South Carolina Insurance 2026 – The Ultimate Guide to Cheapest Auto, Home, Flood & Boat Rates
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Whether you’re in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, or anywhere in the Palmetto State, insurance rates are rising in 2026 due to hurricane risks and reinsurance costs—but our AI-powered tool compares live quotes from American National, Progressive, Geico, Travelers, State Farm, and more to help you save up to 59%.
South Carolina Insurance Requirements (2026)
South Carolina mandates 25/50/25 liability coverage plus 25/50 uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)—the only state where UMBI is required. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended. For homes, coastal properties need separate wind/hail via the SC Wind & Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA). Flood insurance isn’t state-mandated but required for 316,000+ high-risk homes with federal mortgages.
Average Insurance Costs in South Carolina (2026 Statewide Rates)
Based on November 2025 data, expect 4-11% increases into 2026 due to storm claims and inflation. Here’s the breakdown:
| Insurance Type | Statewide Avg | Upstate (Greenville/Spartanburg) | Midlands (Columbia) | Coastal (Charleston/Myrtle Beach) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Coverage Auto | $2,023 – $2,498 | $1,800 – $2,100 | $1,900 – $2,300 | $2,300 – $2,800 |
| Minimum Liability Auto | $671 – $790 | $600 – $700 | $650 – $750 | $750 – $900 |
| Homeowners ($300K Dwelling) | $2,350 – $2,708 | $1,760 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $2,300 | $4,200 – $4,800+ |
| Wind & Hail (Coastal, $300K) | $1,600 – $4,500 | N/A | N/A | Required (1-5% Deductible) |
| Flood (NFIP, $250K) | $725 – $891 | $650 | $750 | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| Boat (30ft) | $1,050 – $2,200 | $800 | $950 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Renters ($20K Personal Property) | $150 – $220 | $140 | $160 | $200 – $250 |
Top 10 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Carolina 2026
- American National – #1 for minimum ($280–$297/yr) & full coverage ($1,140 after accident)
- USAA – Best for military families (eligible only)
- Auto-Owners – Excellent bundling & high-value vehicles
- Geico – Lowest for clean records & military
- Travelers – Great for new drivers & teens
- State Farm – Most local agents statewide
- Progressive – Accident forgiveness & vanishing deductible
- Southern Farm Bureau – Rural Upstate specialist
- Allstate – High claims satisfaction
- Nationwide – Strong multi-policy discounts
Cheapest Homeowners Insurance by Region (2026)
Coastal hikes average 4% in 2026; Upstate sees 2-3%. Wind deductibles: 1-5% of dwelling value.
| Region | Cheapest Carriers | Avg Annual ($300K Dwelling) | Wind Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer) | American National, Auto-Owners, Travelers | $1,760 – $2,000 | N/A |
| Midlands (Columbia, Lexington, Sumter) | State Farm, Nationwide, Geico | $2,000 – $2,300 | 1-2% |
| Lowcountry & Grand Strand (Charleston, Myrtle Beach) | Travelers, Universal, SCWHUA | $4,200 – $4,800+ | 2-5% |
Wind & Hail Coverage in South Carolina (2026)
In 18 coastal counties, standard policies exclude wind/hail—must buy via SCWHUA or private (e.g., Travelers). Deductibles: 1-5% ($3K–$15K on $300K home). 2026 rates up 4-7% due to Helene/Ian claims.
Flood Insurance in South Carolina (2026)
Over 316K properties at severe risk; NFIP covers $250K building/$100K contents. Avg $725–$891/yr, but coastal $1,200+. Private options cheaper for elevated homes. Required for federal mortgages in Zones A/AE.
Business & Boat Insurance Highlights
- Commercial: Travelers & The Hartford for BMW suppliers; avg $1,200–$3,500/yr based on revenue.
- Boat: Progressive/BoatUS for coastal; $1,050–$2,200/yr for 30ft, higher in Lowcountry.
Frequently Asked Questions – South Carolina Insurance 2026
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in South Carolina?
25/50/25 liability + 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage. Proof of insurance required at all times.
Is flood insurance required in South Carolina?
Only if your home is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage. Over 316,000 SC homes are at risk.
Why did my homeowners insurance go up so much in 2026?
Hurricane exposure, reinsurance costs, and recent catastrophic claims have caused statewide increases of 4–11% since 2024.
Do I need separate wind & hail coverage in SC?
Yes in the 18 coastal counties — wind is excluded from standard policies. You must buy from SC Wind & Hail Underwriting Association or private market.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in SC?
American National ($280 min/yr), followed by USAA and Auto-Owners.
How much is flood insurance in SC?
NFIP avg $725–$891/yr; private as low as $450 for low-risk.
Does bundling save money in SC?
Yes—15-30% off auto + home; up to 35% with State Farm/Allstate.
Is SC insurance rising in 2026?
Yes—4-11% statewide due to storms; coastal up to 7%.
Best home insurance for coastal SC?
Travelers & American National; add SCWHUA for wind.
Teen driver rates in SC?
Add $1,200–$2,000/yr; American National cheapest.
SR-22 in SC?
Progressive/The General; +$500–$1,000/yr.
Boat insurance requirements?
Liability min $10K; full for financed.
Umbrella policy costs?
$150–$300/yr for $1M extra liability.
Renters insurance avg?
$150–$220/yr; Lemonade cheapest.
Business insurance for small biz?
Nationwide/Hartford; $800–$2,500/yr.
Discounts for safe drivers?
10-25% off with courses; Geico/Progressive.
High-risk drivers options?
The General/SafeAuto; still under $2K/yr full.
Life insurance in SC?
$20–$50/mo for $500K term; Banner Life best.
EV insurance costs?
10-20% higher; Progressive discounts.
Senior discounts?
5-15% off; State Farm/AARP.
Claims process tips?
Document everything; Allstate fastest payouts.
Cyber insurance for homes?
$100–$200/yr add-on; Nationwide.
Pet insurance tie-in?
Bundle for 5% off; Lemonade.
How to shop annually?
Use our AI tool—compare 7+ carriers free.
Ready to Save on SC Insurance in 2026?
With rates up 4-11%, don’t renew blindly. Our tool scans real-time quotes tailored to your ZIP—Columbia low, coastal high.
See How Much You Can Save Across South Carolina
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Last updated: November 17, 2025 for 2026 rate season. Data sourced from SC DOI filings, Bankrate, NerdWallet, MoneyGeek & real-time carrier quotes.
Last Updated on by Shawn Christie