South Carolina is no stranger to severe storms and even tornadoes. If you live in some type of rental property or apartment in South Carolina, will your belongings be covered if they’re damaged by a tornado?

Thankfully, if you have South Carolina renters insurance the answer is yes. But what else do you need to know to make sure you’ve got the right coverage?

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can answer your questions about renters insurance, and help you find the right coverage for your needs.

How Common Are Tornadoes in South Carolina?

South Carolina ranks twenty-sixth in the United States in the number of tornado strikes, and eighteenth in the number of tornadoes per square mile. There are about 27 tornadoes per year in South Carolina, on average.

• Average annual number of tornadoes in South Carolina: 27
• South Carolina’s rank for average number of tornadoes per year in the US: 26
• South Carolina’s rank for average number of tornadoes per square mile in the US: 18

The most common type of tornado experienced in South Carolina is the relatively weak and short-lived type, most often occurring between March and May. But tornadoes can occur almost anywhere at anytime in South Carolina.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Fortunately, renters insurance in South Carolina does cover tornado damage.

If you have South Carolina renters insurance, it will cover the costs associated with damage or destruction to your belongings after a tornado. It also covers damage caused by other disasters and perils including:

Renters insurance in South Carolina also covers additional living expenses if you are unable to live in your apartment because of a tornado or another covered event. Additional living expenses might include hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, and other expenses you incur while your rented home or apartment is being repaired or rebuilt.

What Doesn't Renters Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Renters insurance in South Carolina does not cover damage under certain scenarios. Some typical South Carolina renters insurance exclusions are:

• Floods and earthquakes: Renters insurance in South Carolina won’t cover damage caused by flooding or earthquakes. But you can purchase separate South Carolina flood insurance and earthquake insurance if you live in an area that is prone to these events.
• Auto theft: Your renters insurance may cover personal items stolen out of your car, but it won’t cover theft of the car itself. That would be covered by your South Carolina auto insurance policy.
• Your roommate’s possessions: Your renters insurance policy covers your own stuff, not stuff belonging to your roommates or anyone else (unless it’s your spouse or your child) that’s in your apartment.
• Damage caused by pests: Renters insurance won’t cover damage caused by pests (rodents, bugs) or the cost of an exterminator.
• Building damage: Renters insurance is strictly for your personal possessions. It does not over damage to the physical building that you live in. That would be covered by your landlord’s insurance.

What To Do Before a South Carolina Rented Property

The first thing you should do when you commit to a rental property is talk to an independent insurance agent in South Carolina about renters insurance. It’s your first, and in many cases only, line of defense that makes the difference between recovering after a disaster and absolute financial destruction.

If you live in a flood-prone part of South Carolina, you should also consider buying flood insurance. Renters insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding of any kind (it does cover other types of water damage). If you want coverage for your possessions after flood damage, you’ll need to have flood insurance designed for renters.

It’s also a good idea to put together a home inventory. It can be as simple as a list of all of your possessions and their values, or you can even make a spreadsheet or a video that documents every item. Keep it safe somewhere away from your apartment or in a fireproof safe. It will be invaluable in helping you quantify your losses if you have to file a renters insurance claim.

If you live in South Carolina, it’s important to always be alert for changing weather conditions. Tornadoes can strike at any time of year. Look for the following tornado danger signs:

• Dark, greenish sky
• Large hail
• A large, dark, low-lying cloud (especially if rotating)
• A loud roaring sound, similar to a freight train

If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, take shelter in the lowest level of your building immediately, such as a basement, or a storm cellar. If your apartment building does not have a basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level, away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

Wait for an all-clear from weather authorities before you come out of your shelter and begin any necessary cleanup.

What To Do after a Tornado Strikes Your South Carolina Rented Property

After a tornado strikes your South Carolina rented property, you’ll have a lot of cleanup and recovery to do. It’s important to be aware of the potential dangers and make sure you take appropriate safety precautions.

You may encounter electrical hazards, carbon monoxide exposure, heat stress, hazardous materials, fire, and falls.

Here are just a few things you can do to get started on your road to recovery:

• Contact your insurance company to start the process for filing a renters insurance claim.
• Inspect the structure for stability before entering.
• Take pictures and detailed notes of the damage.

Be sure to wear personal protective equipment during any cleanup that you do. This may include eye goggles, work gloves, and rubber boots.

How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

If you’re shopping for renters insurance in South Carolina, working with a local South Carolina independent insurance agent is your best bet. Independent agents aren’t tied down to one insurance company. They can help you shop around for the best coverage at a price that fits your budget.