Homeowners have to guard their living quarters from a number of threats on a daily basis. For those in South Carolina, this often includes possible flooding from hurricanes. Flood damage could potentially render your home unlivable or even send an owner into bankruptcy, if they lack the right protection. Unfortunately, a regular South Carolina homeowners insurance policy might not be enough to do the job.

Never fear, though, because South Carolina independent insurance agents can certainly help you find the coverage you do need to protect your home against flooding caused by hurricanes. They’ll explain all the advantages of South Carolina flood insurance and which policy is right for you. But first, here’s a closer look at home insurance, flood insurance, and how to best protect your home against flooding from hurricanes.

What Are the Top Threats to Homeowners in South Carolina?

Just like everywhere else, homeowners in South Carolina have to keep a number of different hazards in mind at all times. Knowing these risks ahead of time can help you find all the coverage you need to feel safe in your home.

The top five threats to homeowners in South Carolina are:

1. Hurricanes and tropical storms
2. Ice storms and freezing
3. Burglary and other property crimes
4. Wildfires and residential fires
5. Flooding and water damage

With hurricanes and flooding in the top five threats faced by homeowners in South Carolina, it’s crucial to know to what extent flooding and hurricane damage is covered by your homeowners policy. More on this in just a moment.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Homeowners insurance in South Carolina is designed to protect against a number of common hazards. This coverage takes more than just the physical building into account by providing protection for the owners, their family, and their guests, too.

Homeowners insurance policies in South Carolina cover the following:

• Dwelling damage: This coverage protects against numerous perils that can damage the home’s structure, including various natural disasters, fire, vandalism, etc.
• Contents damage: This coverage protects personal property stored inside the home, up to the specified limit, against threats like theft, fire, etc.
• Legal issues: Liability insurance provided by homeowners policies protects against lawsuits filed by third parties who get injured or suffer from property damage while in your home. The coverage reimburses for pricey legal fees.
• Additional living expenses: This aspect of coverage reimburses homeowners for extra expenses if their home becomes temporarily uninhabitable following a covered disaster. The coverage reimburses for things like hotel stays, extra mileage, meals out, etc.

Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can explain even further about the major protections included in homeowners insurance, as well as the more minute details of coverage.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Flooding by Hurricanes in South Carolina?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. While homeowners insurance in South Carolina provides coverage for flood damage caused by non-natural events, such as busted pipes or appliances in the home, flooding caused by natural disasters like hurricanes is not included. This goes for standard homeowners insurance nationwide. In order to protect your home against flood damage caused by natural disasters, you’d need a separate flood insurance policy.

Flood and Hurricane Stats for South Carolina

To see the real importance of flood insurance in South Carolina, it helps to review some major hurricane and flood stats for the state. Check out a few chilling stats below and be ready to discuss getting a flood insurance policy with your South Carolina independent insurance agent.

Clearly flooding and hurricanes aren’t just a frequent occurrence in South Carolina, they’re also a very deadly natural foe to residents in the state. Knowing this, it’s critical to ensure your home has the right kind of protection, even if it means adding an extra insurance policy.

Is Flood Insurance Required in South Carolina?

It’s possible, depending on where you live in South Carolina, that flood insurance could be required. If you’re located in a state-identified flood zone, your mortgage lender can legally require you to purchase flood insurance for your home.

Since flood damage can be so catastrophic, mortgage lenders need to be assured that a homeowner’s property will be covered against these events. If you’re unsure of whether coverage is required for you, your South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you find out for certain.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Flood insurance policies in South Carolina also take more than just your home’s structure into consideration, and provide coverage for your contents as well. More specifically, flood insurance in South Carolina covers the following:

• Dwelling/structural damage: Including the exterior structure and foundation of the home as well as indoor plumbing, built-in appliances, electrical systems, and installed carpeting or other flooring. Sheds and other detached structures may be covered, too.
• Contents damage: Your personal property such as non-built-in appliances, valuables, clothing, some food, and furniture are also covered under flood insurance.

One key thing to note about flood insurance in South Carolina is that depreciation of your property’s value, including the dwelling and contents, gets factored into reimbursements provided by the insurance company. Depending on the type of claim you file, you may receive the original replacement cost of the damaged property, or you may only qualify for the current cash value replacement.

Here’s How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

When it comes to protecting South Carolina homeowners against flood damage caused by hurricanes and all other perils, no one’s better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. South Carolina independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in homeowners insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.