How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Chubb suits most South Carolina homeowners, with the lowest average rate in MoneyGeek's review and above-average J.D. Power scores.
- USAA suits military members, veterans, and their families, with the highest MoneyGeek score but eligibility limits.
- State Farm suits affordability statewide, with local agent support and the cheapest rates for newer homes in guides.
- Auto-Owners suits customer service and claims satisfaction, with the top Insurance.com score in one analysis.
- Allstate suits customizable coverage and discounts, with strong online tools and local agents.
- Progressive suits the cheapest rates in Insurance.com's analysis, with the lowest average at $1,821 per year for one coverage level.
- Travelers suits high-value coverage with an A-plus-plus rating, though rates run higher in guides.
- Amica suits consumer experience, as NerdWallet's pick for homeowners who want the best consumer experience.
- Rates vary sharply by location: coastal properties from Charleston to Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head command the highest premiums, while Upstate rates run lower.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Chubb | Best overall | See website | Not applicable |
 USAA | Military families | See website | Not applicable |
 State Farm | Affordability | See website | Not applicable |
 Auto-Owners | Customer service | See website | Not applicable |
 Allstate | Customizable coverage | See website | Not applicable |
 Progressive | Cheapest rates | See website | Not applicable |
 Travelers | High-value coverage | See website | Not applicable |
 Amica | Consumer experience | See website | Not applicable |
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The best rated homeowners insurance companies in south carolina
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Chubb is the best home insurance company for most South Carolina homeowners in MoneyGeek's 2026 research, with the lowest average rate in its review and above-average J.D. Power scores. MoneyGeek's cheapest-rate analysis puts Chubb at $2,047 per year, 34 percent below the $3,100 state average, and $171 per month for a standard profile. NerdWallet also rates Chubb as the top-rated insurer in South Carolina, offering the best coverage for high-value homes.
Premium positioning means Chubb's strength shows most for higher-value homes, and coastal exposure still drives rates up. Chubb fits South Carolina homeowners who want the best-rated overall coverage, especially higher-value homes. This article is general information only, not financial advice, and rates vary by location, home value, age, and coverage choices.
What we like- Lowest average rate in MoneyGeek review
- Above-average J.D. Power scores
- High-value home strength
Watch out for- Premium positioning for high-value homes
- Rates vary by coastal exposure
- Agent-based process for complex homes
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
USAA earned the highest MoneyGeek score in South Carolina research but ranks second because coverage is available only to military members, veterans, and their families. Its A-plus-plus AM Best rating, outstanding J.D. Power scores, and excellent mobile app and online-first experience suit military families, with Insurance.com rates near $2,341 per year for one coverage level and a low NAIC complaint ratio of 0.46.
Eligibility limits mean most South Carolina residents cannot buy USAA, so it is ranked below Chubb for the general market despite the higher score. USAA fits military members, veterans, and their families who want top-rated service and strong rates.
What we like- Highest MoneyGeek score
- A-plus-plus rating
- Outstanding J.D. Power scores
- Excellent mobile app
Watch out for- Military eligibility only
- Not available to all South Carolina residents
- Rates vary by location
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
State Farm suits affordability statewide, with local agent support, a strong app, and above-average customer experience in MoneyGeek's review. MoneyGeek's cheapest-rate analysis puts State Farm at $2,064 per year, 33 percent below the state average, and the cheapest option for newer homes at $1,467 per year and in Charleston at $2,299 per year. Insurance.com rates put State Farm near $2,435 per year for one coverage level with an A-plus rating.
Its NAIC complaint ratio of 1.15 in Insurance.com's analysis trails Auto-Owners and USAA, and coastal rates still run high. State Farm fits South Carolina homeowners who want affordable statewide rates with local agent support.
What we like- Affordable statewide rates
- Local agent support
- Cheapest for newer homes
- Strong app
Watch out for- NAIC complaint ratio of 1.15 in one analysis
- Coastal rates still high
- Coverage varies by area
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Auto-Owners is the best home insurance company in South Carolina in Insurance.com's 2026 analysis, based on price, NAIC complaints, and AM Best ratings, with an A-plus rating, an average annual rate of $3,893 for one coverage level, a low complaint ratio of 0.39, and an Insurance.com score of 4.35. Insuranceopedia rates it best overall with top customer service and claims satisfaction.
Average rates run higher than Chubb, State Farm, or Progressive in some analyses, and online quotes are limited with an agent required. Auto-Owners fits homeowners who prioritize customer service and claims satisfaction over the lowest rate.
What we like- Top Insurance.com score of 4.35
- Low complaint ratio of 0.39
- Top customer service and claims satisfaction
Watch out for- Higher average rates in some analyses
- Limited online quotes with agent required
- Rates vary by coverage level
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Allstate suits customizable coverage and discounts, with strong online tools and local agents, an A-plus rating, and average J.D. Power scores in guides. Insurance.com rates put Allstate near $2,104 per year for one coverage level with a score of 4.15, and MoneyGeek's cheapest-rate analysis puts it near $2,455 per year, 21 percent below the state average. Its discount options include bundling and claim-free savings.
