South Carolina Homeowners Insurance

Data Snapshot: South Carolina Homeowners Insurance

South Carolina homeowners paid an average of $1,765 per year for home insurance based on U.S. Treasury FIO data covering 366 ZIP codes across the state. That is 1% below the national average of $1,776 per year reported by the Federal Insurance Office. South Carolina ranks 25th most expensive out of 51 states and territories on annual premium, with ZIP-level observations ranging from $1,032 in 29683 to $14,548 in 29401.

Between 2018 and 2022, average premiums fell by 0.6% in South Carolina, placing the state 46th nationally on five-year premium growth. The state-level loss ratio averaged 37.5%, meaning insurers retained a healthy margin after claims, typical of stable markets. Nonrenewal rates, the share of policies insurers decline to extend at expiration, averaged 3.92%, a climb of 207.0% over the study period (ranking 1st out of 50 states).

Within South Carolina, premium dispersion across ZIP codes is substantial: the most expensive ZIP (29401 in Charleston) charges 1309% more than the least expensive (29683 in Slater), reflecting local differences in catastrophe exposure, construction costs, and claims history. The FIO dataset aggregates voluntary reporting from the 40 largest homeowners insurers covering roughly 80% of the U.S. market, so ZIP-level figures represent market averages rather than individual quotes; actual premiums vary with dwelling value, deductible, coverage limits, and insurer-specific underwriting. This page is for educational research only and is not insurance advice, homeowners should obtain quotes from multiple licensed carriers or an independent agent before purchasing or renewing coverage.

How to read these figures: state averages on this page are computed from U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data, which the office collects directly from the largest homeowners insurers and reports at the ZIP-code level. A statewide average blends expensive coastal and wildfire-exposed markets with lower-cost inland areas, so the figure is a useful benchmark but will understate what some residents pay and overstate what others pay. The loss ratio is the share of every premium dollar that insurers returned as claims; sustained ratios near or above one signal a market under pressure, where rate increases, tighter underwriting, or nonrenewals tend to follow. Claim frequency and nonrenewal rates show how often policies result in claims and how often insurers decline to renew, both of which track local catastrophe exposure. Treat the state number as context, then drill into your own ZIP code for the figure closest to your situation and compare quotes from several licensed carriers before deciding.