ZIP 29204 · Richland County

Columbia, SC Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance market metrics for ZIP 29204, Columbia, South Carolina.

29.3%
Loss ratio
2.65%
Nonrenewal rate
#190 of 366
South Carolina rank
1,192
Policies

The verdict

At $1,441/yr, Columbia, SC (ZIP 29204) sits in the 42nd percentile nationally for homeowners insurance costs, 19% below the U.S. average.

$1,441
Avg premium (2022)
-19%
vs U.S. average
+5.0%
since 2018
42nd
national percentile

According to U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data. How we calculate the percentile and national comparison: methodology.

Avg Premium (2022)
$1,441/yr
+5.0% since 2018
Loss Ratio
29.3%
Claims paid vs premiums
Claim Frequency
5.15%
Avg severity: $8,177
Nonrenewal Rate
2.65%
+125.4% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 29204 (Columbia, SC)

Homeowners in ZIP 29204 (Columbia, SC) pay an average of $1,441 per year for insurance as of 2022, according to U.S. Treasury FIO ZIP-level data across approximately 1,192 reported policies. That is 19% below the national average of $1,776 per year, placing this ZIP in the 42nd percentile nationally. Against South Carolina's average of $1,765, ZIP 29204 is 18% below, ranking #190 of 366 tracked ZIPs in South Carolina by premium. The closest-priced peer within South Carolina is Dalzell (ZIP 29040) at $1,440, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

The loss ratio for ZIP 29204 is 29.3%, meaning insurers retained a working margin after claims. About 5.15% of policyholders in this ZIP file a claim annually, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $8,177. The nonrenewal rate here is 2.65%, a rise of 125.4% over the past five years, the share of policies insurers choose not to extend at expiration, often a leading sign of market stress.

Over the 2018–2022 window, ZIP 29204 premiums risen 5.0%, spanning $1,372 to $1,441 (five-year average: $1,405), an annualized rate of +1.2% per year.

How to read these numbers

The figures on this page come from the U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office, which collects homeowners insurance premium and claims data directly from the largest property insurers in the country. Because the data is aggregated at the ZIP-code level and averaged across many policies, it describes the typical cost in an area rather than a quote for any single home. Two houses on the same street can pay very different premiums depending on their age, construction type, roof condition, prior claims, and the specific coverage limits and deductibles the homeowner selects. The loss ratio shows how much of every premium dollar insurers paid back out as claims; a ratio above one means carriers lost money locally, which often precedes rate increases or carrier exits. Rising nonrenewal and claim frequency reveal how stressed the local market has become. Use these figures to gauge the direction and scale of costs in your area, then request quotes from several licensed carriers before buying or renewing a policy. FIO data aggregates voluntary reporting from the 40 largest homeowners insurers, covering roughly 80% of the U.S. market, so figures represent market averages rather than individual policy quotes; your own premium will vary with dwelling value, deductible, coverage limits, construction type, and insurer-specific underwriting. This page is educational research only and is not insurance advice, homeowners should request quotes from multiple licensed carriers or an independent agent before purchasing or renewing coverage.

How ZIP 29204 Compares

vs National Average
$1,441 vs $1,776
19% below national avg
vs South Carolina Average
$1,441 vs $1,765
18% below state avg
National Percentile
42th percentile
Below median cost

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 29204, 2018–2022

$1,360$1,380$1,400$1,420$1,440$1,460 20182019202020212022 $1,441
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 29204.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $1,372 -
2019 $1,399 +2.0%
2020 $1,394 -0.4%
2021 $1,419 +1.8%
2022 $1,441 +1.5%

5-Year Trend Summary

5-Year Avg Premium
$1,405
Premium Range
$1,372 - $1,441
Annual Change Rate
+1.2% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

What this means for ZIP 29204

Treat these figures as a starting benchmark, real quotes from carriers will vary.

FIO figures are ZIP-level market averages across the largest insurers (~80% of the market), not a quote for any single home. Request quotes from multiple licensed carriers before buying or renewing.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Homeowners Insurance Data (2018-2022). Premiums are ZIP-level averages and may not reflect individual policy costs U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Homeowners Insurance Data (2018-2022). Premiums are ZIP-level averages and may not reflect individual policy costs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is homeowners insurance in ZIP 29204?
At the 42nd percentile nationally, #190 of 366 ZIPs in South Carolina, ZIP 29204 (Columbia, SC) pays a middle-of-the-pack $1,441 per year as of 2022 for homeowners insurance. Premiums have changed +5.0% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Columbia, SC?
Three figures shape homeowners insurance costs in ZIP 29204: claims frequency (5.15%), loss ratio (29.3%), and nonrenewal rate (2.65%), together placing this ZIP at the 42nd national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 29204 compared to the national average?
Nationally, ZIP 29204 lands in the 42nd percentile: its $1,441/yr average is 19% below the U.S. figure of $1,776/yr.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 29204?
ZIP 29204 shows a nonrenewal rate of 2.65% in South Carolina, a rise of 125.4% over the past 5 years.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 29204 over 5 years?
Over 5 years (2018-2022), premiums in ZIP 29204 have ranged from $1,372 to $1,441, with a 5-year average of $1,405. The annualized change rate is +1.2% per year.
How does ZIP 29204 compare to the South Carolina state average?
The South Carolina state average is $1,765/yr; ZIP 29204 averages $1,441/yr, 18% below that figure, ranking #190 of 366 tracked ZIPs in South Carolina by premium.

Every figure on PlainInsure is rendered directly from U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on U.S. Treasury FIO data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.