Its NAIC complaint ratio of 1.26 in Insurance.com's analysis trails the leaders, and rates vary by coverage level. Allstate fits homeowners who want customizable coverage, numerous discounts, and strong online tools.
What we like- Customizable coverage
- Numerous discounts
- Strong online tools and local agents
- A-plus rating
Watch out for- NAIC complaint ratio of 1.26 in one analysis
- Rates vary by coverage level
- Average J.D. Power scores
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Progressive has the most affordable rates in Insurance.com's South Carolina analysis for all coverage levels except $1,000,000, with $1,422 per year at $200,000 dwelling coverage and $1,821 at $300,000, plus an A-plus rating. Its broad discount options include bundling with auto insurance, home security systems, and no recent claims.
Its NAIC complaint ratio of 1.5 in Insurance.com's analysis is the highest among the top group, and claims experience varies. Progressive fits price-sensitive homeowners who want the cheapest rates and broad discounts.
What we like- Cheapest rates in Insurance.com analysis
- $1,821 per year for one coverage level
- Broad discount options
Watch out for- NAIC complaint ratio of 1.5 in one analysis
- Rates vary by coverage level
- Claims experience varies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Travelers suits high-value coverage with an A-plus-plus AM Best rating, the highest available, and broad coverage options for larger homes. Its financial strength gives it capacity for high-value properties and complex risks, and its coverage options suit homeowners who need more than a standard policy.
Rates run higher in guides, near $5,910 per year for one coverage level in Insurance.com's analysis, though other analyses show lower figures, so quotes vary sharply by profile. Travelers fits high-value homeowners who prioritize financial strength and broad coverage over the lowest rate.
What we like- A-plus-plus rating
- High-value coverage strength
- Broad coverage options
Watch out for- Higher rates in guides, near $5,910 per year in one analysis
- Rates vary sharply by coverage level
Starting priceSee website
Free planNot applicable
Amica is NerdWallet's pick for South Carolina homeowners who want the best consumer experience, with a strong service reputation and a long record of customer satisfaction. Its mutual structure can return dividends to policyholders in some states, and its service focus suits homeowners who value claims handling and support.
Rates vary by profile, and its South Carolina presence is smaller than the top five carriers. Amica fits homeowners who prioritize consumer experience and service reputation.
What we like- NerdWallet pick for consumer experience
- Strong service reputation
- Dividend policies in some states
Watch out for- Rates vary by profile
- Smaller South Carolina presence than top five
- Availability varies by area
How we chose
We ranked companies on affordability, customer experience, coverage, AM Best ratings, NAIC complaint ratios, and 2026 guide consensus from MoneyGeek, Insurance.com, Insuranceopedia, and NerdWallet, weighting statewide rates and coastal versus inland differences. Carriers scored on average rates for standard profiles, complaint ratios, and J.D. Power scores, with eligibility limits noted for USAA. Rates come from 2026 published analyses and vary by location, home age, value, and coverage, so we flagged conflicts rather than hiding them. Every company here runs a live South Carolina homeowners insurance business in 2026 with a public site.
How to pick a homeowners insurance company in south carolina
Start with your location, since it drives rates more than any other factor. Coastal properties from Charleston to Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head command the highest premiums due to direct hurricane and wind exposure, while Upstate areas near Greenville and Spartanburg see lower rates where tropical storm risk diminishes but hail and thunderstorm activity still factor in. Compare carriers based on where your home actually sits, not statewide averages.
Next, check wind and hail deductibles carefully, since they affect true costs after a major storm: some policies use percentage deductibles for hurricane damage that cost far more than a flat deductible. Get written quotes from at least three carriers, check AM Best ratings and NAIC complaint ratios, and confirm whether the carrier writes new policies in your area, since some insurers have changed underwriting and no longer issue policies statewide. Finally, ask about discounts for bundling, security systems, new roofs, and claim-free history, since they can cut premiums materially.
Frequently asked questions
How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina homeowners pay around $1,969 per year for a standard HO-3 policy in one 2026 guide, with a state average near $3,100 in another analysis using different profiles. Coastal rates run higher than inland rates.
Which company is cheapest in South Carolina?
Chubb is cheapest in MoneyGeek's analysis at $2,047 per year, while Progressive is cheapest in Insurance.com's analysis at $1,821 per year for one coverage level. Rankings differ by profile, so compare quotes for your home.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?
Standard policies typically cover wind damage from hurricanes, but flood damage needs separate flood insurance, and hurricane deductibles often run as a percentage of dwelling value. Check your policy's wind and hail deductible terms.
Can I get homeowners insurance on the South Carolina coast?
Yes, but some carriers limit new policies in coastal areas or charge higher premiums. Compare multiple carriers and consider the state wind pool if standard carriers decline coverage.
Should I bundle home and auto insurance?
Bundling usually earns a discount, often 10 to 20 percent, and simplifies claims and billing. Compare bundled quotes against separate policies, since the cheapest bundle is not always the cheapest home policy alone.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.