What is a Wind and Hail Deductible in South Carolina and How Does It Work?

By Brad Davis, CIC (August 4, 2025)

Living in South Carolina means enjoying beautiful coastal views, warm weather, and vibrant communities. But it also means being prepared for the risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong coastal winds. That’s where understanding your wind and hail deductible becomes crucial. Many South Carolina homeowners don’t realize that their home insurance policy likely includes a separate deductible specifically for wind and hail damage – and it can impact both your premium and what you pay out of pocket after a storm.

In this blog post, we’ll explain:

• What a wind and hail deductible is and how it works

• The differences between wind/hail, hurricane, and named storm deductibles

• Why some homes may have wind coverage on a separate policy

• How higher deductibles can help lower your home insurance premium

• What South Carolina homeowners need to know when reviewing their policy

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect when it comes to wind and hail insurance coverage in South Carolina.

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What Is a Wind and Hail Deductible?

A wind and hail deductible is the amount you, the homeowner, must pay out of pocket when you file a claim for damage caused by windstorms, including hail, hurricanes, or tropical storms. It’s different from your standard home insurance deductible (commonly called AOP deductible or All Other Perils), which applies to things like fire, theft, or water damage (not caused by flooding).

In South Carolina, especially along the coast, most home insurance policies automatically include wind and hail coverage, but with a separate deductible that can be higher than your regular deductible. This is because wind and hail damage is more likely in coastal and storm-prone areas.

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Percentage vs. Flat-Dollar Deductibles

Here’s where it gets important: wind and hail deductibles are often a percentage of your home’s insured value, not a flat dollar amount like your standard deductible.

For example:

• If your home is insured for $400,000 and you have a 2% wind and hail deductible, you’ll be responsible for the first $8,000 of any wind-related damage.

• In contrast, your standard deductible might be $1,000 for other types of claims.

Most wind and hail deductibles in South Carolina range from 1% to 5%, but the percentage can vary depending on your insurance company, your home’s location (especially proximity to the coast), and the type of wind deductible on your policy.

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Wind and Hail vs. Hurricane vs. Named Storm Deductibles

Not all deductibles for wind damage are the same. Different insurance companies in South Carolina use different terms, and it’s important to know the difference:

1. Wind and Hail Deductible

• Applies to any wind-related event, including hail, thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

• Broadest deductible type—triggered by any wind damage, regardless of whether it’s a named storm or not.

2. Named Storm Deductible

• Only applies when damage is caused by a storm that has been officially named by the National Weather Service or NOAA (e.g., Hurricane Florence or Tropical Storm Elsa).

• Not triggered by regular thunderstorms or unnamed wind events.

3. Hurricane Deductible

• Narrowest trigger—only applies if the storm has been officially classified as a hurricane at the time the damage occurs.

• Does not apply to tropical storms or other types of wind events.

Why does this matter? The narrower the deductible trigger, the less often it applies, which can be a benefit to homeowners. Policies with hurricane deductibles typically cost a bit more than policies with broader wind deductibles, but they can save you money if your home is damaged in a regular storm (not a hurricane).

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Why Do Insurance Companies Use Separate Wind Deductibles?

Wind and hail claims can be frequent and expensive, especially in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head. To manage risk and help keep premiums affordable, insurance companies use higher wind and hail deductibles to limit the number of small claims and shift more responsibility for wind damage to the homeowner.

This helps keep insurance premiums lower, especially for homes near the coast. While it might mean more out-of-pocket expense if you have storm damage, it also reduces the likelihood of rate increases due to frequent small claims.

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Can Wind and Hail Be Covered Under a Separate Policy?

While most home insurance policies in South Carolina include wind and hail coverage, there are some rare situations, particularly in high-risk coastal zones, where wind coverage is excluded from the standard policy and provided via a separate wind and hail policy.

This may happen when:

• The home is very close to the ocean or in a high-risk flood zone.

• A private insurance company excludes wind due to high exposure.

• The homeowner needs coverage from a state wind pool or a specialty insurer.

In these cases, you’ll have two policies:

1. One covering fire, theft, liability, etc.

2. One covering wind and hail damage only

Make sure you understand which type of policy you have – your agent should explain how the two policies work together and what deductibles apply.

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Choosing the Right Wind Deductible for Your Home

When buying or renewing a home insurance policy in South Carolina, you’ll often be able to choose from several wind deductible options, such as:

• 1% wind deductible (higher premium, lower out-of-pocket cost)

• 2% or 3% wind deductible (lower premium, higher out-of-pocket cost)

Some companies may allow you to choose different deductible types – for example, you could have a hurricane deductible instead of a wind and hail deductible, depending on the insurer.

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Things to Consider:

• Can you afford the deductible? A 5% deductible on a $500,000 home equals $25,000 out of pocket for wind damage.

• Is the premium savings worth the higher deductible? Some homeowners prefer to save money on premiums and take on more risk, while others want peace of mind with a lower deductible.

• What types of storms are most common in your area? If you’re inland, a named storm deductible might be better. If you’re right on the coast, a wind and hail deductible may be more common.

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Final Thoughts: Understanding Your Wind and Hail Deductible Is Key in South Carolina

If you own a home in South Carolina, it’s crucial to know how your wind and hail deductible works, especially before hurricane season. Whether your policy has a wind and hail, named storm, or hurricane deductible, it will affect how much you pay after storm damage and how much you pay in premiums.

At Davis Insurance Associates, we help South Carolina homeowners understand their options and find policies that strike the right balance between coverage and cost. Whether you’re shopping for new insurance or reviewing your current policy, we can help you explore wind deductible options that fit your home and budget.

Have questions about your deductible? Need help finding affordable coastal home insurance? Contact us today for a personalized quote.

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Helpful Resources:

• Travelers: Homeowners Insurance for Wind Damage (this is somewhat carrier specific and may not apply to all policies)

• SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association

*This blog post is general information and is not intended to supersede your policy language. You should read your policy carefully.