CSP Insurance Services was founded in 1939, when Clifford Cormell joined Earnest Streett to sell insurance in Florence. More than 80 years later, we still answer the phone ourselves. No call centers, no chatbots — just a local team that knows your name and your policy.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

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80+ years local experience

Hospital bills, treatment, and prescriptions for a work-related injury or illness.

Medical expenses

Claims history

A single apartment fire can destroy everything you own in under an hour. Your couch, your laptop, your entire wardrobe: gone. And your landlord's insurance won't replace a single item. That's the reality thousands of South Carolina renters face every year, yet many still assume they're somehow covered through their lease agreement. They're not.


Renters insurance is one of the most affordable and misunderstood types of coverage out there. A typical policy in South Carolina runs between $15 and $30 per month, yet it protects tens of thousands of dollars in personal belongings, shields you from costly liability claims, and even covers your hotel bill if your apartment becomes uninhabitable. The global renters insurance market is projected to reach $136.5 billion by 2030, reflecting just how many people are waking up to its value.


This guide breaks down every component of a renters policy: what's covered, what's excluded, how limits and deductibles work, and how to make sure you're actually protected when something goes wrong. Whether you're signing your first lease in Columbia or renewing in Myrtle Beach, understanding your policy's structure is the difference between a minor inconvenience and a financial disaster.

Understanding the Core Components of Renters Insurance

Every standard renters insurance policy is built on three pillars: personal property coverage, liability protection, and loss of use benefits. These aren't optional add-ons or premium upgrades. They come standard in virtually every policy, though the dollar limits attached to each one vary significantly depending on what you choose.


Think of your policy as a three-legged stool. Remove any one leg and the whole thing becomes useless. Most renters fixate on personal property coverage because it's the most intuitive, but liability protection can actually save you from far larger financial exposure. A $200,000 lawsuit from a guest who slips on your wet kitchen floor will hurt a lot more than replacing a stolen television.

Personal Property Coverage for Your Belongings

This is what most people picture when they think about renters insurance. Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace your belongings if they're damaged or destroyed by a covered event: fire, theft, vandalism, water damage from burst pipes, and more.


The key question is how much coverage you actually need. Most insurers offer personal property limits ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. A good starting point is to calculate how much renters insurance you need by walking through your apartment room by room and tallying up what everything would cost to replace. People consistently underestimate this number. Your bedroom alone probably contains $3,000 to $5,000 worth of clothing, electronics, and furniture

Liability Protection and Medical Payments to Others

Liability coverage kicks in when you're legally responsible for someone else's injury or property damage. Your dog bites a neighbor. Your kid throws a baseball through someone's car window. A guest trips over a rug and breaks their wrist. These scenarios happen more often than you'd think, and the medical bills and legal fees add up fast.


Standard policies typically include $100,000 in liability coverage, with options to increase to $300,000 or $500,000 for just a few extra dollars per month. Medical payments to others is a separate, smaller coverage (usually $1,000 to $5,000) that pays minor medical bills for guests injured at your place regardless of fault. It's designed to handle small claims before they escalate into lawsuits.

Loss of Use and Additional Living Expenses

If a covered event makes your rental uninhabitable, loss of use coverage pays for your temporary living expenses. That means hotel rooms, restaurant meals (above your normal food costs), laundry, and even extra commuting expenses if your temporary housing is farther from work.


In South Carolina, where hurricane season can displace renters for weeks, this coverage is particularly valuable. Most policies cover additional living expenses up to 20% to 30% of your personal property limit. So if you carry $30,000 in personal property coverage, you'd have roughly $6,000 to $9,000 available for temporary housing costs.

Your CSP agent

Lawson Walker, CIC

Insurance Sales

CSP Insurance Services is a fully licensed independent insurance agency serving individuals, families, and businesses across South Carolina.

From our home in Florence, we proudly serve clients in Florence, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, Columbia, and communities throughout South Carolina. As an independent Trusted Choice agency, our team works with a wide range of top-rated carriers to provide personal and commercial coverage — home, auto, business, life, and more — tailored to the real needs of the people and businesses we protect.

Boat and Watercraft Coverage for Weekend Adventures

Your homeowners policy might cover a small kayak or canoe, but anything with a motor typically needs its own policy. Boat insurance covers physical damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or property damage you cause on the water, and sometimes towing and salvage costs.


