the high risk of severe weather and natural disasters, rising material and labor costs, and state insurance laws. Below, we explain each factor in detail:
Rising Claims
When homeowners frequently file insurance claims, insurers may increase premiums to cover the higher risk of payouts. More claims suggest greater risk, leading to costlier home insurance policies.
High Weather Risks
Areas prone to severe weather, such as hurricanes or wildfires, often face higher home insurance costs due to the increased likelihood of damage and subsequent claims.
Rising Material and Labor Costs
As the cost of building materials and labor rises, so does the cost to repair or rebuild homes. Insurers raise premiums to keep pace with these increased costs.
State Insurance Laws
South Carolina insurance regulations can impact home insurance prices. Mandates on coverage types or minimum limits can lead to higher costs for homeowners.
What Affects South Carolina Home Insurance Costs?
For most home insurance providers, pricing is influenced by key factors:
- Location
- Coverage chosen
- Home build details
- Provider chosen
- Credit
- Claims history
Next, we'll explore how these elements impact rates for South Carolina residents.
How Much Does Location Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Location is the biggest factor affecting home insurance rates in South Carolina, with rates varying by up to 72%. Weather risks, home value and population density in your area play a major role in determining costs.
| Lowest | South Carolina State Remnant Tier Aggregate | $176 | $2,109 |
| Highest | Myrtle Beach | $434 | $5,203 |
How Much Does Coverage Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Coverage choices are the second most influential factor in South Carolina home insurance rates, with costs ranging from $1,268 to $9,517 per year. Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles increase premiums, while lower limits and higher deductibles reduce costs.
| Lowest | $100K Dwelling / $50K Personal Property / $100K Liability | 2000 | $106 | $1,268 |
| Highest | $1MM Dwelling / $500K Personal Property / $1MM Liability | 500 | $793 | $9,517 |
How Much Do Home Details Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Home details like age, construction materials and roof type are the third most influential factor in homeowners insurance rates, with costs ranging from $105 to $240 per month. These factors affect replacement costs and the risk of damage or theft, leading to varied rates.
| Lowest | New | Superior | Tile | $105 | $1,258 |
| Highest | Old | Frame | Shake-Treated | $240 | $2,879 |
How Much Does the Provider You Choose Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Your choice of insurer is the fourth most influential factor in South Carolina home insurance rates, with prices ranging from 39% below to 81% above the state average.
| Lowest | Chubb | $134 | $1,606 |
| Highest | Travelers | $397 | $4,760 |
How Much Does Credit Affect Home Insurance Costs?
A higher credit score makes you appear more reliable, which can lower your home insurance costs. Premiums vary by up to 143%, with annual average rates ranging from $1,720 to $14,105.
| Lowest | Excellent | $143 | $1,720 |
| Highest | Poor | $1,175 | $14,105 |
How Much Does Claims History Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Filing more claims will increase your perceived risk for insurers, which can increase premiums. In South Carolina, claims history has a smaller impact on cost than other factors. Depending on your claims history, rates can be affected by up to 11% or $335 annually.
| Lowest | Claim free for 5+ years | $219 | $2,630 |
| Highest | 2 claims in past 5 years | $272 | $3,264 |
Tips to Save on South Carolina Home Insurance
With high home insurance costs in South Carolina, saving on premiums is key, whether you're buying a new home or cutting current costs. Below are tips to help you secure the best and cheapest home insurance in South Carolina tailored to your needs.
- 1
Find How Much Coverage You Need Beforehand
Determining how much home insurance you need before buying allows you to frame how you search for coverage and avoid being oversold by agents. In addition to standard coverage options, consider if you need add-ons to protect any additional items you own.
- 2
Research Costs and Discounts
Understand the average costs for you and your home to determine if you’re getting a good deal. Also, ask agents about all available home insurance discounts, as some insurers apply certain reductions only if requested.
- 3
Compare Multiple Providers
Compare multiple insurers apples to apples to find the best coverage for your needs. Use various methods, including online comparison sites, brokers, provider websites, and agents, as quotes vary significantly across these channels.
- 4
Consider Bundling Policies
Bundling policies can lead to significant savings. For example, combining home and auto insurance in South Carolina can help you save hundreds of dollars annually on both policies.
- 5
Reduce Your Personal Risk Profile
To get cheaper premiums for your home, consider making improvements like adding storm shutters or home security systems. Additionally, improving your credit score can decrease premiums drastically. For instance, moving from a fair to a good credit score can save you 28% on average.
- 6
See if You Are Eligible for State Programs
Investigate South Carolina programs if you're denied traditional home insurance coverage. While state programs don’t offer the same coverage amount as traditional policies, they meet mortgage requirements.
South Carolina Home Insurance Calculator: Bottom Line
Home insurance costs vary, mainly by location and coverage level. Find affordable rates by understanding your needs and average costs. Use our estimate tool to find the best deal.
Homeowners Calculator Insurance South Carolina: FAQ
Homeowners insurance costs in South Carolina depend on many factors. To help you estimate your costs, MoneyGeek answers common questions about home insurance for residents.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina's average monthly home insurance cost is $227 for dwelling coverage of $250,000. However, your rate will depend on factors like your credit score, liability and property coverage limits, and deductible.
How do I know how much dwelling coverage to get?
Homeowners can estimate their required dwelling coverage by calculating the cost to replace their home after damage, often with help from an appraiser. While this study uses a baseline coverage of $250,000, you can use the MoneyGeek homeowners insurance calculator to determine the best coverage limit for your specific situation.
What factors affect home insurance costs the most?
The biggest factors affecting home insurance costs are your location, chosen coverage level, and provider. Your credit score and home details also influence your rates.
How We Determined Our South Carolina Home Insurance Estimates
When determining the average cost of home insurance in South Carolina, we used a base profile for a simple estimate consistent with the following:
- $250,000 dwelling coverage
- $125,000 personal property coverage
- $200,000 liability coverage
- Home Built Year: 2000
- Construction type: Frame
- Roof type: Composition
- $1,000 deductible
- No claims in the past 5+ years
- Fire protection level of 3
However, rates will vary widely depending on factors such as coverage level, provider chosen, the age of the home, other features of the home, insured credit and claims history, among other factors. All other combinations presented in this article assume the home was built in 2000.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.