Chubb, Allstate and Nationwide are the best cheap renters insurance companies in South Carolina. Chubb offers the best customer reputation and balances affordability, service quality and coverage options. Allstate is the most affordable option with an average monthly rate of $21. Nationwide provides the best coverage options.
Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
Updated: May 5, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Allstate offers the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina at $250 annually; Chubb provides the best overall coverage.
South Carolina renters insurance costs about $29 monthly, with rates ranging from $21 to $55.
To find affordable renters insurance, determine your needs first, research costs and compare multiple quotes.
South Carolina Renters Insurance Quote Estimates
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Rates updated:
May 12, 2025
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Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies in South Carolina
| Chubb | 95 | $29 | $354 |
| State Farm | 94 | $25 | $297 |
| Nationwide | 90 | $37 | $443 |
| Allstate | 89 | $21 | $250 |
| Foremost | 67 | $55 | $663 |
*Rates based on good credit, no claims history, $50K property damage, $100K liability coverage, $1,000 deductible and guaranteed replacement.
Compare Personalized Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
Our list covers most renters, but your ideal options may differ. Use this filterable table to find the best option for your profile in South Carolina.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Coverage Level:$50K Personal Property / $100K Liability
Select
Deductible:1000
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Claims History:Claim free for 5+ years
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Contents Replacement:Yes
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Credit Tier:Good
| Auto-Owners | 93 | $15 | $176 |
| State Farm | 92 | $18 | $220 |
| Chubb | 87 | $27 | $325 |
| Nationwide | 85 | $28 | $333 |
| Allstate | 83 | $21 | $256 |
Best South Carolina Renters Insurance Reviews
The sections below detail our top picks for affordability, customer service and coverage options for South Carolina renters insurance.
Chubb: Best Cheap Overall
pros
Affordable rates for low property coverage
Great coverage inclusions
Highest claims satisfaction nationwide
cons
Expensive for high property coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Chubb is the third most affordable renters insurance option in South Carolina, but delivers exceptional value through exclusive included services. Coverage includes free identity protection alongside an intelligent monitoring system that identifies home issues, tracks natural disasters when you're away and automatically dispatches emergency services when your rental faces potential damage.
Allstate: Most Affordable Plans
pros
Lowest rates
Largest discount offerings
High financial stability ratings
cons
Below-average customer satisfaction
Limited add-on coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Allstate offers South Carolina's lowest renters insurance rates, starting at $21 monthly. It provides discounts for autopay enrollment and retirees over age 55. However, Allstate ranks below average in J.D. Power ratings for customer satisfaction and claims handling.
Nationwide: Best for Coverage Options
pros
Affordable rates for higher coverage
Most extensive add-on coverage selection
High claims satisfaction ratings
cons
Lower-than-average customer satisfaction scores
More expensive for lower property damage coverage levels
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide ranks third for best renters insurance in South Carolina, with balanced coverage and customer service rankings. The company ranks fourth overall for affordability in MoneyGeek's study, eighth out of 15 for customer satisfaction and fifth out of 18 for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power studies. Nationwide offers credit card coverage and add-ons to replace selected personal property at actual cash value.
Average Cost of Renters Insurance in South Carolina
Renters insurance in South Carolina costs about $29 monthly, $9 higher than the national average of $20. These rates reflect a policy with $50K personal property coverage, $100K liability limits and a $1,000 deductible, though your rates may vary based on your profile.
Use the table below to filter factors affecting renters insurance rates and find average rates for your profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Level:$50K Personal Property / $100K Liability
Select
Deductible:1000
Select
Claims History:Claim free for 5+ years
Select
Credit Tier:Good
Select
Contents Replacement:Covered
| $50K Personal Property / $100K Liability | $29 | $346 |
Average South Carolina Renters Insurance Cost by City
Renters insurance costs vary by city. The average annual premium in Charleston is $332; in Columbia, it's $267 for a policy with $50K personal property coverage and $100K liability coverage. Check the table for average costs in your city.
| Charleston | $332 |
| Columbia | $267 |
| North Charleston | $328 |
*Rates based on good credit, no claims history, $50K property damage, $100K liability coverage, $1,000 deductible and guaranteed replacement.
South Carolina Renters Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Finding the best and cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina can be challenging. With many options available, choosing coverage isn't easy. This guide will help you navigate your insurance needs.
How to Find the Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
Follow this step-by-step guide to find the right renters insurance:
- 1
Determine the right coverage level
Before getting renters insurance, determine your coverage needs by assessing the value of items you want insured and risks like weather damage, crime, or pet-related incidents.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
Learn average costs for your needed coverage to benchmark quotes. Look for discounts that offer additional savings.
