Homeowners in the eastern parts of Tennessee have access to one of the most diverse ecological climate sites on the planet in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. But from Tennessee's tornado season in the spring and fall and heavy rainstorms in the summer months, the weather can also be unpredictable.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Tennessee is $2,095 per year or $175 a month. This is 19% higher than the national average of $1,754.
However, the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Tennessee.
Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Tennessee
Policygenius found the best homeowners insurance companies in Tennessee by analyzing quotes across every ZIP code in the state. We also looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Tennessee residents to find the best homeowners insurance in the state.
Company | Best for... | Average monthly cost | Policygenius rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall | $138 | 5.0 out of 5 | |
Claims satisfaction | $231 | 4.8 out of 5 | |
Coverage options | $278 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Short-term rental owners | $158 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Cheap rates | $134 | 4.4 out of 5 |
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Best overall home insurance in Tennessee: Auto-Owners
2023 Policygenius award winner
Auto-Owners Insurance
5.0
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is our highest-rated homeowners insurance company in Tennessee thanks to its mix of extensive policy and coverage options, high marks for financial strength and customer experience ratings, and affordable premiums.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers a slew of extra coverage add-ons
Lots of discounts available
Flood insurance available through the NFIP
Cons
Not able to get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for best overall company
Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for the best overall home insurance company in Tennessee. The company scored at least a 4 out of 5 for price, customer experience, coverage options, and financial strength, which earned it a perfect 5 out of 5 Policygenius rating.
With endorsements like guaranteed replacement cost, water backup protection, inland flood coverage, and a comprehensive Homeowners Plus endorsement package, Auto-Owners offers excellent value for the coverage you're getting.
Finally, while Auto-Owners offers cheap homeowners insurance, the company also offers a range of discounts that can help lower your insurance rates even more.
How much does Auto-Owners home insurance cost in Tennessee?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Tennessee is $1,658 per year, according to sample quotes provided to us by Quadrant Information Services. This makes Auto-Owners Insurance about 21% cheaper than the statewide average.
Best home insurance for claims satisfaction: State Farm
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm is the one of the top home insurance companies in Tennessee thanks to its high customer service marks, large selection of policy options for most home types, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
Offers large discounts when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Cons
20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
More expensive than average in Tennessee
More details
Why we chose State Farm
State Farm is the best company in Tennessee for homeowners wanting top-rated customer service. The company has received high ratings from policyholders according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys.
Plus, while many competitors don't have the financial strength to pay out claims after several natural disasters in the same year, State Farm isn't one of them. It earns the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability — only six insurance companies out of nearly 70 we reviewed hold this title.
While we like State Farm's robust coverage options, State Farm doesn't have the cheapest home insurance in Tennessee. We found that rates are about one third more expensive than the statewide average.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Tennessee average?
The average cost of State Farm home insurance in Tennessee is $2,766 per year, which is 32% higher than the average annual premium in Tennessee.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.
Best home insurance for customer service: Farmers
2023 Policygenius award winner
Farmers
4.5
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Tennessee for its range of coverage add-ons, discounts, and high claims satisfaction scores.
Pros and cons
Pros
Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage
Receives few complaints from policyholders
High claims satisfaction score
Cons
Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys
Much higher rates than average in Tennessee
More details
Why we chose Farmers
Farmers offers homeowners in Tennessee lots of optional coverages that they can add to a basic policy. Some of these coverages include guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.
Farmers also earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it was below-average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Plus, Farmers receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Tennessee?
The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Tennessee is $3,330 per year, which is much more expensive than the average annual premium of $2,095 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through Farmers
Best home insurance for short-term rental owners: Erie
2023 Policygenius award winner
Erie
4.5
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
Erie's short-term rental endorsement, along with a wide range of other coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and affordable rates make it one of the best home insurance options in Tennessee.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers short-term rental endorsement
Cheap rates in Tennessee
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
Just three available discounts
More details
Why we chose Erie
Erie offers a range of add-ons, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, water backup protection, underground service line coverage, and more.
Standard home insurance policies from Erie also come with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies. A basic policy covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses, too.
We found that Erie has cheaper homeowners insurance in Tennessee than average, as well. The company's cheap rates will make it easier to add more coverage to an already-robust basic policy.
How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in Tennessee?
