How Much Is Flood Insurance in Tennessee? Average Flood Insurance Cost and Coverage


The average flood insurance cost in Tennessee will depend on where you live as well as individual risk factors, like your home’s ground elevation and proximity to bodies of water.

If you are not sure whether your household is in a flood zone, you can check local maps. MoneyGeek strongly recommends that you get flood insurance if you are in a moderate- or high-risk flood zone. Flood damage can be expensive, and FEMA estimates that even an inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damages.

Keep in mind that your homeowners or renters insurance policy does not include coverage for natural flooding, so flood insurance is the only way to protect yourself against flood damages.

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The NFIP, NFIP-participating companies and private insurance providers offer flood insurance in Tennessee.

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You will pay higher rates for flood insurance in Tennessee if you live in a high-risk flood zone.

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Apart from location, flood insurance premiums in Tennessee will also depend on individual factors, like the age and design of your home, your coverage level and the deductible on your policy.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Tennessee

In Tennessee, flood insurance costs an average of $998 per year, but this rate can vary depending on your county. If you live in a moderate- or high-risk flood zone, you will pay more for flood insurance.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Tennessee

Tennessee has more flood-prone areas, so flood insurance is more expensive in the state compared to average national rates.

MoneyGeek found that Harris County is the cheapest for flood insurance in Tennessee at an average of $467 per year, while Pickett County is the most expensive at $4,441 per year.

You can use the table below to look up the average flood insurance cost in Tennessee by county.

Tennessee Flood Insurance Cost Per County
ANDERSON COUNTY$901
BEDFORD COUNTY$836
BENTON COUNTY$927
BLEDSOE COUNTY$825
BLOUNT COUNTY$1,084
BRADLEY COUNTY$1,115
CAMPBELL COUNTY$1,203
CANNON COUNTY$1,403
CARROLL COUNTY$1,528
CARTER COUNTY$1,420
CHEATHAM COUNTY$1,022
CHESTER COUNTY$669
CLAIBORNE COUNTY$1,081
CLAY COUNTY$537
COCKE COUNTY$1,327
COFFEE COUNTY$966
CROCKETT COUNTY$735
CUMBERLAND COUNTY$697
DAVIDSON COUNTY$1,072
DECATUR COUNTY$703
DEKALB COUNTY$916
DICKSON COUNTY$782
DYER COUNTY$1,189
FANNIN COUNTY$1,222
FAYETTE COUNTY$768
FENTRESS COUNTY$477
FRANKLIN COUNTY$952
GIBSON COUNTY$1,050
GILES COUNTY$1,028
GRAINGER COUNTY$678
GREENE COUNTY$1,387
GRUNDY COUNTY$1,342
HAMBLEN COUNTY$1,050
HAMILTON COUNTY$1,214
HANCOCK COUNTY$885
HARDEMAN COUNTY$927
HARDIN COUNTY$728
HARRIS COUNTY$467
HAWKINS COUNTY$959
HAYWOOD COUNTY$1,009
HENDERSON COUNTY$1,703
HENRY COUNTY$860
HICKMAN COUNTY$1,619
HOUSTON COUNTY$2,918
HUMPHREYS COUNTY$1,630
JACKSON COUNTY$1,037
JEFFERSON COUNTY$904
JOHNSON COUNTY$1,073
KNOX COUNTY$865
LAKE COUNTY$516
LAUDERDALE COUNTY$1,045
LAWRENCE COUNTY$704
LEWIS COUNTY$1,309
LINCOLN COUNTY$1,089
LOUDON COUNTY$708
MACON COUNTY$1,179
MADISON COUNTY$1,058
MARION COUNTY$951
MARSHALL COUNTY$1,204
MAURY COUNTY$1,024
MCMINN COUNTY$1,123
MCNAIRY COUNTY$1,254
MEIGS COUNTY$640
MONROE COUNTY$1,110
MONTGOMERY COUNTY$1,081
MOORE COUNTY$1,087
MORGAN COUNTY$1,249
OBION COUNTY$955
OVERTON COUNTY$1,169
PERRY COUNTY$695
PICKETT COUNTY$4,441
POLK COUNTY$1,068
PUTNAM COUNTY$756
RHEA COUNTY$1,090
ROANE COUNTY$1,116
ROBERTSON COUNTY$725
RUTHERFORD COUNTY$854
SCOTT COUNTY$1,312
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY$1,208
SEVIER COUNTY$1,018
SHELBY COUNTY$704
SMITH COUNTY$1,722
STEWART COUNTY$865
SULLIVAN COUNTY$1,237
SUMNER COUNTY$885
TIPTON COUNTY$950
TROUSDALE COUNTY$734
UNICOI COUNTY$766
UNION COUNTY$1,864
VAN BUREN COUNTY$843
WARREN COUNTY$1,161
WASHINGTON COUNTY$1,382
WAYNE COUNTY$841
WEAKLEY COUNTY$745
WHITE COUNTY$485
WILLIAMSON COUNTY$966
WILSON COUNTY$981

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Tennessee

The NFIP offers flood insurance in Tennessee, but you can also purchase a policy from private insurance companies. Private insurers offer base policies that are similar to NFIP coverage or excess policies that provide supplemental coverage in addition to the base coverage.

