Edited By Kristine Lee
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. Learn about average insurance rates in Tennessee for a variety of driving profiles and check out quotes from quality, low-cost insurance companies in your state.
Affordable insurance companies 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 |
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Cheap auto insurance for good drivers in Tennessee
Drivers with clean 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 auto 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 auto 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% |
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Top rated 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.
Use the table below to better understand the quality of service you'll receive. You'll see reviews for popular auto insurers' financial strength, claims satisfaction, and customer satisfaction including an internal satisfaction score from The Zebra's customers.
| Insurance Company |
Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
Customer Satisfaction (The Zebra) |
| Auto-Owners | N/A | Above average | Superior | N/A |
| Chubb | N/A | N/A | Superior | 4.2 / 5 |
| Erie | Excellent | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| Penn National | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
| Progressive | Below average | Below average | Excellent | 4.3 / 5 |
| Safe Auto | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
| Safeco | Average | Average | Excellent | N/A |
| State Farm | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| Travelers | Average | Below average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| USAA | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | 4.6 / 5 |
Tennessee auto insurance laws
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
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.
Additional resources on coverage requirements in this state.
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How tickets change 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.
Tennessee car insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee?
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.
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 | Jackson | $1,615 |
| 3 | Nashville | $1,597 |
| 4 | Oak Ridge | $1,575 |
| 5 | Knoxville | $1,547 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $1,539 |
| 7 | Murfreesboro | $1,485 |
| 8 | Franklin | $1,483 |
| 9 | Chattanooga | $1,482 |
| 10 | Johnson City | $1,313 |
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