You open the renewal notice and the number is higher. You didn’t file a claim, you haven’t had a ticket, and nothing about your house changed. So why did your insurance rate go up?
We hear this question every renewal season from families in Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville and across Williamson County. The short version is that it usually isn’t about you. The longer version is worth knowing, because it shapes what you can do about it.
The short answer
Most increases come from a handful of forces that hit nearly every policyholder:
It costs more to rebuild a home than it did a few years ago.
Severe weather is producing more and larger claims, and Tennessee is part of that trend.
Insurers pay more to insure themselves (reinsurance) and to handle litigation, and those costs get passed along.
A few personal factors, like a claim, a ticket or a new driver, can add to the market increase.
Why home insurance is rising in Tennessee
Rebuilding costs. Your homeowners policy is priced on what it would cost to rebuild your house, not what it would sell for. Labor and materials have risen sharply since 2021, so even a house that hasn’t changed can carry a higher rebuild value at renewal. One national analysis from Insurify found home insurance costs up about 46% since 2021, including a 12% jump in 2025 alone.
Storm losses. Insurance Information Institute spokesperson Mark Friedlander points to replacement costs, a sharp rise in storm losses and litigation expenses as the prime drivers of home rate increases. He specifically cited more severe convective storm activity in Tennessee. If you’ve lived in Middle Tennessee for a few springs, you know the pattern: hail, straight-line winds and the occasional tornado warning that sends everyone to the hallway.
The January ice storm. Winter Storm Fern hit Tennessee and much of the country from January 23 to 27, 2026. Industry estimates of insured losses ranged from roughly $4 billion to $7 billion nationally, with Tennessee among the hardest-hit states. We can’t tell you that Fern caused your specific increase, and no carrier has said so publicly to our knowledge. But large events like this add to the loss totals that insurers price against.
Reinsurance and litigation. Insurers buy their own insurance, and that cost has risen after several expensive years nationwide. A hailstorm in another state can still affect what a company charges here.
Why your car insurance may have moved differently
Auto and home have not moved together lately. After several years of steep increases, auto rates have been cooling over the past 18 months, according to Friedlander. Other sources project that increases slowed to under 1% in 2026. Repair costs, accident rates and severe weather drove the earlier jumps, and those pressures have eased somewhat.
Your own auto rate can still rise for personal reasons. Common ones include:
At-fault accidents.
Speeding tickets. A conviction can affect your rate for three to five years, depending on the company.
Adding a vehicle or a teen driver.
A lapse in coverage, even a short one.
If your auto rate went up while others are talking about relief, a personal factor is the first thing to check. For more on how we approach it, see our auto insurance page.
Reasons your rate went up that are about you
Market forces explain most increases, but your own record can add to them:
Claims history. A filed claim can raise your premium at renewal, and more than one raises it further. Modeled estimates put one home claim at several hundred dollars a year more. Treat that as a rough guide, not a promise.
Roof age and condition. Older roofs cost more to insure in hail country.
Coverage changes. A higher dwelling limit, added endorsements or a lower deductible all affect the price.
Credit-based insurance score. Many carriers factor it in where state rules allow.
Updated home details. A remodel or new square footage changes the rebuild value.
Just moved to Middle Tennessee?
If you relocated here in the last year or two, your first Tennessee renewal can be a surprise. Roof age, storm exposure and rebuild costs are priced differently than in many other states, and your old carrier may not have written a comparable policy. If you’re still getting settled, our new client form is the easiest place to start, and we can review what you have before it renews.
What to do before you accept the renewal
1. Audit your coverage first. Don’t just chase a lower number. Confirm your dwelling limit reflects today’s rebuild cost, check which endorsements you have, and make sure you understand your deductibles, especially for wind and hail. A cheaper policy that leaves a gap isn’t a bargain.
2. Ask about credits you might be missing. Bundling your home and auto, newer roofing, protective devices and claim-free history can all matter. Ask your agent what applies to you.
3. Have an independent agent compare. We’re independent, so we’re not tied to one company. We can look at your renewal against other carriers we work with, including Nationwide, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Foremost and PURE. Learn more on our home insurance page.
4. Weigh the deductible tradeoff. Raising your deductible can lower your premium, but you’ll pay more out of pocket if you have a loss. Pick a number you could comfortably cover.
5. Think before filing small claims. Talk to us first about whether a small loss is worth filing. Sometimes it is. Sometimes paying out of pocket protects your claim history.
Want a second set of eyes? Send us your renewal and we’ll walk through what changed and what your options are. Start with our new client form →
Frequently asked questions
Why did my homeowners insurance go up when I didn’t file a claim?
Because the increase usually reflects market conditions: higher rebuild costs, storm losses, and the cost of reinsurance. Your rate can also change if your home’s estimated rebuild value was updated.
Can my insurance company raise my rate without a reason?
Insurers file their rates with the state, and the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance publishes monthly rate filings at tn.gov. Those filings show that changes vary widely by company, with some up and some down. Your policy language governs the notice rules for cancellation and non-renewal, so read it or ask us.
Will insurance rates go down soon?
Auto has cooled recently. Home is a tougher outlook, and some analysts expect increases to moderate rather than reverse. No one can promise when or by how much.
Should I switch companies or raise my deductible?
Start by auditing your coverage, then compare equal coverage across carriers. Only switch if the policies truly match. A higher deductible lowers your premium but raises your risk at claim time.
Does filing a small claim raise my rate?
It can. How much depends on your carrier and your history. Call us before you file so we can talk it through.
Does an independent agent really help?
We can compare options across several carriers at renewal instead of showing you one company’s price.
Holt Insurance Agency has served Franklin and Williamson County families since 1946. This article is general information, not a coverage recommendation. Your policy and carrier determine what applies to you.
