Moving to West Knoxville or Farragut, TN: A Guide to Choosing a Home and an Insurance Agent (2026)

Published September 30, 2026. Last reviewed September 30, 2026. By Colin Karich, Publisher and licensed Tennessee insurance agent.

Disclosure: The author owns an insurance agency in Farragut. In keeping with our editorial standards, this article does not name, rank, or recommend any agency or insurer.

Summary: Farragut and West Knoxville sit in Knox County along the Kingston Pike, Pellissippi Parkway, and I-40/I-75 corridors, between Blackoak Ridge and Fort Loudoun Lake on the Tennessee River. For new arrivals, the details that most affect cost and risk are local: which county and city a home sits in (which sets the property tax bill), whether it is near a creek or the lake (flood exposure and TVA shoreline rules), the age of the roof and systems, and whether an HOA master policy applies. New Tennessee residents have 30 days to get a Tennessee driver license, and Tennessee requires auto liability of at least 25/50/25. This guide covers each step, the public records to check, and neutral questions to ask any insurance agent before you buy.

Where is “West Knoxville,” and how does Farragut fit in?

West Knoxville is not a single town. It is the western part of the City of Knoxville plus unincorporated Knox County communities that share Knoxville mailing addresses. The Town of Farragut is a separate municipality, incorporated in 1980, with a 2020 Census population of 23,506. It lies along Kingston Pike between Blackoak Ridge to the north and Fort Loudoun Lake to the south, and a small part of the town extends into Loudon County.

That distinction matters for taxes, services, and paperwork, because two homes a mile apart can sit in different jurisdictions. The areas newcomers most often compare:

Area	ZIP codes	What to know for home and insurance planning
Town of Farragut	37934, part of 37922	Separate town; mix of established 1970s to 1990s subdivisions and newer construction; no municipal property tax.
Northshore and Choto	37922	Fort Loudoun Lake shoreline, docks, and larger custom homes; flood zones and TVA shoreline rules come up often.
Hardin Valley	37932	Rapid new construction near Pellissippi Parkway; many homes in HOA communities.
Cedar Bluff and Karns	37923, 37931	Mix of city and county addresses; confirm which side of the city limit a home is on.
Bearden, Sequoyah Hills, West Hills	37919, 37909	Inside Knoxville city limits; many older homes where roof, wiring, and plumbing age matter.
Concord	37934, 37922	Unincorporated Knox County near the lake and Concord Park.

What does it cost to own a home here, beyond the mortgage?

Property tax depends on the jurisdiction

Knox County levies property tax at $1.5540 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2026, and Tennessee assesses residential property at 25 percent of appraised value. The Town of Farragut does not levy a municipal property tax; according to the town, property taxes paid by Farragut residents go to Knox County, and the town relies mainly on local option sales tax. Homes inside the City of Knoxville pay the city rate on top of the county rate. Before you make an offer, confirm the parcel’s jurisdiction on the Knox County Property Assessor’s site rather than relying on the mailing address.

Insurance is a closing requirement, not an afterthought

A mortgage lender will require proof of homeowners insurance before closing. The practical advice from lenders and closing agents is to start as soon as you are under contract, because the quote depends on facts you learn during due diligence: roof age, the inspection report, the flood zone, and any claims history on the property.

What should you check before choosing a home?

1. The seller’s disclosure. Tennessee’s Residential Property Disclosure Act requires most sellers to give buyers a property condition disclosure or disclaimer. Tennessee law separately requires a seller to disclose, in writing and before a contract, the presence of a known sinkhole on the property. East Tennessee has karst terrain, and many standard homeowners policies exclude earth movement, so a known sinkhole is worth a question to both your inspector and your insurer.
2. The flood map. Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and see our guide to flood insurance in East Tennessee. Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flood, and a new National Flood Insurance Program policy usually takes 30 days to take effect, with an exception when flood coverage is bought in connection with a new mortgage. Homes near Turkey Creek, Ten Mile Creek, other small streams, or the lake deserve a closer look even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
3. The shoreline. Fort Loudoun Lake is a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir. Docks, boathouses, and shoreline changes on TVA reservoirs are regulated under Section 26a of the TVA Act. If a lake home includes a dock, ask the seller for the permit record, and ask insurers how the dock and boathouse are covered, since those structures are often treated differently from the house.
4. Roof and systems. Roof age and condition are among the biggest factors in home insurance eligibility and cost across East Tennessee, where spring hail and wind storms are common. Ask for the roof’s installation date and any replacement receipts.
5. Radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing all homes for radon and fixing homes at or above 4 picocuries per liter. Many buyers in the region add a radon test to the inspection period.
6. Claims history. Buyers can ask the seller for a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) property report, which lists recent insurance claims on the home. Past water or roof claims can affect how insurers view the property.
7. HOA documents. Many Farragut and Hardin Valley communities have homeowners associations. For condominiums and many townhomes, the association’s master policy covers some of the building and the owner insures the rest with a unit-owner (HO-6) policy. Read the declarations and ask the HOA for a copy of the master policy’s summary before closing, so you know where the association’s coverage stops.

What do new Tennessee residents need to do, and by when?

