What does Mauldin Insurance Group do?

Mauldin Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency based in Lexington, SC. We help individuals, families, and businesses across South Carolina find the right insurance coverage — including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D, ACA health insurance, life insurance, final expense, auto, home, and commercial insurance. As an independent agency, we work with multiple top-rated carriers and shop the market on your behalf at no cost to you.

When do I need to sign up for Medicare, and what happens if I miss my enrollment window?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. If you miss this window and do not have qualifying employer coverage, you may face a permanent late enrollment penalty on your Part B premium — 10% for each 12-month period you delayed — plus a gap in coverage. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year. We strongly recommend calling us before your 65th birthday to map out your enrollment timeline and avoid any costly mistakes.

What are the best Medicare plans available in Lexington and the Midlands area?

The best Medicare plan depends entirely on your health needs, your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget. In the Lexington and Columbia, SC area, we represent 6 organizations offering 52 products in our service area — including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement plans (Plan G and Plan N are most popular for new enrollees), and Part D prescription drug plans. We compare every available option side by side and help you choose the plan that fits your life at no cost to you. Call Jennifer at (843) 509-2462 for a free, no-pressure comparison.

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers. It typically bundles Parts A, B, and D in one plan — often with extra benefits like dental and vision — and usually has low or $0 monthly premiums, but uses provider networks and involves copays. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare, covering the 20% coinsurance and other out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind. It carries a monthly premium but gives you the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting doctor nationwide with very predictable costs. We help you decide which approach is right for your health and budget.

How much does health insurance cost in South Carolina, and can I get help paying for it?

ACA health insurance premiums in South Carolina vary based on your age, household size, income, and the plan tier you choose. Many South Carolinians qualify for premium tax credits through the federal marketplace that significantly reduce their monthly cost — some qualify for plans as low as $0 per month depending on income. We help you determine your subsidy eligibility, compare all available plans, and enroll at no charge. Call us at (843) 509-2462 or (803) 920-8827 to get started.

How much life insurance do I actually need to protect my family in South Carolina?

A common starting point is the DIME method: add up your Debt, Income replacement (typically 10x your annual income), Mortgage balance, and Education costs for your children. For most South Carolina families this works out to $500,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage. Term life insurance is often the most affordable way to get there — a healthy 35-year-old can often get $500,000 in 20-year term coverage for $25 to $35 per month. We help you find the right amount and the right carrier based on your specific situation at no cost.

What is final expense insurance and who is it for?

Final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance with a smaller face value — typically $5,000 to $25,000 — designed specifically to cover funeral costs, burial expenses, outstanding medical bills, and other end-of-life costs. The average funeral in South Carolina costs between $9,000 and $12,000. It is a good fit if you are between ages 50 and 85, want guaranteed coverage with no medical exam required, and need an affordable, predictable premium that never increases. Coverage typically starts at $20 to $70 per month. Call Jennifer at (843) 509-2462 for a free quote.

How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Carolina?

The average homeowners insurance premium in South Carolina runs approximately $1,400 to $1,900 per year for a typical single-family home, though this varies significantly based on your home's location, age, roof type, construction, coverage limits, deductible, and claims history. As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find the best combination of coverage and price. We also review your dwelling coverage limit to make sure it reflects current rebuilding costs — many SC homeowners are significantly underinsured without realizing it.

Should I bundle my home and auto insurance?

Bundling your auto and home insurance with the same carrier typically saves 10% to 20% on both policies and simplifies your coverage — one agent, one renewal cycle, and one point of contact if you ever need to file a claim. Most major carriers offer a multi-policy discount that makes bundling a straightforward win for most families. That said, bundling is not always the cheapest option in every situation. We compare bundled and unbundled scenarios side by side so you can make an informed decision. Call Ben at (803) 920-8827 for a free auto and home quote.

What is the difference between liability and full coverage auto insurance?

Liability insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to other people in an accident — it is the minimum coverage required by South Carolina law (25/50/25 minimums). It does not pay for damage to your own vehicle. Full coverage typically adds collision coverage (damage to your own vehicle in an accident) and comprehensive coverage (theft, weather damage, falling objects, and animal strikes). Whether full coverage makes financial sense depends on your vehicle value, whether you have a loan or lease, and your personal financial situation. We help you think through the right level of coverage for your specific circumstances.

Does Mauldin Insurance Group serve areas outside of Lexington, SC?

Yes — we serve clients across all of South Carolina and are also licensed in North Carolina and Georgia. While we are based in Lexington and serve a large volume of clients in the Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Cayce, West Columbia, and Lake Murray areas, we work with clients statewide by phone, video, and in-person when needed. Distance is never an obstacle and there is no extra charge for clients outside the immediate Lexington area.

Does it cost anything to work with Mauldin Insurance Group?

No — our services are completely free to you. Insurance carriers pay independent agents a commission when a policy is placed. Your monthly premium is exactly the same whether you enroll through us or go directly to the carrier. The difference is that we do the research, comparison, and shopping for you, and we stay in your corner at renewal and at claim time. There is no obligation and no pressure — just honest help from people who live and work in your community.

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Cover Your Home Office in South Carolina?

Ben J. Mauldin | Apr 23 2026 14:23

By Ben Mauldin | Mauldin Insurance Group, Lexington, SC | 2026

If you work from home — full time, part time, or even occasionally — there's a good chance your homeowners insurance has a gap you've never thought about. Most remote workers assume their standard HO policy covers everything in their home, including the equipment they use for work. It doesn't.

