The Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
The Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Carolina
State Farm offers the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina — a policy costs an average of $14 per month.
Compare cheap renters insurance options in South Carolina
In order to help you find the best renters insurance in South Carolina, we collected 94 quotes from five of the largest insurers across the state.
Find cheap renters insurance in South Carolina
The cheapest quotes for renters insurance in South Carolina come from State Farm. On average, a policy from State Farm costs $164 per year, or $14 per month, which is 20% less than the statewide average.
The average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is $17 per month, or $205 per year.
Compare cheap renters insurance options in South Carolina
The cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is lower than the average price across the U.S., which is about $18 per month.
Company | Monthly cost | |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $14 |
| Amica | $17 |
| Travelers | $18 |
| Allstate | $18 |
| Nationwide | $19 |
Best renters insurance for most people: State Farm
The good:
- Cheap renters insurance quotes
- Dependable customer service
The bad:
- Limited coverage upgrades
- Not available in many coastal areas
The best and cheapest renters insurance provider for most people in South Carolina is State Farm. The average cost is $14 per month, or $164 per year — $41 per year cheaper than the statewide average.
State Farm has dependable customer service, too. J.D. Power rated State Farm's service third in its survey of the nation's largest renters insurance providers.
If there's any downside to State Farm renters insurance, it's the lack of coverage upgrades compared to its competitors.
However, renters in parts of South Carolina that experience earthquakes might find State Farm's upgrades useful: You can add earthquake insurance to a basic policy.
South Carolina renters living on the coast might have a hard time getting renters insurance from State Farm without talking to an agent.
Best customer service: Amica
The good:
- Excellent customer service
- Affordable renters insurance quotes
The bad:
- May not be available for renters on the coast
- Few coverage add-ons
Amica has the best renters insurance for South Carolina tenants searching for excellent customer service. The company only receives one-third as many complaints as other insurers of a similar size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
That means renters are generally satisfied with Amica's customer service experience.
South Carolina renters will also find great rates with Amica. A policy costs $17 per month, or $199 per year, on average. That's only $3 more per month than the cheapest option, State Farm.
Best for coastal renters: Allstate
The good:
- Available in many coastal towns
- Optional flood insurance coverage
The bad:
- Expensive rates
- Subpar customer service
Allstate is a great option for renters in South Carolina who live along the coast. It's one of the few major companies that offer online quotes for renters in cities like Charleston, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
In addition, South Carolina renters can purchase flood insurance through Allstate, which protects your belongings if they're damaged by floodwater.
On average, a policy from Allstate costs $220 per year, or $18 per month, which is $15 per year more expensive than average in South Carolina. Renters aren't particularly happy with the service they receive from Allstate, either. It received a below-average rating on J.D. Power's annual customer satisfaction survey.
Best renters insurance for military families: USAA
The good:
- Provides premium coverage options for free
- Great customer service
The bad:
- Not available for all South Carolinians
USAA offers the best renters insurance in South Carolina for renters who qualify for membership. Only active and reserve armed service members, veterans and their families can purchase a policy from USAA. You also have to be a member to get quotes from the company, but USAA is known for having great rates.
South Carolina has the highest number of military members in relation to population size in the country, so many South Carolinians may qualify.
Standard renters insurance coverage from USAA comes with a few forms of protection that other insurers typically charge extra for, including earthquake and flood insurance. These protections could be valuable for South Carolina renters living near the coast and those in earthquake-prone areas.
USAA only receives half as many service complaints as other similar-sized insurers, according to the NAIC. Additionally, J.D. Power awarded USAA the top score among national renters insurance providers.
South Carolina renters insurance quotes by city
Renters in Myrtle Beach pay the highest rates among South Carolina's major cities.
Renters insurance rates in South Carolina fluctuate by up to $156 per year, or $13 per month, based on where you live. That's because rates are significantly higher for renters living on the coast due to extreme weather.
For example, renters insurance rates in Myrtle Beach are 58% more expensive than the statewide average, while those in Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head are 24% and 19% above average, respectively. Easley and Lexington are the cheapest cities for renters insurance, both of which are located inland.
City | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken | $200 | -9% |
| Anderson | $196 | -11% |
| Bluffton | $224 | 2% |
| Charleston | $230 | 5% |
| Columbia | $200 | -9% |
Best-rated renters insurance in South Carolina
The best-rated renters insurance company in South Carolina is Amica.
Renters in South Carolina can also find excellent customer service from USAA. However, only active-duty military members, veterans and their families are eligible to purchase a policy.
Choosing a renters insurance company with good customer service is important, especially when you're making a claim. Great customer service can make the process less stressful, while poor service can make things take longer and result in a lot more work on your part.
Company |
Rating
|
|---|---|
| USAA | |
| Amica | |
| State Farm | |
| Nationwide | |
| Allstate | |
| Travelers |
We considered three main factors to determine renters insurance customer service ratings: our own ValuePenguin editor's rating, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index and J.D. Power's renters insurance customer satisfaction index.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest renters insurance in South Carolina?
State Farm offers the cheapest renters insurance rates in South Carolina. A policy costs $164 per year, or $14 per month, which is 20% less expensive than the statewide average.
How much is renters insurance in South Carolina?
Renters in South Carolina pay $17 per month, or $205 per year, for an insurance policy, on average. That's $1 per month less expensive than the national average.
How much is renters insurance in Columbia, S.C.?
A renters insurance policy in Columbia costs an average of $17 per month, or $200 per year. In comparison, renters in Charleston pay $19 per month, or $230 per year.
Do South Carolina renters need earthquake insurance?
Yes, some renters in South Carolina should consider purchasing earthquake insurance. That's because there are a number of fault lines across the state, which means that certain areas are at risk for an earthquake.
Methodology
The sample profile we used to complete our statewide analysis of the best renters insurance in South Carolina was a 25-year-old renter living alone with no history of insurance claims. We collected quotes based on the following coverage limits:
Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Personal property | $30,000 |
| Personal liability | $100,000 |
| Medical payments | $1,000 |
| Loss of use | $9,000 |
| Deductible | $500 |
Customer service ratings were determined based on data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index, J.D. Power's annual customer satisfaction survey and our own ValuePenguin editor's rating.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.