6 Best Renters Insurance Companies in South Carolina of 2023
Many residents of South Carolina rent a place to live, whether they do so in a major city such as Charleston or Columbia or in a small town like Greenwood or Port Royal.
No law in South Carolina requires renters to purchase renters insurance, but many landlords require their tenants to buy coverage to protect their personal property and avoid disputes if a tenant’s property is damaged.
PropertyNest recommends at least basic renters insurance for every renter in the Palmetto State to ensure their peace of mind if their belongings are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
According to PropertyNest research, the average cost of basic renters insurance in South Carolina is $23.53 a month.
We have spent time evaluating and comparing the best renters insurance companies in South Carolina.
Compare Renters Insurance in SC
The Best Renters Insurance in South Carolina
- Liberty Mutual – Best for Low Minimum Coverage
- Allstate – Best for Retirees in South Carolina
- State Farm – Best for Affordable Coverage
- Amica – Best for Customer Service
- USAA – Best for Active Duty Military Service Members
- Nationwide – Best for Policy Riders
Liberty Mutual: Best for Low Minimum Coverage
Liberty Mutual has been around for over a century, providing an array of insurance coverage, including affordable renters insurance.
The company has received excellent ratings for its financial strength and claims-paying ability, but we selected them for our list because they offer policies with lower limits than the other companies we’ve reviewed.
Even if you choose a low-limit policy, you’ll have the option of scheduling high-value items separately and may still save money on your total premium.
We also like Liberty Mutual for its excellent customer service.
Liberty Mutual’s average cost of homeowners insurance is $30 per month, which is higher than the state and national average, but you can save by applying multiple discounts.
Read a full Liberty Mutual renters insurance review.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 834 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 2.37 |
Allstate: Best for Retirees in South Carolina
Allstate is one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the United States and has earned a place in the Fortune 500.
The company has a free mobile app and does a great job with online accessibility, but we chose them because they offer a special discount to help retired people afford renters insurance.
We also like that renters can purchase flood insurance via Allstate, which is something that’s not an option with most rental insurance companies.
The average cost of Allstate renters insurance in South Carolina is $18 per month, which is just above the average.
Read a full Allstate renters insurance review.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 837 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 2.05 |
| BBB | A- |
State Farm: Best for Affordable Coverage
State Farm started providing auto insurance all the way back in 1922 and today provides an array of coverages including renters insurance.
State Farm has excellent customer service, but we chose them for our list because they have the least expensive renters insurance in South Carolina.
We also like that they offer high coverage limits, which are ideal for renters who own a lot of items and want to be completely protected.
The average monthly cost of State Farm renters insurance in South Carolina is just $14 per month, less than the state average.
Read a full State Farm renters insurance review.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 836 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A++ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.77 |
Amica: Best for Customer Service
Amica was founded all the way back in 1907 and has been providing insurance for 115 years.
Amica has a broad array of riders available, but we chose them for our list because they provide the best customer service.
We also like that their costs are affordable, and there’s no upper limit for renters insurance policies.
Amica’s average cost in South Carolina is $16.35 per month, which is equal to the state average.
Read a full Amica renters insurance review.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 854 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.32 |
USAA: Best for Active Duty Military Service Members
Unlike the other companies on our list, USAA serves an exclusive group of renters: US military members and their families.
USAA offers excellent customer service, but we selected them for our list because they provide special coverage and low prices to military members.
We also like that USAA offers built-in flood insurance, something that’s rare and useful for anybody who lives near the water.
USAA’s average cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is less than $12 per month, making it the least expensive option on our list.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 886 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A++ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.88 |
Nationwide: Best for Policy Riders
Nationwide Insurance is a well-known company and has a solid reputation for reliable claims payments and customer service.
We selected Nationwide for our list because they offer a broad array of riders and endorsements that allow renters to customize their policies and expand their coverage.
We also like that Nationwide has excellent customer service and reasonable prices.
The average cost of Nationwide renters insurance in South Carolina is $20 per month, which is slightly higher than the state average.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 859 |
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.04 (Very Low) |
| Company | PropertyNest Rating | J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | A.M Best Rating | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | 5.0 | 853 | Not Rated | B+ |
| Allstate | 5.0 | 837 | A+ | A- |
| Liberty Mutual | 4.5 | 834 | A | A+ |
| State Farm | 4.5 | 836 | A++ | A+ |
| USAA | 4.5 | 886 | A++ | A+ |
| Erie Insurance | 4.5 | 851* | A+ | A+ |
| Travelers | 4.0 | 801 | A++ | A |
| Amica | 4.0 | 854* | A+ | A+ |
| Nationwide | 4.0 | 859 | A+ | A+ |
| Jetty | 4.0 | Not Rated | A | A+ |
| Company | PropertyNest Rating | J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | A.M Best Rating | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | 5.0 | 853 | Not Rated | B+ |
| Allstate | 5.0 | 837 | A+ | A- |
| Liberty Mutual | 4.5 | 834 | A | A+ |
| State Farm | 4.5 | 836 | A++ | A+ |
| USAA | 4.5 | 886 | A++ | A+ |
| Erie Insurance | 4.5 | 851* | A+ | A+ |
| Travelers | 4.0 | 801 | A++ | A |
| Amica | 4.0 | 854* | A+ | A+ |
| Nationwide | 4.0 | 859 | A+ | A+ |
| Jetty | 4.0 | Not Rated | A | A+ |
Is Renters Insurance Mandatory to Rent an Apartment in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, renters insurance is not mandatory by law to rent an apartment.
However, renters insurance can be a valuable resource in the event of theft, damage to property, or an injury that occurs on the premises.
It provides renters with peace of mind and assurance that their belongings are covered if something unfortunate should happen.
Additionally, the landlord may mandate renters insurance, so renters should check with their leasing office beforehand for any requirements.
What is the Average Cost of Renters Insurance in South Carolina?
The average cost of basic renters insurance in South Carolina is $23.53 per month, which can vary depending on the desired coverage.
Factors such as the size of the dwelling and the value of belongings also play a role in determining the cost.
It is important to remember that selecting a lower deductible may increase premiums, while opting for a higher deductible may reduce premiums.
Therefore, renters should evaluate their individual needs before selecting a plan that best suits their budget and lifestyle.
It is also wise to shop around for the best rates, as different insurers may offer different plans with varying coverage and prices.
Finally, it is essential to note that many insurance providers will offer discounts.
Why Should South Carolina Renters Purchase Renters Insurance?
There’s no denying that renters insurance is an added monthly expense on top of rent and utilities, but we still believe that it’s a must for every renter for these reasons.
- The cost of renters insurance is significantly less than what you would spend if you needed to replace your personal belongings.
- Your landlord’s property insurance won’t provide coverage if your belongings are lost or damaged.
- Most people don’t have enough money set aside to pay to replace their belongings or pay for a new place to live if their rental unit becomes uninhabitable.
- Your coverage will protect you even if your personal belongings are not in your apartment when they are stolen, damaged, or destroyed.
- You can easily add coverage if you have high-cost electronics, artwork, or jewelry.
- You’ll get liability protection if someone is hurt or their property is damaged in your rental unit, plus coverage to pay for a portion of their medical expenses.
- You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected if something happens to your property.
The monthly cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is just $17, meaning that in exchange for just a few dollars each week, you can have the protection you need to replace your belongings, shield you from personal liability, and pay for you to live elsewhere if the need arises.
What Factors Impact the Price of Renters Insurance?
While we’ve provided average costs for each of the companies on our list, you should know that four main factors will affect how much you pay for renters insurance.
- Deductible. Every renters insurance policy comes with a deductible that you’ll need to pay out of pocket; policies with low deductibles cost more than policies with high deductibles.
- Coverage limit. Your coverage limit should be enough to cover the replacement cost of all of your belongings; choosing a high limit or scheduling high-cost items will add to your premium.
- Riders. You can use riders to add coverage to your policy, including food spoilage or ID restoration; each rider comes with a price attached.
- Location. Rentals in low-risk areas will have lower renters insurance premiums than those in high-risk areas.
You may want to look at quotes with different deductibles and weigh your risk before choosing a policy.
How Much Renters Insurance Coverage Do You Need?
One of the questions we frequently ask is how much renters insurance coverage people should buy.
We suggest starting with an inventory that includes the following items.
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Small appliances & kitchen gear
- Electronics
- Books
- Home decor items
- Jewelry
We suggest taking photographs of your belongings to document what you own and calculating the actual cash value (what you paid) and the replacement value (what it would cost to buy a new item) to determine how much coverage to buy.
