Car Insurance in Tennessee
- How Much is Car Insurance in Tennessee?
- Real Quotes for Jerry.ai Customers in Tennessee
- The Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee
- Most Popular Insurance Companies in Tennessee
- Cost to Insure Different Cars in Tennessee
- Car Insurance Laws in Tennessee
- Car Registration Information in Tennessee
Looking for car insurance in Tennessee? Here you’ll find all the information you need on driving a car in The Volunteer State, regardless of what kind of car you own, what your budget is, or what kind of driver you are. Whether you live in Nashville or Chattanooga, Memphis or Knoxville — you can read on for the cheapest car insurance, the best car insurance, and the laws you need to know for Tennessee car insurance.
How Much is Car Insurance in Tennessee?
Why do car insurance quotes differ by state? First of all, each state has different laws around what kind of coverage you need to legally drive. Insurance companies also look at the number of car accidents and thefts in an area, how much people are generally using their car, and how likely an area is to have a natural disaster, among other factors. But while you can’t always control where you live, you can get cheap car insurance by choosing an insurance policy that has the best rates for your needs. If you live in Tennessee, here’s what you should know about how much you’ll pay for insurance: On average, drivers in Tennessee pay $2,182.84 each year for car insurance. This means drivers in Tennessee pay 26% below the average for the rest of the country. But however much you pay, you can use our advice on this page to save money.
What’s Your Rate?
But how do you know what policy is right for you in Tennessee? The truth is that insurance companies take many different factors into account when coming up with your quote. They create a profile based not only on where you live in Tennessee, but also on your credit score, marital status, the kind of car you own, and much more.
Not only does your profile change what kind of price you’ll get on car insurance, but it also might change the kind of coverage you want! Not all tiers are the same, and it’s important to know what you’re looking for. You could save money on your monthly or yearly insurance premiums by having a higher deductible. But if you do get into an accident or need to file a claim, that choice will cause you to pay more out of pocket.
The best way to make sure you’re always getting the best coverage for the right price is to let us do all the legwork for you. We can compare quotes from over 40 different insurance companies and find you the best rates in 45 seconds — no matter what kind of coverage you’re looking for.
Real Quotes for Jerry.ai Customers in Tennessee
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved | Type of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-24 |
| 48 year old female | Travelers | $82.58 | $47.42 | Standard |
| 2021-02-17 |
| 37 year old female | National General | $68.67 | $14.66 | Preferred |
| 2021-01-08 |
| 19 year old male | Bristol West | $108.67 | $141.33 | Basic |
| 2021-02-01 |
| 51 year old female | Progressive | $78 | $52 | Preferred |
| 2020-11-22 |
| 28 year old female | National General | $215.83 | $54.17 | Standard |
The Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee
Which companies offer cheap car insurance in Tennessee? Below, we’ve ranked Tennessee car insurance companies based on which ones have, on average, the cheapest car insurance quotes for basic, standard, and preferred coverage levels for different profiles. These are averages to give you a sense of what drivers in your state are paying. But remember — it’s impossible to know what your quotes will be until you start comparing for yourself. That’s why we’re also showing you some real quotes we were able to find for our members recently. If you shop for insurance wisely, you can get a great deal without sacrificing your own safety and protection.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee for Basic Coverage
There’s all kinds of auto insurance you can get in Tennessee, depending on what your priorities are. But if your priority is the least expensive premium payments, you’ll want to check out a basic plan. In most states you legally need car insurance to drive. Basic plans ensure that you have the minimum coverage required by Tennessee. These are also plans with liability-only coverage. We were able to look at the average price drivers are paying for basic insurance coverage in Tennessee, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your driving record, your age, how many cars you drive, you gender, and whether or not you’re a homeowner — all huge factors real insurance companies use in determining rates.
