ZIP 29209 · Richland County

Columbia, SC Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance market metrics for ZIP 29209, Columbia, South Carolina.

52.3%
Loss ratio
4.36%
Nonrenewal rate
#173 of 366
South Carolina rank
248
Policies

The verdict

Homeowners insurance in Columbia, SC (ZIP 29209) runs $1,476/yr on average: the 45th percentile nationally and 17% below the U.S. average.

$1,476
Avg premium (2022)
-17%
vs U.S. average
+2.3%
since 2018
45th
national percentile

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

Avg Premium (2022)
$1,476/yr
+2.3% since 2018
Loss Ratio
52.3%
Claims paid vs premiums
Claim Frequency
5.20%
Avg severity: $14,829
Nonrenewal Rate
4.36%
+338.7% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 29209 (Columbia, SC)

U.S. Treasury FIO ZIP-level observations put the average homeowners insurance premium in ZIP 29209 (Columbia, SC) at $1,476 per year for 2022 across approximately 248 reported policies. Nationally, that ranks ZIP 29209 in the 45th percentile, 17% below the U.S. average of $1,776 per year. Against South Carolina's average of $1,765, ZIP 29209 is 16% below, ranking #173 of 366 tracked ZIPs in South Carolina by premium. The closest-priced peer within South Carolina is Rowesville (ZIP 29133) at $1,476, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

The loss ratio for ZIP 29209 is 52.3%, meaning insurers retained a working margin after claims. 5.20% of policies in ZIP 29209 file at least one claim in a given year, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $14,829. Insurers decline to renew 4.36% of policies in ZIP 29209 at expiration, a rise of 338.7% over the past five years; a rising rate typically signals carriers retreating from higher-risk markets.

Premium data spanning 5 years shows ZIP 29209 costs have risen 2.3% since 2018, from a low of $1,443 to a high of $1,476, an annualized rate of +0.6% 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 29209 Compares

vs National Average
$1,476 vs $1,776
17% below national avg
vs South Carolina Average
$1,476 vs $1,765
16% below state avg
National Percentile
45th percentile
Below median cost

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 29209, 2018–2022

$1,440$1,450$1,460$1,470$1,480 20182019202020212022 $1,476
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 29209.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $1,443 -
2019 $1,453 +0.7%
2020 $1,454 +0.0%
2021 $1,446 -0.5%
2022 $1,476 +2.1%

5-Year Trend Summary

5-Year Avg Premium
$1,454
Premium Range
$1,443 - $1,476
Annual Change Rate
+0.6% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

What this means for ZIP 29209

Use these averages as a benchmark, then get real quotes before you commit.

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 29209?
Homeowners insurance in ZIP 29209 (Columbia, SC) averages $1,476 per year as of 2022, close to the national median at the 45th percentile, #173 of 366 ZIPs in South Carolina. Premiums have changed +2.3% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Columbia, SC?
Three figures shape homeowners insurance costs in ZIP 29209: claims frequency (5.20%), loss ratio (52.3%), and nonrenewal rate (4.36%), together placing this ZIP at the 45th national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 29209 compared to the national average?
At $1,476/yr, ZIP 29209 runs 17% below the national average of $1,776/yr, the 45th percentile nationally.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 29209?
The nonrenewal rate in ZIP 29209 is 4.36%, a rise of 338.7% over the past 5 years in South Carolina.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 29209 over 5 years?
Over the past 5 years, 2018 through 2022, the range in ZIP 29209 runs $1,443-$1,476 (5-year average $1,454). The annualized change rate is +0.6% per year.
How does ZIP 29209 compare to the South Carolina state average?
ZIP 29209 runs 16% below the South Carolina state average ($1,765/yr vs this ZIP's $1,476/yr), ranking #173 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.