Protect What You Own with Renter's Insurance in South Carolina

Purchasing a renter’s insurance policy is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to protect yourself and your belongings while renting your home. A typical policy costs only $10 to $20 per month and can save you much more should unexpected damage or liability occur. 

But despite its affordability and practicality, only about half (55%) of U.S. renters currently have renter’s insurance, most of whom must have a policy per their landlord’s requirements. 

We’ve prepared this article to help you understand why you need renters insurance and how to obtain a policy in this state—from cost and coverage to additional policies you may need.  

What is Renter’s Insurance? 

Renter’s insurance is insurance that covers specific types of losses suffered by renters during their occupation of a rental property. A typical renter’s insurance policy covers personal property, liability protection, and additional living expenses. Renter’s insurance often kicks in after damage from natural disasters, accidents, or other incidents.  

An important note: Renter’s insurance does not cover the actual building itself. The physical building you live in should be covered by your landlord’s insurance. Renters insurance helps protect you and the belongings you own within the property that may be damaged or stolen. 

Why Do I Need Renter’s Insurance? 

Everyone who rents their home—whether that be a single-family home, studio apartment, mobile home, townhome, condo, or other type of property— should have a renter’s insurance policy. This is because even though you don’t own the physical building you are renting, the items you keep within it (or even in your car, or elsewhere) could still be damaged or stolen. 

For example, imagine that a fire occurred in your apartment complex. Your landlord’s insurance would cover the damage to the actual building, appliances, and building systems. However, your landlord is not responsible for replacing all your lost clothes, furniture, electronics, and other belongings. That’s what renter’s insurance is for.  

Renters insurance policies can also cover medical or legal expenses if you are sued. For example, your renter’s insurance would apply if someone gets injured in your home and you are responsible for their medical bills. 

An average renter’s insurance policy includes $20,000 – $30,000 of personal property coverage and doesn’t cost you more than a $20 bill each month. It’s a small price to pay for the great financial security renters insurance offers. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 

Renter’s insurance has three main categories of coverage. 

• Personal Property: Personal property refers to any belongings like clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. Your personal property is subject to limits and requires a deductible. However, your insurance will reimburse you should your personal property get damaged by disasters such as the following:  
• • Fire and smoke 
  • Storms, lightening, wind, hail 
  • Theft 
  • Vandalism 
  • Explosions 
  • Winter weather damage 
  • Damage from infrastructure tearing, cracking, burning, etc. 
  • Sudden, accidental damage from electric currents 

•  
• Liability: Liability coverage pays for your medical or legal bills should you be responsible for an injury on the property or damage to the property itself. 
• Loss of Use/Living Expenses: Loss of use insurance kicks in if the property you rent becomes uninhabitable due to damage or repairs. It pays for your hotel bills and even certain food expenses while you wait for repairs to be completed. 

There are a few disasters renter’s insurance doesn’t cover, like flooding. It’s important to read your renter’s insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t included. If you need coverage that isn’t included, you can purchase add-on policies, such as water backup coverage, theft extension coverage, scheduled valuables coverage, or earthquake and volcano coverage. 

South Carolina Renters Insurance 

Renters insurance in South Carolina protects you and your belongings from a range of perils. Located on the Eastern Seaboard, South Carolina is vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms, and other coastal disasters (like subsidence-related hazards). A South Carolina renters insurance policy can protect you financially should one of these disasters damage your home and personal property. Renter’s insurance can also pay for legal fees or medical expenses if you are liable for an injury that occurred in your home (up to your coverage limits and minus your deductible). 

What Does Renters Insurance South Carolina Cost? 

What does renters insurance cost in South Carolina? Fortunately, the cost of renters insurance in South Carolina is very affordable. According to NerdWallet, the average South Carolina renters insurance premium in 2024 is $148, or about $12 a month. South Carolina’s renters insurance rates are on par with the national average monthly cost, which is also about $12 a month. 

Keep in mind that your exact renter’s insurance rate will vary depending on the specifics of your policy, such as your coverage limits and deductible amount. The cheapest renters insurance companies and policies tend to have higher deductibles, while more expensive options will have lower deductibles. The best renters insurance companies will offer renters insurance discounts for bundling with an existing policy, like your car insurance. 

What Are the Most Common Claims in South Carolina? 

Common renter’s insurance claims in South Carolina include damage due to hurricanes, tropical storms, and water damage near the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Between 1851 and 2023, the South Carolina coastline experienced 44 tropical cyclones, three of which were major (Category 3+) hurricanes. Based on historical data, residents of the state have an 86% chance of being impacted by a tropical storm system—a percentage likely to increase as the climate changes. 

Damage due to tropical storms can be astronomical. In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $112.9 billion worth of damage in the U.S., with a significant portion of that damage occurring in South Carolina. For South Carolina renters, insurance is essential in protecting against the huge losses possible from coastal storms. 

What Additional Policies Do I Need in South Carolina? 

South Carolina renters also need flood insurance. Flooding along the coast is common in South Carolina, especially after hurricanes and other storms. In fact, according to FEMA data, South Carolina had the tenth highest total insurance dollars paid on flooding-related claims between 1996 and 2019 ($992,610,116.65). 

FEMA data from the past several decades also shows that flooding has occurred across all South Carolina counties, with the highest number of recent flood events occurring in Charleston County. 

If your home is in a floodplain or has a high likelihood of flooding, flood coverage may be needed. Flood coverage is typically excluded from most renter’s insurance policies, so a separate policy is necessary. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps renters find a flood insurance policy customized to their individual needs and coverage preferences. 

How to Get Renters Insurance in South Carolina 

Most major insurance providers offer renter’s insurance, often bundled with auto insurance for a lower price. To determine your policy and coverage details, your insurer will typically ask you a few questions about the rental unit (such as the type of building, year it was built, and address) and the dollar value or replacement cost of high-value personal belongings you own. You’ll be able to tailor your policy and coverage details to your needs. 

Get Renter’s Insurance with Innago 

Innago offers renter’s insurance through our partnership with Viaffinity. If you’re a renter, regardless of whether your landlord uses Innago, you can purchase a policy and get protection for you and your personal belongings. You can get quick and affordable quotes, customize your coverage, and add an additional person onto your policy at no extra cost.