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.

New to Lexington, SC? Your Complete Home Insurance Checklist

Ben J. Mauldin | Apr 19 2026 17:30

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

Welcome to Lexington. You picked a great place to land — Lexington County is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing communities, and for good reason. The schools are strong, the cost of living is reasonable, the lake is right there, and the people are genuinely friendly.

But if you've just moved here — whether you bought a home, signed a lease, or relocated from out of state — there's an insurance to-do list that needs to happen quickly. Miss it and you could be unprotected during one of the most financially vulnerable transitions of your life.

I'm Ben Mauldin, an independent insurance agent based in Lexington. I help new residents get this sorted out every week. Here's the checklist I walk through with every client who's just arrived.

Step 1: Homeowners Insurance — Before or at Closing

If you bought a home, your mortgage lender required you to have homeowners insurance in place before closing. But required minimum coverage and right coverage are two very different things.

What to verify before your first payment is due:

Dwelling coverage equals your home's rebuild cost — not the purchase price, not the market value. With SC construction costs up 25-40% since 2020, many policies from other states are already underinsured on day one in Lexington.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is selected for personal property — not Actual Cash Value, which pays the depreciated value of lost items.
Liability coverage is at least $300,000 — the default $100,000 is rarely enough for a homeowner with assets.
Loss of use coverage is adequate — if your home is uninhabitable during repairs, this pays for your hotel and temporary housing. Lexington construction timelines have stretched significantly.
Your roof age is current in the system — carriers pay close attention to this and some reduce claim payouts on roofs over 20 years old.

Lexington-Specific Note

Many policies written in other states are based on lower construction costs. If you moved from the Northeast or Midwest, your coverage limits may need to be adjusted upward for SC rebuild costs. Let me run a replacement cost estimate on your new home.

Step 2: Flood Insurance — Don't Skip This Conversation

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Not from a storm. Not from a river overflowing. Not from Lake Murray water levels rising. Not from any source.

Lexington County has areas with real flood risk — neighborhoods near the Saluda River, low-lying subdivisions, and areas close to Lake Murray drainage. FEMA flood maps don't always capture the full local picture, and many homeowners discover their flood risk the hard way.

Ask me specifically about your address. If there's any flood history in your area, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or a private flood policy is worth every penny. The average NFIP claim in South Carolina is over $30,000 — and that's for events that feel minor compared to major storm flooding.

Step 3: Update Your Auto Insurance for South Carolina

If you moved from another state, your existing auto policy may still be active for a grace period — but South Carolina requires you to register and insure your vehicle in SC within a specific timeframe after establishing residency (generally 90 days).

SC minimum liability requirements: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums are low. A single moderate accident in today's healthcare and repair cost environment can easily exceed them.

When you switch your auto policy to SC:

Bundle it with your homeowners or renters policy — this is typically the largest single discount available, often 10-25%
Make sure uninsured motorist coverage is included — SC has a meaningful uninsured driver problem
Update your annual mileage estimate — commute patterns in Lexington are different from where you came from
Confirm your vehicle's garaging address is correctly listed as your Lexington address

Step 4: Renters Insurance (If You're Renting First)

Many people moving to Lexington rent before they buy. If that's you, renters insurance is the most overlooked and most affordable coverage on this checklist.

Your landlord's insurance covers the building. It does not cover your furniture, electronics, clothing, or any other personal belongings. A fire, theft, or burst pipe that destroys everything you own is 100% your financial loss without renters insurance — and a comprehensive policy costs as little as $12-18 per month.

Many Lexington landlords now require proof of renters insurance as a lease condition. Get it before your move-in date.

Step 5: Life Insurance — Especially If You Have a New Mortgage

A new home means a new 20 or 30-year mortgage your family cannot pay if something happens to you. If you moved to Lexington with a family and took on a significant mortgage, your life insurance need just increased.

This doesn't have to be complicated. A healthy 35-year-old can get $500,000 of 20-year term coverage for roughly $25-35 per month. If you don't have coverage, or if your existing policy was sized for your previous life and doesn't reflect the new mortgage, this is the time to review it.

Step 6: Business Insurance (If You Work From Home)

Remote workers are one of the fastest-growing segments in Lexington County. If you work from home — even part-time — your standard homeowners policy almost certainly excludes business equipment and business liability above a low threshold.

A laptop, monitors, a standing desk, and a work phone can easily represent $5,000-$10,000 in equipment that your HO policy won't cover if your home office burns down. A simple business endorsement or home-based business policy fills this gap for very little additional cost.

Step 7: Umbrella Insurance — Consider It If You Have Assets

An umbrella policy provides an additional $1-5 million of liability coverage above all your underlying policies for roughly $150-300 per year. If you have equity in your new home, retirement accounts, savings, or any assets worth protecting from a lawsuit, an umbrella is one of the most cost-effective purchases you can make.

New homeowners with young children, a pool, a trampoline, or a dog are the most common umbrella candidates — but anyone with meaningful net worth should have this conversation.

How to Get Everything Set Up Quickly

As an independent agent in Lexington, I can handle most of this list in a single conversation. I shop multiple carriers for auto and home, bundle them where it saves you money, and make sure your coverage actually fits your new South Carolina life — not the state you left behind.

Most new clients are fully covered within 24-48 hours of our first conversation.

New to Lexington? Let's Get You Covered Right.

One call covers homeowners, auto, renters, flood, and life insurance. I'll shop the best rates and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

📞 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 | 2026Welcome to Lexington. You picked a great place to land — Lexington County is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing communities,...

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