Flooding is a common occurrence in South Carolina. Many people might only worry about the impact that flooding can have on their homes. But what about your car?

Cars and other vehicles are a big part of the property damage costs when a flood event occurs. If a flood damages your car, you’ll need specific coverage as part of your South Carolina auto insurance policy if you want help paying for repairs.

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you get local car insurance that covers your unique risks.

Flooding in South Carolina

Disasters and natural catastrophes in the United States cost billions of dollars in property losses every year. And according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), “Anywhere it rains, it can flood.” If you own a vehicle in South Carolina, you be right to be concerned about whether you have coverage for flood damage to your car.

In South Carolina, hurricanes, tropical storms, fires, and flooding are among the most common types of risks for residents and vehicle owners.

Top 5 risks for South Carolina residents: 

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

While you might think of these disasters as most dangerous to homes and businesses, they cause billions of dollars in losses to automobiles and other vehicles as well.

What Does Car Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Car insurance in South Carolina covers damage due to flooding if you have the right types of coverage on your policy.

Comprehensive coverage is an optional auto insurance coverage that pays for losses that result from incidents other than a collision, including flooding, theft, fire, vandalism or malicious mischief, weather, birds or animals, glass breakage, falling objects, explosions or earthquakes, windstorms, hail, and more.

Comprehensive coverage is the part of your South Carolina auto insurance policy that would cover damage caused by flooding. It is optional coverage. If you don’t select it when you buy your policy, you won't have coverage for flood damage to your vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage may be required by your lender if you have an auto loan, and it’s likely that your leaseholder will require it if you lease your car.

Remember that you’ll have to pay the deductible that you chose when you purchased your policy before your coverage kicks in. If your car is totaled by a flood event, your comprehensive coverage will pay you the actual cash value for the car (the purchase price minus any depreciation).

What Doesn't Car Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Your comprehensive coverage in South Carolina doesn't cover everything related to water damage or flooding. It won’t cover flood damage to any electronic equipment in the car that’s not permanently installed, like a GPS navigation device or your smartphone. If you get water damage in your car because you left your windows open during a rainstorm, you probably won’t be covered either.

Unfortunately, if you didn’t select comprehensive coverage when you purchased your policy, you’re out of luck for flooding coverage. Standard car insurance in South Carolina doesn’t cover flood and water damage.

How Much Does It Cost to Cover Your Car for Flood Damage in South Carolina?

Car insurance costs in South Carolina vary significantly depending on your personal risk factors. But on average, South Carolinians pay about $1,210 per year. The national average car insurance rate is $1,311 per year.

The cost of adding comprehensive coverage, which covers flood damage, depends on the year, make, and model of your car, as well as your age and gender, the location of your home, and your driving record. These factors help insurance companies know how risky you are as a driver and how likely your car is to be damaged by flooding or some other type of covered peril.

If your car model has a high theft risk, your comprehensive rate is likely to be a bit higher. If you live in an urban area, you'll pay more than someone who lives in a rural area. If your city experiences frequent flooding, you might pay more than someone who lives in a dry climate.

Does Car Insurance in South Carolina Cover Other Types of Water Damage?

Comprehensive helps cover damage not related to a collision, for events that are out of your control. It does not cover water damage due to negligence or a maintenance issue, like a slow leak or leaving your window open during a rainstorm.

So if your car's windows are left down, or the sunroof is left open, and rain gets in as a result, any water damage caused by the rain is unlikely to be covered.

On the other hand, if you sustain water damage during a storm because hailstones break your window or windshield and rain falls into your car, comprehensive coverage may reimburse you for the cost of repairs.

So if your car is damaged in a single event like a sudden, heavy rainstorm, comprehensive coverage may help cover the damage to your vehicle. But if water slowly leaks into the car because of poor maintenance and causes damage over time, the water damage probably won't be covered. And remember, comprehensive coverage typically doesn't cover water damage to equipment that's not permanently installed in your car.

How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

An independent insurance agent can help you understand when and how flooding and other types of water damage are covered by your car insurance in South Carolina.

South Carolina independent insurance agents aren’t tied to a single carrier, so they can help you get multiple quotes for coverage, and find the policy that best meets your needs and budget.