✅ Buying a home (HO-3): insurance checklist
Line up homeowners + wind + flood quotes before your inspection period ends. A flood policy needs to start at closing, or you wait 30 days.
Before your offer
- 🗺️ Check the flood zone: lowcountryfloodwatch.com/flood-zone (zones starting with A or V are high-risk)
- 📐 Ask for an Elevation Certificate. Optional for NFIP rating; providing one will not increase a premium
- 🏝️ Coastal barrier (CBRS) area? The NFIP may not be available. Ask your agent
During due diligence
- 🔁 Ask the seller: is there an NFIP policy? If yes, compare taking it over with a new quote. The seller assigns it to you at closing
- 📋 Ask about past flood claims. NFIP premiums can rise for homes with 2+ claims since Apr 1, 2023
- 🌀 Wind/hail: confirm the homeowners quote covers wind. If not, ask about the SC Wind Pool (beach area) or GA FAIR Plan wind policy
- 💸 Check the hurricane/named-storm deductible. Often a % (2% of $250K = $5,000). How deductibles work
Buy flood insurance yourself
- 🌊 Homeowners policies don't cover flood. Get NFIP and private quotes
- ⏱️ Waiting period: NFIP has a 30-day wait, except when bought with your mortgage. Apply on or before closing and coverage starts at closing. Private waits vary (some 10 days or less)
- 💵 Paying cash, or in Zone X with no lender requirement? The 30-day wait applies, so buy early. 29% of NFIP claims come from outside high-risk zones (FEMA)
Lender & closing
- 🏦 High-risk zone + federally regulated or backed loan = flood insurance required. Lenders must accept private policies that meet the federal definition
- 📨 Send the lender: homeowners declarations page (or binder), flood application + paid receipt or declarations page, wind declarations (if separate), and the signed assignment form (if taking over the seller's policy)
- 📅 After closing: if taking over, make sure the assignment reaches the insurer within 30 days
🗺️ Flood zone lookup🌊 NFIP premiums✅ Condo checklist
General info, not insurance advice. Ask your agent.
Details & sources
Run by a licensed South Carolina insurance professional. No quotes, no carrier endorsements. Rules, prices and coverage vary by policy and change over time; your policy and your agent have the final word. All sources.
lowcountryfloodwatch.com/guides/home-checklist/ · Last verified Oct 2026 · General info, not insurance advice.