The average cost of Erie home insurance in Tennessee is $1,890 per year. That's 10% cheaper than the statewide average cost of $2,095 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through Erie
Best home insurance for cheap rates: Allstate
2023 Policygenius award winner
Allstate
4.5
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Whether you’re looking for basic or comprehensive home insurance coverage, Allstate is a standout option for its cheap rates and solid customer service.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers some of the best rates in the state
Extensive list of discounts and policy features to lower your bill and out-of-pocket costs
A+ credit rating with A.M. Best
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
Customer experience scores with J.D. Power are below the segment average
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Allstate's homeowners insurance rates in Tennessee are much cheaper than average. Plus, the company offers discounts that will be easy for many people to qualify for, like discounts for setting up automatic payments, bundling policies, and signing up for coverage before your current policy expires.
We also like Allstate's high customer satisfaction ratings. This, and Allstate's excellent coverage options — like scheduled personal property coverage, short-term rental coverage, and water backup protection — make it one of our top choices for homeowners insurance in Tennessee.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Tennessee average?
The average annual cost of an Allstate home insurance policy in Tennessee is $1,613 per year, 23% cheaper than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
How much is homeowners insurance in Tennessee?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Tennessee is $2,095 per year, or $175 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in Tennessee is more expensive than the national average cost of $1,754 per year.
Tennessee homeowners insurance rates by city
Home insurance costs in Tennessee can vary widely depending on where you live. For example, home insurance in Memphis costs $2,197 per year, while in Brentwood the average cost of coverage is just $1,745 per year.
Here’s a look at the average cost of home insurance in the 20 largest cities in Tennessee.
City | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Memphis | $183 | $2,197 | 5% |
Knoxville | $165 | $1,983 | -5% |
Chattanooga | $162 | $1,940 | -7% |
Clarksville | $161 | $1,935 | -8% |
Murfreesboro | $171 | $2,055 | -2% |
Franklin | $148 | $1,778 | -15% |
Johnson City | $151 | $1,813 | -13% |
Jackson | $183 | $2,200 | 5% |
Hendersonville | $158 | $1,892 | -10% |
Bartlett | $171 | $2,052 | -2% |
Smyrna | $169 | $2,024 | -3% |
Kingsport | $151 | $1,810 | -14% |
Spring Hill | $156 | $1,867 | -11% |
Collierville | $177 | $2,128 | 2% |
Cleveland | $153 | $1,837 | -12% |
Gallatin | $158 | $1,897 | -9% |
Columbia | $173 | $2,074 | -1% |
Brentwood | $145 | $1,745 | -17% |
Lebanon | $162 | $1,939 | -7% |
Mount Juliet | $161 | $1,930 | -8% |
Tennessee homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount
The table below highlights the average annual premium in Tennessee for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.
Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Tennessee
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Tennessee, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Tennessee are State Auto, Westfield, Allstate, and USAA.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$1,053 | |
Westfield Insurance | $1,527 |
$1,613 | |
$1,650 | |
$1,651 | |
$1,658 | |
$1,890 | |
$1,928 | |
$1,953 | |
Tennessee Farmers | $2,047 |
$2,766 | |
$3,330 | |
Celina Insurance | $4,209 |
$5,685 |
Cheapest Tennessee homeowners insurance if you have poor credit
The cheapest homeowners insurance company in Tennessee for residents with poor credit is Tennessee Farmers.
If you have a poor credit score, your homeowners insurance rates will be higher. Insurance companies charge higher premiums to homeowners with lower credit scores because they believe these policyholders are more likely to make future claims.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Tennessee Farmers | $2,047 |
Shelter Insurance | $2,471 |
USAA | $2,739 |
Allstate | $2,788 |
Progressive | $2,820 |
Westfield Insurance | $2,944 |
State Auto | $3,889 |
American National | $4,581 |
Farmers | $4,617 |
State Farm | $4,752 |
Erie | $5,395 |
Celina Insurance | $8,350 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $17,149 |
Travelers | $18,913 |
Cheapest Tennessee homeowners insurance if you have an older home
Older and historic homes are usually more expensive to insure than newer homes. Insurers consider them a higher risk because they can be fragile, their construction materials may be obsolete, and certain structural components like the roof or plumbing may not be in good shape or up to current-day code.
