Insurance is required.
Fair treatment should be too.
South Carolina Policyholder Bill of Rights
Insurance is required. Fair treatment should be too.
Insurance costs are rising across South Carolina while insurance companies report record profits. For most people, coverage isn’t optional. It’s required to drive, own a home, or run a business.
When people are forced to buy insurance, they deserve clear rules, fair rates, and real accountability.
That’s why we’re calling for a South Carolina Policyholders’ Bill of Rights. These commonsense principles will help ensure fair rates, honest claims, and real oversight.
Fair and Transparent Pricing
People deserve to know what they’re paying and why.
No Penalties for Accidents You Didn’t Cause
If you’re in a wreck that wasn’t your fault, your insurance company shouldn’t be allowed to raise your rates. Many states have banned this practice. South Carolina should too.
Real Explanations for Rate Increases
Insurance rates are skyrocketing, often with little or no explanation. Every premium increase should come with a clear, understandable reason — not vague notices or fine print.
Limits on Using Past Claims Against You
A claim on a previous home shouldn’t raise your rates on a new one. Insurers should not be allowed to use unrelated or outdated claim history to charge you more.
An End to Discriminatory Pricing
Your race, marital status, zip code, or credit score shouldn’t determine how much you pay. Insurers are using personal data that has nothing to do with actual risk — and that needs to stop.
Real Accountability for Insurance Companies
Insurance companies should be held to the same standards as everyone else.
End Special Legal Loopholes
No one should be above the law — especially not insurance companies. In South Carolina, insurers have carved out protections that shield them from accountability even when they act in bad faith.
No other industry gets that kind of immunity. It’s time to close these loopholes.
A Watchdog That Works for Policyholders
South Carolina’s Department of Insurance needs real authority — not just a filing cabinet. Right now, it lacks the tools to keep insurers honest.
The Department should be empowered to:
- Collect and analyze pricing, risk, and profit data
- Identify unfair rate hikes and price gouging in required markets
- Impose meaningful penalties for repeated violations
Regulators should work for policyholders — not the insurance industry.
Honest and Timely Claims Processing
When something goes wrong, insurance should help — not stall.
Prompt, Full, and Fair Payment
Too often, insurers delay valid claims or make lowball offers, hoping people will settle for less or give up. These tactics boost profits by holding onto your money.
Claims must be handled promptly, fairly, and paid in full.
Consequences for Bad-Faith Behavior
When insurance companies play games with your money, there must be consequences. Regulators should step in when claims rules are violated and impose real penalties.
Clear, Understandable Policies
Insurance shouldn’t require a law degree to understand.
Plain-Language Contracts
Policies should be written in clear, simple language. You should never need a lawyer just to know what’s covered.
Full Access to Your Documents
You have the right to see your full policy, all changes, and any updates at any time — not just after a dispute.
Clear Disclosures Up Front
Insurers must clearly explain what’s included in your coverage before you buy, not after a claim is filed.
Join FAIR SC and Fight for Insurance Reform
Your voice matters. When South Carolinians speak up together, lawmakers have to listen. Add your name, take action, and help make insurance fair, affordable, and accountable in our state.