ZIP 29403 · Charleston County

Charleston, SC Homeowners Insurance

According to U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 filings, homeowners insurance in ZIP 29403, Charleston, South Carolina averages $3,557/yr.

18.7%
Loss ratio
7.68%
Nonrenewal rate
#15 of 366
South Carolina rank
1,504
Policies

The verdict

Treasury FIO 2022: Charleston, SC sits #769 nationally on average premium ($3,557) versus #112 on nonrenewal rate (7.68%).

$3,557
Avg premium (2022)
#769
of 25,593 on premium
#112
of 21,752 on nonrenewal
97th
national percentile

Premium rank counts ZIPs with a reported average premium, highest first. Nonrenewal rank counts ZIPs with a reported nonrenewal rate, highest first. The two boards are different extracts.

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

Insurance Livability Score

F
PlainInsure Livability Score
21/100
29403 - Charleston, SC

PlainInsure's own composite of Treasury FIO premium/market data and FEMA National Risk Index hazard data, each dimension percentile-ranked against the full national corpus. Not an official government score, and not a substitute for an actual insurance quote.

Affordability F
$3,557/yr
Avg premium, 3rd cheapest nationally (Treasury FIO)
Market Stability F
0.08%
Nonrenewal rate -- insurers dropping coverage (Treasury FIO)
Disaster Risk F
98.6
County FEMA National Risk Index score
Community Resilience A+
96.1
County FEMA NRI community-resilience score

Where ZIP 29403's premium sits nationally

Average annual homeowners premium across 25,593 tracked ZIP codes, as of 2022

$3,557 Higher than most more expensive than 97% of 25,593 ZIP codes

tracked ZIP codes, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.25K-wide band; taller bars hold more ZIP codes. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office · 2022

The local market map

Premium and nonrenewal do not always move together

The highlighted dot is ZIP 29403. Each other dot is a deterministic sample of ZIPs in South Carolina, spread across the premium range. Crosshairs mark the published state averages, so this is a comparison of two reported measures, not a quote or a forecast.

State ZIP peer map

Highlighted: ZIP 29403; crosshairs: South Carolina averages

Lower premium / higher nonrenewalHigher on bothLower on bothHigher premium / lower nonrenewal$356.4$4073.2$7790.1$11506.9$15223.70%4.2%8.3%12.5%16.6%Average annual premiumNonrenewal rate
Source: U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 ZIP-level homeowners insurance filings. The matrix samples 49 ZIPs across the state premium distribution and retains this ZIP.
Read the plotted ZIP values
  • ZIP 29683 · Slater $1,032/yr · 1.30%
  • ZIP 29385 · Wellford $1,113/yr · 4.17%
  • ZIP 29845 · Plum Branch $1,140/yr · 1.06%
  • ZIP 29657 · Liberty $1,162/yr · 2.16%
  • ZIP 29334 · Duncan $1,198/yr · 6.47%
  • ZIP 29743 · Smyrna $1,217/yr · 1.36%
  • ZIP 29640 · Easley $1,229/yr · 2.13%
  • ZIP 29172 · West Columbia $1,241/yr · 3.14%
  • ZIP 29376 · Roebuck $1,249/yr · 4.38%
  • ZIP 29627 · Belton $1,259/yr · 2.66%
  • ZIP 29673 · Piedmont $1,269/yr · 3.39%
  • ZIP 29332 · Cross Hill $1,285/yr · 0.70%
  • ZIP 29630 · Central $1,294/yr · 1.68%
  • ZIP 29831 · Jackson $1,305/yr · 0.67%
  • ZIP 29697 · Williamston $1,311/yr · 2.81%
  • ZIP 29055 · Great Falls $1,325/yr · 3.92%
  • ZIP 29653 · Hodges $1,336/yr · 0.77%
  • ZIP 29058 · Heath Springs $1,355/yr · 1.07%
  • ZIP 29626 · Anderson $1,366/yr · 3.00%
  • ZIP 29112 · North $1,381/yr · 1.14%
  • ZIP 29052 · Gadsden $1,398/yr · 1.32%
  • ZIP 29817 · Blackville $1,416/yr · 1.43%
  • ZIP 29180 · Winnsboro $1,424/yr · 2.78%
  • ZIP 29040 · Dalzell $1,440/yr · 6.20%
  • ZIP 29154 · Sumter $1,458/yr · 4.85%
  • ZIP 29061 · Hopkins $1,470/yr · 5.99%
  • ZIP 29635 · Cleveland $1,496/yr · 0.83%
  • ZIP 29212 · Columbia $1,512/yr · 4.84%
  • ZIP 29715 · Fort Mill $1,529/yr · 7.16%
  • ZIP 29115 · Orangeburg $1,547/yr · 4.14%
  • ZIP 29036 · Chapin $1,570/yr · 4.45%
  • ZIP 29580 · Nesmith $1,592/yr · 2.44%
  • ZIP 29565 · Latta $1,620/yr · 1.57%
  • ZIP 29056 · Greeleyville $1,643/yr · 1.01%
  • ZIP 29162 · Turbeville $1,654/yr · 0.54%
  • ZIP 29554 · Hemingway $1,690/yr · 2.10%
  • ZIP 29810 · Allendale $1,697/yr · 2.21%
  • ZIP 29477 · Saint George $1,737/yr · 2.46%
  • ZIP 29929 · Islandton $1,761/yr · 0.88%
  • ZIP 29672 · Seneca $1,820/yr · 1.11%
  • ZIP 29431 · Bonneau $1,894/yr · 2.94%
  • ZIP 29588 · Myrtle Beach $1,936/yr · 11.17%
  • ZIP 29418 · North Charleston $2,047/yr · 12.62%
  • ZIP 29909 · Okatie $2,257/yr · 15.87%
  • ZIP 29940 · Seabrook $2,719/yr · 6.53%
  • ZIP 29907 · Beaufort $3,017/yr · 4.43%
  • ZIP 29403 · Charleston (this ZIP) $3,557/yr · 7.68%
  • ZIP 29455 · Johns Island $4,347/yr · 11.27%
  • ZIP 29401 · Charleston $14,548/yr · 0.37%
Avg Premium (2022)
$3,557/yr
Above-median premium
-3.3% since 2018
Loss Ratio
18.7%
Below-median loss ratio
Claim Frequency
2.34%
Avg severity: $28,427
Nonrenewal Rate
7.68%
Above-median nonrenewal rate
+372.3% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 29403 (Charleston, SC)