Here are the cheapest home insurance options in Tennessee for a 50-year-old home.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
State Auto | $1,132 |
Allstate | $1,590 |
American National | $1,651 |
Westfield Insurance | $1,659 |
USAA | $1,676 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,834 |
Progressive | $1,950 |
Shelter Insurance | $1,953 |
Tennessee Farmers | $2,047 |
Erie | $2,130 |
State Farm | $2,763 |
Farmers | $3,482 |
Celina Insurance | $5,181 |
Travelers | $7,364 |
Cheapest Tennessee homeowners insurance if you have a history of claims
One of the biggest factors that plays a role in your home insurance premium is your claims history. You'll typically pay more for home insurance if you have multiple claims on your record, since insurers perceive you as posing a greater risk of filing more claims later on.
Here are the cheapest home insurance companies in Tennessee for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,886 |
Tennessee Farmers | $2,273 |
Shelter Insurance | $2,375 |
State Auto | $2,386 |
American National | $2,395 |
USAA | $2,429 |
Progressive | $2,556 |
State Farm | $2,763 |
Allstate | $2,936 |
Erie | $3,031 |
Westfield Insurance | $3,597 |
Farmers | $6,033 |
Celina Insurance | $7,029 |
Travelers | $8,207 |
Coverage options in Tennessee
When buying homeowners insurance in Tennessee, you should be aware of what your policy does and doesn’t cover. There are a few additional types of insurance you may need to consider getting to protect against the state’s flooding, wildfires, and tornadoes.
Flood insurance
Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, so Tennessee residents in at-risk areas should consider flood insurance on top of their regular insurance policy.
In addition to comparing home insurance quotes, homeowners in Tennessee can also compare private flood insurance rates with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program.
Tornado insurance
From 2010 to 2022 Tennessee experienced 452 tornadoes. [1] Although homeowners insurance usually covers wind and tornado damage, be sure you have enough insurance to rebuild your home if it's destroyed in a tornado by adding replacement cost coverage to your policy.
Since Tennessee has a high number of tornadoes compared to other states, it's possible that a company won't cover wind damage or may charge a separate deductible after a tornado damages your home. In this case, you could get a separate windstorm policy — or find another company that does cover wind damage.
Wildfire insurance
It's important for homeowners in Tennessee to be prepared for stronger and more frequent wildfires. While most home insurance policies cover fire damage, consider adding replacement cost coverage to be sure you can fully rebuild your home after a fire.
You may have a hard time getting coverage if you live somewhere that's prone to wildfires. If this is the case, you could get coverage from a surplus lines carrier or take steps to lower your fire risk:
Creating a defensible space around your home by removing flammable vegetation
Tree pruning
Raking or removing any dead leaves or brush from your roof, gutter, or yard
Installing a fire-resistant “Class A” roof
Installing dual- or triple-paned windows
How to buy homeowners insurance in Tennessee
Homeowners in Tennessee have many great options when it comes to home insurance. To help make the process easier, be sure to follow the five steps below.
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed home insurance experts will help you find the right policy to suit your coverage needs, all while saving you time and money.
Ask if you should purchase flood coverage. With Tennessee's unpredictable weather, homeowners in high-risk floodplains should talk to a Policygenius agent about purchasing flood insurance.
Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford. A higher deductible means you’ll pay less upfront for home insurance, but it also means you'll pay more when it comes time to file a claim. A Policygenius agent can help you choose a deductible that works within your budget.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you identify your coverage needs and input a few brief details about you and your house, a Policygenius agent will send over quotes from several top companies.
Sign on the dotted line and pay your first premium. After you’ve settled on a home insurance policy that works for you, all you need to do is sign and pay your first premium. Policygenius will handle the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in Tennessee?
The average home insurance rate in Tennessee is $175 a month or $2,095 per year. That’s about $196 more per year than the national average.
How can I lower my home insurance cost in Tennessee?
The quickest way to lower the cost of your home insurance is by comparing quotes with Policygenius. Once you’ve reviewed your options, we can do all of the paperwork for you, and even cancel your old policy if it isn’t expired yet.
Is it mandatory to have home insurance in Tennessee?
It isn’t required to have home insurance in Tennessee, but definitely a smart move to protect your home and assets against catastrophic losses. While not legally required to have home insurance in Tennessee, many mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before extending a home loan, to protect their investment.
