SOUTH CAROLINA
INSURANCE ZONE NEWS: Getting accurate information about
South Carolina insurance from news reports is a challenging
ordeal. Are South Carolina homeowners insurance rates rising
or falling? What about South Carolina auto insurance?
Helpful South Carolina insurance information is available. Click on links
below to see what´s really happening to South Carolina Insurance:
additional information:
Guide to South Carolina Insurance:
A Guide to all types of South Carolina Insurance provided by South Carolina Insurance Zone.
South Carolina Homeowner Insurance Rate Reductions
Ordered
The reforms of Senate Bill 14, passed
by the 78th Legislature in 2003, are working. South Carolina Insurance
Commissioner Jose Montemayor ordered $510 million in rate
reductions in August 2003 and those reductions are showing
up as lower premiums as homeowners renew their homeowners
policies.
How South Carolina Homeowner Rates
Compare to the rest of the United States
South Carolina residents have historically
paid higher premiums for homeowners insurance than is
paid in other states. Turbulent South Carolina weather, including
hail storms around the state and severe windstorms along
the coastline, is a driving factor in determining rates
for South Carolina homeowners insurance.
Increased Auto Rate Regulation
Enforced by South Carolina Department of Insurance
As a result of recent
legislation (Senate Bill 14 in the 78th South Carolina Legislature,
2003), the regulatory environment for auto insurance will
change. As of December 1, 2001-2005, all auto insurers will
be subject to uniform rate standards enforced by TDI.
Rates must be reasonable, adequate, not excessive and
not unfairly discriminatory.
Insurance Credit Scoring
in South Carolina-What is credit scoring?
Insurance credit scoring
is the practice used by many South Carolina auto and South Carolina homeowners
insurance companies to utilize a consumer's credit history
in deciding whether to write a policy and/or how much
to charge for the policy. Currently, South Carolina law allows
insurance credit scoring under certain circumstances and
consumer protections.
Looking Forward: The Future
of South Carolina Insurance
In 2001-2005, homeowners' insurance
rates have stabilized and competition has returned to
the market. Greater competition by insurers will translate
into better deals for consumers. We will soon approach
the one-year mark since companies were ordered to lower
their rates for homeowners insurance. This is the logical
point at which TDI would look back and measure the impact,
as well as assess the competitive levels of the market
going forward. If the market does not show signs of stronger
competition, Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor will
take whatever additional action is necessary.