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Basic Coverage in Tennessee
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National General | $904.50 |
| 2 | Gainsco | $923.48 |
| 3 | Nationwide | $967.09 |
| 4 | Progressive | $986.19 |
| 5 | Electric | $1,124 |
| 6 | Bristol West | $1,384.74 |
| 7 | Safe Auto | $1,398.22 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Basic Coverage in Tennessee
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-05 |
| 27 year old male | SAY INSURANCE | $57.18 | $67.82 |
| 2021-01-19 |
| 29 year old male | National General | $59.17 | $42.83 |
| 2020-11-26 |
| 21 year old female | Progressive | $91 | $224 |
| 2021-01-06 |
| 42 year old female | National General | $50.33 | $180.67 |
| 2020-12-15 |
| 21 year old male | Progressive | $63.50 | $89.50 |
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Standard Plans in Tennessee
Most drivers will want more than the basic minimum coverage that Tennessee requires — but still don’t want to break the bank. Standard plans offer both collision insurance and comprehensive insurance which gives you more protection than a basic plan. These plans generally offer a $1,000 deductible.
Below you’ll find the average price drivers are paying for standard insurance coverage in Tennessee, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your driving record, your age, how many cars you drive, you gender, and whether or not you’re a homeowner. All of these factors can impact premiums, so be sure to take a look at averages and quotes from drivers similar to you!
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Standard Coverage in Tennessee
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nationwide | $1,264.35 |
| 2 | National General | $1,285.87 |
| 3 | Progressive | $1,292.99 |
| 4 | Travelers | $1,544.95 |
| 5 | State Auto | $1,737.12 |
| 6 | Safeco | $1,762.61 |
| 7 | Electric | $2,232.45 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Standard Coverage in Tennessee
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-12 |
| 35 year old male | Progressive | $104.83 | $95.17 |
| 2020-11-25 |
| 40 year old male | Travelers | $145.25 | $17.36 |
| 2020-12-31 |
| 27 year old male | Nationwide | $81.55 | $178.45 |
| 2021-01-12 |
| 46 year old male | National General | $115.33 | $168 |
| 2021-02-02 |
| 47 year old male | Travelers | $345.25 | $143.75 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee for Preferred Coverage
Preferred coverage protects Tennessee drivers the most against any accidents or theft. Like basic plans, you’ll have collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. This is higher end full coverage, generally with $500 deductibles. That means you’ll be paying less out of pocket in the event of a claim. The downside? Your premiums are likely to be higher than what drivers with standard plans are paying. But if you comparison shop, you can still find the preferred insurance policy that’s less expensive.
We were able to look at the average price drivers are paying for preferred insurance coverage in Tennessee, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your age, your driving record, whether you’re over or under 25 year old, the number of cars your drive, you gender, and if you own a home — all huge factors real insurance companies use in determining rates.
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Preferred Coverage in Tennessee
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National General | $1,403.63 |
| 2 | Progressive | $1,502.44 |
| 3 | Nationwide | $1,534.55 |
| 4 | Travelers | $1,644.87 |
| 5 | Safeco | $1,885.58 |
| 6 | State Auto | $1,926.02 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Preferred Coverage in Tennessee
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-02 |
| 54 year old female | Progressive | $59.17 | $223.83 |
| 2020-11-25 |
| 44 year old male | Safeco | $215.20 | $137.80 |
| 2020-11-21 |
| 27 year old male | Progressive | $111.50 | $107.50 |
| 2021-02-05 |
| 50 year old female | Progressive | $126.50 | $27.17 |
| 2020-12-26 |
| 28 year old male | Travelers | $185.50 | $34.50 |
Most Popular Insurance Companies in Tennessee
| Insurance company | Average annual premium in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,481.24 |
| National General | $1,080 |
| Gainsco | $894.75 |
| Bristol West | $2,020.14 |
| Travelers | $2,038.25 |
| Safeco | $3,398.60 |
| Nationwide | $1,959 |
| State Auto | $426.72 |
Cost to Insure Different Cars in Tennessee
Auto insurance companies look into several different factors when coming up with their rates. A big one is what state you’re in — which is why it’s so important for Tennessee drivers to compare their rates to people in the same state. The car you drive can be a big factor as well. No matter what town, city, or country you live in, certain cars are just going to cost you more in coverage than others. Check out our chart to find out how much different cars cost to insure in Tennessee. And you can use our table of real quotes from Jerry.ai customers to see what people just like you are paying.
