TDCI Encouraging Residents To Get Flood Insurance

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance encourages residents affected by flooding to file claims as soon as possible.

Director of Communications Kevin Walters said filing a claim will be the best option for residents needing assistance with flood damage.

“Most insurance companies have a time requirement for reporting a claim, so contact your agent or company as soon as possible,” Walker said. “We can help you find contact information for your company if you cannot find it. We hope that this event will be a wake-up call for Tennesseans about the importance of flood insurance.”

Heavy rainfall over the weekend created flooding issues for several parts of the Upper Cumberland, with at least three counties declaring states of emergency.

Walters stressed the importance of homeowners having flood insurance, saying not having proper coverage could have a negative financial impact.

“Going forward, having flood insurance as part of your home coverage could be a crucial thing to help avoid a financial catastrophe,” Walters said. “Unfortunately, most Tennesseans do not have flood insurance, and getting flood insurance now unfortunately won’t help people recover the way it would if you already had a policy in place.”

Walters said most Tennesseans don’t have flood insurance because many think it may never happen to them.

“The reality is that most consumers don’t think it’s going to happen to them, it’s not going to affect them, and if it’s never flooded before, why would they?” Walters said. “It’s important to remember that approximately 20 percent of insurance claims come from outside of high-risk flood zones, so where it can rain, it can flood.”

Walters encourages residents who don’t already have coverage to contact the National Flood Insurance Program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The Department wants to help as much as we can. The Federal flood insurance program is not something that we regulate. We don’t track any of that information,” Walters said. “All we can do is raise awareness about the flood insurance program, and tell people about it and get the word out about it.”

Walters notes that residents who live in communities that are not part of the National Flood Insurance Program can still get coverage through a private insurer.

Tennesseans seeking more information on flood insurance coverage can visit the Department of Commerce and Insurance’s website.