Lake-specific risks differ from coastal ones. A boat kept at Myrtle Beach faces saltwater corrosion, hurricane exposure, and higher theft rates than one stored at a private dock on Lake Wateree. Your policy should reflect where you keep and operate the boat. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can compare quotes across multiple marine carriers to find coverage that actually matches your boating habits rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Feature Admitted (Standard) Carriers Non-Admitted (E&S) Carriers
State regulation Fully regulated; rates filed with state Exempt from rate filing; flexible pricing
Guaranty fund protection Yes: state fund covers claims if carrier fails No: no guaranty fund backstop
Policy forms Standardized (ISO forms common) Manuscript or custom forms
Risk appetite Prefers low-to-moderate risk Accepts high-risk and unusual exposures
Premium cost Generally lower Typically 20-75% higher
Surplus lines tax Not applicable Buyer pays state surplus lines tax (varies 2-5%)
Speed of placement Standard timelines Can be faster or slower depending on complexity

Evaluating Policy Limits and Deductibles

Your policy limits and deductible are the two numbers that most directly affect both your premium and your out-of-pocket costs after a claim. Getting this balance right matters more than most people realize.

How to Calculate the Value of Your Assets

Start with a home inventory. Open your phone's camera and walk through every room, recording what you see. Open closets, drawers, and cabinets. Most people discover they own far more than they thought.


Assign replacement costs to each category: furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen items, sporting equipment, decorations. Don't forget items stored in your car or a storage unit, as those are typically covered too. A single-bedroom apartment renter in Florence might assume they own $10,000 worth of stuff, but the actual replacement cost often lands between $20,000 and $35,000 once everything is counted. Property managers across the country are increasingly requiring renters insurance precisely because tenants often don't grasp the value of what they'd lose.

The Impact of Deductibles on Your Monthly Premium

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Common options are $500, $1,000, and $2,500. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your monthly premium, but it means absorbing more cost when you file a claim.


Here's a practical way to think about it: if raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 saves you $5 per month, you'd need to go claim-free for about 8 years before the savings offset the higher out-of-pocket risk. For most renters, a $500 deductible hits the sweet spot between affordable premiums and manageable claim costs. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can run these numbers across multiple carriers to show you exactly where the tradeoff makes sense for your budget.

Natural Disasters and High-Value Items Requiring Riders

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Coverage

Comparison Chart: ACV vs. Replacement Cost Value

Factor Actual Cash Value (ACV) Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
Payout basis Current depreciated value Cost to buy new equivalent
Example: 5-year-old sofa (paid $800) ~$300 payout ~$800 payout
Example: 3-year-old laptop (paid $1,200) ~$400 payout ~$1,100 payout
Monthly premium Lower (baseline) 10-15% higher
Best for Budget-conscious, minimal belongings Most renters with standard possessions
Claim satisfaction Often disappointing Generally adequate

Umbrella insurance is the most underused and underappreciated policy in personal lines. It sits on top of your auto and homeowners liability limits and kicks in when those underlying policies max out. A $1 million umbrella policy typically costs between $150 and $350 per year: a fraction of what it protects.


Think about the scenarios that generate large liability claims: a serious car accident where you're at fault, a swimming pool injury at your home, a defamation claim from a social media post. Any of these can produce a judgment that exceeds your auto or homeowners liability limits. Without an umbrella, the excess comes out of your savings, retirement accounts, and future earnings.


Most carriers require you to carry minimum underlying limits (often 250/500 on auto and $300,000 on homeowners liability) before they'll write an umbrella. That requirement actually works in your favor because it forces a solid foundation. CSP Insurance Services, with over 80 years of experience as an independent agency, can help structure your underlying policies and umbrella together so there are no gaps between layers.

Boat and Watercraft Coverage for Weekend Adventures

Your homeowners policy might cover a small kayak or canoe, but anything with a motor typically needs its own policy. Boat insurance covers physical damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or property damage you cause on the water, and sometimes towing and salvage costs.


Lake-specific risks differ from coastal ones. A boat kept at Myrtle Beach faces saltwater corrosion, hurricane exposure, and higher theft rates than one stored at a private dock on Lake Wateree. Your policy should reflect where you keep and operate the boat. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can compare quotes across multiple marine carriers to find coverage that actually matches your boating habits rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Boat and Watercraft Coverage for Weekend Adventures

Your homeowners policy might cover a small kayak or canoe, but anything with a motor typically needs its own policy. Boat insurance covers physical damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or property damage you cause on the water, and sometimes towing and salvage costs.


