Living in Murrells Inlet means you're part of something special—the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, home to the iconic MarshWalk, and minutes from Brookgreen Gardens. But coastal living in Georgetown County also comes with unique insurance considerations. Whether you're protecting your waterfront home, insuring your boat, or just making sure your car is properly covered, understanding your options can save you thousands of dollars and major headaches down the road.
The Grand Strand insurance landscape has changed significantly in 2025. Updated flood maps, rising premiums, and hurricane deductibles that can reach five figures mean you need to know exactly what you're buying. Let's break down what Murrells Inlet residents need to know about auto, home, and flood insurance—and how to work with local agents who actually understand coastal risks.
Auto Insurance Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25—that's $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for all injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. The state also mandates uninsured motorist coverage at the same 25/50/25 levels. This isn't optional; you must carry it unless you explicitly reject it in writing.
Here's the thing: state minimums are rarely enough. If you cause an accident on Highway 17 and someone's medical bills hit $50,000, your policy maxes out. You're personally responsible for anything above that. With today's vehicle repair costs—a new bumper on a modern SUV can easily run $3,000—that $25,000 property damage limit disappears fast. Most insurance experts recommend at least 100/300/100 coverage if you can afford it, especially if you own property or have significant assets.
The uninsured motorist coverage is particularly important in South Carolina. If someone without insurance hits you, your UM coverage pays your medical bills and repairs. Given that roughly 10-15% of drivers on the road are uninsured, this protection is worth every penny. Your insurer will try to offer you underinsured motorist coverage too—take it. It covers you when the at-fault driver's limits aren't enough to cover your damages.
Homeowners Insurance on the Grand Strand
Coastal homeowners insurance is expensive, and it's getting more expensive. Georgetown County residents have seen premiums climb 20-35% since 2023. The average policy for $250,000 in dwelling coverage now costs around $1,500 annually—about 20% above the national average. The culprits? Hurricane risk modeling, reinsurance costs, and those new FEMA flood maps that reclassified thousands of properties.
Your standard homeowners policy covers wind and rain damage from hurricanes, but pay close attention to the hurricane deductible. Most policies in Murrells Inlet use a percentage deductible—typically 2-5% of your home's insured value. On a $500,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, you're paying the first $10,000 of damage out of pocket before insurance kicks in. That's not a typo. Ten thousand dollars. If a hurricane rips your roof off, you're covering that deductible before you see a penny from your insurer.
Properties near the MarshWalk and along creek channels face additional considerations. Salt air accelerates corrosion on metal fixtures, HVAC systems, and roofing materials. Some insurers now require wind mitigation inspections to verify your roof can handle hurricane-force winds. Features like impact-resistant shingles, hurricane straps, and reinforced garage doors can qualify you for discounts—sometimes 10-20% off your premium.
If you own a condo in Murrells Inlet, you need an HO-6 policy. This covers your interior finishes, personal property, liability, and loss assessment (your share if the condo association's master policy doesn't cover everything). The tricky part is understanding where the association's policy ends and yours begins. Does their policy cover kitchen cabinets? Flooring? Get this in writing from your HOA before you buy coverage.
Flood Insurance Is Non-Negotiable
Let's be clear: your homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Not from hurricanes. Not from storm surge. Not from tidal flooding. Zero coverage. You need a separate flood insurance policy, and in Murrells Inlet, you almost certainly need one.
Georgetown County flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) averages $969 annually, but that's the old number. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 system, many policyholders are seeing rates jump to $1,400 or more—a 113% increase for some properties. The 2025 flood map updates expanded high-risk AE and VE zones, particularly near Socastee, Surfside Beach, and parts of Murrells Inlet. If you're in one of these zones and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance isn't optional—your lender requires it.
Even if you're not in a high-risk zone, consider buying flood coverage anyway. About 25% of flood claims come from properties outside mapped flood zones. Murrells Inlet sits between the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Ocean. Storm surge, creek overflow, and heavy rain can all cause flooding that devastates homes. Private flood insurance is now available from companies beyond the NFIP, often with better coverage limits and faster claims processing. Shop around—private policies can sometimes be cheaper than NFIP for lower-risk properties.
Working with Local Insurance Agents
Murrells Inlet has five local insurance agencies that specialize in coastal coverage. These agents understand Georgetown County's unique risks—they know which neighborhoods flood during king tides, which insurers are still writing new policies on the Grand Strand, and how to navigate the elevation certificate requirements that come with those new flood maps.
Here's why a local agent matters: when a hurricane is bearing down on the coast, you need someone who picks up the phone. National call centers put you on hold. Local agents are dealing with the same storm you are, and they know how to file claims efficiently. They can also bundle your auto, home, flood, and umbrella policies to save you 15-25% compared to buying everything separately.
Ask potential agents specific questions: How many flood claims have you handled in the past five years? Which insurers are you appointed with? Can you provide quotes from at least three carriers? A good agent will explain the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage, walk you through hurricane deductible options, and help you understand what you're actually buying—not just push the cheapest policy.
Getting Started with Your Insurance Coverage
If you're new to Murrells Inlet or reviewing your current coverage, start with a home inventory. Document everything you own—take photos, save receipts for major purchases, and store this information somewhere off-site or in the cloud. When you're filing a claim after a hurricane, you won't remember every item in your closet or the exact model number of your TV.
Get your flood zone determination from FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask your agent to pull it. If you're in an AE or VE zone, budget for flood insurance from day one. Don't wait until hurricane season—flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Review your policy declarations pages annually, especially after you renovate or add square footage. Under-insuring your home to save on premiums is false economy—you'll pay for it when you file a claim and discover you're only covered for 80% of your actual rebuilding costs.
Insurance isn't exciting, but it's the foundation of financial security when you live on the coast. Murrells Inlet offers an incredible quality of life—sunsets over the marsh, fresh seafood, and a tight-knit community. Protecting that lifestyle means having the right coverage before storms roll in. Work with a local agent who knows the area, don't skimp on flood insurance, and review your policies every year. Your future self will thank you.
