Short answer: Knox County's FEMA National Risk Index report ranks hazards for Knoxville tracts. Tennessee has no FAIR Plan, so declined homes use surplus lines.
This guide is general information for homeowners and drivers in the Knoxville area (Knox County). It isn't legal advice or a coverage determination. Your policy wording, underwriting, city and county ordinances, and state insurance and motor-vehicle rules control. Check your address on FEMA's National Risk Index (county report for Knox County) and the Flood Map Service Center.
Local hazards: FEMA National Risk Index for Knox County
Use FEMA's National Risk Index and the Knox County report.
Federal disaster declarations in Knox County
Since 1973, Knox County has been part of 13 federal major disaster declarations, according to FEMA's declarations summaries; by incident type the most common were severe storm events (7), winter storm events (2) and flood events (2). The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, 2026, Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado, 2023, Severe Winter Storm, 2023 and Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, 2019. FEMA also lists 4 emergency declarations for the county in the same data.
Repeat flooding inside and outside the map
The 2025 Knox County Hazard Mitigation Plan update, which covers the City of Knoxville, lists 24 repetitive-loss properties inside the city's 100-year floodplain. It lists another 12 in 500-year or minimal-risk zones, the areas lenders usually don't require flood insurance for. The plan's loss model for a 1% annual-chance flood in Knoxville estimates damage to 131 homes and 136 commercial buildings.
Class 6 and 2013 maps
Knoxville is a Class 6 community in FEMA's Community Rating System, and the city's floodplain page puts the flood insurance discount at 20%. The current flood maps follow a Tennessee Valley Authority study and took effect August 5, 2013. You can view them through KGIS or FEMA's Map Service Center. For questions about a specific lot, email Engineering's Site Development staff at [email protected].
Sinkholes and the 2003 tornadoes
The same county plan cites a 1995 study estimating that about 15 percent of the City of Knoxville is built around or in sinkholes. It lists recent ones, including an August 2019 sinkhole by the Museum of Art on World's Fair Drive. It also records two tornadoes in south Knoxville on May 15, 2003, near Lyons Bend and Apache Trail, which downed power lines and trees and damaged six condominiums on Idlewood Lane. Wind damage is normally covered, but earth movement usually isn't, so ask how your policy treats sinkhole collapse.
No Tennessee FAIR Plan
Tennessee does not run a FAIR Plan. A licensed surplus-lines broker can place hard-to-insure homes after the state's declination requirement is satisfied.
Auto: Tennessee 25/50/25
Tennessee minimums are commonly published as 25/50/25—confirm with TDCI when you buy.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Tennessee.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover landslides in Knoxville?
Generally no; earth movement is excluded on standard forms.
Which NRI county covers Knoxville?
Knox County (47093).
Does a Knoxville homeowners policy cover flood?
No; flood needs a separate policy.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.