Aiken Homeowners Insurance
(Everything you need to know - and more)
Written by
Financial blogger and business owner, Meg Stefanac, has more than 15 years experience working in the financial services industry and enjoys helping individuals make solid financial decisions. Meg has extensive experience writing about insurance and finances and is a key contributor to TrustedChoice.com.
About 30,000 people call Aiken home. With its rich history, many attractions and lovely neighborhoods, this city is a great place for retirees as well as young families. If you are among the proud homeowners in this western South Carolina city, you can protect your investment by purchasing a comprehensive and reliable homeowners insurance policy.
Independent insurance agents can help you find the best and most affordable insurance coverage for your Aiken home. Find an insurance agent near you to learn more, and you can soon start comparing customized home insurance quotes from a variety of highly-rated insurers.
How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Aiken, SC?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in South Carolina is higher than the national average. In Aiken, rates tend to be even higher.
- National average yearly premium: $1,211
- South Carolina average yearly premium: $1,269
- Aiken, SC average yearly premium: $1,458
Your actual home insurance cost is likely to differ from this average. This is because rates are calculated on a case-by-case basis according to a number of different factors such as:
- The size, age and value of your home
- The type of home you are insuring (e.g., single-family detached home, condo, manufactured home, vacation home etc.)
- The number of stories in your home and whether it has a basement
- The crime rate and weather risks in your ZIP code
- Your claims history and credit score
- Whether you are bundling your coverage with another policy like car insurance
Comparing quotes enables you to choose the homeowners policy that offers you the best coverage at the lowest price. Independent insurance agents in Aiken make comparison shopping easy.
Does Aiken Homeowners Insurance Cover against Catastrophic Events?
Your homeowners insurance policy is designed to cover you against many of the hazards you are likely to face as a property owner in Aiken. You will want to be sure that your dwelling and contents coverage limits are high enough to enable you to rebuild and replace in the event of a disaster.
Catastrophic Events in South Carolina
- Number of federally declared disasters in South Carolina: 38
- Most common reasons for disasters in the state: Hurricanes
- Average number of tornadoes per year in South Carolina: 27
- Average amount of property damage per year in SC: $891.8 million
- 1 in 15 insured homes has a claim each year.
Residents of Aiken are most at risk for property loss or damage caused by accidental fires, property crimes and severe weather events like tropical storms, high winds, hail, lightning and occasional ice storms. Happily, a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy will cover all these risks.
Floods also pose a threat in this city. This is especially true for property owners near Hollow Creek or Sand River, though flash floods can happen anywhere. But homeowners insurance does not cover this hazard. Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you supplement your coverage with an affordable flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Why Do Aiken Homeowners Need Liability Insurance?
Liability lawsuits can happen to anyone, and they can be very expensive. Large financial losses could potentially cause you to lose your home. That is why all home insurance policies include liability coverage. Homeowners liability insurance is designed to cover the various expenses that you may incur if you are responsible for damage related to a covered event. These include court costs, legal defense fees, and damages. The following are some examples of situations in which this liability insurance can protect you:
- A visitor in your home trips on loose carpeting on your stairway and suffers a serious neck injury.
- You accidentally injure someone during a friendly game of basketball at Kalmia Hill Park.
- Your child breaks your neighbor’s picture window while playing ball with friends in your backyard.
- Your dog gets loose and bites a jogger.
- A local business sues you for libel because of a negative review you posted on social media.
An independent insurance agent in Aiken can explain your homeowners liability coverage in greater detail. If you wish to have higher liability limits than your home insurance provider will allow, your agent can also help you obtain a competitively priced umbrella insurance policy. Umbrella insurance is an affordable way to boost all of your liability coverage.
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Does Aiken Homeowners Insurance Cover against Burglaries?
The burglary rate in South Carolina is higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, in Aiken, the rate is even higher. This can influence your home insurance rates.
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in the US: 3.76
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in South Carolina: 5.80
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Aiken, SC: 7.98
It can be extremely stressful to be the victim of a property crime. However, you may take some comfort in knowing that if your house is burglarized, your homeowners insurance can reimburse you for the loss of your belongings and any resultant property damage.
You can lower your risk of being targeted by thieves by taking precautionary steps such as making sure all windows and doors can be securely locked, keeping entryways well-lit and unobstructed, and putting lights on timers and stopping mail delivery while you are away. The most effective theft deterrent is a burglar alarm. That’s why many insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have home security systems installed in their houses. Learn more about this and other potential discounts by talking to your local insurance agent.
What about Second Home and Vacation Home Insurance?
If you are among the Aiken residents who own more than one home, you will need to cover all of your properties with appropriate home insurance policies. Houses that do not serve as primary residences often have additional risks that insurance companies will take into consideration. This means that specialized insurance products may be necessary.
- Second homes that are occupied by tenants have higher liability and property damage risks. These houses require the specialized coverage offered by landlord insurance.
- Vacation homes that are left unoccupied for long periods throughout the year have an increased risk of break-ins and property damage. Vacant home insurance may be required while the house is not in use.
An independent insurance agent can help you review the coverage needs of all your residential properties and can assist you with finding the best and most affordable policies to insure them.
Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Aiken, SC?
The easiest way to find a great homeowners policy is by working with an independent insurance agent. These agents work for you, not for a specific insurance company, so you can be sure that you are getting trustworthy guidance as you shop for the coverage you need for your South Carolina home.
Independent agents in Aiken are ready to help. Contact an insurance agent near you to start comparing customized home insurance quotes.
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
https://www.census.gov
http://www.city-data.com