Tennessee car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
25/50/15
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$995.91
At-fault state
In at fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
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Compare car insurance in Tennessee
Get the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for 2021
The average annual cost of car insurance in Tennessee is $995.91. Narrow down car insurers offering coverage in Tennessee by roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and more to get a quote.
Tennessee drivers pay an average of $995.91 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $82.99 per month. Tennessee drivers pay about 16% less than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.
The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.
Tennessee state minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in Tennessee are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 25/50/15, but we’ll break down what that means.
Tennessee bodily injury liability
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
Tennessee requires $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident to legally drive. That’s right in line with what most states across the US require for this coverage.
This means $25,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $50,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.
Tennessee property damage liability
- $15,000 property damage liability
Tennessee requires drivers to carry $15,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This required limit is middle of the road compared to what other states require for property damage liability.
This means $15,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.
Finder tip: Tennessee state minimum coverage isn’t enough
These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Tennessee, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.
Most popular Tennessee auto insurance companies list
| Company | Direct premiums written (billions) | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $943,143 | 21.8% |
| Tennessee Farmers Mutual | $710,174 | 16.40% |
| Geico | $402,823 | 9.30% |
| Progressive | $372,374 | 8.60% |
| Allstate | $266,411 | 6.20% |
| USAA | $236,693 | 5.50% |
| Liberty Mutual | $220,833 | 5.10% |
| Nationwide | $142,316 | 3.30% |
| Erie | $127,053 | 2.90% |
| National General | $95,684 | 2.20% |
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee?
Of Tennessee’s largest cities, Hendersonville has the cheapest rates and Nashville has the most expensive car insurance rates. Nashville drivers could face rates 3 times more than Hendersonville drivers.
Car insurance quotes in Antioch
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2079 |
| SafeAuto | $1881 |
| Geico | $3968 |
| StateFarm | $1397 |
| USAA | $2037 |
Car insurance quotes in Nashville
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2048 |
| SafeAuto | $2001 |
| Geico | $3968 |
| StateFarm | $1224 |
| USAA | $1930 |
Car insurance quotes in Clarksville
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2091 |
| SafeAuto | $1809 |
| Geico | $3308 |
| StateFarm | $1361 |
| USAA | $2020 |
Car insurance quotes in Hendersonville
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2017 |
| SafeAuto | $1717 |
| Geico | $3177 |
| StateFarm | $1305 |
| USAA | $2033 |
Car insurance quotes in Brentwood
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2021 |
| SafeAuto | $1737 |
| Geico | $3663 |
| StateFarm | $1398 |
| USAA | $1967 |
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?
Yes, you can file an SR-22 in Tennessee. An SR-22 is a form your insurance provider files with the state that proves you have the minimum insurance needed to get behind the wheel. In Tennessee, you’re usually required to file this form if you’re convicted of a DUI, have an illegal lapse in insurance coverage or accumulate too many violation points on your driving record. It mandates a specific level of insurance coverage, typically for a period of three years.
Case study: Roslyn’s experience
Roslyn McKenna
Car Insurance Publisher
When I moved from South Carolina to Tennessee, I didn’t have a lot of changes to make to my car insurance. The state minimum requirements are almost the same, except Tennessee doesn’t require uninsured motorist coverage. Car insurance rates are also very similar in both states.
The biggest differences were the terrain and traffic. I needed to keep my collision coverage since I’d moved to a city with more traffic and was doing more driving through the mountains.
However, I wish I hadn’t kept my comprehensive coverage, because I found that in practice, the deductible is usually higher than the actual repairs on a comprehensive claim, like getting a chipped windshield or a bent wheel rim. Between the deer on rural roads and potholes along I-40, there are a lot of road hazards to contend with in Tennessee, but comprehensive probably won’t be worth it if you have a high deductible or tend to pay for minor damage out of pocket.
Bottom line
To drive in Tennessee, you’ll need to either purchase a conventional car insurance policy or prove your financial responsibility with a large cash deposit to the state. Make sure you understand the terms and limitations of your policy before you get behind the wheel to explore everything this incredible state has to offer.
To learn more about types of coverage, getting better rates and nationwide rules and regulations, read our comprehensive guide to car insurance.
Frequently asked questions about Tennessee car insurance
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