Best Independent Insurance Agencies in Columbia, SC (2026)
Local agencies that can compare more than one insurance company, ranked by a formula you can check.
Disclosure: Quote My Policy is not an insurance agency and is not on this list. No agency paid to be listed or was asked to take part. The order comes from a published scoring formula applied to facts each agency publishes about itself. Our reviewers are licensed agents in Anderson: Joshua Pannell, Katie Stone and JJ Taylor work at Select Insurance, LLC, and our founder Bryan DeVore owns an agency. Those agencies are left off every list.
Facts checked October 29, 2026
Reviewed by Bryan DeVore, Founder, Quote My Policy ·
Columbia is South Carolina's capital and the seat of Richland County. This list covers independent agencies with an office in Columbia.
Every agency here has an office in the area, says on its own website that it represents more than one insurance company, and has at least one named agent we found in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search. The order comes from a fixed scoring formula, not from our opinion, and no agency paid or asked to be included.
See exactly how the points work on how we rank local agencies.
The 9 agencies, ranked
1. Adams Eaddy & Associates
Score 84/100Adams Eaddy & Associates is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “We are a Trusted Choice® independent agency, and represent most of the nation’s leading business, personal, and auto insurance companies.”
Business-focused agency on Devine Street since 1980, also writing personal, high-net-worth and bond coverage. Part of Correll Insurance Group.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Thomas Outlaw (President), individual #440357; Andy Nason (Account Executive), individual #489663; James Galante (Account Executive), individual #729768; Ryan Eaddy (Account Executive), individual #197559; Brooks Moody (Account Executive), individual #863619
- Office: 2230 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 · (803) 254-9404
- In business since 1980
- Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–4:30 pm; Fri 8:00 am–3:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 16/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 15/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
2. Turbeville Insurance Agency (Columbia)
Score 82/100Turbeville Insurance Agency (Columbia) is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: ““Independent” means we’re not tied to any one insurance carrier.”
Family-founded agency headquartered on Middleburg Drive, with other offices in Lexington, Charleston and Beaufort.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: William (Bill) Turbeville, Jr. (Founder and President), individual #140639; Pamela Thompson (Chief Operations Officer), individual #123837; Jay Haynes (Vice President of Life, Health and Employee Benefits), individual #169148
- Office: 2718 Middleburg Drive, Columbia, SC 29204 · 800-738-9918
- In business since 1991
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 9/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
3. Smoak Insurance Agency, Inc
Score 81/100Smoak Insurance Agency, Inc is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “We represent different insurance companies so we can offer you a variety of policies unique to you.”
Locally owned agency on Leesburg Road that has served Columbia for more than three decades, writing both personal and commercial coverage.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
- Farm
Found in the SC license search: Robin Newton (President), individual #141117; Richard Smoak (Vice President), individual #141120
- Office: 1534 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC · 803-254-4323
- In business: Over 30 years
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Fri 9:00 am–3:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 10/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 6/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
4. Russell-Massey & Company (Columbia)
Score 79/100Russell-Massey & Company (Columbia) is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “Being independent allows us to work with a variety of insurance companies and focus on finding coverage that fits your individual needs.”
Locally owned Trusted Choice agency founded in Columbia in 1955, with a second office in Chapin opened in 2008.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
- Farm
Found in the SC license search: Melody Herring (President, Account Executive), individual #178203; Benjamin C. Myers (Vice President, Account Executive), individual #343316; David Finley (Account Executive), individual #163083
- Office: 1320 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201 · (803) 779-7854
- In business since 1955
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 10/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 9/15
- Transparency
- 5/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
5. Affordable Insurance Group
Score 76/100Affordable Insurance Group is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “We work with a network of trusted insurance providers so we can find the best match for your needs.”
Family agency on St. Andrews Road founded in 1985 by Julius Jones, serving the St. Andrews, Irmo and Columbia areas; also offers contractor coverage, surety bonds and retirement solutions. The website has a Spanish-language page.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Life
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Julius G. Jones III (Agency Manager), individual #202676; J. Gamble Jones, IV, individual #317586; Hannah Hernandez, individual #941171
- Office: 6168 Saint Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212 · (803) 798-4499
- In business since 1985
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:30 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 25/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 14/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 9/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
6. Keisler Insurance Group
Score 60/100Keisler Insurance Group is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “As an independent insurance agency, we compare coverage from more than 20 carriers and explain your options in straightforward terms.”
