- The average cost of minimum liability coverage in Knoxville, Tennessee is about $59 a month.
- Knoxville’s average minimum liability cost is about the same as the Tennessee state average.
- The average cost of full coverage in Knoxville, Tennessee is about $166 a month.
- Knoxville’s average full coverage cost is slightly higher than the Tennessee state average of $155 a month.
Knoxville is one of Appalachia’s largest cities, but it still has a relatively small-town feel compared to other urban areas of a similar size. And while rush hour and UT games can lead to traffic congestion, falling crime rates and low liability limits likely contribute to Knoxville’s reasonable car insurance costs.
But even if your Knoxville car insurance rates are already low, you may be able to save even more with Jerry. Download the app to start comparison shopping today.
How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Knoxville
In Knoxville, the average auto insurance policy costs about $59 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $166 per month for full coverage insurance.
While it would certainly make shopping easy, there’s no single car insurance company that offers the cheapest rates for everyone. That’s why it pays for drivers to shop around and compare quotes to find the best cheap auto insurance policy for them. Fortunately, Jerry makes it easy for Knoxville drivers to do just that—and once you find the policy you want at the right rate, our licensed insurance agents can help you cancel your old one completely hassle-free.
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National General | $237 | 29 | 37917 | Ford Fusion Se | State Minimum | Yes |
Progressive | $33 | 54 | 37923 | Honda Accord Exl | 50/100 | Yes |
First Acceptance | $369 | 25 | 37938 | Ford Bronco Sport | 100/300 | Yes |
Electric | $282 | 34 | 37922 | Gmc Yukon Sle | State Minimum | Yes |
Progressive | $71 | 54 | 37921 | Buick Lesabre Limited | State Minimum | Yes |
Best car insurance companies in Knoxville
Car insurance might not seem like a personal thing, but it is. Finding the right auto insurance policy depends on your needs as a driver, which means no single provider will offer the best rate for everyone. Apart from cost, other factors like claims handling and customer service are also important when choosing a carrier.
If you’re struggling to find the best company in Knoxville, we’ve made it easy. We wanted to find out what car insurance companies offered the cheapest car insurance rates in Knoxville, so we conducted the largest insurance shopping survey in the nation.
Our findings: Policyholders in Tennessee gave Bristol West, GEICO, and Travelers the highest rates for cost, customer service, and claims processing.
Best cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville
Knoxville drivers need to prove financial responsibility before they can legally hit the road—and the easiest way to do that is to purchase car insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements.
In many cases, drivers can also benefit from full coverage or other optional coverage types.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Knoxville
In Knoxville, Tennessee, drivers must satisfy the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 of property damage liability per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is offered by insurers in Tennessee but isn’t required by law. If drivers choose to reject coverage, they must do so in writing.
Purchasing liability coverage is the easiest way to reduce monthly insurance payments, but it can leave you susceptible to significant expenses if you’re involved in an at-fault accident that causes injury or property damage.
Here’s a look at rates Jerry users have found for minimum liability coverage in Knoxville.
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Knoxville?
Generally speaking, most drivers would benefit from having more than Tennessee’s required 25/50/25 liability insurance.
The reason why: More severe accidents can easily exceed these limits, and if you were found at fault for an accident, you’d need to find another way to pay for others’ injuries and damages once that limit is reached. And because Tennessee’s car accident laws allow drivers to file property damage lawsuits up to three years after the accident, your liability can extend long beyond the original crash.
For better financial protection, insurance experts commonly recommend choosing higher liability limits, such as 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Knoxville
Liability coverage won’t cover damage to your vehicle—you’d need collision and comprehensive coverage for that.
Full coverage car insurance generally refers to a policy that includes both comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or stationary object, while comprehensive coverage applies to damages caused by various other non-collision-related events, like theft, severe weather, or animal damage.
If you lease or finance a car, your lenders will likely require that you keep full coverage on your car for the duration of your loan.
Check out the rates other Knoxville drivers have found for full coverage car insurance with Jerry’s help.
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Minimum | Yes | National General | $237 | 29 | 37917 | Ford Fusion Se |
50/100 | Yes | Progressive | $33 | 54 | 37923 | Honda Accord Exl |
100/300 | Yes | First Acceptance | $369 | 25 | 37938 | Ford Bronco Sport |
State Minimum | Yes | Electric | $282 | 34 | 37922 | Gmc Yukon Sle |
State Minimum | Yes | Progressive | $71 | 54 | 37921 | Buick Lesabre Limited |
Finding affordable car insurance doesn’t have to be like finding a needle in a haystack. With a comparison app and licensed insurance broker like Jerry, you can find the coverage you need at the most affordable rates in minutes. And with over 100+ licensed insurance agents helping provide end-to-end customer service, no questions will go unanswered.
