Property insurance and structural inspections

2025-2026 Bill 5063: Property insurance and structural inspections - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Download
This Bill
in Microsoft Word Format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 5063
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Landing, Hartnett, Teeple, Gilliard and Bustos
Document Path: LC-0593WAB26.docx
Introduced in the House on January 29, 2026
Currently residing in the House Committee on
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Summary: Property insurance and structural inspections
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/29/2026

House

Introduced and read first time (
House Journal-page 15
)

1/29/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Labor, Commerce and Industry
(
House Journal-page 15
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/29/2026

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION
38-75-70
SO AS TO REQUIRE PERIODIC FULL STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS OF CERTAIN
COASTAL MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS BY CERTIFIED STRUCTURAL EXPERTS AS A CONDITION OF
PROPERTY INSURANCE RENEWAL, TO PROVIDE INSURERS MAY CONSIDER THE FINDINGS AND
CONCLUSIONS OF STRUCTURAL INSPECTION REPORTS WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER TO RENEW,
NONRENEW, OR CONDITIONALLY RENEW A POLICY, AND TO PROVIDE A POLICY RENEWED
FOLLOWING A QUALIFYING INSPECTION MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE UP
TO POLICY LIMITS AND COVERAGE FOR REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE LIVING EXPENSES WHEN
EVACUATION IS NECESSARY DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES.

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
A
rticle 1, Chapter 75, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is
amended by adding:

S
ection
38-75-70
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1)
"Building" means a residential or mixed-use structure intended for human
occupancy.

(
2)
"Certified structural expert" means a professional engineer licensed in this
State with demonstrated experience in structural engineering, or another person
approved by the Department of Insurance by regulation who possesses
substantially equivalent credentials. The department shall create and maintain
a publicly-accessible database of such certified structural experts on the
internet website of the department.

(
3)
"Coastal area" means any location within three miles of the Atlantic Ocean
coastline of this State, measured horizontally from the mean high-water mark.

(
4)
"Full structural inspection" means a comprehensive evaluation of the primary
structural systems of a building, including the foundation, load-bearing
elements, framing, columns, beams, slabs, balconies, and other components
necessary to determine the overall structural integrity and safety of the
building, performed by a certified structural expert in accordance with
generally accepted engineering standards.

(
5)
"Insurer" means an insurance company authorized to transact property insurance
business in this State.

(
6)
"Renewal" means the continuation of an insurance policy beyond its existing
term, whether by issuance of a new policy or by extension of the existing
policy.

(
B)
This section applies to any building that:

(
1)
is four stories or a mean of 49 feet;

(
2)
is located within the coastal area; and

(
3)
is at least fifteen years of age, as measured from the date of issuance of the
original certificate of occupancy.

(
C) A
building subject to this section must undergo a full structural inspection by a
certified structural expert at least once every five years as a condition to
renewing its property insurance. The certified structural expert shall prepare
a written report of his findings and conclusions, and provide the report to the
insured and insurer.

(
D)
(
1) An insurer may consider the
findings and conclusions of a full structural inspection report prepared by a
certified structural expert when determining whether to renew, nonrenew, or
condition the renewal of a policy of property insurance covering a building
subject to this section.

(
2)
If an insurer renews a policy of property insurance covering a building subject
to this section and the building has been inspected by a certified structural
expert within the five-year period preceding the renewal, the insurer shall
provide coverage that includes:

(
a)
coverage for loss of or damage to the building up to the full limits of the
policy; and

(
b)
coverage for reasonable replacement costs for alternative living arrangements
for occupants if the building must be wholly or partially evacuated due to
structural deficiencies identified during the period between the inspection and
the date on which the next inspection is required.

S
ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval
by the Governor and is applicable to policies issued or renewed after December
31, 2026.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 29, 2026 at 11:04 AM