Homeowners Insurance in Sumter, South Carolina

Sumter, South Carolina, is a diverse city located centrally in the state, roughly equal distances from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. As one of the more populous cities in the state, there’s plenty to do and see.

Sumter homeowners will need home insurance if they have a mortgage. Choosing the right homeowners insurance isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Below, we provide the information you need to make an informed decision.

On average, home insurance in Sumter, South Carolina, costs about $1,245 annually. This average rate is higher than that in the similar-sized city of Greer, which is just two and a half hours to the east, but about 24% lower than the state’s average rate, which is about $1,641 annually. 

Every provider can have slight differences in their offerings, and the best option for you may not be the best option for someone else. This is because insurance is highly subjective, from premiums to coverages to the best insurer for your needs.

When it comes to premiums, there are many factors that insurance companies consider when determining your rates. The factors they use generally help them determine your risk of filing a claim. If you’re at an above-average risk of filing a claim, you may see premiums above the average rate.

Some of the primary factors insurers use to determine your rates are your home’s age and construction. This is because masonry homes tend to stand up to the elements better than frame homes, as bricks and concrete are sturdier than wood, taking less damage from strong winds. Masonry homes are also less susceptible to fire damage since there’s much less flammable wood in them.

Newer homes also tend to have lower premiums because older homes are more likely to have issues that lead to claims. Old roofs, aging HVAC systems, and out-of-date construction methods can all be warning signs to insurers.

In addition to the factors we already mentioned, insurers think about many other considerations when determining a premium. Let’s go over some of the other factors your insurer may consider when calculating your rates.

Location of your house: If your house is in an area susceptible to severe weather, you may pay higher premiums. While Sumter is largely protected from hurricane damage because of its distance from the coast, South Carolinians still have to be wary every storm season. Just three years ago, effects from Hurricane Florence were felt in Sumter. 

Insurers factor in the possibility of damage from severe weather and calculate it into premiums to account for the chance of a hurricane damage claim payout. The same goes for tornadoes. The Sumter area has a fair chance of seeing tornadoes every year. Providers account for these.

Your claims history: Another part of calculating risk for insurers involves looking at the policyholder. If you have a history of filing insurance claims, a provider will likely charge you higher premiums. Insurance companies believe that someone who has filed claims in the recent past is more likely to file another in the future, so they raise the rates for that person to offset the increased chances of a payout.

Features of your home: While they may make your home more enjoyable, having certain elements in your house called “attractive nuisances” can increase how much you pay for home insurance. Pools, trampolines, and playground equipment are all attractive nuisances. They make your home riskier, so insurers watch out for them.

Conversely, certain things about your home can decrease your rate, too. Having a home security system can get you a discount with many insurance companies. Proving your home can stand up to strong winds with a wind mitigation inspection can reduce premiums also.

No matter where you are, home insurance policies consist of some common, essential coverages. In Sumter, it’s no different. Here are the parts of a home insurance policy you can expect:

Dwelling coverage is for the main structure of your house. It covers the roof, walls, floors, any porches or balconies, and the wiring and plumbing systems. Other structures coverage is designated for the features on your property that aren’t attached to your home. These could include sheds, fences, carports, detached garages, and more. 

Dwelling coverage is based on the value of your home (either its market value or its replacement cost), and other structures coverage is based on a percentage (typically 10%) of your dwelling coverage.

Personal property coverage financially protects your belongings. Furniture, television, computers, clothes, art, and jewelry fall under personal property coverage. If your items get stolen or damaged by a covered peril, your insurer will reimburse you for them.

Loss of use coverage is applicable if you’re forced to move out of your house because of damage from a covered peril. Let’s say your house is rendered uninhabitable from hurricane damage or a fire. You’ll have to go somewhere else temporarily while your insurer covers the repairs. Your insurance company will also cover your costs under loss of use coverage in this scenario. They can reimburse you for a hotel stay, gas, food, and more.

Liability coverage kicks in if someone sustains an injury on your property and wants to pursue you for the damages. Think of a slip and fall, or a dog bite. If you’re found liable for the accident, your liability coverage can cover your legal fees and the injured party’s medical expenses. Home insurance policies normally come with at least $100,000 in liability coverage, but you can choose to raise this limit.

Medical payments coverage is like liability coverage, but it’s designated only for minor injuries. Policies usually have medical payments coverage limits in the thousands of dollars, such as $4,000 or $5,000.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) creates flood zone maps for the country, determining which areas are at risk or not. Some properties in Sumter around Turkey Creek and the Green Swamp are in flood zones. Even if your home is not in a flood zone, many parts of Sumter are prone to flooding regardless due to the combination of heavy rains, flat topography, and nearby waterways in the area.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage from floods. To protect your home from excess water damage, you’d need a flood insurance policy. Clovered provides flood insurance, too. We partner with some of the nation’s top private flood insurance providers, in addition to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). We can help you find the coverage you need at the price you want.

When you’re shopping for home insurance, you should get quotes from multiple providers to see which one is the best deal for you. At Clovered, we make this easy. We partner with many of the country’s top insurance providers, and we have agents who want to help you find coverage.

 You can use our online quoting platform to compare homeowners insurance options completely online, or you can speak to one of our licensed agents on the phone by calling 833-255-4117 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also email us anytime at agent@clovered.com with any questions.