Consumer Alert: Insurance Policy Limits and Keeping Up with Increasing Construction Costs

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) is reminding home and property owners to review your insurance coverage limits due to increasing repair and replacement construction costs.

Gov. McMaster, Supt. Spearman, & Dir. Farmer Announce $24.54M Investment

Governor Henry McMaster, S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, and Director Ray Farmer have announced that the second round of funding from the state’s share of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust will be invested in 235 new...

SCDOI Launches Drive Smart Campaign, Challenges South Carolinians to Drive Distraction-Free

The SCDOI announces the Drive Smart
campaign. This public awareness effort is challenging South Carolinians to drive without distractions.

Notice of A Filing and Corrective Action Order

In the matter of: Application of the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. for a revision in their Workers’ Compensation Program Loss Costs, and Corrective Action Order

Corrective Action Order 2021-01

In the Matter of: Self-Funded Rates for the Workers’ Compensation Assigned Risk Plan

Consumer Alert: COVID-19 Vaccinations Should Be Provided at No Cost to the Consumer

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) would like to remind consumers that you should not be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine or for the vaccine’s administration, regardless of health insurance status. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Rel...

Consumer Fraud Alert

We've recently received reports of organizations trying to obtain personal information by masquerading as licensed insurance professionals selling final expense coverage or burial insurance. Do not share personal information with telemarketers.

Bulletin 2021-01 Transitional Policy Extension

Bulletin Number 2021-01, Addendum H to Bulletin 2013-12, has been issued to adopt the latest federal extension of the transitional policy (now referred to as the non-enforcement policy) through Calendar Year 2022.

FAQs: Auto Insurance Blog

Here at the SCDOI, we get a fair amount of questions surrounding auto insurance. We will address some of the main ones we get in this blog post.

Bulletin 2020-11: New Guaranty Association Notice Requirement

Bulletin 2020-11: New Guaranty Association Notice Requirement

TO:                  All Members of the South Carolina Life and Accident and Health Insurance Guaranty Associatio...

SCWHUA Renewal of Expansion

This regards the renewal of the Jan. 7, 2019 expansion of the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA) territory.

Urgent Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) License Application Deadline is Tuesday December 1, 2020

This notice serves as an urgent reminder to companies offering PBM services in South Carolina.

Just Drive Video

Distracted driving causes 20,000 accidents each year in S.C.
Director Farmer urges drivers to put the phone down when behind the wheel and just drive.

Order Number 2020-05 Retroactive Accident and Health Insurance

This matter comes before me for final approval of rates for credit accident and health insurance sold in conjunction with loans subject to the South Carolina Consumer Protection Code.  Pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. Section 34-29-10...

Order Number 2020-04 Rates for Credit Property Insurance

This matter comes before me for final approval of rates for credit property insurance sold in conjunction with loans subject to the South Carolina Consumer Protection Code. Pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. Section 34-29-10, et seq. (1976, as a...

Order Number 2020-03 Rates for Credit Accident and Health Insurance

This matter comes before me for final approval of rates for credit accident and health insurance sold in conjunction with loans subject to the South Carolina Consumer Protection Code, other than loans made under S.C. Act No. 988 of 1966.  Pursuan...

Order Number 2020-02: Mandating Electronic Payment Options

It has come to the South Carolina Department of Insurance’s attention that some licensees are 1) refusing to accept cash from their policyholders as a method of payment and 2) thereby requiring policyholders to transact business digitally or electronicall...

Video: 5 Common Life Insurance Questions

S.C. Private Flood Insurance Act Enacted

For Immediate Release                                           &a...

Common Life Insurance Questions

Let’s answer some common questions about life insurance. 

Life insurance is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money in exchange for a premium...

Bulletin Number 2020-03A - Modification to Temporary Licensing

To:  All insurers, producers, surplus lines brokers, bail bondsmen, and other licensed or authorized persons transacting the business of insurance in South Carolina. 

From: Raymond G. Farmer, Director of Insurance

This Bulletin modifies te...

Bulletin 2020-10 PBM License Application Timeline and Instruction

To: All Pharmacy Benefit Managers Doing Business in this State, and Other Interested Parties

From: Raymond G. Farmer, Director of Insurance

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to establish filing timelines for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) applying fo...

Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams

The SCDOI has received reports of South Carolinians receiving scam marketing calls offering insurance products in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Be aware that these calls may use a virtual phone number with a South Carolina area code and phone numb...

Isaias Storm Recovery Information

 Isaias Updates:

• If you need help finding your company’s insurance claims number, please click here.
• The National Hurricane Center confirms Isaias made landfall near Ocean Isle, NC . Flooding may still remain throughout parts of the S.C. ...

Bulletin 2020-06 SC Safe Home Program

The South Carolina Department of Insurance administers the South Carolina Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program as set forth in S.C. Code Ann. §38-75-485 (2017). The program provides matching and non-matching grant funds to help coastal property own...

Insurance Coverage for Losses Caused by Riots, Civil Commotion and Vandalism

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) would like to provide consumers and business owners with information on insurance coverage for losses caused by riots, civil commotion and vandalism.

South Carolina law defines a riot as a tumultuous distu...

2020 Reporting Instructions for Sample Premiums Data Call

To: All Insurers Writing Private Passenger Automobile Insurance or Homeowners Insurance Coverage in South Carolina   

From: Michael Wise  Manager, Office of Market Services   

Subject: 2020 Private Passenger Auto...

Bulletin Number 2020-05

To: All insurance companies, including captive insurance companies and other persons licensed to transact business in South Carolina

From: Raymond G. Farmer Insurance Director

Purpose

As you are aware, South Carolina and most other states are in a State of E...

Bulletin Number 2020-04

To all licensees of the South Carolina Department of Insurance, including guaranty fund associations, surplus lines insurers and other persons registered or authorized to operate pursuant to the Insurance laws of this state.

From  Raymond G. Farme...

April Severe Weather Data Call Notice

TO:  All Companies Licensed or Authorized to Write Property and Casualty Insurance in South Carolina  

FROM: Raymond G. Farmer, Director of Insurance

This correspondence is being issued to provide notification and guidance on reporting re...

The SCDOI's Response to COVID-19

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) is working closely with the health insurance industry to ensure South Carolinians have access to testing and related treatment when it comes to COVID-19, better known as the Coronavirus. The Department is...

BULLETIN NUMBER 2020-01 Addendum G to Bulletin 2013-12 Transitional Policy Extension

TO: All Insurers Licensed to Transact Accident and Health Insurance Business within the State of South Carolina and All South Carolina Licensed Health Maintenance Organizations (collectively “Health Insurance Issuers”)

FROM: Raymond G. ...

Network Adequacy Standards - Annual Certifications Due February 1st

Network Adequacy Standards – Annual Certifications Due February 1st

In accordance with Bulletin 2013-04, Appendix C, Item 9 under the section titled Provider Network Adequacy Guidelines, each Issuer must file an access plan with the filing for in...