Jerry is your proactive car insurance assistant. We help you compare personalized quotes side-by-side from 50+ top insurers, explain coverage in plain English, and switch policies in minutes. No bouncing between sites. No pressure to buy. Just clear options, expert guidance when you want it, and a seamless way to get covered.
-
Read about our editorial standards here.
Tennessee Home Insurance: Costs, Coverage and How to Save
-
Get personalized options in minutes.
-
Buy, bundle and switch right in the app.
-
Licensed agents are ready to help if you need them.
Tennessee is one of the most storm-battered states in the country, according to NOAA, and has seen dozens of severe storms over the last several decades. From tornadoes tearing across Middle Tennessee to devastating floods in Nashville and beyond, the variety and frequency of severe weather makes choosing the right home insurance one of the most important decisions for Tennessee homeowners.
Bundling your home and car insurance is easy with Jerry. It’s free to compare quotes and we’ll help you switch insurers once you’re ready, all online. Plus, our licensed agents are just a call away if you’d rather talk to a real person.
Based on cheapest quotes shown for all Jerry customers in the last 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Bundle home + car and save up to 40%.
What Tennessee homeowners pay right now
Home insurance costs in Tennessee vary widely based on your home’s age, roof condition and rebuild cost, your claims history and other factors, like your area’s exposure to tornadoes, hail and flooding. Tennessee’s premiums run above the national average, driven by the state’s high frequency of severe weather events.
Based on home insurance quotes for Jerry customers in the last 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Jerry can help you find competitive prices and strong coverage, regardless of those factors. Here are some recent examples of real customers who saved by bundling their home insurance with Jerry:
Recent bundling quotes
Based on Jerry customers who found savings in the past 45 days. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Key takeaway: Tennessee’s home insurance costs are above average, driven by frequent tornadoes, hail and severe storms. Comparing quotes is the best way to find a fair rate.
Mix and match home and car insurance with Jerry
Bundling discounts typically range from 5%-25%, depending on the insurer. But bundling your car insurance with the same home carrier isn’t always the cheapest option overall. In Tennessee, where some carriers excel at pricing tornado-prone areas and others offer better rates in lower-risk regions, mixing carriers can sometimes save you more. Over the past year, drivers who switched through Jerry saved an average of 40% compared to their previous policy.
Here’s what makes Jerry different: You don’t have to use the same insurer for both.
Jerry’s mix-and-match approach lets you pair the best home insurance rate with the best auto insurance rate, even from different carriers. This way, you’re not stuck overpaying on one policy just to get a bundle discount on the other.
Mix and match with Jerry to build your perfect bundle.
Best home insurance in Tennessee
There’s no single “best” home insurance company in Tennessee. It depends on your home, your budget and what kind of coverage you need. A homeowner in Memphis dealing with earthquake risk from the New Madrid Seismic Zone will have different priorities than someone in Knoxville more focused on hail and tornado protection.
That said, our data shows some clear trends among Tennessee homeowners. Here are the most popular home insurance companies Jerry customers choose:
Based on home insurance quotes for Jerry customers in the last 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Why the variety? Tennessee homeowners prioritize different things. Some want the lowest premium, many care most about fast claims processing after a storm, and others look for strong local agent support or flexible coverage options. In a state where severe weather can strike from March through November, having a carrier that handles storm claims efficiently matters a lot.
Also check: The best car insurance in Tennessee
Jerry recommends: The easiest way to find the right coverage is to compare home insurance quotes in the Jerry app. We find competitive quotes from top carriers in minutes, so you can find the best coverage at the right price.
Factors that affect home insurance costs in Tennessee
From tornado outbreaks to flash flooding and hailstorms, where you live and what your home is built to withstand in Tennessee plays a big role in what you pay. Here are the biggest factors and how to stay protected.
🌪️ Tornadoes and severe storms
Tennessee sits in “Dixie Alley,” a region of the Southeast known for frequent and destructive tornadoes. Middle and West Tennessee, including the Nashville metro and Clarksville area, are particularly vulnerable. Straight-line winds from thunderstorms can be just as damaging as low-level tornadoes and are even more common. Tornado and wind damage is covered under standard homeowners policies.
🌊 Flood risk
Standard homeowners policies in Tennessee do not cover flood damage. But flooding is a serious concern across the state, from urban flash floods in Nashville to river flooding in the Tennessee and Cumberland valleys. East Tennessee was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene in late 2024, a reminder that tropical cyclone remnants can bring devastating inland flooding. If you have a federally backed mortgage and your property is in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone, flood insurance is required. Even outside high-risk zones, a separate flood policy is strongly recommended.
