Flood insurance • Nashville, Tennessee • 2026
Flood Insurance in Nashville, TN: Coverage, Flood Zones, and Quotes
Flood insurance in Nashville covers a risk the city knows well. The May 2010 flood killed 36 people as the Cumberland crested near 52 feet, and in March 2021 about 7 inches of rain in two days flooded creeks and killed four more, including three along Seven Mile Creek.
Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood, so a separate flood policy is the only way to cover damage from rising water.
Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency based in Tucson that serves Nashville homeowners and renters by phone and online. We do not have an office in Nashville, and we compare National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private flood options from the insurers we are appointed with for your exact address.
Get Nashville flood insurance quotes
Tell us your Nashville address, whether you own or rent, your flood zone if you know it, and the coverage you want, and a licensed agent will follow up with NFIP and private flood options available to us. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 Arizona time, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
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Get a flood quote from Neptune →Private flood insurance quotes online from Neptune Flood.
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Flood risk in Nashville: what drives it
Nashville sits on the Cumberland River, with fast-rising creeks such as Mill Creek, Seven Mile Creek, Richland Creek, and Whites Creek running through its neighborhoods. Three things drive most flood claims.
Cumberland River flooding
Prolonged heavy rain can push the Cumberland above its 40-foot flood stage, flooding downtown, Bellevue, and low areas along the river, as in 2010.
Creek flash floods
Creeks rise within hours in heavy rain, flooding homes and roads in South Nashville, Antioch, and other neighborhoods. Metro has bought out hundreds of frequently flooded homes along creeks.
Homes outside mapped flood zones
Many homes flooded in 2010 and 2021 were outside high-risk zones, so their owners had no flood insurance.
Nashville flood zones and maps
Higher-risk flood zones follow the Cumberland River and its tributary creeks, including Mill Creek, Seven Mile Creek, Richland Creek, and the Harpeth River in Bellevue. Many nearby homes are in moderate-risk zones and still flood in extreme rain.
FEMA flood maps label higher-risk areas as Special Flood Hazard Areas, such as Zones A and AE, and lower-risk areas as Zones X, B, or C. If your building is in a high-risk zone and you have a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Outside those zones, coverage is optional, but flood damage is still excluded from standard homeowners and renters policies.
You can look up an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Maps show estimated risk, not a guarantee, and do not capture every street that floods during a heavy storm.
Coverage priorities for Nashville homeowners and renters
| Your situation | Coverage to review | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner near a creek | Building and contents flood | Creeks can flood homes within hours |
| Renter in a ground-floor apartment | Contents-only flood coverage | Your landlord’s policy does not cover your belongings |
| Buying a home with a mortgage | Flood zone and flood history check | Metro maintains a list of flood-prone properties |
| Homeowner outside a flood zone | Lower-cost flood coverage | 2010 and 2021 floods hit many homes outside mapped zones |
Examples only, not recommendations. Coverage availability and terms vary by insurer.
Tennessee flood facts every Nashville property owner should know
- Flood is excluded from homeowners and renters policies. Rising water from the Cumberland River, a creek, or a flash flood, or heavy rain that pools around a building, is flood damage. It needs a separate flood policy.
- Sewer backup is a separate gap. Water backing up through floor drains or toilets is usually covered only by a water backup endorsement on your homeowners policy. A flood policy covers backup only when it is caused directly by a flood.
- Basements have limited flood coverage. NFIP policies cover only certain items below ground level, such as furnaces, water heaters, and washers and dryers, not finished walls, flooring, or most belongings. Some private policies offer more.
- Middle Tennessee floods fast. The May 2010 flood killed 36 people around Nashville, and many flooded homes were outside high-risk flood zones and had no flood insurance.
- Lenders require flood insurance in high-risk zones. If your building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and your mortgage is federally backed, flood insurance is required. Elsewhere it is optional.
- State floodplain help. Tennessee's NFIP coordinator works through the Department of Economic and Community Development, and Metro Nashville's stormwater staff can help you find your zone.
NFIP vs. private flood insurance: what to compare
Most flood policies come from the National Flood Insurance Program, run by FEMA, or from a private flood insurer. Line up each quote on the same terms before comparing price.
| Coverage | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Building coverage | Same limit. The NFIP pays up to $250,000 for a home's structure. Private flood insurers may offer higher limits. |
| Contents coverage | Same limit. The NFIP pays up to $100,000 for belongings, and renters can buy contents-only coverage. |
| Deductibles | Same deductibles. Building and contents deductibles are often separate. |
| Loss settlement | Whether the building is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value, and how contents are paid |
| Living expenses | The NFIP does not pay for a hotel or other extra living costs. Some private policies do. |
| Basements | The NFIP limits what it covers below ground level. Check what each policy pays for in a basement. |
| Waiting period | NFIP policies usually take effect after 30 days, with some exceptions, such as a loan closing. Private waiting periods vary. |
Nashville areas and ZIP codes we quote
We quote flood insurance across Nashville, including Downtown, East Nashville, Germantown, the Nations, Bellevue, Antioch, Donelson, Hermitage, Madison, Green Hills, and South Nashville.
- 37201
- 37203
- 37204
- 37206
- 37207
- 37208
- 37209
- 37210
- 37211
- 37212
- 37214
- 37215
- 37216
- 37217
- 37218
- 37221
- 37013
- 37076
- 37115
Flood insurance is priced by the exact address, including its flood risk, the building's elevation and foundation, its replacement cost, and the coverage and deductibles you choose. Have your address and, if you have one, your elevation certificate ready.
Ways to lower your Nashville flood premium
- Compare NFIP and private quotes. Since FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, NFIP prices reflect each property's own risk, and a private quote can come in higher or lower for the same home.
- Choose a higher deductible if you can afford it after a loss.
- Get an elevation certificate. It can help, especially for buildings in high-risk zones.
- Reduce the damage a flood can do. Raising utilities, adding flood openings, or elevating the building can lower the price over time.
- Ask about community discounts. Communities in FEMA's Community Rating System can earn NFIP discounts for their residents.
Discounts and pricing factors vary by insurer and program.
Closing on a home? If your lender requires flood insurance, tell us your closing date. NFIP policies tied to a loan closing can start without the usual 30-day wait. Call 888-387-3687.
Nashville flood insurance FAQs
Do I need flood insurance in Nashville?
If your building is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require it. Elsewhere it is optional, but many homes flooded in 2010 and 2021 were outside high-risk zones.
How bad was the 2010 Nashville flood?
The May 2010 flood killed 36 people, and the Cumberland River crested at 51.86 feet, well above its 40-foot flood stage.
Which Nashville areas flood most?
Areas along the Cumberland River and creeks such as Mill Creek, Seven Mile Creek, and Richland Creek, plus Bellevue along the Harpeth River, flood most often.
Does flood insurance cover my car?
No. Cars damaged by floodwater are covered by the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy.
How long does a flood policy take to start?
NFIP policies usually take effect after 30 days, with exceptions such as a policy tied to a loan closing. Private waiting periods vary.
Nearby areas and related guides
Important information
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, waiting periods, and eligibility vary by insurer, program, and property, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls. This page is general information, not legal advice. Flood zone information is general; check the official map for your address.
Service area. Blake Insurance Group is based in Tucson and serves Nashville clients by phone and online. We do not claim a physical office in Nashville.
Your next step
Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare NFIP and private flood options available to us for your Nashville address.