• Driver license: within 30 days. New or returning residents with a valid out-of-state license must get a Tennessee license from a Tennessee state driver services facility within 30 days of establishing residency. Knox County Clerk offices handle renewals, not first-time Tennessee licenses.
• Title and registration. Once you establish residency, you must apply for Tennessee title and registration through the Knox County Clerk, bringing your out-of-state title (or lienholder information), identification, and two proofs of residency. Knox County does not currently require emissions testing for passenger vehicles.
• Auto insurance limits. Tennessee’s minimum auto liability is 25/50/25: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. The Insurance Research Council estimated that 21.3 percent of Tennessee drivers were uninsured in 2023, fifth highest in the nation, compared with 15.4 percent nationally. That makes it worth reviewing uninsured motorist coverage when you move your policy to a Tennessee address.
• Update every policy’s address. Rates and eligibility are set by where a vehicle is garaged and where a home is located, so an out-of-state policy should be replaced or rewritten for Tennessee rather than simply carried over.

How do you choose an insurance agent or agency in a new area?

West Knoxville and Farragut have many agencies, including independent agencies that quote several insurers, exclusive agencies that represent one primary insurer, and direct insurers that sell online or by phone. No model is automatically better or cheaper; premiums are set by the insurer and your risk profile. Start with the basics in our guide to checking an insurance agent, company, or complaint record in Tennessee: confirm the agent’s Tennessee property and casualty license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and look up the insurer in the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.

Our 12 questions to ask an insurance agent in East Tennessee cover claims, deductibles, and liability limits. For a home in Farragut or West Knoxville, add these area-specific questions:

1. Is this parcel in Knox County, Loudon County, or the City of Knoxville, and does that change anything on my policy?
2. How is the dwelling limit calculated for this specific home, and does it reflect today’s rebuild cost rather than the purchase price?
3. For a lake home on Fort Loudoun: how are the dock, boathouse, and any boat covered, and what liability limits apply on the water?
4. For a condo or townhome: what does the HOA master policy cover, and what must my unit policy cover?
5. If the home is near a creek or the lake, what are my flood options, and when would coverage start?

Reviews help too, but read for the ones that describe a claim, especially a storm or water claim, rather than a fast quote. An agent who answers these in plain language, in writing when asked, is usually a better indicator of a good long-term fit than the lowest first quote.

A simple timeline for a move to West Knoxville or Farragut

When	Step
Before you make an offer	Confirm the parcel’s county and city, check the FEMA flood map, and review HOA rules.
Once under contract	Order inspections (including radon), request the CLUE report and roof age, and begin insurance quotes.
Two to three weeks before closing	Choose coverage and send proof of insurance to the lender and closing agent; decide on flood coverage.
Within 30 days of moving	Get a Tennessee driver license; apply for Tennessee title and registration; move auto coverage to your Tennessee address.
After you settle in	Photograph your home and belongings, store policy documents where you can reach them, and review coverage before the next spring storm season.

Frequently asked questions

Does Farragut have its own property tax?

No. The Town of Farragut does not levy a municipal property tax. Farragut homeowners in Knox County pay the Knox County rate, which is $1.5540 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2026.

Is Farragut part of Knoxville?

No. Farragut is a separate town incorporated in 1980. It borders West Knoxville and shares the Kingston Pike corridor, but it has its own town government.

How long do I have to get a Tennessee driver license after moving to Knoxville?

Thirty days after establishing residency, at a Tennessee state driver services facility.

Do homes near Fort Loudoun Lake need flood insurance?

Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flood. A lender requires flood insurance for homes in high-risk zones with a federally backed mortgage, and owners outside those zones can still buy it. Check the FEMA flood map for the specific address.

Should I use a local agent or buy insurance online?

Either can work. The better question is whether the coverage fits the home and household, which you can test with the questions above and in our 12 questions to ask an insurance agent. Verify any agent’s Tennessee license before you buy.

Sources

1. U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Farragut town, Tennessee (2020 Census).
2. Town of Farragut history and geography, via Farragut, Tennessee.
3. Knox County Finance, General Information (fiscal year 2026 property tax rate).
4. Tennessee Code Annotated 67-5-801 (residential assessment at 25 percent of appraised value).
5. farragutpress, “Farragut supports our schools in many ways”, February 2026 (Town of Farragut property tax and revenue).
6. Tennessee Code Annotated 66-5-202 (residential property disclosures) and 66-5-212 (sinkhole disclosure).
7. FEMA, Flood Map Service Center; FloodSmart, Buy a Flood Insurance Policy.
8. Tennessee Valley Authority, Section 26a Regulations.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Radon.
10. Knox County Clerk, Driver’s License, New or Returning Residents Registering a Vehicle, and Motor Vehicle (emissions testing).
11. Tennessee Code Annotated 55-12-102 (minimum auto liability limits).
12. Insurance Research Council, via Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists (2023 estimates).
13. Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Insurance Division (license verification); NAIC, Consumer Insurance Search.

This article is general educational information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and it does not describe any specific insurance policy. Coverage depends on the policy contract and the insurer. Confirm current requirements with the agency or statute cited. See our disclaimer.