For 2022, the average cost of homeowners insurance in ZIP 29403 (Charleston, SC) runs $3,557 per year, based on U.S. Treasury FIO's ZIP-level tracking across approximately 1,504 reported policies. That is 100% above the national average of $1,776 per year, placing this ZIP in the 97th percentile nationally. Against South Carolina's average of $1,765, ZIP 29403 is 102% above, ranking #15 of 366 tracked ZIPs in South Carolina by premium. The closest-priced peer within South Carolina is Pawleys Island (ZIP 29585) at $3,621, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

With a loss ratio of 18.7%, insurers retained a working margin after claims in ZIP 29403. Claim frequency, the share of policies with at least one claim, is 2.34%, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $28,427. Insurers decline to renew 7.68% of policies in ZIP 29403 at expiration, a rise of 372.3% over the past five years; a rising rate typically signals carriers retreating from higher-risk markets.

Across 5 years (2018–2022), premiums in ZIP 29403 have fallen by 3.3%, ranging from $3,438 to $3,678 with a five-year average of $3,574, an annualized rate of -0.8% per year.

Charleston County carries a FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.6 (Relatively High), 99th percentile nationally and #1 of 46 South Carolina counties - 39% above the state mean of 70.7. Dominant mapped hazard: Hurricane. Companion scores: Social Vulnerability Index 22.4 · Community Resilience 96.1. This is hazard context from FEMA, not a premium formula.

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 29403 Compares

vs National Average
$3,557 vs $1,776
100% above national avg
vs South Carolina Average
$3,557 vs $1,765
102% above state avg
National Percentile
97th percentile
More expensive than most ZIPs

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 29403, 2018–2022

$3,400$3,500$3,600$3,700 20182019202020212022 $3,557
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 29403.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $3,678 -
2019 $3,652 -0.7%
2020 $3,546 -2.9%
2021 $3,438 -3.0%
2022 $3,557 +3.5%

Multi-year FIO trend for ZIP 29403 (5 years)

5-Year Avg Premium
$3,574
Premium Range
$3,438 - $3,678
Annual Change Rate
-0.8% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

Elevated FEMA NRI in Charleston County

County National Risk Index joined to ZIP 29403 via FIPS 45019. Hazard and vulnerability context from FEMA, not a premium driver and not a quote.

County risk score
98.6
Relatively High · 99th national percentile
In-state county rank
#1
of 46 South Carolina counties · state mean 70.7
Top mapped hazard
Hurricane
Expected annual loss $281,333,148

Social Vulnerability Index 22.4 · Community Resilience 96.1

County hazard ratings

Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flooding
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Winter weather
Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · state rollup: South Carolina NRI context · top counties by NRI score.

Cross-state FIO peers for a higher-NRI ZIP (Charleston County)

Two FIO peer sets for ZIP 29403 in Charleston County (NRI 98.6, hazard Hurricane), both outside South Carolina. Population floor ≥1,000 matches the rate rankings.

Similar average premium

Nearest other-state ZIPs by average homeowners premium ($3,557/yr here).

Similar nonrenewal rate

Nearest other-state ZIPs by nonrenewal rate (7.68% here).

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is homeowners insurance in ZIP 29403?
ZIP 29403 (Charleston, SC) sits in the pricier end of the national market: homeowners insurance here averages $3,557 per year as of 2022, in the 97th percentile nationally, #15 of 366 ZIPs in South Carolina. Premiums have changed -3.3% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Charleston, SC?
Three figures shape homeowners insurance costs in ZIP 29403: claims frequency (2.34%), loss ratio (18.7%), and nonrenewal rate (7.68%), together placing this ZIP at the 97th national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 29403 compared to the national average?
ZIP 29403 premiums of $3,557/yr are 100% above the national average of $1,776/yr. This ZIP is in the 97th percentile nationally.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 29403?
The nonrenewal rate in ZIP 29403 is 7.68%, a rise of 372.3% over the past 5 years in South Carolina.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 29403 over 5 years?
ZIP 29403 premiums spanned $3,438 to $3,678 across the 2018-2022 window, a 5-year average of $3,574. The annualized change rate is -0.8% per year.
How does ZIP 29403 compare to the South Carolina state average?
ZIP 29403 has an average premium of $3,557/yr compared to the South Carolina state average of $1,765/yr. This ZIP is 102% above the state average, ranking #15 of 366 tracked ZIPs in South Carolina by premium.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for ZIP 29403?
Charleston County scores 98.6 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Relatively High), 99th percentile nationally and #1 of 46 South Carolina counties. The index's top hazard label is Hurricane. Mapped hazard ratings include Wildfire Relatively Moderate, Flooding Relatively Moderate, Earthquake Relatively High, Hurricane Very High. NRI is county hazard context, not a homeowners premium.

What to do with ZIP 29403

This ZIP's premiums run at the 97th national percentile, but a single number is not a quote.

These figures are Treasury FIO aggregates for this ZIP, not a personal insurance quote.

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.