If you want more comprehensive coverage than you can get from an NFIP policy or live in a household that is not in an NFIP community, private insurers may be the best option.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in TN and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Neptune Flood

727-202-4815

Aon Private Flood

888-281-0684

Hiscox - FloodPlus

866-283-7545

FloodSimple Insurance Services

844-803-8788

Chubb

866-324-8222

The NFIP also offers flood insurance in Tennessee through partner insurance companies. You can look up the list of NFIP-participating providers in the table below.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Commerce Ins. Co.

(800) 562-4517

American Nat. Prop. & Casualty

(417) 887-4990

American Strategic Ins. Corp.

(866) 274-8765

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Auto Club South Insurance Co.

(800)-759-8656

Auto Owners Insurance Co.

Refer to the Agent locator

Everett Cash Mutual Ins. Co.

(800) 326-4968

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Buying flood insurance in Tennessee is a simple process with no special requirements. All you need to do is contact the NFIP through their hotline (877-336-2627) or call your home insurance agent. You can also get more options by researching other flood insurance providers.

It’s best to purchase your flood insurance as soon as you can since NFIP policies are subject to a 30-day waiting period. Private providers may also have 10-day waiting periods. Contact your chosen insurer for more information.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Tennessee?

Flood insurance will help cover the cost of damages to your home’s structure or its contents in case of a flood. This can help you avoid expensive flooding losses since even an inch of flood water can cost up to $25,000 in damages.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

For flood insurance purposes, flooding specifically refers to water damage arising from a natural weather phenomenon. This means that flood insurance coverage excludes damage from unnatural causes like leaking or burst pipes.

Standard flood insurance policies do not cover damage to swimming pools, cash, decks, patios, paperwork, basement items or cars. If you want to protect your car against flood damage, you should purchase a comprehensive car insurance policy.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

The physical structure of your home is covered by flood insurance under building coverage. The NFIP offers building coverage of up to $250,000.

Some of the structures in your home that will be covered under building coverage include:

  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • Built-in appliances
  • Built-in furniture
  • Permanent carpets
  • Foundation walls
  • Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Flood insurance includes protection for the personal belongings in your home under contents coverage. You can purchase contents coverage of up to $100,000 from the NFIP.

Some of the items protected by contents coverage include:

  • Artwork
  • Washers and dryers
  • Electronic equipment
  • Clothing
  • Furniture

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Tennessee

Location was the only factor in the cost of flood insurance before October 2021. You can find data on flooding risk for your state on the FEMA website.

According to FEMA data, Pickett County has had the fewest flooding events (12) in Tennessee since 1996, while Shelby County has had the most at 147. Flood insurance in these counties costs an average of $4,441 per year and $704 per year, respectively.

Despite having the fewest flooding events, Pickett County has flood insurance rates that are more than 600% more expensive than Shelby County, the most frequently flooded county in Tennessee. Pickett County may be so expensive because size is also a factor. A small county with fewer but more concentrated flooding events may be more costly compared to a county with more flooding events spread out over a large area.

Still, this is a highly unusual scenario, and Tennessee is a major outlier when it comes to the cost of flood insurance by county.

Risk Rating 2.0

In October 2021, FEMA introduced Risk Rating 2.0, a system that bases flood insurance rates on the combination of flood risk and individual property factors like:

  • Foundation type
  • Dwelling structure
  • Elevation
  • Replacement and repair costs
  • Frequency of flooding
  • Proximity to bodies of water

Keep in mind that your location will still play a role in the cost of your flood insurance.

MoneyGeek highlighted factors affecting the average flood insurance cost in Tennessee.

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    Flood Risk

    Flood risk is now determined on an individual basis using Risk Rating 2.0, so rates can vary even in the same location. In high-risk flood areas, rates are typically higher than in low-risk flood areas. Still, your rates may differ from your neighbor’s.

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    Coverage Type

    Comprehensive flood insurance coverage is more expensive than limited coverage. Depending on your state and county, the coverage options available to you may vary.

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    Deductible

    You can choose a deductible between $1,000 and $10,000. The higher the deductible, the cheaper the premium. However, you need to pay this amount when filing a claim, so choose wisely.

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    Age of Structure

    Older structures tend to be more expensive to insure than newer structures.

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    Structure Design

    The structure’s design and the materials used to build it can affect your flood insurance rates.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Tennessee?

Flood insurance gives you added protection and peace of mind since every property can be vulnerable to flooding. In high-risk flood zones, government-backed mortgage lenders will require you to purchase flood insurance.

Even in low- or moderate-risk flood zones, FEMA still recommends flood insurance. Keep in mind that homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover floods, so it is important to purchase a flood insurance policy.

Flood insurance will pay claims even without a presidential disaster declaration. You may even get more from flood insurance than federal disaster assistance, which may be limited to $5,000 per household.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Flood Insurance

You can look up the answers to some frequently asked questions below to learn more about flood insurance in Tennessee.

What is the average cost of flood insurance in Tennessee?
Which companies offer flood insurance in Tennessee?
What kind of damage does flood insurance cover?
What affects flood insurance rates in Tennessee?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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