In Nashville, minimum coverage car insurance averages $71 per month, while a full coverage policy averages $185 per month—but you can find lower rates by comparing quotes.

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Updated on Nov 26, 2024

Jasmine Kanter

Expert Insurance Writer

Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations

Edited by Kianna Walpole, Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Learn more about our insurance review board

What's on this page?

Best car insurance companies in Nashville
How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Nashville
Best cheap auto insurance quotes in Nashville
Average cost of car insurance in Nashville
Car insurance quotes in Nashville by rating factors
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Nashville?
Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville after driving violations
Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville by age
Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville based on insurance history
Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville for popular cars
How to lower car insurance costs in Nashville
FAQ
Methodology
Sources
Meet our experts

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Best car insurance companies in Nashville

Before searching for

the best auto insurance company

in Nashville, TN, it helps to know your priorities, whether that’s customer service, claims processing, or affordability. Every provider has different strengths and weaknesses that make them the top (or bottom) choice of different drivers in Music City.

If affordability is your number one concern, know that your rates depend on your driver profile, not just your choice of

car insurance

provider. Your age, vehicle, driving record, and many other factors contribute to your insurance costs. Two given drivers would still get quoted different prices from

The General

car insurance in Nashville, TN, even if they had all three of the above factors in common!

The results of

Jerry

’s national insurance shopping survey illustrate both these truths. Some small auto insurance providers like

Gainsco

outperformed the larger ones in the categories of customer service and claims satisfaction. And big names—like

Progressive

car insurance in Nashville, TN—didn’t always get the highest ratings for policy costs.

While

State Farm

car insurance quotes in Nashville can’t be found using the Jerry app, drivers can still find reliable rates from other top providers in the city. The table below shows how much it costs to insure your car with the top companies in Tennessee:

Insurance company	Monthly minimum coverage cost	Monthly full coverage cost	Cost rating	Overall Jerry rating
Travelers	$32	$100	5.0	5.0
Nationwide	$31	$115	4.0	4.0
Allstate	$46	$142	4.4	4.6
Safeco	$42	$139	4.1	4.5
Gainsco	$87	$296	4.0	4.3
Progressive	$53	$142	3.8	4.2
National General	$62	$186	4.8	4.8

How'd we get these scores?
Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Nashville

Nicknamed the “Music City” and home to over 700,000 people, Nashville is booming in more ways than one. The city’s educational, historical, political, economic, and cultural vibrancy is a direct result of its growing population—but so are its car insurance rates.1

Drivers pay an average of $71 per month (or $856 per year) for minimum coverage in Nashville and $185 per month or $2,225 per year for full coverage. Compared to the average cost of

Tennessee auto insurance

, coverage in Nashville costs an average of 12% less.

Coverage type	Nashville, TN	Tennessee	United States
State minimum	$71	$59	$77
Full coverage	$185	$155	$165

Keep in mind that these are just average rates, and your car insurance costs may differ. No single company offers the cheapest insurance rates for everyone, so it’s worthwhile for drivers to explore their options. Jerry simplifies this process for Nashville drivers with free quote comparisons and a team of licensed insurance agents ready to answer all your questions.

Compare car insurance quotes now

Best cheap auto insurance quotes in Nashville

To drive in Nashville, you need to follow

Tennessee car insurance laws

. The minimum coverage may be cost-effective, but it doesn't provide much protection. As such, most drivers in Nashville will benefit from a full coverage policy with higher liability limits.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Nashville

To legally drive in Nashville, TN, you’ll have to meet the state's minimum car insurance requirements by investing in liability coverage.

Liability insurance

pays for any bodily injuries or property damages you cause while driving.

The minimum liability limits required follow the 25/50/25 rule:

$25,000 of

bodily injury liability

coverage per person

$50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident

$25,000 of

property damage liability

coverage per accident2

Insurers in Tennessee must offer

uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

, but you’re allowed to reject it in writing.

Although the state minimum coverage is relatively cheap in Nashville, drivers can still find lower than average rates with these providers:

Insurance provider	Monthly minimum coverage cost	Annual minimum coverage cost
Nationwide	$31	$375
Travelers	$32	$389
State Auto	$38	$455
Safeco	$42	$501
Allstate	$46	$549
National General	$62	$741

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Nashville?

Most motorists in Tennessee prefer to carry more than the state minimum insurance coverage for complete peace of mind.

The Nashville metropolitan area suffered a total of 27,092 car accidents in 20233. Representing 66% of the total, the majority resulted only in property damages… but accidents with injuries and fatalities come with an average price tag of over $40,000.4

Don’t forget

Tennessee’s car accident laws

make you responsible for any damages that result from an at-fault car accident. Medical expenses and vehicle repair bills can easily exceed the minimum 25/50/25 liability coverage required in the state, especially if a severe injury or total loss vehicle is involved.

The bottom line: Expert insurance agents recommend raising your liability coverage limits to 100/300/100 to protect your current and future assets from an expensive accident.

Josh Damico

VP Insurance Operations, 18+ Years Experience in Insurance

A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Nashville

Remember, liability car insurance doesn’t cover repairs to or a replacement of your vehicle. It only benefits the other parties. This is why it’s worth looking into

full-coverage auto insurance

. This type of coverage often includes liability insurance, plus comprehensive and collision coverage.

Collision coverage:

Collision insurance repairs or replaces your car if it’s damaged in an impact with another vehicle or object, even if you’re the one at fault.