Average cost of car insurance in Knoxville
Jerry has found that the average cost of minimum liability car insurance in Knoxville is about $59 a month or $707 a year. The average cost of full coverage insurance in Knoxville is about $166 a month or $1,995 a year.
Overall, annual car insurance costs for minimum liability coverage in Knoxville are about the same as the Tennessee state average and a little lower than the national average. For full coverage, the average annual cost is a little higher than the Tennessee state average, but about the same as the national average.
Coverage type | Knoxville | Tennessee | United States |
---|---|---|---|
Full coverage | $1,995 | $1,856 | $1,984 |
Minimum coverage | $707 | $713 | $927 |
Why consider averages?While a number of factors can make your personal car insurance premiums higher or lower than the average in your area, seeing what others pay can help you get a general idea of what your insurance costs will be.
You can usually expect bigger cities to have higher-than-average insurance costs, but rates are surprisingly reasonable in Knoxville. Here are some reasons that might be:
Low population density
According to the US Census Bureau, there are about 196,000 people in Knoxville. But the population density is relatively low, with around 2,000 people per square mile. (Compare that to Washington DC, which has around 11,000 people per square mile.)
When fewer people live in a given area, traffic will be lighter, which can help decrease the chances of getting into an accident and. That can lead to lower overall car insurance rates.
Falling auto theft rates
Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows that in 2020, Knoxville ranked #104 in the nation for the city with the most stolen cars. In 2022, the Marble City had fallen to #191 on the list.
Frequent motor vehicle thefts mean more comprehensive claims that insurers have to pay, so drivers generally pay more for car insurance in areas with higher theft rates.
Low liability limits
Tennessee’s minimum insurance requirements include $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability per accident.
These limits are on the relatively low side, especially when you consider that Tennessee drivers aren’t required to carry extra coverages like personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). This likely contributes to generally low car insurance costs for drivers across the whole state, including in Knoxville.
Car insurance quotes in Knoxville by rating factors
Insurance companies in Knoxville use many rating factors when deciding your auto insurance premium:
- Your driving record and claims history: Drivers with a track record of accidents or violations generally face higher premiums than those with a clean record.
- Your demographics: Your age, gender, and marital status can all influence the cost of your insurance rates.
- Your location: City dwellers often encounter higher premiums compared to rural residents due to factors like increased crime rates and higher population density.
- Your mileage: High annual mileage can result in higher insurance costs.
- The make/model of your car: Luxury, sport, and high-performance vehicles typically cost more to insure since replacement parts are more expensive.
- Your credit score: Good credit scores are generally associated with lower insurance rates, even for identical coverage.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville after driving violations
Your Tennessee driving record will predictably have a significant influence on your car insurance rate. Racking up too many violations could send your insurance rate skyrocketing, so it pays to practice safe driving by following the rules of the road.
Some common violations that contribute to premium increases include:
- Speeding
- DUIs
- At fault accident
- Reckless driving
- Driving on a suspended license
- Driving without insurance
Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville after speeding ticket
You’re almost certain to see an increase in your insurance rates following a Tennessee speeding ticket, but how much your rates increase is linked both to how fast you’re driving and how many times you’ve been ticketed for speeding. If you’re going fast enough to warrant a reckless driving conviction, expect major rate increases.
Whether this is your first offense or you have a few speeding tickets in your glove compartment, Jerry can still help you find affordable coverage.
Speeding Type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding 11-15 | Bristol West | $448 | 32 | 37912 | Hyundai Tucson Sel Convenience | 50/100 | Yes |
Speeding Violation-Major | National General | $84 | 28 | 37932 | Infiniti Fx35 | State Minimum | No |
Speeding Violation-Major | Progressive | $426 | 20 | 37921 | Bmw 328 I | State Minimum | Yes |
Speeding Violation-Major | Progressive | $102 | 25 | 37932 | Ford Escort Zx2 | State Minimum | No |
Speeding Violation-Minor | Progressive | $182 | 62 | 37914 | Dodge Grand Caravan Se | 50/100 | No |
Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville after DUI
If you’re convicted of DUI in Tennessee, it serves a major red flag for auto insurance companies, signaling you’re a high-risk driver, which can send your rates soaring. In fact, some providers may not offer coverage after a DUI, especially if it’s not your first.
Luckily, Jerry can help you get a quote for affordable coverage even after a major conviction, like a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville after an at-fault accident
At-fault accidents can result in steep rate hikes from your car insurance company. Too many at-fault accidents on your record suggest you’re a risky driver, which, to insurers, means a more costly driver. That’s why you’ll see higher insurance rates than drivers with clean driving records.
