Flooding can happen anywhere, and homeowners’ insurance won’t cover it. 

A flood is officially defined as “a temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of water of two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties." Floods happen from overflow from rivers, heavy rain, back up from blocked storm drains, and sewer backups as a result. 

It’s important to note that certain water damage, such as burst pipes or roof leaks, falls under a homeowner’s insurance policy, however. 

The 2010 flood in Nashville caused extensive and expensive damage to hundreds of homes and businesses. Just because you may not live in a designated flood zone doesn’t mean the risk of flooding isn’t real. 

A good amount of flood reports come from areas outside of designated flood zones. Neighborhoods in and around Nashville at risk of flooding include: 

• Antioch
• Bellevue
• East Nashville
• Donelson
• Madison
• And parts of Downtown Nashville near the Cumberland River

If your home is in a designated FEMA flood zone, flood insurance may not be optional, but a requirement, especially if: 

• You have a federally backed mortgage
• Your mortgage lender requires it
• You’ve received federal disaster assistance in the past

Just one inch of water in your home can cause several thousand dollars worth of damage. Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area, flood insurance is worth considering. 

What does Flood Insurance Cover in Nashville? 

There are two types of flood insurance coverage: building (structure) which is what’s considered standard coverage and contents coverage (personal property). Contents coverage must be purchased separately. 

Here’s what these coverages include: 

Standard Flood Coverage 

Offers financial assistance if any of the following are damaged as the result of a flood: 

• Foundation, walls, and floors
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• HVAC equipment
• Built-in appliances and cabinets

Contents Coverage 

Coverage for the following if they are damaged from flooding: 

• Clothing and furniture
• Electronics
• Rugs and carpeting not covered by building coverage
• Washers, dryers, and freezers

It’s worth noting that flood insurance does not cover temporary housing, landscaping, or vehicles, as they all fall under other policies. 

Separate policies much be purchased for detached buildings like external garages or sheds. 

There are several ways to get flood insurance in Nashville, but Goosehead Insurance makes it easy to acquire a policy. 

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) allows approved carriers into a Write your Own Policy (WYOP) program, meaning certain carriers can write their own policies through the NFIP.  

Some of these carriers are Goosehead partners, and we can write policies through the NFIP directly or private carriers. 

Standardized coverage limits from include: 

• Up to $250,000 for your home
• Up to $100,000 for contents
• A typical 30-day waiting period after payment before coverage begins.

However, there are some additional benefits from both NFIP and private carriers available: 

• Higher coverage limits
• Shorter activation periods (some may be scenario specific like closing on a new home)
• Extra options

Whatever the case, Goosehead is here to make shopping for a flood insurance policy as quick and simple as possible. 

On average, the cost of flood insurance in Nashville is about $1,500 a year. Keep in mind that prices may vary based on: 

• Your location
• Elevation and property characteristics
• Coverage amounts and deductible selections
• Your carrier (private or NFIP)

While you can’t necessarily bundle a flood insurance policy like you can with home and auto, there are ways to save on your flood insurance premium, such as: 

• Mutli-policy discounts with certain carriers
• Flood-proofing your home
• Acquiring an elevation certificate, which details your home’s location, flood zone, characteristics, and the height of its lowest flood compared to the base flood elevation

It’s important to mention again that flood damage is not covered by a standard home insurance policy. With Goosehead, not only do we make it easy to get home and auto insurance, but we can make sure our clients are protected against floods, too. 

Here’s why homeowners trust us: 

• Comprehensive comparisons: We’re able to make the comparisons for you and find a flood insurance policy that makes sense for you.
• Easy process: Whether you’re a new client or a pre-existing one, we make insurance easy by being your single point of contact.
• High-quality service: Our agents are dedicated to making sure the experience is a pleasant one with our commitment to service.
• Tennessee Expertise: Our agents are licensed in Tennessee so they can help you make informed decisions.