⛈️ Hail damage
Large hail from severe thunderstorms is one of the leading causes of property damage claims in Tennessee. Hailstones can crack and damage roofs, siding, windows and outdoor structures. The state sees hail activity from early spring through summer, with Middle Tennessee being especially prone. Some Tennessee policies may include a percentage-based wind and hail deductible instead of a flat dollar amount, so check your policy carefully.
🕳️ Sinkhole risk
Tennessee’s limestone-heavy geology, particularly in the Central Basin and parts of East Tennessee, makes it one of the most sinkhole-prone states in the country. Standard policies do not cover sinkhole damage. However, under Tennessee law, every insurer offering homeowners coverage in the state must make sinkhole loss coverage available to policyholders upon request. If your home is in a karst terrain area, adding sinkhole coverage is worth considering.
🏠 Roof age and home condition
Your roof’s age, material and condition are among the biggest factors in your Tennessee premium. Given how frequently the state experiences hail and high winds, insurers pay close attention to whether your roof can handle the punishment. Newer, impact-resistant roofs can earn you significantly lower rates. Older homes with outdated electrical, plumbing or heating systems may also face higher premiums.
Key takeaway: Tennessee’s combination of tornado, hail, flood and sinkhole risks all play into your rate. Understanding what drives your premium helps you find the right coverage and potential savings.
Get bundling quotes in minutes, no calls needed.
Get the right coverage without overpaying
For Tennessee homeowners, choosing the right coverage levels can save you money while making sure you’re protected when it counts.
Dwelling coverage is the core of your home insurance policy. It pays to repair or rebuild your home’s structure if it’s damaged by things like fire, wind, hail, lightning or vandalism.
Your dwelling coverage amount is based on your home’s rebuild cost — not its market value — as calculated by your insurer. In Tennessee, where construction costs have risen and storm damage can require significant rebuilds, making sure your replacement cost estimate is up to date is especially important. Jerry can estimate your replacement cost right in the app, so you’ll know you’re covered for the right amount.
Here’s what Tennessee homeowners typically pay based on their home’s rebuild value:
$150-299k
dwelling coverage
Typical for smaller homes, condos or older properties.
$300-499k
dwelling coverage
Covers most mid-range homes.
$500-749k
dwelling coverage
Typical for larger or newer homes.
$750k-1M
dwelling coverage
Common for high-value properties.
Key takeaway: Your dwelling coverage should match your home’s rebuild cost, not its market value. Jerry shows you real-time pricing at every level so you can find the right balance.
Learn more: What does home insurance cover?
4 ways to save on home insurance in Tennessee
One thing Tennessee homeowners should know: Tennessee is one of only two states where insurers are required to make sinkhole coverage available to homeowners, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Under Tennessee Code §56-7-130, every insurer must offer optional sinkhole loss coverage upon request. If your home sits on karst terrain, this coverage could save you from a devastating, uninsured loss.
Bundling your home policy with the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee is one of the most effective ways to lower your premium, but it’s not the only one. Tennessee homeowners have several options to reduce costs without cutting coverage. Here are four worth looking into.
Jerry Agent Tip 1: Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Every insurer weighs Tennessee’s tornado, hail and flood risks differently, which means the same home can cost significantly more or less to insure depending on who you’re with. Rates can vary from Memphis to Chattanooga and everywhere in between. Comparing quotes from multiple carriers is one of the smartest moves you can make, and Jerry makes it easy to see your options side-by-side in minutes.
Recent quotes
Why it matters: Two homeowners in Tennessee with similar homes can still pay very different rates. Jerry shows you quotes side-by-side to help you find coverage that fits your home and budget.
Jerry Agent Tip 2: Stack discounts for a cheaper rate
From upgrading your roof to installing a storm-resistant front door, most homeowners qualify for at least a few discounts, and stacking them could add up to serious savings. But insurers don’t always apply all of them, which is why Jerry automatically finds the discounts you qualify for.
Besides bundling, here are some common Tennessee home insurance discounts:
🏠 New roof discount
Given Tennessee’s high hail and wind activity, your roof is one of the biggest factors in your rate. A newer roof, especially one made with impact-resistant materials like Class 4 shingles, can qualify you for meaningful savings. Depending on the carrier, roofs less than 10 years old may earn discounts of up to 15%.
🔒 Security system discount
Installing safety devices like alarms, smart home systems, smoke detectors and deadbolts can qualify you for a lower rate. Many carriers offer protective device discounts of up to 15% when you combine security systems like advanced burglar protection and automatic water leak valves.
