Flood insurance in Tennessee

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Tennessee, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
23,056
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,308
$38 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$480.9M
across 17,706 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
58%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Tennessee, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2010, with $233.0 million paid on 4,724 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE58%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C42%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 42% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Tennessee

EventYearClaimsPaid
Late spring storms20104,559$230.6 million
Tennessee Flooding2021132$16.4 million
Hurricane Helene2024199$15.4 million
Heavy rains2003654$13.8 million
Central U.S. April Flooding2025198$7.8 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Tennessee with detailed pages, by number of policies. 62 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Davidson County4,820$1,4464,787$186.4 million
Shelby County2,230$9211,019$25.1 million
Hamilton County1,966$1,4961,748$30.3 million
Williamson County1,405$1,1881,103$31.1 million
Rutherford County1,283$1,205453$7.1 million
Sevier County1,219$2,075350$4.1 million
Knox County1,011$1,003598$7.9 million
Wilson County723$1,289575$11.2 million
Sumner County680$1,354706$14.4 million
Cheatham County424$1,562513$25.7 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Tennessee?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Tennessee costs about $1,308 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Tennessee?

There are about 23,056 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Tennessee, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Tennessee flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Tennessee have filed 17,706 flood claims, with $480.9 million paid out. 3,768 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.