South Carolina has one of the fastest-growing remote work populations in the Southeast. Lexington County alone has seen significant growth in home-based workers since 2020. And the majority of them are unknowingly carrying a coverage gap on thousands of dollars in business equipment and significant liability exposure.

Here's exactly what your homeowners policy covers, where it stops, and what to do about it.

What Your Standard HO Policy Actually Says About Business Use

Standard homeowners insurance policies — the HO-3 form used by most carriers — contain two types of limitations that affect home office coverage:

Business Property Sub-Limits

Most HO policies limit coverage for business property to $2,500 on-premises (sometimes as low as $1,500). This is not the overall personal property limit — it's a specific cap that applies to property used for business purposes.

What counts as business property? Your work laptop. Your second monitor. Your business phone. Your printer, scanner, and webcam. Your standing desk and ergonomic chair purchased for work. External hard drives with client data. Essentially — anything you use to generate income.

If you have a high-end work setup — a $2,000 laptop, two monitors, a business phone, a quality webcam, a microphone, and a specialty chair — you can easily be at or above $5,000 to $8,000 in business equipment. Your standard HO policy covers $2,500 of that.

Business Liability Exclusion

Standard HO policies typically exclude liability arising from business activities conducted on the premises. This means:

A client who visits your home office and is injured cannot make a claim under your standard homeowners liability coverage
A delivery person injured while dropping off business packages may fall into a gray area
Professional liability — claims that your work product or advice caused a client financial harm — is entirely outside the scope of homeowners insurance

For a remote worker who never has clients on-site and whose work is purely digital, the liability exclusion matters less. For a home-based consultant, therapist, CPA, designer, or any professional who sees clients at home, it matters enormously.

The Coverage Gap in Numbers

Lexington remote worker: $6,500 in business equipment (laptop, monitors, peripherals, phone), $2,500 HO business property limit. Gap: $4,000 uninsured. A house fire that destroys the home office results in a $4,000 shortfall that the homeowner absorbs personally — in addition to everything else they're dealing with.

How to Fix the Gap

Option 1: Business Property Endorsement on Your HO Policy

Many carriers offer a business property endorsement that increases the on-premises business property limit — typically to $5,000, $10,000, or a custom amount. This is usually the cheapest and simplest fix for remote workers whose only concern is equipment coverage.

Cost: typically $25-$75 per year for modest increases. Well worth it for the protection it provides.

Limitation: this endorsement covers property, not liability. If clients come to your home or you have professional liability exposure, you need more than this.

Option 2: In-Home Business Policy

A standalone in-home business policy provides comprehensive coverage designed specifically for home-based businesses. It covers:

Business property above HO limits
Business liability — including client visits on-site
Loss of business income if your home is damaged
Some policies include limited professional liability coverage

Cost: typically $200-$500 per year depending on business type and revenue. For any home-based business with meaningful equipment, revenue, or client interaction, this is the appropriate level of coverage.

Option 3: Business Owners Policy (BOP)

For home-based businesses that have grown significantly — whether in revenue, employees, or client base — a Business Owners Policy provides commercial-grade coverage that isn't dependent on your homeowners policy at all. A BOP includes commercial property coverage, general liability, and business income protection in a single package.

This is the right structure when your business has outgrown the in-home business policy framework, or when your insurer requires it due to the nature of your work.

Special Considerations for Remote Employees

If you're an employee working from home (rather than self-employed), the situation is slightly different:

Your employer may cover company-owned equipment under their commercial property insurance — confirm this with your employer's HR or IT department
Your personal equipment purchased for work use is generally not covered by your employer — that exposure is yours
Professional liability for work-related errors and omissions typically falls under your employer's E&O policy, not yours

Even as an employee, if you own significant personal equipment you use for work, the business property sub-limit in your HO policy is worth reviewing.

What About Employer-Provided Equipment?

This is a question I hear often. If your employer shipped you a laptop, monitors, and peripherals, those items are typically covered under your employer's commercial property policy — not yours. However:

You should confirm this with your employer — don't assume it
Coverage under your employer's policy may come with deductibles or claim processes that leave you personally responsible for some losses
If you work for a small business that doesn't have commercial property insurance, their equipment in your home may be completely uninsured

The safest approach: confirm your employer's coverage, then fill any gap with your own endorsement or in-home business policy.

How Much Does Home Office Coverage Cost?

For most Lexington remote workers, closing this gap costs very little:

Business property endorsement ($5,000-$10,000 limit): $25-$75/year
In-home business policy (property + liability): $200-$500/year
Business Owners Policy (full commercial coverage): $500-$1,500/year depending on business type

For the peace of mind of knowing your equipment is covered and your liability is protected, this is one of the most cost-effective insurance purchases available to any remote worker or home-based business owner.

Most clients are set up with the right coverage in a single 15-minute conversation. Let me know what your home office looks like and I'll tell you exactly what you need.

Is Your Home Office Actually Covered?

We'll review your homeowners policy and identify exactly what's covered and what's not — then find the most cost-effective way to close the gap.

📞 Call or Text Ben: 803-920-8827

🌐 MauldinInsuranceGroup.com

📍 100 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington, SC · Serving all of South Carolina

By Ben Mauldin | Mauldin Insurance Group, Lexington, SC | 2026If you work from home — full time, part time, or even occasionally — there's a good chance your homeowners insurance has a gap you...

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