South Carolina is an NCCI loss-cost state: NCCI files advisory loss costs with the Department of Insurance, which mandates adoption of approved values as the base; carriers then apply their own multipliers. With a flat rate environment, what you control — classification, mod, carrier — is what moves the bill.

The current rate environment in South Carolina

NCCI’s most recent filing proposed an essentially flat 0.4% decrease to voluntary loss costs, effective April 1, 2026. After several years of larger cuts, South Carolina pricing has leveled off — making carrier selection and classification accuracy the active savings levers.

Where to find official South Carolina rate data

South Carolina does not post a free per-class loss cost table — NCCI’s tables are subscription products, and the SC Department of Insurance publishes adoption notices for approved filings. Your own numbers are the useful ones: the class codes on your declarations page, your experience mod worksheet, and how your carrier’s multiplier compares — all three are part of every quote we run.

What determines your South Carolina premium

• Class codes — every job type carries its own rate; misclassification is the most common cause of overpayment
• Payroll — premium is calculated per $100 of payroll, by class
• Experience mod — your claims history versus similar businesses scales the whole premium up or down
• Carrier pricing — carriers apply filed multipliers over the mandated NCCI loss cost base; the four-employee coverage threshold means even very small SC businesses are usually in the system
• Credits and programs — safety programs, dividend plans, and pay-as-you-go options move the net cost

How to get the best rate in South Carolina

The rate tables are only the starting point: the carrier you land with, the accuracy of your class codes, and how your payroll is reported decide what you actually pay. We quote South Carolina businesses across a dozen A-rated markets and show you the comparison — including pay-as-you-go billing that matches premium to actual payroll. See our South Carolina workers’ comp guide and South Carolina forms & resources for the rest of the picture.

South Carolina rate FAQs

Did South Carolina workers’ comp rates change for 2026?

The most recent NCCI filing was essentially flat — a 0.4% decrease to voluntary loss costs effective April 1, 2026, following several years of larger decreases.

Who needs workers’ comp coverage in South Carolina?

Employers with four or more employees — counting part-time workers and family members — are generally required to carry coverage. The assigned-risk plan (administered by NCCI) backstops businesses the voluntary market declines.

How do I lower my South Carolina premium in a flat rate market?

When published values stop falling, savings come from your side: accurate class codes, clean payroll splits, mod management, pay-as-you-go billing, and comparing carriers whose appetite for your class differs.