TDCI Returned Over $15.67M To Tennessee Insurance Consumers In 2025

Insurance Complaints, Concerns on the Rise in 2026 After Winter Storm Fern

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announces that $15.67 million was returned to Tennesseans in 2025 through the Department’s mediation and restitution efforts. 

Since 2020, a total of over $80 million has been returned to Tennessee insurance consumers by TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services team, which mediates complaints between consumers and insurance companies. In 2025, TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services team fielded a total of 5,199 complaints from consumers in 2025.  

So far in 2026, over 940 complaints have been received – an uptick that is attributable to consumer complaints related to the devastation brought by Winter Storm Fern.  

“I am immensely proud of our team’s work in 2025 and during the past five years helping put money back into the pockets of hard-working Tennesseans whose claims were unfairly handled by an insurance company,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “As the recovery and rebuilding from Winter Storm Fern continues throughout 2026, I encourage consumers who may feel frustrated or overwhelmed when dealing with insurance-related issues to remember they can file a complaint with our Consumer Insurance Services team for assistance about any questions or policy issues.” 

TDCI regulates insurance and encourages consumers with insurance-related questions or concerns to contact TDCI for assistance. The top complaints in 2025 were claim delays, claim denials, andunsatisfactory settlement offers. 

“As we look ahead in 2026, I urge Tennesseans to remember how quickly severe weather like Winter Storm Fern can impact our lives and our families,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Huddleston. “In order to be prepared, I’m encouraging Tennesseans to take time and assess how much insurance coverage they have in place for their families, homes, and autos so that they are covered in the event of another natural disaster.” 

Consumers should review the following tips when purchasing insurance: 

• Read and know your policy.  A policy’s exclusions can be just as important as the coverages. For example, damages must be “sudden and accidental” to be covered by most homeowners policies while issues due to age and weathering are excluded.  
• Make sure your policy limits are in line with the value of your property.  With an increase of property values, you’ll need to make sure your home now valued at $600,000 does not have a policy with alimit of $400,000. Being under-insured won’t help you be made whole after a disaster.  
• A standard homeowners policy will not cover the costs of making repairs to a home caused by flooding. Only a flood insurance policy will cover damages caused by flooding. 
• Make sure you’re buying a policy from an insurance company or salesperson who is licensed to conduct business in Tennessee.  Verify that an insurance company and an agent are licensed in Tennessee. 
• Retain pictures and/or receipts for all contents on your property. Digital tools, such as the NAIC Home Inventory App, can assist when it comes to filing claims after a fire loss. 
• Purchase a new life insurance policy with the assistance of a licensed agent to help make the choices that are best suited for your personal needs. Life insurance policies often require personalization as well as certain health factors to determine your eligibility for coverage. 

Questions about insurance? Visit our website or contact us at 1-800-342-4029 or (615) 741-2218.