Whether you’re a native of the Palmetto State or are looking to relocate to any of its charming Southern cities, opening an insurance franchise in South Carolina is a lucrative business opportunity.
Whether it’s a quick trip to a supermarket in Summerville or an hour-and-a-half drive from Spartanburg to Fort Mill, thousands of motorists drive on South Carolina roads, streets, and highways daily. All of these motorists, especially those who call this state home, need coverage whenever they hop into their vehicles and hit the road.
That’s where you — as an entrepreneur looking to launch an insurance franchise in South Carolina — come in.
By opening an insurance agency franchise in South Carolina, you’ll be able to provide automotive coverage as well as a variety of other coverage plans to these motorists and their families. You can also extend your coverage plans to newer residents who have recently relocated to the state, growing your customer base and broadening your reach.
If finding franchises for sale in South Carolina is something you’re researching, keep reading to learn how this state is rich with opportunity.
What Cities Offer the Best South Carolina Franchise Opportunities for an Insurance Agency?
Charleston, North Charleston, Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, and Rock Hill aren’t just the largest cities in the state; they’re also the fastest growing, offering the best South Carolina franchise opportunities for an insurance agency.
These six charming Southern cities are expected to grow significantly larger during the next four years. Recent trends indicate that from 2017 to 2022:
- Charleston grew by 12% and now boasts a population of around 151,600 residents.
- North Charleston grew by 6% and is now home to about 117,500 residents.
- Mount Pleasant grew by 6% and now has roughly 92,500 South Carolinians living here.
- Greenville grew by 5% and now has a current population of around 72,100.
- Columbia grew by 3% and now has around 137,500 South Carolinians residing here.
- Rock Hill grew by 1% and now has roughly 74,100 residents.
If you’re looking for an insurance franchise for sale in South Carolina, Charleston seems to be the standout city for a new branch. It’s got more than 150,000 residents, and many need some form of coverage, like home and auto.
With large population sizes, North Charleston shows similar promise, and so does Columbia. But don’t limit yourself to these three large cities.
Though much smaller in terms of population size, Rock Hill, for example, is a stone’s throw from Charlotte, the largest city in neighboring North Carolina. Just 27 miles north of Rock Hill, Charlotte is home to more than 897,700 people, according to the U.S. Census — and many of them are motorists in need of coverage, too.
If you’re looking for an insurance franchise opportunity in South Carolina, Rock Hill would be a great city to set up an insurance agency, allowing you to tailor your offerings to a broader number of folks who commute from their homes in Charlotte to Rock Hill or York County (or vice versa) for work daily.
Why Is an Insurance Agency Franchise in South Carolina a Lucrative Opportunity?
Continued population growth and auto coverage rates that are among the highest in the U.S. are what make launching an insurance agency franchise in South Carolina a lucrative opportunity.
At a minimum, motorists in the state pay around $558 annually for basic auto coverage. The annual estimate for full coverage is around $1,512.
A majority of South Carolinians live in rural areas, where these rate estimates may be lower. Those who live in large cities like Columbia and Charleston pay a bit more, with full coverage premiums averaging $1,547 and $1,626, respectively.
These coverage estimates are also higher in zip codes where fatal vehicle crashes tend to occur often. Florence, for example, is a small city that’s home to around 40,00 residents, yet its annual full coverage estimate for auto coverage is $1,680 — $54 more than Charleston. Why?
Florence’s proximity to I-95 — one of the busiest interstate highways in the nation — may be to blame. The city also has several state roads and U.S. highways running through it, increasing the risk of fatal crashes.
And that’s the reason why auto coverage premiums tend to be higher here: the state experiences a high number of fatal vehicle crashes annually.
South Carolina averages 19.4 deaths for every 100,000 residents, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), and that makes it one of the deadliest states to drive in.
As more motorists move to the Palmetto State, the chances for crashes and collisions increase, including fatal ones, unfortunately. As those instances increase, so do premiums.
What Top Insurance Companies Have Franchises for Sale in South Carolina?
Several top national insurance companies offer South Carolina franchise opportunities, including Freeway, Brightway, and Estrella Insurance.
Launching an insurance franchise in South Carolina means entering into a partnership with the franchisor — or parent company. So don’t pick one randomly.
Do your research and then contact each company. Find out:
- How much capital you’ll need to provide upfront
- The costs and associated fees
- What the application process is like
- How long it will take for you to open your new branch
What’s a Good Way to Research Insurance Franchises for Sale in South Carolina?
A good way to research franchises for sale in South Carolina is through a simple internet search. Simply type “insurance franchises for sale South Carolina” into the search bar, and this should yield a list of relevant results, including links to national companies that operate franchises in the Palmetto State.
Looking to Launch an Insurance Agency Franchise in South Carolina?
South Carolina franchise opportunities are plentiful, and Freeway Insurance can help you launch an agency in any one of its cities.
Get started online or give us a call at (877) 822-3024, and we will walk you through the process from start to finish, ensuring your new branch is a success.