- 3
Compare providers
Research various insurance companies for their reputation, costs and coverage options to identify your best fit.
- 4
Consider bundling
Explore bundling renters insurance with your current auto insurance. Bundling often yields savings that cover your renters insurance costs.
- 5
Compare multiple quotes through different channels
To ensure you get the best deal, get at least five quotes with similar coverage from different sources, such as comparison sites, provider websites, brokers and phone inquiries.
- 6
Compare rates annually
Insurance rates change, so compare annually to ensure you still have the most affordable rate.
How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need in South Carolina?
South Carolina law doesn't require renters insurance, but most landlords will likely require at least $100K in liability coverage. Requirements may vary based on your rental history, credit and pets. Consider how much property you want covered, weather risks, local crime rates and pet ownership.
Use our calculator below to determine your ideal personal property limits so you know how much renters insurance you need.
Personal Property Coverage Calculator
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
clothing & accessories
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
South Carolina Renter Risk Considerations
Here are risks specific to South Carolina renters and additional coverage considerations:
- Weather risks: In certain areas, South Carolina is at high risk of hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. Standard coverage may not include protection for these threats, requiring a separate purchase.
- Crime risks: South Carolina ranks 12th highest nationwide for property crime and 13th for identity theft and fraud. Consider add-ons and supplemental property damage coverage.
- Pet ownership: Depending on your pet, consider pet liability coverage. Check how pet coverage works with different providers and whether it's included in standard policies.
- Property types: If you have special tools, valuables, electronics or other structures like a pool that need coverage, standard policies may not suffice. Look for companies with specific add-ons for additional protection.
How Does Renters Insurance Coverage Work?
Renters insurance typically covers property damage, liability, and loss of use related to your rental. Add-on coverages can make protection more comprehensive. Common coverage types include:
Coverage Type | Standard or Add-on | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
Standard | Provides reimbursement and replacement of personal property within your rental up to specified limits. Standard coverage reimburses actual cash value rather than purchase price, unless you have replacement cost coverage. | |
Standard | Covers you if someone gets injured on your property, including medical bills and legal costs, and is often required by landlords. | |
Additional living expenses | Standard | Covers expenses due to rental home loss, such as meals, lodging and transportation. Coverage is either a percentage of your personal property limits or a flat amount. |
Natural disasters | Add-on | Separate policies for earthquake and flood coverage available with select providers |
Parts/Equipment | Add-on | Separate policies for tools, appliances and utilities in your rental |
Scheduled property | Add-on | Insures specific valuable items up to certain amounts |
Identity theft | Add-on | Protects financially against identity theft, covering stolen funds and legal costs. May include monitoring services. |
Pet liability | Add-on | Protects against injuries caused by your pet on rental property. May be covered in standard policies. |
Modifications | Add-on | Covers non-original rental property parts, including custom additions and modifications |
Food loss | Add-on | Reimburses food lost due to covered incidents |
Best Renters Insurance in South Carolina: Bottom Line
Chubb, Nationwide and Allstate offer the best and cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina. While we recommend these options, research for yourself and compare multiple companies and quotes to get the best deal.
Renters Insurance in South Carolina: FAQ
Here are answers from our experts to common questions:
What is the cheapest renters insurance company in South Carolina?
Allstate offers the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina, with an average annual premium of $250 or $21 per month.
What is the best renters insurance company in South Carolina?
Chubb is the best renters insurance company in South Carolina, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100 and excelling in customer service and coverage options.
How much does renters insurance cost in South Carolina?
The average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is $346 per year or $29 per month, roughly 43% higher than the national average. Annual premiums range from $250 to $663.
Is renters insurance required in South Carolina?
Renters insurance isn't legally mandated in South Carolina, but your landlord may require it. Evaluating your needs and circumstances can help determine whether buying a policy is right for you. Reasons to get renters insurance include financial protection against common perils and liability costs of third-party injuries.
How We Found the Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies
To determine the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina, we used this base profile:
- $50K personal property coverage
- $100K liability coverage
- $1,000 deductible
- Property replacement coverage
- Good credit score
This determined our affordability score (60% of the total score). Other factors included company size and add-on coverage selections (10%), customer satisfaction score from industry research (25%) and financial strength ratings (5%).
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.
sources
- American Red Cross. "Which Natural Disasters Should You Prepare For?." Accessed May 5, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Identity Theft and Cybercrime." Accessed May 5, 2025.
- U.S. News. "Property Crime Rate." Accessed May 5, 2025.