Here's what you need to know when driving in Tennessee
Across the Volunteer State, there are 194,755 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in Tennessee
What's the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn National | $805 |
| 2 | Auto-Owners | $844 |
| 3 | USAA | $1,112 |
| 4 | State Farm | $1,158 |
| 5 | Travelers | $1,189 |
| 6 | Nationwide | $1,292 |
| 7 | Progressive | $1,393 |
| 8 | State Auto | $1,719 |
| 9 | Safe Auto | $1,822 |
| 10 | Safeco | $1,941 |
Compare quotes from over 40 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout Tennessee. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Tennessee
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Unfortunately, Tennessee state drivers without a recent at-fault accident save only 26% on their car insurance premiums, on average — well below the US average of 32%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $238 | 15.49% |
| No Accidents | $464 | 26.30% |
| Good Credit | $1,379 | 51.48% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Tennessee
Young drivers — aged between 16 and 25 — pay very high car insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Tennessee, teen drivers pay insurance rates in line with the national average: $4,741 per year.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,454 | $7,926 |
| 17 | $4,153 | $5,945 |
| 18 | $3,832 | $4,948 |
| 19 | $3,457 | $3,215 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Tennessee
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 31% after a DUI, 26% after an at-fault accident, and 15% after a speeding ticket in Tennessee. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Tennessee are slightly more forgiving than nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,764 | 26.30% |
| DUI | $1,903 | 31.71% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,538 | 15.49% |
| Bad Credit | $2,679 | 51.48% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in Tennessee
Every auto insurer advertises its low premiums. But as with any product, the cheapest car insurance option isn't always the best choice. Considering what's at stake, it's worth doing your research to discover an auto insurance policy that insures your car completely after a collision. Find a great value, rather than settling for the most affordable auto insurance in your state.
Compare top insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better predict the level of service you'll receive. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Poor" to "Superior" — evaluates an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Celina Insurance | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Chubb | Not Rated | Superior |
| Cincinnati Insurance | Not Rated | Superior |
| Direct General | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Erie | 5 | Superior |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
| Westfield | Not Rated | Excellent |
See insurance rates for Tennessee's best companies!
What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in Tennessee?
The minimum insurance requirement in Tennessee is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $15,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you opt for the minimum allowed coverage in Tennessee, you can expect to pay a mean of $500 annually. This is cheaper than the national average by 24%. If you choose better auto insurance coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, protecting against damages caused by car-vs.-car collisions, theft, or weather incidents. Better coverage has a price: in Tennessee, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,153, 131% more than basic coverage. For comprehensive insurance coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 163% more than for liability-only coverage.
Compare average expenditures for liability-only and comprehensive auto insurance levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Tennessee | $499.93 | $1,152.75 | $1,315.96 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Tennessee Auto Insurance Laws
What are the state minimum insurance requirements in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the minimum coverage requirement is liability with limits of:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $15,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Tennessee (which varies by carrier) includes:
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
Additional resources on coverage requirements in this state.
Driving Laws in Tennessee
Tennessee Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for school bus drivers
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers with Learner or Intermediate Licenses
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Tennessee DUI Laws
Tennessee has a 10-year DUI lookback period. Multiple DUI offenses within 10 years subjects violators to increased penalties and fines.
In addition, penalties are enhanced for any DUI leading to an injury or death or for a DUI in which a passenger is under 18 years old. Penalties are also enhanced for any DUI offense in which the driver has a BAC of 0.20% or higher.
First-time DUI offenses in Tennessee lead to:
- 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days in jail
- $350 to $1,500 in fines
- License revocation for one year
- Must install and use an ignition interlock device
- Must participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program
- Must pay restitution, if applicable
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in Tennessee
If you receive a ticket or citation, your auto insurance costs will probably go up. By how much depends on the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at typical auto insurance rates in Tennessee after some common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,160 | 51% | $733 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,075 | 45% | $648 |
| DUI | $2,075 | 45% | $648 |
| Racing | $2,247 | 57% | $820 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,135 | 50% | $708 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,212 | 55% | $785 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,952 | 37% | $526 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,863 | 31% | $436 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,741 | 22% | $315 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,898 | 33% | $471 |
| Improper Passing | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Speeding | $1,744 | 22% | $317 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,730 | 21% | $303 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,727 | 21% | $300 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,727 | 21% | $300 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,703 | 19% | $276 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,596 | 12% | $169 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,596 | 12% | $169 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,461 | 2% | $34 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,558 | 9% | $131 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,530 | 7% | $103 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,530 | 7% | $103 |
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Tennessee Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in TN?
Our data indicate Penn National ($402 per six-month policy) and Auto-Owners ($422) offer the cheapest premiums for drivers in Tennessee. Drivers should also consider USAA, State Farm, and Travelers.
How much is car insurance per month in Tennessee?
A liability-only car insurance policy in Tennessee costs $41 per month. If you want a full coverage policy, your premiums could be $109 per month.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Tennessee?
Drivers in Tennessee will pay $249 for a liability-only six-month policy. For drivers needing full coverage, rates average $657.
What percentage of people in Tennessee don't have car insurance?
Approximately 20 percent of Tennesseean drivers don't have car insurance. This makes Tennessee one of the least-insured states in the US.
How much does car insurance cost in Tennessee cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the most expensive in Memphis, Tennessee.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $1,949 |
| 2 | Bartlett | $1,804 |
| 3 | Germantown | $1,775 |
| 4 | Collierville | $1,731 |
| 5 | Jackson | $1,615 |
| 6 | Nashville | $1,597 |
| 7 | Oak Ridge | $1,575 |
| 8 | Columbia | $1,559 |
| 9 | Knoxville | $1,547 |
| 10 | Clarksville | $1,539 |
| 11 | La Vergne | $1,534 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $1,526 |
| 13 | Brentwood | $1,508 |
| 14 | Smyrna | $1,503 |
| 15 | Maryville | $1,499 |
| 16 | Murfreesboro | $1,485 |
| 17 | Franklin | $1,483 |
| 18 | Chattanooga | $1,482 |
| 19 | Cookeville | $1,474 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $1,471 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $1,466 |
| 22 | Morristown | $1,462 |
| 23 | Cleveland | $1,408 |
| 24 | Kingsport | $1,349 |
| 25 | Johnson City | $1,313 |
Recent Tennessee Car Insurance Questions and Answers
Is car insurance cheaper if your spouse can't drive?
Does my wife need to be on my motorcycle insurance policy?
In Tennessee can not at fault driver be blamed if they didn't have insurance?
If I'm uninsured and the person at-fault for the accident is insured, how do I get my car fixed?
