Myrtle Beach Hurricane Insurance Prep Guide

How Myrtle Beach homeowners can stack wind, flood, and homeowner coverage to actually be protected when a hurricane hits.

The Three Policies a Grand Strand Home Actually Needs

Hurricane protection on the Grand Strand is not one policy. It's three, working together — and the gaps between them are where homeowners get hurt.

1. **Homeowner's policy** — Fire, theft, liability, water damage from a roof leak. May or may not include wind. 2. **Wind/hail coverage** — Either built into your homeowner's policy or written separately through the **South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA)**. 3. **Flood insurance** — Either NFIP or a private flood policy. Covers storm surge and rising water. Your homeowner's policy and SCWHUA do **not**.

When Hurricane Florence (2018) hit, the most painful claims weren't from wind — they were from homeowners who assumed their wind policy covered the flooding that came with it.

SCWHUA: The Wind Pool Behind Most Grand Strand Wind Coverage

When standard carriers won't write wind on a coastal Horry County address, SCWHUA does. SCWHUA is South Carolina's wind pool — a residual market, similar to Citizens in Florida or TWIA in Texas. Coverage is wind-and-hail only; you still need a separate homeowner's policy for everything else.

SCWHUA premiums are influenced by:

**Distance to the coast** — Beachfront pays the most.
**Year built and code adopted** — Post-2003 code adopters generally price better.
**Roof shape** — Hip roofs price better than gable.
**Roof-to-wall connection** — Clip vs. single wrap vs. double wrap.
**Opening protection** — Hurricane shutters or impact-rated glass.
**Secondary water resistance** — A protected roof deck.

A wind mitigation inspection (commonly $150–$300) documents these features and can produce SCWHUA wind credits of **15–40%**.

Named-Storm and Hurricane Deductibles

Almost every Grand Strand wind policy — SCWHUA or admitted carrier — applies a separate **named-storm deductible** when the storm has been named by the National Hurricane Center. On a $400,000 dwelling:

**2% deductible** = $8,000 out of pocket per named storm
**5% deductible** = $20,000
**10% deductible** = $40,000

Higher deductibles produce lower premiums but real out-of-pocket exposure. Match the deductible to your actual savings.

Storm Surge: The Coverage Most Homeowners Forget

Storm surge is flood damage, not wind damage. It is excluded from your homeowner's policy and from your SCWHUA wind policy. Only NFIP or a private flood policy covers surge — including the standing water and contents damage it leaves behind.

If you live anywhere from Cherry Grove to Pawleys Island, surge exposure is real. Florence pushed water several blocks inland in low-lying neighborhoods.

A Pre-Season Checklist (June 1)

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. By June 1 every year:

1. **Pull all three declarations pages** — homeowner, wind, flood — and confirm they're in force. 2. **Confirm hurricane deductible** — both the percentage and the dollar amount. 3. **Take a video walk-through** of every room and outbuilding for a contents inventory. 4. **Photograph the roof** from the ground or with a drone. Note shingle condition. 5. **Verify your Elevation Certificate** is on file with your flood carrier. 6. **Trim trees** and remove dead limbs near the house. 7. **Stage shutters or pre-cut plywood** if you don't have impact glass. 8. **Confirm your evacuation route** — Horry County publishes annual updates.

Note: You cannot buy or modify flood or wind coverage once a named storm enters the box. Most carriers and NFIP impose binding restrictions during active storm threats. The 30-day NFIP waiting period also means you can't wait to buy as the storm approaches.

Deductible Math: A Practical Example

| Coverage | Premium | Deductible | Out-of-Pocket per Event | |----------|---------|-----------|------------------------| | Homeowner's (HO-3) | $1,500/yr | $2,500 | $2,500 | | SCWHUA wind | $2,800/yr | 5% of $400K = $20,000 | $20,000 per named storm | | NFIP flood | $1,800/yr | $1,250 building / $1,250 contents | $2,500 |

In a worst-case event, you could face $25,000 in combined deductibles. That's the real number to plan for in your savings — not the premium.

Wind Mitigation Credits Worth Pursuing

| Feature | Typical Wind Credit | Notes | |---------|--------------------|-------| | Hip roof (vs. gable) | 5–15% | Documented at inspection | | Clip / wrap roof-to-wall | 5–15% | Wrap > clip | | Class 4 / impact-rated shingles | 5–15% | Document type | | Hurricane shutters | 5–10% | All openings, rated | | Impact-rated windows/doors | 5–15% | All openings | | Secondary water resistance | 5–10% | Sealed roof deck | | Newer construction (2003+) | Built-in code credit | Often automatic |

FAQ

Does my homeowner's policy cover hurricane damage? Partially. It typically covers wind damage if wind is included in your policy (in coastal SC, it often isn't — wind is carved out and written separately through SCWHUA). It does not cover flood, including storm surge. Always read the wind exclusion language on your declarations page.

Can I buy flood insurance right before a hurricane? No. NFIP imposes a 30-day waiting period for new policies, and most private flood carriers impose 10–15 days. Buy in the spring, before the season heats up.

How does SCWHUA actually pay claims? Like any insurance carrier — you file a claim, an adjuster inspects, and SCWHUA pays based on policy terms. SCWHUA is funded by member assessments and policyholder premiums, with state oversight. After a major event, expect adjuster volume to be high; document everything.

Should I evacuate or shelter in place? Follow Horry County and SC Emergency Management orders. Evacuation orders are issued based on storm category, surge risk, and evacuation zone. If your home is in a mandatory evacuation zone, leave — your insurance doesn't pay you to stay.

Ready to see your full picture? [Get your free Savings Proof report](/) for a Myrtle Beach–specific breakdown.

Get early access

We're expanding our partner network here. Join the early-access list — typical activation within 30 days.