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved | Type of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-05 |
| 69 year old male | Progressive | $72.17 | $77.83 | Standard |
| 2020-11-26 |
| 22 year old female | Progressive | $67.17 | $102.83 | Basic |
| 2021-02-09 |
| 40 year old female | Progressive | $55.67 | $25.83 | Preferred |
| 2020-12-30 |
| 32 year old male | Travelers | $106.75 | $59.25 | Standard |
| 2020-12-31 |
| 24 year old male | Nationwide | $120.79 | $99.21 | Preferred |
| 2020-12-06 |
| 28 year old female | Progressive | $50.67 | $119.33 | Basic |
| 2021-02-07 |
| 24 year old male | Progressive | $62.83 | $220.17 | Basic |
Car Insurance Laws in Tennessee
Traffic in Nashville and beyond ranks among the worst in the nation, and the combination of bumper-to-bumper traffic and hurried motorists inevitably leads to car accidents. That’s one of the contributing factors for high insurance rates in Tennessee.
Like other states, Tennessee sets minimum car auto insurance coverage levels for all drivers in the state. Here’s what you should know about the minimum coverage amounts that the state of Tennessee requires.
What Car Insurance Is Required by Law in Tennessee?
As is the norm in almost all areas of the United States, proof of insurance or financial liability is required before registering a motor vehicle. All policies must have two liability components: Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage.
As an at-fault state, the obligation to cover expenses for all injuries and property damage lies with the party at fault. As such, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) isn’t a component required for the policy in Tennessee.
In the event of injuries in an accident, the at-fault person’s BIL insurance covers the expenses that are deemed to be related, up to the policy limit. That can include the ambulance ride to the hospital, prescriptions, subsequent doctor fees, and lost wages due to the accident.
Obviously, property damage frequently occurs in a collision, and PDL coverage takes care of those expenses. Any property damage resulting from a car accident including buildings, cars, fences, city utilities, and so on are paid by the at-fault driver’s policy within its limits.
Often the costs of an accident exceed the minimum coverages set by the state. In that event, the driver at fault assumes personal responsibility for those charges. An option for Tennessee drivers is an optional coverage known as underinsured motorist coverage that pays those costs if the at-fault party’s insurance limits are exceeded; uninsured motorist coverageis also available and operates in much the same way should the at-fault driver not have valid auto insurance coverage of their own at all.
Can You Drive a Car without Insurance in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, drivers are legally obligated to maintain continuous car insurance for their vehicles. Driving a car with a policy that has lapsed or without proof of insurance or financial responsibility will result in a fine of $300. Also, an uninsured driver could have their registration tags seized, their registration suspended, and be required to pay a $300 reinstatement fee. Police also have the discretion to tow vehicles that are uninsured.
If you’ve been convicted of driving without proof of insurance, the state of Tennessee’s DMV will require that you file an SR-22 certificate before you can have your registration reinstated. An SR-22 isn’t insurance of itself, but is proof of future financial responsibility should you get into an accident. You’ll need to keep a valid SR-22 certificate on file for at least three years.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Tennessee?
Similar to other states, licensed drivers in Tennessee must maintain continuous insurance with minimum coverage amounts at all times. These laws aren’t intended to penalize residents but to ensure protection for drivers and other motorists that get into an accident, as well as property damage that occurs in a car accident.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Tennessee
- Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $50,000
- Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
Car Registration Information in Tennessee
All states in the nation require motor vehicles to be registered in the driver’s home state, and Tennessee is no different. Registering a vehicle must be done if you plan to live or work in Tennessee.
Initial registration for a new car requires that you submit the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), the new vehicle invoice, and a copy of your current registration if you’re transferring it from another vehicle. To register a used car, you must submit a certificate of title and odometer disclosure statement and the current registration if you are using a current license plate. You’ll be issued a license plate that needs to be installed on the rear of your vehicle at all times.
Registering a vehicle for the first time in Tennessee needs to be done at the local county clerk’s office along with payment of initial registration fees. Renewing your registration offers many more options. You can renew online at the TN County Clerk website, at a self-service kiosk location, by sending payment and renewal notice by mail to the county clerk’s office, and in-person. Renewals can now also be done via a smartphone app, which you can download from the Google Play store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.
State registration fees are $26.50 annually for personal vehicles. For electric vehicles, an additional $100 registration fee per year applies.