Owning a home on or near the South Carolina coast is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make — until you start trying to insure it. The coastal homeowners insurance market is complex, carrier availability is limited, and the wrong policy can leave you dramatically underinsured when a storm rolls through.
Perry Insurance Group is headquartered in North Myrtle Beach. This is our backyard. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Why Coastal Home Insurance Is Different
Standard carriers either don’t write coastal risks in South Carolina, or they apply wind exclusions, higher deductibles, and tighter coverage limits. The closer you are to the ocean or Intracoastal Waterway, the more specialized your policy needs to be.
The two biggest exposures for coastal homeowners are wind/hurricane damage and flooding — and most people don’t realize these are covered by two completely separate policies.
Wind Coverage: Know Your Deductible
Most coastal homeowners policies include a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible — typically 1% to 5% of your home’s insured value. On a $500,000 home, that’s $5,000 to $25,000 out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Know this number before you have a claim, not after.
Flood Coverage: Your Homeowners Policy Won’t Cover It
Rising water from storm surge, heavy rain, or flooding creeks is not covered by your homeowners policy. Period. You need a separate flood policy — either through the NFIP or a private flood carrier. We work with both.
What to Look for in a Coastal Homeowners Policy
● Replacement cost coverage — not actual cash value, which depreciates
● Proper dwelling coverage reflecting actual rebuild costs — construction is more expensive on the coast
● Extended replacement cost endorsement as a buffer against post-storm price spikes
● Loss of use / additional living expenses coverage
● Service line, water backup, and equipment breakdown endorsements
Why an Independent Agent Matters Here
As an independent agency, we work with multiple coastal specialty carriers — names you won’t find through a direct insurer or national captive agency. That market access is the difference between finding you solid coverage at a fair price and telling you we can’t help.
Serving NMB, Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach, Little River, and the entire Grand Strand. Call 843-663-4440 or get a quote at PerryInsuranceGroup.com.
