Lake Home and Boat Insurance in East Tennessee

A house on Fort Loudoun, Tellico, Norris, Douglas, Cherokee, Melton Hill or Watts Bar carries risks a subdivision home doesn't: rising water, a dock that takes the brunt of every storm, a boat, and guests swimming off your property. We put the home, dock, boat and liability together so each piece is covered once and nothing falls between policies.

What we cover

Primary and second homes on the water, including older lake cabins and new builds
Docks, boathouses, lifts and seawalls, which some policies limit or exclude
Boats, pontoons, personal watercraft and their trailers
Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private flood carriers
Liability for guests, swimmers and other boaters, plus umbrella coverage on top
Lake homes you rent out, through our short-term rental and cabin insurance

Gaps we see on lake properties

Flood: standard homeowners policies exclude flood, and flood policies often have a 30-day waiting period.
Docks: some policies cap dock coverage low or exclude wind and ice damage to docks.
Boats on the homeowners policy: homeowners coverage for boats is usually very limited. Most boats need their own policy.
Seasonal homes: a home that sits empty part of the year can trigger vacancy or unoccupancy limits.
Liability: lake homes see a lot of visitors, swimming and boating. Limits that work in town may be thin here.

Buying a lake home? Check the TVA permit too

On TVA lakes, docks and shoreline structures need a TVA Section 26a permit. According to TVA, permits don't transfer automatically when the property sells. A new owner must apply for their own permit within 60 days of closing. Ask your realtor for the current permit, and tell us exactly what's on the shoreline so we can insure it correctly.

Boating rules worth knowing

Tennessee requires anyone born after January 1, 1989, to pass the TWRA boating safety exam and carry the card while operating a boat over 8.5 horsepower. State law doesn't require boat insurance, but many marinas and lenders do. Liability coverage protects you if you hurt someone or damage another boat or dock.

Why Knoxville clients choose Elite Insurance Group

Independent: we compare carriers like Travelers, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Erie, Encova, Penn National and Foremost instead of selling one company's policy.
Claims experience: our team brings 25+ years of insurance and claims experience, so we write coverage with the claim in mind.
No agency or broker fees: you pay the carrier's premium, nothing extra to us.
Local: a family-owned Knoxville agency serving Knox, Blount, Anderson, Loudon, Sevier and Roane counties.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover my boat?

Usually only in a very limited way, often small boats with low horsepower and low dollar limits. Most pontoons, ski boats and personal watercraft need their own boat policy.

Is my dock covered?

It depends on the policy. Some homeowners policies include docks as other structures, some cap them, and some exclude certain storm or ice damage. We'll check the wording before you need it.

Do I need flood insurance on a TVA lake?

If your home is anywhere near the waterline, you should at least price it. Homeowners policies exclude flood, and lenders may require flood coverage in mapped flood zones.

Is boat insurance required in Tennessee?

Not by state law, but marinas, slip rentals and boat lenders often require it. Liability coverage is the most important part.

Related coverage

Home insurance · Cabin & Airbnb insurance · Umbrella insurance · Farragut · Lenoir City

Get a quote

Tell us what you need and a licensed local agent will follow up. Start your lake home or boat quote or call (865) 687-5140, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.