Lake-specific risks differ from coastal ones. A boat kept at Myrtle Beach faces saltwater corrosion, hurricane exposure, and higher theft rates than one stored at a private dock on Lake Wateree. Your policy should reflect where you keep and operate the boat. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can compare quotes across multiple marine carriers to find coverage that actually matches your boating habits rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Feature Admitted (Standard) Carriers Non-Admitted (E&S) Carriers
State regulation Fully regulated; rates filed with state Exempt from rate filing; flexible pricing
Guaranty fund protection Yes: state fund covers claims if carrier fails No: no guaranty fund backstop
Policy forms Standardized (ISO forms common) Manuscript or custom forms
Risk appetite Prefers low-to-moderate risk Accepts high-risk and unusual exposures
Premium cost Generally lower Typically 20-75% higher
Surplus lines tax Not applicable Buyer pays state surplus lines tax (varies 2-5%)
Speed of placement Standard timelines Can be faster or slower depending on complexity

Standard Perils and Common Exclusions

Your renters policy doesn't cover everything. Understanding what's included and what's excluded prevents ugly surprises when you need to file a claim. Most standard renters policies are "named peril" policies, meaning they only cover losses caused by specific events listed in the policy.

Events Typically Covered by Standard Policies

Standard covered perils include fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, smoke damage, theft, vandalism, damage from vehicles or aircraft, volcanic eruption, and water damage from sudden and accidental sources like burst pipes or an overflowing washing machine. Electrical surges that fry your electronics are also typically covered.


One thing to keep in mind: the cause of the damage matters, not just the result. Water damage from a burst pipe is covered. Water damage from a slow leak you ignored for six months is not. Insurance covers sudden, unexpected events, not maintenance failures.

Natural Disasters and High-Value Items Requiring Riders

Flood damage and earthquake damage are excluded from every standard renters policy. In South Carolina, this is a big deal. Coastal renters in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and the Lowcountry face real flood risk, and even inland areas like Columbia have seen significant flooding in recent years. You'll need a separate flood policy, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier.


High-value items also need special attention. Standard policies cap payouts for jewelry (usually $1,500), firearms ($2,500), and collectibles. If you own a $5,000 engagement ring, you need a scheduled personal property endorsement (also called a rider or floater) to cover its full value. The Insurance Information Institute recommends documenting and scheduling any single item worth more than your policy's sub-limit.

Specialty Lines: Flood, Earthquake, and Valuable Items

Flood insurance is a separate policy, typically written through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. If your home sits in a designated flood zone anywhere along the SC coast or near inland rivers, your mortgage lender will require it. But even homes outside mapped flood zones can flood: roughly 25% of flood claims come from properties in low-to-moderate risk areas.


Earthquake coverage is less common in South Carolina, but the state sits near the Charleston fault zone, which produced a magnitude 7.3 quake in 1886. A rider or standalone earthquake policy is worth considering if you're in the Lowcountry.


Scheduled personal property endorsements cover high-value items like jewelry, art, firearms, or musical instruments that exceed standard policy sub-limits. Most homeowners policies cap jewelry coverage at $1,500-$2,500 per item. If your engagement ring is worth $8,000, you need a scheduled endorsement or inland marine floater to cover the difference.

Common Questions About Renters Insurance

Does renters insurance cover my roommate's stuff?

No, usually every person on the lease needs their own policy to protect their specific belongings. Some companies allow you to add a roommate, but it's often simpler to keep policies separate so one person's claim doesn't affect the other's rates.

Is my bike or laptop covered if it gets stolen outside my home?

Yes, most policies include "off-premises" coverage. Your belongings are protected even if they're stolen from your car, a coffee shop, or a hotel room while traveling. The coverage typically applies up to 10% of your personal property limit.

Does my landlord's insurance cover my things?

No. The landlord's policy only covers the physical building and their own liability. Your furniture, electronics, clothing, and personal items are entirely your responsibility to insure.

Will this cover my dog if it bites someone?

Most policies include liability for pet-related incidents, though some breeds (pit bulls, Rottweilers, and others depending on the carrier) may be excluded. Check your policy's animal liability section before assuming you're covered, especially if you own a breed that commonly appears on restricted lists.

Boat and Watercraft Coverage for Weekend Adventures

Your homeowners policy might cover a small kayak or canoe, but anything with a motor typically needs its own policy. Boat insurance covers physical damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or property damage you cause on the water, and sometimes towing and salvage costs.


