Homeowners insurance in South Carolina costs more than the national average, and coastal properties like those in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand pay significantly more than inland homeowners. The state's hurricane exposure, flooding risk, and the complexity of coastal wind coverage mean that choosing the wrong carrier can leave you either paying too much or discovering critical gaps when a storm arrives.

This guide covers the top homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina for 2026, what the average costs look like, the specific factors that drive rates up along the coast, and what to look for in a policy before you buy.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina

The average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina is roughly $2,678 to $3,100 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, depending on the data source and coverage profile. That's above the national average, which sits around $2,398 per year for comparable coverage. The premium gap reflects South Carolina's hurricane exposure, its flooding risk, and the high concentration of coastal properties that carry above-average storm damage claims.

Coastal communities pay noticeably more than inland areas. A home in Myrtle Beach or Pawleys Island typically carries higher premiums than an equivalent home in Columbia or Greenville due to direct storm exposure, wind risk, and the distance from fire departments. Within the Grand Strand, your specific ZIP code, roof age, and distance from the coast all affect your rate significantly.

Home insurance rates in South Carolina increased by nearly 10% in 2025, almost double the national average, according to ValuePenguin's analysis. Multiple factors contribute: hurricane seasons with significant damage events, rising construction costs that increase replacement values, and reinsurance market pressures from consecutive years of large-scale weather losses across the Southeast.

Top homeowners insurance companies in South Carolina

Chubb

Chubb consistently earns top rankings for South Carolina homeowners in 2026. MoneyGeek's analysis found Chubb offering the lowest average annual premium at $2,047 for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, about 34% below the state average. Chubb also scored above the industry average on J.D. Power's 2024 customer satisfaction study. Chubb distributes through local independent agents, which is a practical advantage for coastal homeowners who need a local advocate during claims. One limitation: Chubb primarily serves higher-value homes and may not be available for lower-coverage properties.

USAA

USAA earns the highest overall score in multiple 2026 analyses but is available only to military members, veterans, and their immediate families. For qualifying households, USAA consistently offers the most competitive combination of pricing, coverage quality, and customer service. If you or a family member serves or has served, USAA should be the first quote you request.

State Farm

State Farm is the most accessible option for most South Carolina homeowners, with competitive rates averaging around $1,969 per year for a standard $300,000 policy and a strong local agent presence across the state. State Farm offers inflation-guard adjustments that automatically increase your dwelling coverage to keep pace with rising construction costs, which matters in a market where rebuild costs have climbed sharply since 2020. They also offer meaningful bundling discounts when you combine home and auto insurance.

Allstate

Allstate offers some of the lowest average premiums in South Carolina at $1,086 per year according to U.S. News data, making it the most affordable option among major carriers for many homeowners. Allstate is also one of the few major carriers that still actively writes policies in coastal areas including Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. For homeowners who've struggled to find standard market coverage near the water, Allstate's coastal availability is a significant practical advantage. Allstate also sells flood insurance through both the NFIP and its partner company, making single-carrier bundling more straightforward for coastal buyers.

Travelers

Travelers earns top marks from U.S. News for South Carolina and offers broad coverage options including green rebuild coverage, equipment breakdown, and identity fraud expense. Rate averages vary significantly by source, which reflects Travelers' pricing sensitivity to individual property characteristics. Worth getting a quote, particularly if your home has recent roof upgrades or storm-hardened construction features.

Auto-Owners and Cincinnati Insurance

Both Auto-Owners and Cincinnati Insurance appear consistently on South Carolina best-of lists and tend to price below the state average. Cincinnati in particular is noted for rates below state average combined with strong coverage. Both distribute primarily through independent agents, meaning a local agency comparison is the primary way to access their pricing.

The SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association

The South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA), commonly called the Beach Plan, is the state's insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage on properties that can't secure it in the standard market. Coastal homeowners who are denied wind coverage by private carriers can apply to the Beach Plan.

Important for coastal buyers: the Beach Plan covers wind and hail only. It doesn't provide fire, theft, liability, or any other homeowners coverage. Properties using the Beach Plan for wind typically pair it with a separate HO-3 policy (with wind excluded) from a standard carrier. This two-policy arrangement is common for properties on or near the beach but adds complexity to the claims process and often costs more than a single comprehensive policy.

Because Beach Plan coverage cannot be bundled with auto insurance for a multi-policy discount, homeowners relying on it miss out on the bundling savings available to policyholders with full standard-market coverage.

What to look for in an SC homeowners policy

South Carolina policies have several features worth verifying before you sign.

• Wind/hail deductible structure. Coastal policies frequently carry a named-storm or wind deductible that is a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A 2% deductible on a $400,000 home means $8,000 out of pocket before any storm claim is paid. Confirm what triggers this deductible and what the percentage is before binding.
• Roof settlement method. Some policies settle roof claims at actual cash value after depreciation rather than replacement cost. On a 10-year-old roof after a hurricane, this difference can mean tens of thousands of dollars. Confirm your policy uses replacement cost value for roof claims.
• Flood exclusion. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. For Myrtle Beach and coastal South Carolina homeowners, this means storm surge from a hurricane is excluded. Flood insurance must be purchased separately through the NFIP or a private flood insurer.
• Ordinance or law coverage. If your home is damaged and local building codes require upgraded construction when rebuilding, standard policies may not cover the added cost. Ordinance or law coverage fills this gap and is especially relevant for older coastal homes where code upgrades can add significantly to rebuild costs.
• Liability limits. Standard policies typically include $100,000 in liability coverage. Given the cost of medical claims and legal defense, most Myrtle Beach homeowners should carry at least $300,000.

How an independent agent helps coastal homeowners

Coastal South Carolina is one of the more complex insurance markets in the country. Standard market availability changes based on hurricane season history, carrier appetite, and individual property characteristics. An independent agent compares rates and availability across multiple carriers simultaneously and can access specialty and regional companies that don't market directly to consumers. Homeowners insurance in Myrtle Beach requires someone who understands which carriers currently write coastal properties, what their wind deductible structures look like, and where the Beach Plan makes sense versus a standard policy. Moore & Associates has served the Grand Strand since 1979 and navigates this market every day. Call (843) 839-5076 or visit mooremb.com for a free quote.