Homeowners in Columbia, South Carolina, pay an annual average of $1,980 for a home insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. This is less than both the national and state averages for comparable coverage.
But Columbia homeowners may also want to add additional windstorm protection, as 97% of properties in the city are susceptible to wind damage, largely from hurricanes. Wildfires are also a major risk in the area, though standard insurance policies typically cover them.[?]
Here’s what you need to know about finding homeowners insurance in Columbia, South Carolina.
The cheapest insurance company for homeowners in Columbia is Allstate, with average rates of $88 per month.
The South Carolina state average for a $300,000 dwelling policy is $2,436 per year.
On average, home insurance on a $300,000 policy in Columbia costs $184 per month for a policy with a $500 deductible.
Best home insurance companies in Columbia
Many quality insurers serve homeowners in Columbia. But the best home insurance company for your property will depend on your budget and individual needs. Here are five solid insurers to start your search with.
Best for windstorm coverage: USAA
Best for customer satisfaction: Chubb
Best for discounts: Allstate
Best for claim-filing ease: Nationwide
Best for local service: Southern Farm Bureau
If you like hands-on assistance, Southern Farm Bureau is a good company to explore. The insurer is dedicated to working within the community and has multiple offices in South Carolina, including in Columbia. It offers home insurance, auto insurance, and multiple farm insurance options.
But you need a Farm Bureau membership to apply, and premiums are more expensive than those of competitors.
Local, personalized assistance
Offers flood insurance
AM Best rating of A (Excellent)
More expensive than competitors
Must be a Farm Bureau member
Fewer discounts than competitors
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national home insurance companies that sell policies in Columbia to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to homeowners. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
How much is home insurance in Columbia?
The average cost of home insurance in Columbia is $165 per month, or $1,980 per year, for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on a number of factors, including coverage amounts, deductible, how much it would cost to rebuild your home, the insurer you choose, how susceptible your home is to natural disasters and theft, and more.[?]
Home insurance premiums in Columbia are less than the South Carolina state average of $2,436 per year.
Cheapest home insurance companies in Columbia
The cheapest home insurance company for your property depends on what coverages you need, your ZIP code, and other factors. But here’s a look at which insurers offer the lowest premiums overall.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Chubb | $780 |
| Allstate | $828 |
| Qbe | $972 |
| Travelers | $1,020 |
| USAA | $1,104 |
| Nationwide | $1,116 |
| Allied | $1,236 |
| State Farm | $1,476 |
| Foremost | $1,920 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,040 |
| Encompass | $2,784 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,620 |
| Chubb | $2,076 |
| Qbe | $2,220 |
| USAA | $2,244 |
| Travelers | $2,340 |
| Nationwide | $2,604 |
| Allied | $2,832 |
| State Farm | $2,856 |
| Auto-Owners | $3,576 |
| Encompass | $5,304 |
| Foremost | $5,364 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,340 |
| Chubb | $3,156 |
| Qbe | $3,276 |
| USAA | $3,360 |
| Travelers | $3,444 |
| State Farm | $3,936 |
| Allied | $4,020 |
| Nationwide | $4,356 |
| Auto-Owners | $5,280 |
| Encompass | $6,588 |
| Foremost | $8,232 |
How much homeowners insurance do you need in Columbia?
Home insurance provides protection against three things: damage to the structure of your home, damage to your belongings within the home, and liability if someone is hurt while at your home. It can also help cover living expenses if you have to stay at a hotel due to home damage.
The amount of coverage you need can vary widely from one homeowner to another. It’ll depend on the cost of rebuilding your property, the risk of liability in the house, the costs of your belongings, and your daily living expenses.
Experts recommend multiplying your home’s total square footage by the local, per-square-foot building costs to know how much insurance you need.[?] In South Carolina, this is about $180 per square foot. You’ll also need to do an inventory of your personal belongings and determine if you need additional liability insurance over the typical $100,000 that’s in a standard homeowners policy.
What to know about home insurance in Columbia, SC
There’s no minimum amount of home insurance that South Carolina legally requires, but it’s important to consider local conditions and risks when getting your policy.
In terms of weather, wind is the biggest risk to homes in Columbia, largely due to hurricanes. Wildfires are another risk, affecting 60% of properties in Columbia. South Carolina is the fifth-most affected state when it comes to Atlantic hurricanes. All these weather risks can make it difficult to choose how much coverage you need.
A standard home insurance policy will cover wildfire damage, but some insurers may have restrictions on hurricane and windstorm coverage in higher-risk areas. If this is the case with your insurer, you may need to pay an extra deductible or purchase additional windstorm insurance to ensure you have adequate protection.
If you’re unable to find coverage from a traditional insurer, you can get wind coverage through the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, also called the Wind Pool. Though flooding isn’t a major risk in the area, it can happen with hurricanes. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program or through private insurers.
Average cost of home insurance in other cities in South Carolina
Crime rates, hurricane and wildfire risk, proximity to fire and police services, and other risk and security factors can vary between cities and even between ZIP codes. This means that home insurance premiums can vary quite a bit, too.
See below how Columbia’s average premiums measure up to other major cities in South Carolina.
City | Average Annual Premium: With $300,000 in Dwelling Coverage |
|---|---|
| Greenville | $1,800 |
| Charlotte | $1,812 |
| Spartanburg | $1,824 |
| Columbia | $1,980 |
| Charleston | $4,164 |
| Myrtle Beach | $4,884 |
Columbia homeowners insurance FAQs
For more information on Columbia home insurance, check out the additional information below.
The average cost of home insurance in Columbia is $1,980 per year, or $165 per month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. In some cases, you may need additional coverage for hurricane and wind protection, which can add to your costs.
The cheapest home insurance company in Columbia, South Carolina is Allstate, with an average monthly premium of $88 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
No single company is the best for every homeowner. But we found that some of the best home insurance companies in Columbia are Chubb, Allstate, and USAA. They offer a combination of low premiums, good coverage, and discounts.
The 80% rule refers to an industry standard for homeowners insurance. Most home insurance companies require you to cover your house for at least 80% of its total replacement cost in order for them to fully pay out on a claim.
You can multiply your home’s square footage by the average per-square-foot building cost in your area to get your estimated dwelling coverage. It’s a good idea to have enough coverage for at least 80% of the value of your home. Then, take a home inventory to determine your personal property coverage. Assess your risks to see if you need more than the standard $100,000 in liability insurance.[?]
You may need to add additional windstorm coverage due to the risk of hurricanes in the area. While standard home insurance policies cover wind damage, some insurers restrict coverage in higher-risk areas.
Flood risk is low in Columbia, South Carolina, but hurricanes are common in the area. If you want protection from flooding that could happen from a hurricane, you may want flood insurance coverage.
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