💨 Storm-resistant features discount
Some Tennessee carriers offer credits for homes with storm shutters, reinforced garage doors or impact-resistant windows. While Tennessee doesn’t have a formal wind mitigation credit program like some coastal states, individual insurers may reward features that reduce wind and hail damage risk.
🆕 New home discount
Newer homes built to modern building codes are less likely to have costly claims, and insurers reward that. Depending on the carrier, homes built within the last 10 to 15 years may qualify for savings of up to 15% for the first year you’re with an insurance company.
🎓 Claims-free discount
The longer you go without filing a claim, the more you save. Most insurers offer this discount after three or more claims-free years, with some offering savings of up to 20%. In a state where storms are frequent, being selective about which claims you file can pay off over time.
🔧 Home renovation discount
Updated your electrical, plumbing or heating systems? Some carriers offer discounts when these systems have been replaced within the last 10 to 15 years, since modern systems reduce the risk of fire and water damage.
💳 Pay-in-full discount
Paying your full annual premium upfront instead of in monthly installments can earn you a discount with many carriers, typically between 5-10%.
⏳ Loyalty discount
Staying with the same insurer year after year can lead to increasing savings. Some carriers start rewarding loyalty after just one year, with discounts growing the longer you stay. But it still never hurts to shop around when your policy is up for renewal.
📋 Quote-in-advance discount
Shopping early can pay off. Some insurers offer a discount of up to 15% when you get a quote before your previous policy expires.
🚭 Non-smoker discount
Since smoking increases the risk of house fires, some carriers offer lower rates to non-smoking households.
Key takeaway: Most homeowners qualify for multiple discounts, from new roof credits to claims-free savings. But insurers don’t always apply them automatically. Jerry can help you find all discounts you’re eligible for to maximize your savings.
Jerry Agent Tip 3: Pick the right deductible
Your deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in — has a direct impact on your premium. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can reduce your premium by 10 to 25%, depending on your location, insurer and home’s replacement cost.
The trade-off is simple: a higher deductible means a lower premium, but more out of pocket if you file a claim. Here are a few things to keep in mind for Tennessee:
- Watch for percentage-based wind and hail deductibles. Some Tennessee policies have a separate percentage-based deductible for wind and hail claims, typically 1-2% of your dwelling coverage. On a $300,000 home, a 2% wind and hail deductible means you’d pay $6,000 out of pocket for storm-related damage, even if your all-other-perils deductible is much lower.
- Check what you can afford out of pocket. If a $2,500 expense after a storm would be manageable, a higher deductible could save you hundreds a year. If it would strain your budget, stick with a lower one.
- Consider how often you’d actually file a claim. Most homeowners only file a claim once every 8 to 10 years, so the premium savings can add up long before you ever pay that deductible.
The Jerry difference: Jerry lets you compare quotes for different deductible amounts to see how it affects your home insurance costs.
Jerry Agent Tip 4: Improve your credit score
In Tennessee, insurers can use credit-based insurance scores to help set your premium. Under Tennessee Code §56-5-202, insurers must refresh your credit information at least every 36 months, and they cannot use factors like income, gender, address or ethnicity in calculating your insurance score. Homeowners with good or excellent credit often save hundreds compared to those with fair or poor credit. Improving your credit isn’t an overnight fix, but even gradual improvements could lead to a lower rate at your next renewal.
To boost your credit score, focus on paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances below 30% of your limit and avoiding new credit applications before shopping for insurance. Building your credit score could take some time, but most people see meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 months of consistent on-time payments and lower balances.
If your credit isn’t where you want it to be, don’t worry. Some insurers weigh credit less heavily than others, and Jerry can show you which carriers offer the best rates for your situation. Tennessee law also gives you the right to request that your insurer re-run your credit score at renewal, so improvements in your credit can translate to a lower premium.
Key takeaway: The better your credit score, the lower your premium typically will be. Tennessee law includes protections to make sure your credit is used fairly, but regardless of your history, shopping around with Jerry can help you find a competitive rate.
Compare home + car bundles in one place, all online.
FAQ
-
💰 How much is homeowners insurance in Tennessee?
-
🌪️ Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage in Tennessee?
-
🌊 Do I need flood insurance in Tennessee?
-
🕳️ Does home insurance cover sinkhole damage in Tennessee?
-
🌡️ Does Tennessee have earthquake risk?
-
💸 Why is home insurance expensive in Tennessee?
-
⛈️ What is a wind and hail deductible?
-
💡 How can I lower my home insurance in Tennessee?
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.