If you recently had an accident and saw your car insurance rate increase, shopping around for new car insurance quotes might get you a better rate—like it did for these Knoxville policyholders:
Accident type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Not At Fault | Bristol West | $850 | 22 | 37921 | Jeep Gladiator Sport | State Minimum | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Bristol West | $448 | 32 | 37912 | Hyundai Tucson Sel Convenience | 50/100 | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Trexis | $80 | 30 | 37917 | Dodge Grand Caravan Se | State Minimum | No |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $70 | 49 | 37920 | Cadillac Ats | State Minimum | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $426 | 20 | 37921 | Bmw 328 I | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville after other driving violations
As you’d probably expect, driving offenses can increase your car insurance rate—but the exact impact will likely depend on how many you have and their severity. Things like reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and driving without insurance are all violations that can increase car insurance rates in Knoxville.
Here’s a look at rates Knoxville drivers have found after various types of violations with help from Jerry:
Violation
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suspension | Bristol West | $850 | 22 | 37921 | Jeep Gladiator Sport | State Minimum | Yes |
Improper Passing | Trexis | $80 | 30 | 37917 | Dodge Grand Caravan Se | State Minimum | No |
Failure to Obey Signal | Progressive | $70 | 49 | 37920 | Cadillac Ats | State Minimum | Yes |
Careless Driving | Progressive | $186 | 34 | 37921 | Chevrolet Malibu Ls | State Minimum | Yes |
Suspension | The General | $498 | 24 | 37917 | Chevrolet Impala Ltz | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville by age
Age isn’t everything, but it has a significant impact on what you pay for auto insurance coverage.
Young drivers have the highest average car insurance premiums. Luckily, this is only temporary for safe drivers, as you can generally expect your car insurance rates to decrease gradually over time for most of your adult life.
By age 75, you can usually expect car insurance costs to rise again.
Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville for young drivers
Teen drivers aged 16 to 19 see some of the highest insurance premiums of any age group due to limited driving experience, but rates usually remain high until 25. New drivers also face high premiums due to a lack of driving experience and limited insurance history. After 25, rates tend to decline steadily.
While minimum coverage is the cheapest option for young and new drivers, most can benefit from a full coverage policy’s added protection. To help offset the high costs of teen insurance, look for student discounts!
Jerry can also help secure affordable rates for young motorists.
Cheapest car insurance in for senior drivers
Older drivers usually enjoy lower premiums, but senior drivers may see a rate increase in their mid-seventies thanks to slower reflexes and increased risk for injury.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville based on insurance history
Like your driving record and claims history, your insurance history is a significant rating factor in the eyes of insurance companies. Specifically, insurers will consider how long you have been insured and whether you’ve experienced any lapses in coverage.
Drivers who have had recent or past lapses in coverage may face higher auto insurance rates. The good news is, Jerry can help customers find savings on car insurance coverage regardless of their insured status.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville for drivers with bad credit
While having poor credit doesn’t automatically mean you’re an unsafe driver, insurers have seen a correlation between low credit scores and an increased frequency of claims. That’s why drivers with bad credit tend to pay higher premiums than those with healthy credit ratings.
Generally, drivers with excellent credit (over 750) pay about 20% less for auto coverage than drivers with scores below 550.
Credit Score
|
Insurance Company
|
Monthly Quote
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car Make Model Trim
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
550-659 | Trexis | $253 | 25 | 37938 | Ford Bronco Sport | State Minimum | Yes |
550-659 | Progressive | $103 | 23 | 37912 | Ford Fusion Se | State Minimum | Yes |
550-659 | Bristol West | $850 | 22 | 37921 | Jeep Gladiator Sport | State Minimum | Yes |
660-750 | Bristol West | $448 | 32 | 37912 | Hyundai Tucson Sel Convenience | 50/100 | Yes |
550-659 | Electric | $241 | 32 | 37921 | Kia Optima Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Knoxville for popular cars
The kind of car you drive can have a significant impact on auto insurance premiums. The more expensive, large, and rare your vehicle is, the more it will cost to repair—and to insure.
Vehicles that are popular with Knoxville drivers are:
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ram 1500
- Honda Civic
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Rogue
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Escape
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
Popular Car
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Escape Sel | Progressive | $245 | 29 | 37920 | State Minimum | Yes |
Ford F-150 | Trexis | $61 | 52 | 37923 | State Minimum | No |
Nissan Altima 2.5 | First Acceptance | $74 | 31 | 37924 | State Minimum | No |
Honda Civic Lx | First Acceptance | $502 | 20 | 37920 | 100/300 | Yes |
Toyota Camry | Gainsco | $249 | 40 | 37917 | State Minimum | Yes |
How to lower car insurance costs in Knoxville
1 . Shop around and compare quotes
Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months.
Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry provides this service for free!
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Every insurance company offers a set of discounts, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include:
- Good driver discounts. California state law mandates 20% insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
- Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
- Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
- Bundling discounts. Bundle your home and auto insurance (or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.
FAQ
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Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.