Founded in 2009 by owner Jon Keisler, the Rosewood Drive agency writes personal coverage plus business lines such as liquor liability, event and condominium association insurance.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Umbrella
- Boat
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Jon Keisler (Owner & Agent), individual #273027; Heather Bruorton (Insurance professional), individual #857403
- Office: 3602 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29205 · (803) 521-0807
- In business since 2009
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 17/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 14/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 6/15
- Transparency
- 5/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
7. Lamplighter Insurance
Score 54/100Lamplighter Insurance is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “Because independent insurance agencies, like Lamplighter Insurance, represent a number of different insurance companies, and can compare coverage and prices to find the best possible value for your individual circumstances.”
Independently owned, locally operated agency on Devine Street focused on Columbia, writing personal lines from auto and home to boats and RVs, plus business coverage.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Ryan Sussman (Agent), individual #469943; Robin Sussman (Agent), individual #1365986
- Office: 2323 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 · 803-451-0076
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 0/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 6/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
8. DeWees Insurance Partners
Score 52/100DeWees Insurance Partners is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “DeWees Insurance Partners is not affiliated with any one insurance carrier.”
Founded in 2015 by Josh DeWees; the Elmwood Avenue agency also has an office in Akron, Ohio and writes landlord, cyber and business coverage.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Life
- Boat
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Josh DeWees (President), individual #729774
- Office: 907 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201 · (803) 386-0003
- In business since 2015
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Online quote request on its website
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 11/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 10/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 3/15
- Transparency
- 10/10
- Convenience
- 5/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
9. Vista Insurance Group (Columbia)
Score 44/100Vista Insurance Group (Columbia) is an independent agency with an office in Columbia. In its own words: “Unlike a captive, or direct insurance company who only offers their own proprietary products, our agency is 100% independent of any one company.”
Privately owned agency based in Columbia with additional offices in Mt. Pleasant, SC and Harrisburg, NC; also offers health, disability and retirement income planning.
Coverage listed on its website
- Auto
- Home
- Renters
- Condo
- Life
- Umbrella
- Boat
- RV
- Motorcycle
- Flood
- Business
Found in the SC license search: Cecilia Fournil (Principal), individual #181413; Alex Fournil (Principal), individual #479915
- Office: 2717 Devine Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29205 · 803.726.0550
How this score adds up
- Years in business
- 0/25
- Personal coverage offered
- 20/20
- Business and farm coverage
- 8/10
- Licensed people we could check
- 6/15
- Transparency
- 5/10
- Convenience
- 0/15
- Depth on the topic
- 5/5
Why these lists include only independent agencies
An independent agency can quote with several insurance companies, so one conversation in Columbia can produce more than one price. A captive agent represents a single company. Captive agents can be excellent; they just answer a different question, which is why we rank them separately or not at all.
What to have ready before you call
An agent can only compare what they can see. Five minutes of gathering saves a second round of calls.
- Your current declarations page, so the agent can match or improve the coverage you already have
- Driver's license numbers and vehicle VINs for everyone and everything on the policy
- For a home: year built, roof age and material, and any updates to wiring, plumbing or heating
- Any claims or tickets in the past five years, so quotes aren't revised later
- The date you need coverage to start
Check an agent's license yourself
Every person on these lists appeared in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search when we checked. Licenses lapse and change, so look the person up yourself before you buy. Our step-by-step guide shows how, and what the search can and can't tell you.
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Tell us what you need and how you’d like to be reached. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals. Quotes are free, with no obligation to buy.
Common questions
With a fixed formula of up to 100 points: years in business, the coverage the agency offers, how many of its named people we found in the South Carolina license search, whether it publishes its staff and hours, convenience (online quote requests, evening or Saturday hours, other languages) and depth on the topic. The full formula is on our How we rank page. We do not use reviews or star ratings.
No. No agency paid, and none was asked to take part. Quote My Policy is not an agency and is not on the list.
We include independent agencies with an office in Columbia whose own website says they represent more than one insurance company, and with at least one named person we could find in the South Carolina Department of Insurance license search. If your agency meets those rules, email info@quotemypolicy.com with your website and we will check it the same way.
Each person we list by license number appeared in the South Carolina Department of Insurance individual license search on the date shown. The public search confirms a license record, not every detail of it, so look the agent up yourself before you buy.
Keep reading
Sources
Each agency’s own website, linked above, and the South Carolina Department of Insurance individual license search. Checked October 29, 2026. Spot an error? Email info@quotemypolicy.com and we will re-check it.
General information only, not insurance advice. Being on this list is not an endorsement, and leaving an agency off is not a judgment of it. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals.