Home insurance • Knoxville, Tennessee • 2026
Home Insurance in Knoxville, TN: Coverage for Rental Homes, Earthquakes, and Hillside Lots
Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee and sits in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, with many homes on ridges and hillsides. Rentals, earthquakes, and hillside lots shape what Knoxville owners need.
This guide covers what drives home insurance prices in Knoxville, the Tennessee coverage issues that apply, and how to compare quotes from several insurers on the same terms.
Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency based in Tucson that serves Knoxville homeowners by phone and online. We do not have an office in Knoxville, and we compare options from the insurers we are appointed with for your exact address.
Get Knoxville home insurance quotes
Tell us your Knoxville address, your home's age, square footage, and roof, and the coverage you want, and a licensed agent will follow up with 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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Owning a home in Knoxville: what shapes your rate
Campus housing and terrain shape Knoxville coverage.
Rentals near campus
If you rent out a home near a university, a landlord policy covers the building and your liability.
Earthquakes (East Tennessee zone)
East Tennessee has its own seismic zone. Earthquake damage is excluded from home policies, and earthquake coverage usually carries a 10% to 20% deductible.
Hillsides and sinkholes
Steep lots and karst limestone can lead to landslides and sinkholes. Earth movement is generally excluded from home policies, so ask how each quote treats collapse and sinkhole damage.
Flash flooding
Heavy rain floods creeks and low areas quickly, often outside mapped flood zones. Flood is excluded from home policies, and flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.
Coverage priorities for Knoxville homeowners
| Your situation | Coverage to review | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord or PCSing family | Landlord policy | Homeowners forms exclude most rentals. |
| Any Tennessee homeowner | Earthquake coverage quote | Excluded from home policies. |
| Near a creek, river, or low area | Flood quote | Home policies exclude flood. |
| Also insuring your cars | Home and auto bundle | Often the largest discount. |
Examples only, not recommendations. Coverage availability and terms vary by insurer.
Tennessee rules and market facts every Knoxville homeowner should know
- No state mandate, but your lender requires it. Tennessee does not require homeowners insurance by law, but nearly every mortgage lender does.
- Earthquake coverage is separate. Tennessee has two seismic zones, the New Madrid zone in the west and the East Tennessee zone. Standard home policies exclude earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage is sold separately, and its deductible is usually 10% to 20% of the coverage limit, so a $200,000 limit with a 10% deductible means you pay the first $20,000.
- Tornadoes and severe storms. Tornadoes like the March 2020 Nashville storm and the December 2023 Clarksville and Hendersonville tornadoes are covered as wind damage. Make sure your dwelling limit covers full rebuilding cost and compare wind and hail deductibles.
- Flash flooding is common. The 2010 Nashville flood, the 2021 Middle Tennessee floods, and Hurricane Helene's 2024 flooding in East Tennessee all hit homes outside high-risk flood zones, so flood coverage is worth pricing even if your lender does not require it.
- Flood is excluded. River and flash flooding are not covered by home policies. See flood insurance.
How to compare Knoxville quotes apples to apples
A cheaper quote is only cheaper if the coverage matches. Line up each quote using the same limits and deductibles.
| Coverage | What to match |
|---|---|
| Dwelling (Coverage A) | Same rebuild amount, based on replacement cost, not market value |
| Other structures and personal property | Same limits, and replacement cost (not actual cash value) for belongings |
| Loss of use | Same limit for living expenses if you cannot stay in the home |
| Personal liability and medical payments | Same limits, such as $300,000 liability |
| Deductibles | Same all-peril deductible and the same wind and hail deductible, plus matching earthquake coverage if you add it |
| Roof settlement | Replacement cost or actual cash value for the roof, and any roof age schedule |
| Endorsements | Water backup, extended replacement cost, ordinance or law, and scheduled jewelry |
Knoxville areas and ZIP codes we quote
We quote throughout Knoxville, including Downtown, the Old City, Fort Sanders, Bearden, West Knoxville, South Knoxville, and nearby Farragut.
- 37902
- 37909
- 37912
- 37914
- 37915
- 37916
- 37917
- 37918
- 37919
- 37920
- 37921
- 37922
- 37923
- 37924
- 37931
- 37932
- 37934
- 37938
Insurers price by the exact address, the roof's age and material, the home's age and updates, and the cost to rebuild, so have those details ready for an accurate quote.
Discounts worth asking about in Knoxville
- Home and auto bundle, compared on the total of both policies.
- Impact-resistant roof credits where offered.
- Protective devices, such as monitored alarms and water leak sensors.
- The basics. Home and auto bundle, claims-free, new or impact-resistant roof, monitored alarm, smart water shutoff, new home, paid-in-full, and paperless discounts, where the insurer offers them.
Discount names, amounts, and availability vary by insurer.
Non-renewed, an older roof, or prior claims? You still have options. Some insurers and specialty markets write harder-to-place homes. Call 888-387-3687 and we will shop it for you.
Knoxville home insurance FAQs
I rent out a home near UT. Is my homeowners policy enough?
Usually not. Most homeowners policies exclude or limit coverage when the home is rented out. A landlord policy is designed for rentals.
Is earthquake damage covered?
Not under a standard home policy. Earthquake coverage is added separately, usually with a deductible of 10% to 20% of the coverage limit.
Does home insurance cover flash flooding?
No. Flood is excluded from home policies. A separate flood policy covers it, usually after a 30-day waiting period.
Does Tennessee require homeowners insurance?
No state law requires it, but nearly every mortgage lender does. Most owners keep coverage even after the mortgage is paid off.
Is earthquake damage covered in Knoxville?
Not under a standard home policy. Earthquake coverage is added separately, usually with a deductible of 10% to 20% of the coverage limit.
Are tornadoes covered?
Yes. Wind damage from tornadoes is covered on standard home policies, subject to your deductible. Make sure your dwelling limit covers full rebuilding cost.
Nearby areas and related guides
Important information
Compensation. Links in the partner quote box near the top of this page are sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
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, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Service area. Blake Insurance Group is based in Tucson and serves Knoxville clients by phone and online. We do not claim a physical office in Knoxville.
Your next step
Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare options available to us for your Knoxville address.
