On average, Tennessee experiences more than 20 tornados a year. No matter where you live in the state, you need to have the proper insurance that will pay for any damage that your home, vehicle, and possessions sustain if a tornado blows through. 

Shopping for insurance is a process, but if you follow these nine easy steps, you'll be protected with the best Tennessee tornado insurance in no time. You'll also have the assistance of a Tennessee independent insurance agent to make the entire process easier. Start with these steps. 

Step 1: Start Shopping before You Need It

Tornado insurance is a type of property insurance that protects your home and possessions from weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, hail, wind, and other severe storms. In Tennessee, these weather patterns can hit at any time and unexpectedly, but once they hit, if you don't have insurance you're out of luck.

The good news is that there typically isn't a waiting period for tornado insurance to kick in, but it needs to be purchased before the storm hits. 

Step 2: Know the Types of Coverage You Need

While your agent will chat with you to learn about the variety of assets you own, it's always a good idea to be educated about the types of coverage you'll get from different policies. This will help you work with your agent to determine which coverages will work best for you.

Types of insurance needed for tornado coverage

• Homeowners insurance: This usually covers damage from windstorms under dwelling and personal property. In some areas, however, wind coverage may have to be added. It’s very important to review your homeowners policy to make sure you have the coverage you need.
• Comprehensive car insurance: In order for your vehicle to be covered, you need to have comprehensive car insurance. This is not required insurance coverage in Tennessee, so you'll want to make sure to add it to your policy.
• Tornado insurance: Tornado insurance can supplement any protection that you may not receive in your homeowners policy.
• Open peril vs. named peril: Some insurance policies include named perils, meaning that all events that are covered are listed in the policy. Any event that occurs that is not listed, would not be covered. In an open peril policy, you're covered for any event that is not excluded in your policy.

If you currently have homeowners or comprehensive car insurance, your independent insurance agent can help you understand the tornado coverage that's included. 

Step 3: Find a Tennessee Independent Insurance Agent

Shopping insurance can quickly become overwhelming. If you've ever filled out an online quote form, you've most likely noticed your email filling up with spammy insurance quotes all offering the best coverage and the best price. Which one do you choose?

A Tennessee independent insurance agent is an insurance expert that works specifically for you. They're not tied to a single insurance carrier, which means their main goal is finding you the best coverage available. Even more, they already know the best coverage for tornadoes and will save you the hassle of doing research on your own.

Step 4: Determine How Much Tornado Insurance You Need

Even if you have tornado coverage in your existing homeowners or car insurance policy, you may need to increase your limits if you're in a high-risk tornado zone. 

Historically, middle Tennessee experiences significantly more tornadoes than the western and eastern sides of the state.  

Number of tornadoes in Tennessee by region

In recent years, single Tennessee tornadoes have resulted in $2 billion in losses across the state. Your agent can help assure your policy limits are sufficient enough to cover any property damage you may experience.

Step 5: Understand What's Excluded in Tornado Insurance

With tornadoes can come heavy rain. Water can be extremely damaging to your home. It's important to know that damage from natural waters is not covered by tornado insurance.

This means you're likely to want to purchase flood insurance. Tennessee flood insurance can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and your agent can access and secure it for you.

In addition to flooding, tornado insurance does not cover sewer backup or burst pipes. 

Step 6: Decide How You Want Your Claims Payout

When discussing insurance options with your agent, you'll talk about actual cash value and replacement cost value. These are the two options for claims payout.

• Actual cash value: You'll be reimbursed for any losses and depreciation will be factored in.
• Replacement cost value: You'll be reimbursed for your items, and even to rebuild your home at the current value.

Your agent can help you determine which type of payout is best for you. Typically, actual cash value is cheaper up front, but you may get more money for your possessions if you choose replacement cost value.

Step 7: Compare Quotes with Your Agent

Now that you know the types of insurance coverage you need and you have a local insurance expert to assist you, you're ready to purchase tornado coverage.

The good news is that your agent will do all of the hard work for you. You'll want to be readily available to discuss price quotes, deductibles, policy limits, and coverage as they shop policies. Your agent will take care of the rest.  

Step 8: Reduce the Risk of Tornado Damage to Your Tennessee Home

A tornado is extreme wind, so taking these steps to make your home more wind-resistant can help minimize damage. 

• Modify your roof: If your roof does not have wind-resistant materials, you can modify it with straps, braces, ties, coverings, and fasteners that can all help minimize damage.
• Change your windows: Install impact-resistant glass and storm shutters to enhance your windows.
• Adjust your doors: Add heavy-duty hinges and security locks on your doors. 
• Have a safe room: FEMA has guidelines for building safe rooms that are designed to provide a place to go during a tornado. A safe room protects you and your family during a tornado. 
• Check the structure of your home: Siding, chimneys, roofs, and brickwork are just some of the construction that can break down during a storm. 
• Remove trees near your home or power lines: If you have large trees that have branches that go over your home or are near a power line, consider cutting back the branches or removing the tree. 

Step 9: Know How to File a Claim

If your Tennessee home is hit by a tornado, you'll want to file a claim as soon as possible. Follow these steps immediately after a tornado to file a claim.

• Stay out of your home until you're certain it's safe to reenter.
• Call your independent insurance agent.
• Once allowed back in your home, document any damage with photos, videos, and written descriptions.
• Do not move or throw away anything before an insurance adjuster comes to assess the damage.
• Keep in close touch with your insurance agent to provide necessary paperwork and financials to your insurance company.

Whether you're looking to purchase tornado insurance or are evaluating the coverage in your current insurance policies, an agent is there for you for the entire process. 

Following these steps, you'll easily find the best tornado insurance while working alongside a Tennessee independent insurance agent.