Best Renters Insurance in South Carolina

South Carolina draws renters for its diverse landscape, strong economy, and great seasonal weather. To enjoy all the state offers, renters shouldn’t worry about property damage they can’t control. 

For about the price of a monthly Netflix subscription, you can get hundreds of thousands of dollars of protection for your belongings and more.

We made this guide to help tenants find the best renters insurance in South Carolina. Keep reading for more information on average rates, cost factors, and helpful insurance tips.

The average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is about $19 per month or $228 per year. Coverage can range from roughly $14 to $21 per month, but you may pay more or less based on your location, desired coverage amounts, and more.

Looking at some of the state’s largest property insurers, we determined average annual and monthly renters insurance rates in South Carolina. Look below at what you may be expected to pay.

Although premiums only range by up to $5 per month from these carriers, you can still see why shopping around for coverage is important. Every dollar adds up over time, and the yearly difference between the lowest and highest-priced carriers in our table alone reached $83.

Of course, there are many more than the four insurers we listed above. Over 80 homeowners insurance companies currently write active policies in South Carolina, and many offer renters insurance. You should get quotes from some national brands as well as some smaller regional carriers.

Before you begin shopping around, we’ll go over what coverage you receive and some ways to save so you can find the best renters insurance in South Carolina for your needs.

Renters insurance protects renters in several ways financially. It covers your belongings from potential sources of damage called perils. It also protects your liability and living situation. Policies are divided into sections based on the coverages described:

Renters liability insurance in South Carolina is an important component of renters insurance that protects you financially in case you’re found responsible for causing injury or property damage to others.

Liability coverage doesn’t cover anyone who lives in the rental from injury, as that’s what health insurance is for. Instead, it will cover your finances if a guest or visitor gets hurt at your rental property and sues you for damages. For example, say a maintenance worker seriously injures themselves after slipping on stairs in your unit because you spilled liquid and left it there. Your neighbor’s child could break limbs on a trampoline in your backyard. Your dog could bite someone.

In these scenarios, renters liability insurance can cover the injured party’s medical expenses, such as surgery costs, rehab costs, care costs, medications, X-rays, and more. It can also cover their lost wages if they can’t return to work right away.

Liability coverage can also come to your rescue if you unintentionally damage someone else’s property, such as your child sending a ball through a neighbor’s window. 

Recognize your budget and coverage needs to find a policy that fits your situation, then compare rates from multiple providers to find the best renters insurance in South Carolina. You can adjust policy limits and add coverage to modify your plan accordingly.

You need to find the right balance of protection and cost. The most basic renters insurance policies in South Carolina may exclude loss of use (sometimes called additional living expenses) or medical payments coverage by default. Find carriers that include these.

One way to alter your premiums is by changing your liability limits. You usually must get at least $100,00 in coverage, but most insurers will recommend at least $300,000 or more. Liability limits often go up to $1 million. You can save a few dollars by opting for lower liability limits, but be careful not to leave yourself exposed. If you have several hundred thousand dollars in assets, you should get several hundred thousand dollars of liability coverage.

You may also have a choice of actual cash value or replacement cost coverage for your belongings. Actual cash value coverage means that during a claim, your provider will factor in depreciation for your items before paying you. This means you won’t get the full cost of what you paid for older items. 

This is in contrast to replacement cost coverage, which means your insurer will give roughly what you paid for an item regardless of its age. Replacement cost coverage is preferable, but it costs more. Some carriers also offer extended replacement cost coverage for certain high-value items that are subject to sub-limits, such as art and jewelry.

Policies with actual cash value coverage are cheaper than replacement cost plans, but will help you out less in a claim.

Finding the best renters insurance in South Carolina isn’t all about price. Pay attention when quoting to judge companies’ customer service and online user experience. You’ll want a smooth process if you ever need help or file a claim.

Although it may take some time, there’s no way to know you’re getting the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina without shopping around. Costs will vary by carrier. You can also adjust policy details to save money and qualify for certain discounts.

