The Offer Genies homeowner library
Handle immediate safety first, document the damage and get the insurer’s requirements in writing. Then plan the repair with the right permits and a verified contractor.
One useful thing to do first
Keep your documents in a secure folder. Use the steps below at your own pace; a scheduled sale, court date or safety order needs prompt attention.
Use emergency services for immediate danger. Follow Metro’s emergency and flood-safety information, including road closures and available shelters. Do not enter floodwater or an unsafe structure to take pictures. Metro Water takes urgent water, sewer and stormwater service calls at 615-862-4600.
Photograph or video damage when safe. Notify your insurer promptly; ask about policy deadlines, the claim number, required records and the next inspection. Keep receipts and a log of each conversation. Describe what happened accurately without assuming which coverage applies.
Request the policy explanation, deductible and written decision. Standard homeowners coverage generally excludes flood damage; flood insurance is separate. Ask the insurer about temporary measures, inspection and permanent repairs before you commit to a scope.
Ask Codes and, when relevant, Metro Water about permits and floodplain restrictions before work begins. Check the contractor’s license, insurance, scope and written payment schedule. A damaged home is not an exemption from permit requirements.
If a Tennessee-written policy claim is denied or handling is disputed, ask for the decision and reasons in writing, then contact TDCI Consumer Insurance Services at 800-342-4029 or 615-741-2218. Its complaint process can help review the dispute; it does not guarantee coverage or a payment.
A closer look
Before rebuilding, ask Metro Water Development Services about the property and proposed work. Floodplain repairs and improvements can have additional requirements, including substantial-damage review. Ask for the applicable determination; do not estimate a legal threshold from a contractor’s bid alone.
Repair programs have their own eligibility and funding rules. Ask whether the damage and insurance status fit before expecting reimbursement. If mortgage payments are becoming difficult, contact the servicer separately; an insurance claim is not a payment agreement.
Verify the contractor independently and compare the written scope. Avoid a rushed assignment, deed transfer or incomplete agreement. Read the contract and ask who handles permits, inspections and changes. Keep all signed papers and payment receipts.
Get organized
Keep these in your own secure folder. You do not need to upload them here.
Check marks clear when you reload. Print this page to keep a copy.
Words you can use
My property was damaged on [date]. Please give me the claim number, deadlines and document list. What inspection is needed? What temporary work may I authorize, and what should wait? Please explain the deductible, any coverage decision and how I can request review in writing.
Keep the representative’s name, date, reference number and next promised action.
You can contact them yourself
The links throughout this guide support the steps above. These core resources are useful to bookmark.
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
800-342-4029FEMA / National Flood Insurance Program
Metro Water Services
Metro Water Services
615-862-7225Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Your own plan
Write a short plan and keep a record of your calls. Nothing here is saved or sent to Offer Genies. Reloading clears it. Keep account numbers, Social Security numbers and other sensitive details in your own secure records.
My deadline________________________________
Who I will contact________________________________
My next action________________________________
Follow-up date & result needed________________________________
Record what was promised, what you sent, how you sent it, and when you will check back. Keep proof of receipt with your own documents.
Private worksheet · Offer Genies homeowner library · offergenies.com/comprehensive-guide/
Offer Genies is a property acquisition business, not a law firm or government housing agency. This is general educational information, not advice about your particular case. Rules, eligibility and deadlines vary. Contact a qualified Tennessee attorney or HUD-approved housing counselor when your rights or a sale deadline are at stake.
We prioritize the agencies that run the programs: CFPB, HUD, THDA, Tennessee courts and local providers. Where older pages conflict with current notices, the guide identifies the current limitation rather than promising help.
Resources checked October 29, 2026. This guide has not been reviewed by an attorney. Programs and links can change; confirm details with the provider. Published eligibility is a starting point, not an approval.
Found something that needs correcting? Let us know.
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