Remember that any high-value items you own should be scheduled separately at an additional cost.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover?
South Carolina renters should understand the things that are covered by a typical renters insurance policy and what isn’t covered.
Here are the things that most renters insurance will cover.
- Damage, destruction, or theft of personal property. If your personal property is damaged, destroyed, or stolen–whether it’s in your apartment or not–your renters insurance will cover the loss by paying you either the actual cash value or replacement cash value according to your policy.
- Personal liability. If someone sustains an injury or their property is damaged in your rental unit, your policy will provide you with limited liability protection.
- Guest medical coverage. Your renters insurance will pay a portion of the medical expenses incurred by a guest in your rental unit.
- Alternative living expenses. You’ll receive money to pay for you to stay in a hotel or rent another living space if your apartment becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.
| Type | Items | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Cash or Other Forms of Currency | Bank notes, bullions, gold or silver (non-jewelry), coins, medals, smart cards, stored value cards. | Most renters insurance policies will only cover up to $200 in stolen cash. |
| Electronic Equipment | Phones (iPhones, Androids, etc.), computers, laptops, iPads, earbuds, smart watches, TV sets, gaming systems, Alexa or Google home devices, etc. | Standard renters insurance policies cover the loss or damage of electronic devices. |
| Clothing | Designer purse/handbags, shoes, jewelry, designer watches | Standard renters policies cover your personal clothing or designer handbags etc. |
| Power Tools | Drills & drivers, saws. | Covered under the personal property coverage. |
| Kitchen appliances | Refrigerators, microwaves, blenders, electric mixers, ice makers, coffee machines, and other appliances. | Renters insurance covers personal appliances if they are damaged, stolen, or destroyed by a covered peril. |
| Prescription drugs | Will not cover stolen prescription drugs. | |
| Personal information | Bank accounts, identity information stolen from documents, or stolen personal equipment. | Most companies do not include identity theft as a covered peril in a standard renters insurance policy. |
| Firearms | Pistols, rifles | Legal firearms are covered under personal property coverage. |
Here are some things that are not covered by rental insurance.
- Damage above the policy limit. Any expenses that exceed your policy limits will not be covered.
- Non-covered events. Most property damage will be covered, but there are exclusions, including flood damage and personal negligence of property.
- Unscheduled valuables. Some high-value items, such as art and jewelry, must be scheduled separately at an additional cost; if they are not scheduled, your policy will not pay to replace them.
You should be sure to read your entire renters insurance policy to be sure that you understand what’s covered and what isn’t and at what limits.
Synopsis
At PropertyNest, we recommend that every renter in the Palmetto State buy renters insurance to protect themselves.
As a reminder, you won’t be protected by your landlord’s property insurance, so you’ll need to take steps to protect yourself with renters coverage.
Renters in South Carolina who live near the beach or another body of water may want to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), since standard renters insurance won’t offer protection from flood damage.
We suggest getting a minimum of three quotes from three companies to compare costs and coverage, taking advantage of all available renters insurance discounts.
Our Methodology
We thoroughly researched the state's top renters’ insurance companies and narrowed the list down to those that operated in South Carolina. We rated them on criteria that included ease of use, ratings, financial strength, customer, and affordability. Read our full in-depth renters insurance methodology.
How We Selected Best Renters Insurance Companies for South Carolina
Evaluating insurance companies is a complex endeavor. Here are the five main criteria we used to select the best renters insurance companies in South Carolina.
Price
The price of renters insurance can be a barrier to purchase, so we chose insurance companies that offer affordable rates for renters in comparison with the South Carolina state average and the national average.
Discounts
Most insurance companies offer renters insurance discounts, which is why we selected companies that offer two or more discounts on renters insurance with special attention to those with discounts that apply to the majority of renters.
Coverage
Coverage for renters insurance varies between companies, so we selected companies that offered various coverage levels and endorsements to help renters customize their policies.
Online & Mobile Services
Many South Carolinians prefer to purchase insurance and file claims online, so we made sure to pick companies with well-designed websites and mobile apps and an array of online services.
Customer Support
Customer support is never more critical than when you need to file an insurance claim, which is why we focused on companies with solid customer service ratings and reviews and easily-accessible support options.