We mentioned adjusting your coverage limits to save money. You can also adjust your deductible. A renters insurance deductible is the amount you need to pay when you file a claim before your provider steps in to cover damages. It gives the policyholder some responsibility in preserving their items. 

You choose your deductible when you get a policy. Opting for a higher deductible means you’re willing to cover more out of pocket before invoking your insurance company’s help. Companies naturally like this, and residents with higher deductibles have lower monthly premiums. Deductibles typically range between $500 and $2,000.

You should also ask about possible discounts when getting a renters insurance quote in South Carolina. One common discount for renters is bundling. If you have your auto and renters insurance with the same company, they often discount your premiums. Bundling discounts usually range from 10% to 25%, so you’ll have to look around to see how much you can save. 

You may also be eligible for a discount based on your age, military status, claims record, and more. Always ask what discounts you can receive to lower the average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina.

Rents have been climbing in the Charleston area, including in North Charleston and Mount Pleasant. As tenants spend more on rent, the importance of saving money on renters insurance in Charleston grows. 

Situated on the Atlantic coast, properties in Charleston have to worry about seasonal hurricane damage and year-round flooding damage. These factors can translate to above-average renters insurance rates in the city.

Additionally, rent in high-crime areas of Charleston, such as parts of North Charleston, will have higher rates than in low-crime areas, like around Mount Pleasant.

To save money on renters insurance in Charleston, you should compare quotes from a few providers. Avoid paying for unnecessary coverage by maintaining an accurate home inventory and being mindful of your liability limits. You can also consult an independent insurance agent who can help you find the coverage you need at the price you want.

Another popular place for renting in South Carolina is in Greenville, where tenants are moving in droves and driving up rent for all. Greenville’s inland location shields it from hurricanes, but you may still pay high premiums depending on how much you have to insure.

While Greenville may not have Charleston’s theft and hurricane risk, you can still suffer property damage from unexpected sources. Renters insurance in Greenville can save you headaches and dollars if something damages your rental property out of your control.

Insurers determine premiums through underwriting, analyzing several factors about you and your rental property to determine what they should charge. They must account for all the possible opportunities for loss. Some of the most important factors that affect the average renters insurance in South Carolina include:

South Carolina, in general, is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, although your likelihood of experiencing one of these will vary depending on where you are in the state. If you’re in an area where such damage is possible, companies will likely factor it into your premiums.

Insurers will also examine your claims history. You’ll have higher rates if you’ve filed multiple claims in the past three to five years. Someone with a history of filing claims has proven that they’ve cost their insurance company money in the past. So, you’re seen as a larger financial risk than someone who has never filed before. Insurers raise your rates as a result.

Your policy details will also affect your premiums. Having higher coverage limits will raise your premiums. Also, opting for a lower deductible can raise your rates and make getting cheap renters insurance in South Carolina less affordable.

No, when it comes to renters insurance, South Carolina law doesn’t have any requirements for residents. But, some landlords will require tenants to carry renters insurance as part of their lease. 

The only personal insurance coverage required by law is auto insurance. A landlord is the only person who will ever ask you to have renters insurance. Many landlords or property management companies require renters to carry coverage as part of lease agreements. This limits liability for them and other residents, as well as yourself.

Some landlords will ask to be an additional interest on your policy. Granting additional interest status just means that your landlord will be notified of any policy changes, like if you end your coverage during your lease. It doesn’t grant them any coverage or give them the ability to file claims.

While no one wants to spend more money than they need on renters insurance, you should have the right balance of coverage and cost to protect yourself fully. To get renters insurance quotes in South Carolina, use our online quoting tool to find the coverage you need at your desired price.

As an independent insurance agency, we partner with some of the top renters insurance companies in South Carolina. You can get a quote in minutes by putting in some basic information about yourself and your rental property.

If you’d rather speak to one of our licensed agents for help with your quote, call us at 833-255-4117. You can also email us at [email protected]. 

We specialize in property insurance in the southeast and would be happy to help you with your renters insurance quote in South Carolina.