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.

Insuring a Beach House or Short-Term Rental on the SC Coast

Ben J. Mauldin | Jul 31 2026 14:54

You bought a place near the water — Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle, Hilton Head, Isle of Palms, Pawleys — and you're renting it out on Airbnb or VRBO to help cover the costs. Smart move. But here's what a lot of coastal owners don't realize until it's too late: the moment you take your first paid booking, your regular homeowners policy may stop protecting you.

Short-term rentals live in a coverage gap between a homeowners policy and a business, and the wrong setup can leave you exposed exactly when you have the most at stake. I'm Ben Mauldin, a licensed independent agent, and here's what you actually need.

Why your homeowners policy won't cover a short-term rental

A standard homeowners policy is written for a home you live in — not a home you rent to paying guests. Once you're renting short-term, most insurers consider that a business use, and homeowners policies contain business-use exclusions.

That can mean:

A claim gets denied because the home was being rented when the loss happened.
Your liability coverage doesn't apply to a guest's injury, because it arose from a business activity.
In some cases, renting without telling your insurer can jeopardize the whole policy.

The frustrating part is that everything looks fine — right up until you file a claim and discover the exclusion. You don't want to learn about it then.

"But Airbnb/VRBO gives me protection…"

The platforms do offer some host protection, and it's better than nothing — but treat it as limited and secondary, not a substitute for a real policy. These programs can have coverage gaps, conditions, and claim hurdles, and they generally aren't designed to fully protect your building, your income, or you personally. Relying on them alone is one of the most common (and expensive) STR mistakes.

What short-term rental insurance actually covers

The right policy — a short-term rental / vacation rental policy (or a proper endorsement) — is built for how you actually use the home. Depending on what you choose, it covers:

The dwelling — the structure, on the correct (rental) basis.
Contents and furnishings — a rental is fully furnished, and that furniture, those appliances, the linens and TVs are a real, insurable value a homeowners policy won't fully protect in a rental.
Liability for guests — the big one. If a guest is injured, this responds where your homeowners liability may not.
Loss of rental income — if a covered loss makes the home unrentable, this helps replace the income you were counting on.
Guest-caused damage and theft — protection for the wear, damage, and occasional bad actor that come with renting.

Short-term rental is NOT the same as a long-term rental policy

Worth clearing up, because owners mix these up: if you rent to a long-term tenant on a lease, the right tool is usually a landlord / dwelling-fire (DP-3) policy — I cover that in The DP-3 Dwelling Fire Policy for Rental Property Owners. A short-term / vacation rental with a rotating cast of guests is a different risk and needs a policy designed for it. Using the wrong one leaves gaps.

The liability piece coastal owners underestimate

Think about what an STR involves: guests you've never met, often near the water, frequently with a pool, hot tub, deck, stairs, or beach access. Every one of those is a place someone can get hurt — and STR liability claims are exactly the kind that exceed a policy's limits.

That's why a short-term rental is a textbook reason to carry a personal umbrella (or a commercial umbrella if you operate at scale) on top of your coverage. It's inexpensive relative to the protection it provides — see Umbrella Insurance in South Carolina.

On the coast, don't forget wind and flood

Your beach rental faces the same coastal realities as any coastal home — plus the fact that you're often not there when a storm hits:

Hurricane deductible. Your wind coverage carries a percentage deductible that can run into five figures. Know it. (See Hurricane Deductibles in South Carolina.)
Flood is separate. Storm surge and rising water need their own policy — never covered by a homeowners or STR policy. (See Do You Need Flood Insurance If You're Not in a Flood Zone?.)
Wind availability. In some coastal areas wind coverage runs through the state Wind Pool — make sure your rental's wind coverage is actually in place.
Storm prep from a distance. Because you may be hours away, plan how the home gets secured before a storm — it protects both your property and your claim.

What to Do If you rent your coastal home — even occasionally, even just a few weekends a year — tell your agent and make sure you're on a policy that allows it. Confirm you have (1) rental-appropriate dwelling and contents coverage, (2) real liability plus an umbrella, (3) loss of rental income, and (4) wind and flood squared away. Send me your listing and I'll make sure you're actually covered, not just assuming you are.

Don't wait for a claim to find out

The worst way to discover an STR coverage gap is after a guest is hurt or a storm hits. It takes a short conversation to set this up correctly, and it's a lot cheaper than an uncovered liability claim or a denied storm loss. If you're buying a coastal rental, get this handled before you take your first booking.

Renting Your Beach House? Let's Make Sure It's Actually Covered.

Free, no-pressure short-term rental review. I'll confirm whether your current policy allows rentals, close the gaps on dwelling, liability, income, wind, and flood, and price it right — usually the same business day.

📞 Call or Text Ben: 803-920-8827 🌐 MauldinInsuranceGroup.com 📍 100 Old Cherokee Rd STE F #167, Lexington, SC · Serving all of South Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance cover an Airbnb or short-term rental in South Carolina? Usually not. Standard homeowners policies contain business-use exclusions, so renting your home short-term can result in denied claims or liability that doesn't apply. You typically need a short-term/vacation rental policy or a specific endorsement instead.

Isn't Airbnb or VRBO host protection enough? No. Platform host protection is limited and generally secondary, with gaps and conditions. It's not a substitute for a proper short-term rental policy that covers your building, contents, income, and personal liability.

What's the difference between short-term rental and landlord insurance? A landlord (dwelling-fire/DP-3) policy is for long-term tenants on a lease. A short-term/vacation rental policy is built for a rotating cast of paying guests and covers furnishings, guest liability, and lost rental income differently. Using the wrong one leaves gaps.

Do I need extra liability coverage for a short-term rental? It's strongly recommended. Guests, pools, hot tubs, decks, and beach access create real injury exposure, and STR liability claims can exceed policy limits. A personal (or commercial) umbrella is an affordable way to add protection.

Does short-term rental insurance cover hurricanes and flooding? Wind/hurricane damage is covered under your property coverage, usually with a percentage hurricane deductible, but flood is always a separate policy. On the coast, confirm your wind coverage (sometimes via the state Wind Pool) and add flood insurance separately.

Do I have to tell my insurer I'm renting the home? Yes. Renting without disclosing it can jeopardize your coverage. Always tell your agent how and how often you rent so you're placed on a policy that actually allows it.

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