Auto-Owners tops South Carolina's renters insurance market, scoring 4.8 out of 5 and ranking first in affordability and customer experience. State Farm comes in second with an overall score of 4.8. Allstate, Nationwide and USAA complete the top five.
Best Renters Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
Updated: March 9, 2026
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Key Takeaways: South Carolina Renters Insurance
Auto-Owners is South Carolina's best overall renters insurance company, earning a 4.8 out of 5 MoneyGeek score.
At $121 annually, Auto-Owners offers the most affordable renters insurance premiums statewide.
Get quotes from several insurers to find the most competitive rates for your specific situation.
5 Best Renters Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 4.78 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| State Farm | 4.77 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Allstate | 4.57 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Nationwide | 4.46 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| USAA | 4.23 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
*Our ratings consider different combinations of coverage levels and renter details to identify the best overall options. Rankings may differ based on your profile.
Auto-Owners
Top Choice for South Carolina Renters
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
2.9/5Coverage
Average Annual Premium
$121Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $20K in personal property coverage and $100K in liability coverage with a $500 deductibleAverage Monthly Premium
$10Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $20K in personal property coverage and $100K in liability coverage with a $500 deductibleJ.D. Power Renters Insurance Customer Satisfaction Score
Not ratedFrom the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study, which examines customer satisfaction based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters. The average renters insurance score is 668/1,000.
Compare the Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies in South Carolina
Auto-Owners charges the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina at $121 per year for $20,000 in personal property coverage, saving renters $118 compared to the state average of $239 annually. Allstate comes in second at $143 per year, while Progressive costs $153 and is available statewide. All eight cheapest insurers charge below the state average, with rates from $121 to $367 per year. Finding the cheapest renters insurance can help South Carolina residents protect their belongings without breaking the bank.
Average Cost of Renters Insurance in South Carolina
South Carolina renters pay $239 annually for renters insurance on average, $43 higher than the national average cost of renters insurance of $196. These figures are based on coverage with $20,000 in personal property protection, $100,000 in liability limits and a $500 deductible.
Your actual premium varies by your coverage limits, deductible choice and where you're located in the state.
| SC | $239 | $43 |
Do You Need Renters Insurance in South Carolina?
Many landlords require renters insurance even though South Carolina doesn't mandate it by law. Property managers often mandate coverage to protect themselves from liability claims, with many requiring minimum liability limits of $100,000 or more. Your landlord can require coverage as part of your lease agreement. Check your lease before moving in to see if you need a policy.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR RENTERS INSURANCE COVERAGE NEEDS
Typical personal property coverage ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 for most renters' belongings. To calculate your personal property coverage, inventory your apartment and estimate replacement costs for electronics, furniture, clothing and other belongings. Select at least $100,000 in liability coverage to protect yourself if someone gets injured in your apartment.
How to Find the Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
Homeowners should compare multiple South Carolina insurers while weighing their budget, coverage requirements and service expectations to find the best fit.
- 1Compare quotes from at least three companies
Premiums differ by $50 or more across companies for identical coverage. Get quotes from both national carriers, like GEICO and State Farm, and regional providers serving Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. This comparison ensures you find the most competitive rates available in South Carolina's market.
- 2Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews
Low prices aren't worth much if your insurer has poor claims handling or customer service. Research J.D. Power ratings and review customer complaints filed with the South Carolina Department of Insurance before purchasing. This step protects you from insurers that offer cheap rates but deliver subpar service when you need them most.
- 3Bundle renters and auto insurance
Insurers give 10% to 25% off when you bundle policies together. State Farm and Allstate offer some of the largest bundling discounts for South Carolina residents. Contact your current auto insurer first to see if adding renters coverage creates meaningful savings compared to separate policies.
- 4Ask about available discounts
You can get discounts for alarm systems, smoke detectors and staying claims-free for multiple years. Many insurers also offer reductions for being a nonsmoker, paying annually instead of monthly or completing online safety courses. Ask your agent to review all available discounts to maximize your potential savings.
Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
Auto-Owners, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide and USAA are South Carolina's best renters insurance companies. Get quotes from several companies to find rates matching your needs. Try the calculator below for personalized quotes depending on your coverage, deductible and credit.
Personalized South Carolina Renters Insurance Rates
Get free renters insurance rate estimates for South Carolina based on your coverage needs. Rates reflect a profile of renters aged 21 to 64 with no prior claims.
Select Coverage Level
Select Deductible
Select Credit Score
Average Annual Premium—
Renters Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Common questions about South Carolina renters insurance:
Does renters insurance cover roommates in South Carolina?
Renters insurance covers only the policyholder and their relatives living in the unit. Your roommate needs their own policy to protect their belongings and get liability coverage. Each roommate should buy separate renters insurance with at least $20,000 in personal property coverage.
How much renters insurance do I need in South Carolina?
Most South Carolina renters need $20,000 to $50,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability protection. Add up replacement costs for your furniture, electronics, clothing and other belongings to calculate your needs. Your landlord may require specific coverage amounts, so check your lease before buying a policy.
How do I file a renters insurance claim in South Carolina?
Contact your insurer immediately after damage occurs or items get stolen. Document the damage with photos and videos before cleaning up. Provide a list of damaged or stolen items with purchase dates and estimated values. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster to review your case. Most claims get processed within two to four weeks.
Does renters insurance cover hotel stays if my apartment becomes unlivable?
Renters insurance covers temporary housing costs through loss of use coverage if covered damage like fire makes your apartment unlivable. This pays for hotel rooms and restaurant meals while repairs happen. Most policies limit loss of use to 20% to 30% of your personal property coverage amount. Floods and earthquakes aren't covered.
How We Found the Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies in South Carolina
We analyzed South Carolina renters insurance companies to identify insurers with low rates and reliable service.
We collected quotes for renters aged 26 to 64 with good credit and no claims history. The profile included $20,000 in personal property coverage, $100,000 in liability protection and a $500 deductible.
Affordability determined 50% of each company's score. Customer satisfaction from industry research made up 40%. Add-on coverage options contributed 10%. Companies with the highest combined scores across all factors made our list of South Carolina's best renters insurance providers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.