Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville, Tennessee (Nov 2024)

Written by Amy Bobinger and 2 others
Nov 22, 2024
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Cheapest car insurance in Knoxville, Tennessee (Nov 2024)

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Knoxville Car Insurance: Quick Facts
  • 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
Progressive $55 47 37918 Toyota Yaris State Minimum No
Progressive $102 52 37909 Jeep Cherokee Limited State Minimum Yes
Progressive $70 49 37920 Cadillac Ats State Minimum Yes
National General $84 28 37932 Infiniti Fx35 State Minimum No
Electric $99 36 37914 Chrysler 200 State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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:

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 No Progressive $55 47 37918 Toyota Yaris
State Minimum Yes Progressive $102 52 37909 Jeep Cherokee Limited
State Minimum Yes Progressive $70 49 37920 Cadillac Ats
State Minimum No National General $84 28 37932 Infiniti Fx35
State Minimum No Electric $99 36 37914 Chrysler 200
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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 typeKnoxvilleTennesseeUnited 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 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
Speeding Violation-Major National General $273 29 37917 Ford Fusion Se State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Dec 5, 2024

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
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
At Fault With No Injury Progressive $234 23 37912 Jeep Compass Latitude State Minimum Yes
At Fault With No Injury Progressive $102 25 37932 Ford Escort Zx2 State Minimum No
At Fault With No Injury Progressive $182 62 37914 Dodge Grand Caravan Se 50/100 No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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
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
DUI Progressive $99 31 37923 Honda Cr-V Ex-L 100/300 Yes
Suspension Electric $223 28 37917 Ford Fusion Se State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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 Progressive $55 47 37918 Toyota Yaris State Minimum No
550-659 Progressive $102 52 37909 Jeep Cherokee Limited State Minimum Yes
550-659 Progressive $70 49 37920 Cadillac Ats State Minimum Yes
550-659 National General $84 28 37932 Infiniti Fx35 State Minimum No
550-659 Electric $99 36 37914 Chrysler 200 State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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
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
Honda Civic Lx Progressive $129 25 37917 50/100 Yes
Ford F-150 Trexis $174 47 37912 State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

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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MEET OUR EXPERTS
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Amy Bobinger

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.

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Kianna Walpole

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.

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Josh Damico

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.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.