Secondary Home Insurance In South Carolina

Secondary homes, such as vacation homes, rental properties, seasonal residences, and second homes are common in South Carolina. However, the insurance requirements for these types of homes vary significantly from a primary residence.

For starters, a secondary home will likely require a separate insurance policy from your primary homeowner’s insurance. This is because the unique risks associated with a secondary home may not be covered by your primary residence policy.

Next, you need to consider the value of your secondary home. If it is a vacation home, for example, it likely isn’t going to be worth as much money as an investment property or rental property. Therefore, you should look into purchasing specialized coverage that includes extra liability protection if someone gets injured on your property.

Finally, when selecting the right policy for your secondary home, make sure to look into additional coverage options. This could include loss of rental income protection if you are renting out the property, flood insurance in areas prone to flooding, or earthquake insurance in areas prone to seismic activity.

The cost of secondary home insurance in South Carolina will depend on several factors. These include the value of your property, the type of coverage you need, and the location of your property. For example, homes located in coastal areas may require additional coverage due to potential flooding and storm risks.

On average, however, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3000 per year for a secondary home insurance policy in South Carolina. This is significantly more than the cost of insuring a primary residence due to the additional risks associated with secondary homes.

Other factors that could affect the cost of your policy include the age and condition of the home, security features, and any recent improvements or renovations.



It’s important to remember that these costs can vary greatly from provider to provider, so be sure to shop around and compare rates before making a decision. Additionally, it is best to secure a policy from an insurer that specializes in secondary home insurance as they will likely have more experience and expertise in this area.

Any South Carolina homeowner with a secondary property should consider purchasing secondary home insurance. This includes:

• Vacation homeowners
• Seasonal homeowners
• Investment property owners
• Landlords and tenants
• Beachfront property owners
• Rental homeowners
• Retirees with second homes
• Second home buyers
• Snowbirds who migrate from one residence to another during different seasons of the year
• Homes with seasonal businesses or activities such as fishing, hunting, etc.
• Secondary homeowners with additional security features
• Secondary homeowners who rent their property
• Homeowners with secondary properties in coastal areas prone to flooding or storms

A simple definition of a secondary home is any property owned by an individual that is not the primary dwelling space. It's important to remember that these properties can be just as susceptible to damages and losses as a primary residence and require the same level of protection. Thus, it’s essential to obtain secondary home insurance in South Carolina to properly safeguard your property and investments.

• Flooding: The low-lying nature of South Carolina leaves many areas of the state vulnerable to flooding. Over the next 30 years, there is a greater than 26% chance that 358,200 properties in South Carolina will be severely affected by flooding.
• Hurricanes: South Carolina faces significant danger from hurricanes and tropical storms. The state's coastline stretches over 200 miles and includes six coastal counties along the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, another 21 counties located inland can also be impacted by these storms.
• Earthquakes: Although they are relatively rare, earthquakes do occasionally occur in South Carolina and can cause significant damage to properties.
• Wildfire: The warm summer months and dry conditions can increase the risk of wildfires in South Carolina, resulting in loss of property and destruction of homes.
• Burglary: The crime rate in South Carolina is 3,452 crimes for every 100,000 residents. This can be particularly concerning for owners of secondary homes, as they may not always be present to protect their property.

With comprehensive coverage from Southern Insurance Group, you can rest assured that your South Carolina secondary home is safe and secure.

At Southern Insurance Group, we offer a variety of coverages to ensure your secondary home is properly protected. Our policies include:

Property Coverage

We provide coverage for any damage to the structure of your home in the event of natural disasters, theft, or vandalism. Components of your home such as the roof, siding, and windows are all covered under this type of policy.

Liability Coverage

If someone is injured while on your property, this coverage will protect you from potential legal and medical costs. Examples of covered incidents may include slips and falls, dog bites, or other accidents.

Loss of Use

If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered disaster, this coverage will help you cover the additional living expenses incurred during repairs. For instance, if you need to stay in a nearby hotel or rent an apartment, this coverage will help.

Additional Living Expenses

This coverage helps with the cost of living away from home if it becomes uninhabitable due to a covered disaster. Your policy may cover the costs of meals, transportation, and other necessities while your home is being repaired.

Personal Property Coverage

This coverage helps cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged due to a covered disaster. Personal property could be in the form of furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, and more.

Replacement Cost Coverage

This coverage ensures that your home and personal belongings are replaced with items of similar value regardless of age or quality. Your policy will reimburse you the full cost of replacing these items, without taking into account depreciation.

Extra Expense Coverage

If you incur any additional expenses related to a covered hazard, this coverage will help cover the costs. This could include things such as additional transportation or storage fees.



We understand the risks associated with owning a secondary home in South Carolina and we are committed to helping you protect it. Contact us today to learn more about the coverage we offer for your second home in South Carolina. We look forward to helping you find the perfect coverage for your needs.

Like many other states, South Carolina homeowners may be eligible for discounts when purchasing secondary home insurance from Southern Insurance Group. Discounts are available for a variety of factors including age, home location, and lifestyle. Here are some possible discounts you can take advantage of:

• Claim-Free Discount: If you have not filed any claims in the past five years, you may be eligible for this discount.
• Multi-Policy Discount: If you purchase two or more policies from Southern Insurance Group, you may be eligible for a multi-policy discount.
• Senior Citizen Discount: Those over the age of 55 may be eligible for a discounted rate.
• Non-Smoker Discount: If you do not smoke, you could qualify for this discount.
• Alarm System/Fire Detector Discount: Installing an alarm system or fire detector in your home can make it eligible for a discount.
• Location Discount: Homes located near city fire stations or hospitals may receive a discounted rate due to their proximity to emergency services.
• Impact-Resistant Roof Discount: Replacing your roof with an impact-resistant material can make your home eligible for a discounted rate on insurance.
• Deadbolt Lock and Storm Shutters Discounts: Installing deadbolt locks and storm shutters to your home can qualify it for a discounted rate.
• New Home Discount: Homes built within the past 10 years may be eligible for a discounted rate.
• Age of Home Discount: Homes over 25 years old may be eligible for a discounted rate due to their proven sturdiness.

We understand that each homeowner has different needs when it comes to secondary home insurance in South Carolina, so we offer several discounts to ensure you get the best coverage at the most affordable price.

At Southern Insurance Group, we understand that shopping for secondary home insurance in South Carolina can be a stressful process.

That’s why we work with top-rated insurers to make sure you get the most comprehensive coverage at the best rate. We can help you compare quotes from different companies so you know you are getting the best deal on your policy. 



Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help protect your second home in South Carolina. We look forward to hearing from you!