Lake-specific risks differ from coastal ones. A boat kept at Myrtle Beach faces saltwater corrosion, hurricane exposure, and higher theft rates than one stored at a private dock on Lake Wateree. Your policy should reflect where you keep and operate the boat. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can compare quotes across multiple marine carriers to find coverage that actually matches your boating habits rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Boat and Watercraft Coverage for Weekend Adventures

Your homeowners policy might cover a small kayak or canoe, but anything with a motor typically needs its own policy. Boat insurance covers physical damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or property damage you cause on the water, and sometimes towing and salvage costs.


Lake-specific risks differ from coastal ones. A boat kept at Myrtle Beach faces saltwater corrosion, hurricane exposure, and higher theft rates than one stored at a private dock on Lake Wateree. Your policy should reflect where you keep and operate the boat. An independent agency like CSP Insurance Services can compare quotes across multiple marine carriers to find coverage that actually matches your boating habits rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Feature Admitted (Standard) Carriers Non-Admitted (E&S) Carriers
State regulation Fully regulated; rates filed with state Exempt from rate filing; flexible pricing
Guaranty fund protection Yes: state fund covers claims if carrier fails No: no guaranty fund backstop
Policy forms Standardized (ISO forms common) Manuscript or custom forms
Risk appetite Prefers low-to-moderate risk Accepts high-risk and unusual exposures
Premium cost Generally lower Typically 20-75% higher
Surplus lines tax Not applicable Buyer pays state surplus lines tax (varies 2-5%)
Speed of placement Standard timelines Can be faster or slower depending on complexity

Making the Right Choice for Your RentalMaking the Right Choice for Your Rental

Renters insurance packs an enormous amount of financial protection into a remarkably small monthly payment. The coverage components, limits, deductibles, and valuation methods all work together to determine how well you're actually protected. Getting any one of those elements wrong can leave you thousands of dollars short when you need help most.


The smartest approach is to inventory your belongings honestly, choose replacement cost coverage, carry enough liability protection to match your actual risk, and add riders for anything valuable that exceeds your policy's sub-limits. South Carolina renters should also seriously consider separate flood coverage, particularly anywhere near the coast or in a FEMA-designated flood zone.


If you're unsure where to start or want to compare options from multiple carriers without calling five different companies, CSP Insurance Services can walk you through the process and match you with the right policy for your situation. Request a quote and get a clear picture of what proper protection actually costs: it's almost certainly less than you think.

About the author

Lawson Walker, CIC

I'm proud to be part of an agency that's served Florence since 1939. CSP Insurance Services started as Cormell-Streett & Patterson, built by people who believed insurance should be personal — and more than eight decades later, that conviction still drives everything we do. Commitment, Service, Protection isn't just what CSP stands for; it's how I approach every client relationship.


As an independent, Trusted Choice agency, we aren't tied to any single carrier. That means I work for you — shopping multiple companies to match you with coverage that actually fits your family, your business, and your budget. No call centers, no chatbots. Just a local expert who takes the time to understand what matters to you and stands by you when it counts.


Whether you're protecting your home, your car, or a business you've spent years building, I'd be glad to help you find the right coverage.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

◆

80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Meet Richard

Most Requested

Core business coverage.

The policies most South Carolina businesses start with.

Commercial Property

Protect the building, equipment, and inventory your business runs on, so a covered fire, theft, or storm doesn’t become a closed door.

Workers Compensation

Required for most South Carolina employers with staff. It covers medical bills and lost wages when an employee is hurt on the job.

Commercial Auto

Cars, trucks, and fleets used for work need more than a personal policy. This handles liability, damage, and your drivers.

General Liability

Accidents happen on the job and on your property. General liability covers third-party injury and property damage claims against your business.

Inland Marine

Tools, equipment, and goods on the move aren’t covered by standard property policies. Inland marine protects them wherever they travel.

Business Owners (BOP)

A business owners policy bundles property and liability coverage into one package, often at a better price for small businesses.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

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80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Insurance Sales

J. Roger Jordan, CIC

Meet Richard

[CONFIRM bio]

Personal Insurance

Coverage for your home, vehicles, and family.

Protect what matters most with personal policies shopped across our carriers.

Home

Your house is likely your largest investment. Home insurance helps rebuild after covered damage and protects you from liability.

Auto

South Carolina drivers need real protection. Auto coverage handles liability, collision, medical costs, and uninsured drivers.

Umbrella

When a serious claim climbs past your home or auto limits, umbrella coverage adds an extra layer of liability protection.

Boat

Time on the water should be worry-free. Boat coverage protects your vessel, your passengers, and your liability on the lake or coast.

