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.

Why Your Health Insurance Bill Got More Expensive in 2026 — And What South Carolina Families Can Do About It

Ben J. Mauldin | Apr 02 2026 11:30

If your health insurance premium jumped significantly at the start of 2026, you're not imagining it — and you're not alone.

Thousands of South Carolina families are opening their bills this year and doing a double-take. Premiums on ACA Marketplace plans increased by an average of 21% in South Carolina for 2026. That's not a typo. And for many families, the shock is even bigger because the extra federal subsidies that kept premiums low from 2021 through 2025 have now expired.

Here's what happened, why it matters, and — most importantly — what you can do about it right now.

What Changed in 2026?

From 2021 through 2025, Congress passed enhanced premium subsidies through the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act. These subsidies made health insurance dramatically more affordable for millions of Americans — including right here in the Midlands. During that period, more than 95% of South Carolina Marketplace enrollees qualified for premium help, with an average savings of $523 per month.

Those enhancements expired at the end of 2025.

What that means in plain language: the subsidies that used to cover a large portion of your monthly premium are smaller now. And if your household income is above 400% of the federal poverty level — roughly $62,400 for an individual or $127,000 for a family of four — you may no longer qualify for any subsidy at all.

What Does This Mean for Your Family?

If you buy your own health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, you're likely seeing one or more of these situations:

Your monthly premium increased significantly even though your income didn't change
Your subsidy shrank or disappeared entirely
The plan you had last year is no longer the most affordable option for 2026
You're considering going without coverage because it feels unaffordable

All of these are real and we hear them every week at Mauldin Insurance Group. The good news is that options still exist — you just have to know where to look.

What You Can Actually Do Right Now

1. Review your current plan immediately. The plan that was right for you in 2025 may not be the most affordable option in 2026. Carriers adjusted their pricing differently, and a different plan — even with the same coverage level — might save you hundreds per month.

2. Check your subsidy eligibility again. Subsidies still exist in 2026 — they're just calculated differently. If your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level, you likely still qualify for some help. Many families are leaving money on the table because they assumed they no longer qualify.

3. Look at all six carriers. South Carolina has six insurers offering Marketplace plans in 2026. Most people only compare one or two. An independent agent like Mauldin Insurance Group can compare all six side by side and find the plan that covers your doctors and prescriptions at the lowest net cost.

4. Consider whether a Special Enrollment Period applies to you. Lost a job? Had a baby? Got married or divorced? Moved? These life events can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, meaning you can change your plan right now — you don't have to wait until November.

5. Talk to an independent agent — not a carrier directly. When you call a carrier, they can only show you their own plans. An independent agent like us represents all the carriers and has no incentive to push you toward any one of them. That means you get a real, unbiased comparison — at no cost to you.

The Bottom Line

Yes, health insurance costs more in 2026. That's a real challenge for South Carolina families, and it's frustrating. But higher premiums don't mean you're stuck paying whatever your current plan charges. There are still ways to reduce your costs, access subsidies, and find coverage that fits your budget — if you know how to look.

At Mauldin Insurance Group in Lexington, SC, helping families navigate exactly these situations is what we do every day. We serve clients all across South Carolina, and our services are always free to you.

If your premium went up this year and you haven't had someone review your options, now is the time.

If your health insurance premium jumped significantly at the start of 2026, you're not imagining it — and you're not alone.Thousands of South Carolina families are opening their bills this year and...

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