South Carolina flood insurance cost
South region · coastal · FEMA NFIP 2026
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in South Carolina is about $764 per year ($64/mo) — that's -21.7% versus the US average of $976, so it is below the national average premium. South Carolina ranks #47 of 51 states (and DC) by premium. The NFIP has handled 49,606 claims here since 1978 (rank #13). Mapped floodplains are dominated by FEMA zones AE, VE, A, X. Your real cost is set per property under Risk Rating 2.0 — use this as a benchmark, not a quote.
Source: FEMA NFIP — Policy Information by State (compiled by NerdWallet, May 2026). Data as of June 2026.
South Carolina flood-insurance figures
| Indicator | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Average annual NFIP premium (2026) | $764 ($64/mo) |
| Versus the national average | -21.7% (US avg $976) |
| Premium rank (1 = most expensive of 51) | #47 |
| Total NFIP claims filed (since 1978) | 49,606 |
| Claims rank (1 = most of 51) | #13 |
| Coastal exposure | Yes (ocean / Gulf / Great Lakes) |
| Dominant FEMA flood zones | AE, VE, A, X |
Source: FEMA NFIP — Policy Information by State (compiled by NerdWallet, May 2026); OpenFEMA — FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims v2. Data as of June 2026.
Sources: FEMA NFIP premium by state · OpenFEMA NFIP claims. Estimate — verify with FEMA or a licensed agent.
What the cost means for South Carolina
South Carolina's average premium of $764 is below the national average premium. Most of the difference between states comes down to flood risk: coastal storm surge, hurricanes and king tides drive higher expected losses. Since FEMA fully adopted Risk Rating 2.0 in 2023, premiums are priced on each individual property rather than a flat zone rate — so two homes in the same town can pay very different amounts. The 49,606 NFIP claims paid in South Carolina since 1978 put it #13 of 51 for total claim activity.
Flood zones that matter in South Carolina
South Carolina's mapped floodplains are dominated by these FEMA flood zones. Zones beginning with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where insurance is usually mandatory with a federally backed mortgage:
- Zone AE — The most common high-risk zone: the base floodplain where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are determined and shown on the map. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- Zone VE — Coastal high-risk zone with wave-velocity hazard where Base Flood Elevations are determined; highest-cost zone. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- Zone A — High-risk area subject to the 1%-annual-chance flood, with no detailed analysis, so no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- Zone X (unshaded) — Minimal-risk area outside the 0.2%-annual-chance (500-year) floodplain; insurance optional and lowest-cost. (not high-risk, insurance optional)
Estimate your premium
Use the flood-insurance calculator to get a rough annual cost for South Carolina from your coverage amount and flood zone. For example, $250,000 of building coverage in a Zone AE area of South Carolina estimates near $764 a year before property-specific Risk Rating 2.0 factors. It is a benchmark, not a quote.
States with similar flood-insurance costs
The five states closest to South Carolina on average NFIP premium:
| State | Avg premium | vs US | NFIP claims (since 1978) |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (this state) | $764 | -21.7% | 49,606 |
| Virginia | $765 | -21.6% | 50,566 |
| Hawaii | $823 | -15.7% | 6,250 |
| Delaware | $827 | -15.3% | 6,334 |
| Utah | $689 | -29.4% | 1,204 |
| Michigan | $854 | -12.5% | 14,921 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does flood insurance cost in South Carolina?
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in South Carolina is about $764 per year ($64/mo), which is -21.7% versus the US average of $976 — below the national average premium. That ranks South Carolina #47 of 51 states and DC by premium. Your own cost depends on your property under Risk Rating 2.0, so treat this as a benchmark, not a quote.
Do I need flood insurance in South Carolina?
If your property is in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area (FEMA zones beginning with A or V) and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is mandatory. South Carolina's mapped floodplains are dominated by zones AE, VE, A, X. Even outside high-risk zones it is optional but recommended, because roughly a quarter to 40% of NFIP claims come from lower-risk areas.
How many flood insurance claims has South Carolina had?
The NFIP has paid out on 49,606 flood-insurance claims in South Carolina since the program's records began in 1978 (OpenFEMA NFIP claims dataset), ranking it #13 of 51. Coastal exposure to hurricanes and storm surge drives most losses here.
Why is flood insurance cheaper in South Carolina?
Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, premiums reflect each property's true flood risk — distance to water, flood type, foundation, elevation and rebuild cost. South Carolina's average of $764 is below the national average premium, shaped by its coastal storm-surge exposure and the mix of flood zones (AE, VE, A, X). Compare with similar states below.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Average premium: FEMA NFIP Policy Information by State (2026). Claims: OpenFEMA NFIP claims dataset (since 1978). Flood zones: FEMA. All public domain. The state average is a benchmark — real NFIP pricing is set per property under Risk Rating 2.0. This is general information, not insurance or financial advice; verify with FEMA, FloodSmart.gov or a licensed agent. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20