Renters insurance in South Carolina: Cost, best companies and how to save

What is the average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina?

The average renters insurance cost in South Carolina is $272 per year. Rates vary based on factors such as location, coverage amount, deductible, and claims history.

"The number one thing that's most important is to get good liability. A renter's policy will default to $100,000 liability," Josiah Hatch, an insurance pro with Bender Hatch Insurance in Boston, said. "It costs next to nothing to go from $100,000 to $500,000. I want to say it's probably 10 bucks a year. It's really cheap to get a lot of extra coverage. I always recommend getting the most liability you can because that's, at its core, what insurance is all about: the worst-case scenario."

Average annual premium	$272
Average monthly premium	$23

Read our methodology

Best renters insurance company in South Carolina: Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners ranks as the best renters insurance company in South Carolina, earning a top score among the carriers we surveyed. Its average rate is $171 per year.

Farmers and Allstate are also among the top insurance companies for renters insurance in South Carolina.

Renters insurance rates vary significantly among providers, so you should compare options before choosing. You should also select a company with a good reputation to ensure it will be there if you have a claim.

To help you find the best renters insurance in South Carolina, we evaluated average rates, NAIC complaints ratio, and AM Best financial ratings. We calculated the total Insurance.com score out of five using these factors.

Here are the best renters insurance companies in South Carolina.

Company	Average annual premium	AM Best	NAIC	Insurance.com rating
Auto-Owners	$171	A++	0.33	5
Farmers	$366	A	0.54	3.93
Allstate	$230	A+	0.9	3.65
State Farm	$229	A++	0.95	3.62
Travelers	$641	A++	0.54	3.37

Read our methodology

Cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina

Our analysis shows that Auto-Owners is the cheapest renters insurance company in South Carolina, with an average annual premium of $171.

Renters insurance rates can differ greatly between providers, so it's best to compare quotes to find affordable coverage that meets your needs.

Here is the list of the cheapest renters insurance companies in South Carolina along with their average annual premiums.

Company name	Average annual premium
Auto-Owners	$171
State Farm	$229
Allstate	$230
Farmers	$366
South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual	$396
Travelers	$641
USAA	$153

Read our methodology

South Carolina renters insurance: The least and most expensive ZIP codes

Where you live in South Carolina directly affects the cost of your renters insurance. The most expensive ZIP code in South Carolina is 29439, where the average annual premium is $416. This is $144 more than higher than the average rate.

In contrast, the least expensive ZIP code for renters insurance is 29696, offering coverage at $234 a year.

The table below shows the most and least expensive ZIP codes in South Carolina for renters insurance.

Best home insurance companies in Texas

Most expensive ZIP code
Least expensive ZIP code

ZIP code	Average annual rate
29439	$416
29403	$371
29412	$369
29414	$367
29455	$364
29407	$363
29401	$361
29585	$353
29577	$350
29915	$350

ZIP code	Average annual rate
29696	$234
29650	$235
29672	$235
29607	$237
29693	$237
29615	$238
29664	$239
29138	$242
29047	$255
29812	$256

Renters insurance cost in South Carolina by city

In South Carolina, renters insurance rates vary across cities due to factors such as weather risks, crime rates, and other factors. To get the best deal in your city, Compare quotes from several insurers before selecting a policy, so they weigh each factor differently.

City	Annual insurance premium
Charleston	$389
Columbia	$274
Florence	$286
Goose Creek	$330
Greenville	$259
Mount Pleasant	$372
North Charleston	$362
Rock Hill	$295
Summerville	$357

Read our methodology

How to save on renters insurance in South Carolina

There are several easy ways to lower the cost of renters insurance in South Carolina without losing necessary coverage:

Bundle your policies. Many insurance companies offer a discount if you buy renters and auto insurance together.
Increase your deductible. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly or yearly premium; just ensure you can afford it.
Ask about discounts. Most providers offer savings for things like smoke alarms, security systems, or being claims-free.
Compare quotes. Prices can vary widely between companies, so getting quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the best deal.
Pay annually. Some insurers offer a small discount if you pay once a year instead of monthly.

Methodology

Insurance.com compared renters insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for $40,000 personal property coverage with a $1,000 deductible and $100,000 liability coverage for all available ZIP codes based on a renter with good credit. To rank the best insurance companies, we gathered AM Best financial stability ratings, where an A++ is the best possible score, and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint ratios, which compare the number of complaints a company receives to the anticipated complaint volume based on market share. These factors were used along with rates to find the best companies overall.

FAQ: South Carolina renters insurance

Do I need renters insurance in South Carolina?

Renters insurance isn't required by law, but your landlord may require you to purchase a policy as part of your lease agreement.

How much renters insurance do I need in South Carolina?

You don't need any renters insurance by law, but when buying a policy you should ensure you have enough personal property coverage to cover all of your personal property at replacement cost.