Motorcycle

Riders need coverage built for the road. Motorcycle insurance protects your bike, your gear, and you after an accident.

Condo

Your association covers the building, but not what’s inside. Condo insurance protects your belongings, improvements, and liability.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

◆

80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Insurance Sales

J. Roger Jordan, CIC

Meet Richard

[CONFIRM bio]

Get a Quote

Boat

Your association covers the building, but not what’s inside. Condo insurance protects your belongings, improvements, and liability.

Time on the water should be worry-free. Boat coverage protects your vessel, your passengers, and your liability on the lake or coast.

Condo

Get a Quote

Motorcycle

Riders need coverage built for the road. Motorcycle insurance protects your bike, your gear, and you after an accident.

Get a Quote

Industries We Serve

Specialized coverage for your industry.

Every industry carries its own risk. We help South Carolina businesses protect what they've built.

Restaurants

Kitchens, customers, and staff create daily exposure. We protect your property, equipment, liquor liability, and employees.

Manufacturers

From equipment breakdown to product liability, manufacturers face risk on the floor and beyond. We help cover property, machinery, and goods.

Healthcare Providers

Practices and clinics carry patient, property, and professional risk. We help cover liability, equipment, and the people who run your practice.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

◆

80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Commercial Property

Protect the building, equipment, and inventory your business runs on, so a covered fire, theft, or storm doesn’t become a closed door.

Meet Richard View all business coverage Get a Quote

Commercial Auto

Get a Quote

Cars, trucks, and fleets used for work need more than a personal policy. This handles liability, damage, and your drivers.

How It Works

Getting covered is simple.

Four steps, one real person from start to finish.

Tell us about you

Share a few details about what you need to protect. A real person reviews it.

We compare carriers

We shop options across our carriers to find strong protection at a fair price.

We recommend coverage

We walk you through the policy in plain language and answer every question.

You get covered

Sign with confidence — and we stay on for changes, claims, and yearly reviews.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

Multi-carrier choice

Claims advocacy

When a claim happens, we stand in your corner and help move it forward with your carrier.

Local SC roots

We live and work in Florence and understand the risks your community faces because we face them too.

Client Reviews

Why clients choose CSP.

Independent advice, real people, and decades of local roots.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

◆

80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Insurance Sales

J. Roger Jordan, CIC

Meet Richard

[CONFIRM bio]

Get a Quote

Boat

Your association covers the building, but not what’s inside. Condo insurance protects your belongings, improvements, and liability.

Time on the water should be worry-free. Boat coverage protects your vessel, your passengers, and your liability on the lake or coast.

Condo

Get a Quote

Motorcycle

Riders need coverage built for the road. Motorcycle insurance protects your bike, your gear, and you after an accident.

Get a Quote

FAQs

Questions, answered.

Straight answers about working with an independent agency.

  • What does an independent insurance agency do?

    An independent agency represents several carriers instead of one. We compare coverage and pricing across companies, then recommend the policy that fits you best.

  • Do you cover both personal and business insurance?

    Yes. CSP writes personal lines like home and auto, and commercial lines for businesses across South Carolina.

  • How long has CSP been in business?

    CSP traces its roots to 1939, with more than 80 years serving South Carolina families and businesses.

  • Will I work with a real person?

    Always. No call centers and no chatbots — you work with a local team member who knows your account.

  • Which areas do you serve?

    We’re based in Florence and serve clients statewide, including Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, and Columbia.

  • How do I get a quote?

    Request a quote online, call us, or stop by the office. A real person will review your needs and follow up.

How It Works

Insurance tips & updates.

Plain-language guidance to help you make confident decisions.

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Compare group health insurance vs. individual plans for SC employers. Learn costs, tax benefits, ICHRA options, and the best fit for your team.

We compare several carriers to find a policy that fits you, not one company's products.

◆

80+ years local experience

1939

Serving SC

Insurance Sales

J. Roger Jordan, CIC

Meet Richard

[CONFIRM bio]

Get a Quote

Boat

Your association covers the building, but not what’s inside. Condo insurance protects your belongings, improvements, and liability.

Time on the water should be worry-free. Boat coverage protects your vessel, your passengers, and your liability on the lake or coast.

Condo

Get a Quote

Motorcycle

Riders need coverage built for the road. Motorcycle insurance protects your bike, your gear, and you after an accident.

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Let's find your coverage.

Tell us a little about what you need to protect. A real person from our Florence team will review it and follow up.

2420 Hoffmeyer Road, Suite D
Florence, SC 29501

Mon–Fri 8:30am – 5:00pm