Flood insurance in Charleston County, South Carolina
How many buildings are insured against floods, what policies cost, and how much FEMA's flood insurance program has paid out, from official NFIP records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in Charleston County, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2017, with $39.4 million paid on 1,578 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 32% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in Charleston County
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hugo | 1989 | 9,430 | $181.0 million |
| Hurricane Irma | 2017 | 1,495 | $38.9 million |
| Hurricane Matthew | 2016 | 1,417 | $33.7 million |
| October severe storms | 2015 | 1,928 | $24.8 million |
| December Nor'easter | 2023 | 203 | $3.9 million |
Flood insurance by ZIP code
ZIP codes in Charleston County with at least 50 policies
| ZIP | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29455 | 9,286 | $1,072 | 1,029 | $4.2 million |
| 29412 | 8,814 | $1,006 | 2,459 | $23.1 million |
| 29464 | 8,259 | $923 | 1,784 | $19.7 million |
| 29466 | 7,774 | $764 | 205 | $2.4 million |
| 29414 | 4,670 | $795 | 1,210 | $18.9 million |
| 29407 | 4,165 | $1,157 | 2,265 | $26.3 million |
| 29451 | 3,870 | $1,556 | 2,691 | $65.8 million |
| 29401 | 3,640 | $2,524 | 3,216 | $78.6 million |
| 29403 | 2,887 | $1,175 | 995 | $9.2 million |
| 29439 | 1,586 | $1,728 | 1,221 | $17.7 million |
| 29405 | 1,092 | $1,135 | 325 | $3.5 million |
| 29482 | 803 | $1,918 | 894 | $22.2 million |
| 29418 | 783 | $1,083 | 278 | $3.6 million |
| 29449 | 578 | $900 | 84 | $635 thousand |
| 29429 | 487 | $717 | 82 | $3.2 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Charleston County?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Charleston County costs about $1,096 a year. The South Carolina average is $1,114. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.
How many homes have flood insurance in Charleston County?
There are about 60,058 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Charleston County, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does Charleston County flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Charleston County have filed 19,289 flood claims, with $312.2 million paid out. 2,495 of those claims were in the last 10 years.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.
How long until a new flood policy starts?
NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.
How to get flood insurance
Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.