When a creek starts rising, most Tennessee homeowners think about what the flood policy will pay after the water goes down. The federal Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) Dwelling Form, published at 44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1), also includes a short list of "Other Coverages" in section III.C. Two of them are aimed at the hours before a flood: money for sandbags and pumps, and money to move belongings out of harm's way.
| Other Coverage (SFIP III.C) | Up to | Key conditions in the policy text |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbags, Supplies, and Labor | $1,000 | Sandbags and sand, fill for temporary levees, pumps, plastic sheeting and lumber; household labor at Federal minimum wage. Flood must be imminent, plus nearby general flooding or an official evacuation or civil order |
| Property Removed to Safety | $1,000 | Reasonable expenses to move insured property; covered at the new spot for 45 consecutive days; must be in a fully enclosed building or reasonably protected, and above ground level or outside the special flood hazard area |
| Debris Removal | Within policy limits | Removal of non-owned debris on insured property and debris of insured property anywhere |
| Effect on limits | None | These coverages do not increase the Coverage A (building) or Coverage B (contents) limit |
Source: 44 CFR Part 61, Appendix A(1), SFIP Dwelling Form (eCFR).
Sandbags, supplies, and labor: up to $1,000
The Dwelling Form says the policy will pay up to $1,000 for costs you incur to protect the insured building from a flood or imminent danger of flood. The listed expenses are your reasonable expenses to buy:
- Sandbags, including sand to fill them
- Fill for temporary levees
- Pumps
- Plastic sheeting and lumber used in connection with these items
The policy also counts your own effort. The value of work that you or a member of your household perform is valued at the Federal minimum wage. Keep a simple log of who worked, on what day, and for how many hours.
When the sandbag coverage applies
This coverage has two conditions. First, damage to insured property by or from flood must be imminent, and the threat must be apparent enough to lead a person of common prudence to anticipate flood damage. Second, one of the following must also occur:
- A general and temporary condition of flooding in the area near the described location, even if the flood does not reach the building; or
- A legally authorized official issues an evacuation order or other civil order for the community calling for measures to preserve life and property from the peril of flood.
Buying sandbags in October "just in case" is different from buying them while the river is already over the road. Save receipts and note what was happening in your area when you bought supplies.
Property removed to safety: another $1,000
Separately, the policy will pay up to $1,000 for the reasonable expenses you incur to move insured property to a place other than the described location to protect it from flood or the imminent danger of flood. Reasonable expenses include the value of work, at the Federal minimum wage, that you or a household member perform.
The moved property stays covered at the new location for 45 consecutive days from the date you begin to move it there. The policy adds two requirements: personal property must be placed in a fully enclosed building or otherwise reasonably protected from the elements, and any property removed must be placed above ground level or outside of the special flood hazard area.
These coverages do not add to your limits
Each of these coverages states that it does not increase the Coverage A or Coverage B limit of liability. NFIP building and contents limits are explained here: NFIP flood policies cap Tennessee home building coverage at $250,000 and contents at $100,000.
They also depend on having a policy in force before the flood is on the way. New NFIP policies generally have a waiting period: New Tennessee flood insurance usually waits 30 days to start, and federal rules list only three exceptions.
A short pre-flood checklist
- Find your flood declarations page and confirm whether you have building coverage, contents coverage, or both.
- Photograph rooms and contents before you move anything; see TDCI says flood damage is not in a homeowners policy — and urges a home inventory.
- Keep receipts for sandbags, pumps, sheeting, lumber, and storage or moving costs.
- Log household labor hours by person and date.
- Write down the address where moved items are stored and the date you started moving them.
- After a loss, the claim paperwork has its own deadline: A Tennessee flood claim under the NFIP comes with a 60-day proof-of-loss deadline that the adjuster will not file for you.
Basements and areas below the lowest elevated floor have their own limits under the same policy: Tennessee homeowners with basements should know an NFIP flood policy pays for only a short list of items below ground level.
This article is informational only. It summarizes the federal SFIP Dwelling Form and does not promise coverage, eligibility, or payment for any loss. Your policy terms and the insurer's coverage determination control.
Related reading from All Seasons
- New Tennessee flood insurance usually waits 30 days to start, and federal rules list only three exceptions.
- NFIP flood policies cap Tennessee home building coverage at $250,000 and contents at $100,000.
- A Tennessee flood claim under the NFIP comes with a 60-day proof-of-loss deadline that the adjuster will not file for you.
- Tennessee homeowners with basements should know an NFIP flood policy pays for only a short list of items below ground level.
- TDCI says flood damage is not in a homeowners policy — and urges a home inventory.
- Tennessee NFIP flood policies include up to $30,000 in Increased Cost of Compliance coverage for qualifying rebuilds.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Does NFIP flood insurance pay for sandbags?
The SFIP Dwelling Form pays up to $1,000 for reasonable expenses to buy sandbags and sand, fill for temporary levees, pumps, and plastic sheeting and lumber used with them, when the policy conditions are met.
When does the sandbag coverage apply?
Flood damage must be imminent and apparent to a person of common prudence, and there must be general flooding near the location or an evacuation or civil order from a legally authorized official.
Does my own labor count?
Yes. The policy values work by you or a household member at the Federal minimum wage.
Will a flood policy pay to move my belongings?
Property Removed to Safety pays up to $1,000 for reasonable expenses to move insured property to another place to protect it from flood or imminent flood.
How long is moved property covered?
For 45 consecutive days from the date you begin to move it to the new location.
Where must moved property be stored?
Personal property must be in a fully enclosed building or otherwise reasonably protected, and removed property must be above ground level or outside the special flood hazard area.
Do these payments raise my coverage limits?
No. Each coverage says it does not increase the Coverage A or Coverage B limit of liability.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
