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.

Wind Mitigation Credits: How a Roof Inspection Can Cut Your Coastal SC Premium by Thousands

Ben J. Mauldin | Jul 29 2026 18:02

Most of what's driving South Carolina home insurance premiums up is out of your hands — reinsurance costs, statewide storm losses, carriers pulling back from the coast. I break all of that down in Why Home Insurance Is More Expensive in South Carolina in 2026.

But there's one powerful lever you can pull — and hardly any agent talks about it. South Carolina law requires insurers to give you a discount for making your home more wind-resistant. Do the work, document it, and your premium comes down — sometimes by a lot. Better still, the state has a grant program that can help pay for the biggest upgrade.

I'm Ben Mauldin, an independent agent in Lexington. Here's how wind mitigation credits work, what earns them, and how to stack them with a state grant.

What wind mitigation credits actually are

Wind mitigation credits are mandatory premium discounts that South Carolina requires insurers to offer when your home has features that help it stand up to hurricane-force wind. This isn't a promotion a carrier can choose to skip — it's built into state law.

How big is the discount? The combined credits can reach up to 48% of the wind portion of your premium for a fully mitigated home, and the average homeowner who qualifies saves around 14%. On a coastal policy, that's real money every single year — for improvements that also make your home safer.

The catch is that the credit isn't automatic. You have to prove your home has the qualifying features, and that proof comes from a wind mitigation inspection.

What actually earns the credit

A wind mitigation inspection looks at the specific features engineers know keep a roof on a house during a hurricane. The big ones:

Roof shape. A hip roof (sloped on all sides) sheds wind far better than a gable roof and earns a strong credit.
Roof deck attachment. How the plywood decking is fastened — nail type and spacing — matters enormously.
Roof-to-wall connections. Hurricane clips or straps that tie the roof to the walls (versus just nails) are one of the most valuable credits.
Roof covering. Shingles or covering rated to current building-code wind standards.
Secondary water barrier. A sealed layer under the roof covering that keeps water out even if shingles blow off.
Opening protection. Impact-resistant windows and doors, or storm shutters.
Gable-end and garage-door bracing. Reinforcement at the home's most vulnerable failure points.

You don't need all of them to save money. Even a few of these features can move your premium — which is exactly why an inspection is worth doing.

The inspection and the form that unlocks the discount

Here's the mechanism. A qualified inspector evaluates your home and documents the features on a standardized wind mitigation report (in South Carolina, the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802). That report is what your carrier uses to apply the credits.

The process is simple:

Get a wind mitigation inspection.
Send me (or your agent) the completed report.
The qualifying credits get applied to your policy.

An inspection is a modest one-time cost, and if it uncovers even a couple of credits on a coastal home, it often pays for itself in the first year — and every year after.

What to Do If you own a coastal or near-coastal home and have never had a wind mitigation inspection, that's very likely money sitting on the table. Get the inspection, send me the OIR-B1-1802 report, and I'll make sure every credit you've earned is actually applied to your policy. Many homeowners are already sitting on features they're not being credited for.

The gold standard: a FORTIFIED roof

If you're already facing a roof replacement — or you want the maximum credit — the upgrade to aim for is an IBHS FORTIFIED roof. FORTIFIED is a nationally recognized construction standard built specifically to keep roofs on and water out during severe storms. It typically earns among the largest insurance credits available, and in a tightening coastal market it can also make your home easier to insure in the first place.

It costs more than a standard roof — but that's where the state steps in.

The state may help pay: SC Safe Home grants

South Carolina runs the SC Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program through the Department of Insurance, and it can help cover the cost of strengthening your roof:

Up to $7,500 (non-matching) or $6,000 (matching) for work meeting the full IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard.
Up to $5,000 (non-matching) or $4,000 (matching) for other eligible wind-mitigation work.
Covers upgrades like roof deck attachment, secondary water barrier, roof covering, gable-end bracing, opening protection, and window/door reinforcement.

Eligibility is aimed at owner-occupied primary residences in eligible South Carolina coastal counties. Since 2007 the program has awarded thousands of grants and tens of millions of dollars to coastal homeowners.

One important timing note: the grant runs in funding windows and the money runs out — it isn't always open. As I write this it's between windows. So the move is to get your paperwork and roof scope ready now, then apply the moment the next window opens. Confirm the current status directly at https://doi.sc.gov/605/SC-Safe-Home.

A quieter benefit: mitigation can help you get covered

In today's coastal market, the value isn't only the discount. Carriers are picky about the homes they'll write, and a well-mitigated roof — especially a FORTIFIED one — can be the difference between an offer and a "no." If you've been non-renewed or struggled to find coverage, mitigation is one of the most effective things you can do to get back in the market. (More on that in Non-Renewed by Your Home Insurance Company in South Carolina.)

It also pairs with the reality of coastal deductibles: a stronger roof means fewer claims and less chance of ever paying that big percentage hurricane deductible out of pocket. And if you carry wind coverage through the state Wind Pool, mitigation credits can apply there too.

Putting it together

Here's the simple game plan for a coastal South Carolina homeowner who wants to fight back on premium:

Get a wind mitigation inspection and send me the report — capture the credits you've already earned.
If you need a new roof, go FORTIFIED — biggest credit, better insurability.
Watch for the SC Safe Home grant window and have your paperwork ready to help pay for it.
Have me re-shop your policy with the credits applied — sometimes the savings plus a better carrier is a dramatic improvement.

Think You're Missing Wind Mitigation Credits? Let's Find Out.

Free, no-pressure review. Send me your wind mitigation report (or let's get one scheduled), and I'll make sure every credit you've earned is applied — and re-shop your coverage to stack the savings. 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

What are wind mitigation credits in South Carolina? They're premium discounts that South Carolina law requires insurers to offer when your home has features that resist hurricane wind — like hurricane straps, a hip roof, impact-resistant openings, or a secondary water barrier. Combined credits can reach up to 48% of the wind portion of your premium, and the average qualifying homeowner saves around 14%.

How do I get a wind mitigation discount? Have a qualified inspector complete a wind mitigation inspection and document your home's features on the standardized report (OIR-B1-1802 in South Carolina). Give the report to your agent, and the qualifying credits are applied to your policy.

What features qualify for wind mitigation credits? Roof shape (hip roofs earn more), roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections (hurricane clips/straps), code-rated roof covering, a secondary water barrier, opening protection (impact windows/doors or shutters), and gable-end and garage-door bracing.

What is a FORTIFIED roof? FORTIFIED is a nationally recognized IBHS construction standard designed to keep roofs on and water out during severe storms. It typically earns among the largest insurance credits and can make a coastal home easier to insure.

How much is the SC Safe Home grant? The SC Safe Home program offers up to $7,500 (non-matching) or $6,000 (matching) for a full FORTIFIED Roof, and up to $5,000 (non-matching) or $4,000 (matching) for other eligible wind-mitigation work, for eligible owner-occupied homes in coastal counties. It runs in funding windows, so check current availability at doi.sc.gov/SC-Safe-Home.

Can wind mitigation help me get insured if I've been non-renewed? Yes. Beyond the discount, a well-mitigated or FORTIFIED roof can make coastal carriers more willing to write your home, which can be the difference between getting an offer and being declined.

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