Comprehensive coverage:

Comprehensive insurance covers vandalism, extreme weather damages, and theft.

Most dealerships and lenders ask lease and finance customers to carry full coverage car insurance for the duration of their contract. While a full coverage policy is often more expensive than the state minimum, there are providers who typically offer cheaper rates for better protection:

Insurance provider	Monthly full coverage cost	Annual full coverage cost
Direct Auto	$94	$1,127
Travelers	$100	$1,204
Nationwide	$115	$1,385
State Auto	$149	$1,784
Clearcover	$157	$1,888
National General	$176	$2,113

"It was so easy for me to use this app and find an insurance provider that was right for me! Thank you for making this such an easy experience."

Amanda-1

| Verified Jerry Customer

Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Nashville

Car insurance in Nashville costs an average of $128 per month and $1,540 per year. Minimum coverage costs about $71 per month (or $856 per year), while full coverage costs about $185 per month or $2,225 per year. That’s about 39% more than the national average!

Here are a few reasons why Nashville car insurance is so expensive:

Bad driving habits: Nashville’s drivers performed poorly in a nationwide survey of bad driving habits, taking the 59th place out of every major city in the US.5

Deadly driving: There were 19 motor vehicle crash-related deaths per 100,000 people in Tennessee in 2021—47% higher than the national average.6

Growing population: The city’s population has grown by over 24% in as many years, resulting in more drivers and car accidents on the road.7

Motor vehicle thefts: Tennessee’s motor vehicle theft rate jumped about 22% between 2021-2022. The Nashville police department handled almost 3,000 cases of stolen vehicles, only a small percentage of which were ever cleared.8

Natural disasters: Nashville experiences more tornado and earthquake activity than the rest of the country, which pushes up the cost of comprehensive insurance.9

Average cost of car insurance in Nashville by ZIP code

Insurance companies factor various things into your premiums, including your ZIP code.

Your insurance costs will change depending on how many people live in your neighborhood, how often people get into car accidents, the local crime rates, and the frequency of extreme weather. An insurance provider could give you and your friend from across town completely different quotes, even if you select the same coverage!

The table below shows how the average insurance rates in Nashville change depending on your ZIP code.

ZIP code	Average monthly coverage cost
37215	$53
3712	$57
37201	$60
37138	$137
37228	$145
37213	$158

Compare car insurance costs in other states

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Missouri car insurance

Indiana car insurance

Car insurance quotes in Nashville by rating factors

Providers require a range of personal rating factors to calculate your

car insurance premiums

, including:

Your credit score: Your credit score doesn’t necessarily reflect your driving skills, but it presents you as more reliable. Good credit drivers generally pay less for the same coverage as poor credit drivers.

Your demographics: Your age, gender, and marital status can all influence the cost of your insurance rates.

Your driving record and claims history: At-fault accidents, traffic citations, and serious driving convictions are bad news for your insurance rates.

Your location: Urban drivers pay more than rural ones, and even different ZIP codes within the same city will get different auto insurance quotes.

Your mileage: Using your car for occasional leisure is generally safer than for regular, traffic-heavy commutes, and insurance companies charge accordingly.

Your vehicle: You’ll pay more for collision and comprehensive coverage if you drive a luxury, high-performance, or sports car.

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Nashville?

Allowed (with applicable limitations): Gender, age, driving experience, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, marital status, zip code, insurance history

Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Tennessee currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.

Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Nashville:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville after driving violations

Your past driving behavior greatly influences your annual premiums.

High-risk drivers

usually have a driving history of traffic tickets, moving violations, and at-fault accidents. Insurance providers will charge you more if you have any of the following on your

Tennessee driving record

At-fault accidents

Careless driving

Driving under the influence (DUI)

Driving with a suspended license

Driving without insurance

Reckless driving

Speeding

Cheap car insurance in Nashville after a speeding ticket

Tennessee speeding ticket

will increase your rates, however the total amount will depend on how fast you’re driving and how many times you’ve been ticketed. If you receive a

reckless driving conviction

, you can expect your auto insurance rates to climb to approximately the following average amount:

MPH over limit	Monthly coverage cost	Rate increase (%)
Speeding	$190	77%

To lower your rates after a speeding ticket, consider enrolling in a defensive driving course. The state of Tennessee allows drivers with a certain amount of points to take a driver’s education program to stop points from going onto their record.

Cheapest car insurance in Nashville after a DUI

According to a recent Forbes Advisor report, Tennessee was ranked the 12th worst state in the world for DUI violations, with approximately 26.75% of traffic fatalities caused by drunk driving10. As a result, a

DUI conviction in Tennessee

will lead to hefty fines—and increase your rates.

Violation	Monthly coverage cost	Rate increase (%)
DUI	$235	84%

With a DUI on record, the auto insurance quotes you receive will differ substantially between providers. Often, finding the cheapest option for high-risk drivers means requesting and comparing multiple quotes.

Cheapest car insurance in Nashville after an at-fault accident

Your car insurance rates draw significantly on your driving and insurance claim history. Providers want to know how much you could cost them as a driver before they take you on as a policyholder. If you have an

at-fault accident

on your Nashville record, here’s how much your rates could be impacted:

Driving record	Monthly coverage cost	Rate increase (%)
At-fault accident	$183	43%

For lower premiums after an at-fault accident, start by shopping around for new car insurance quotes. Drivers can also shop for car insurance discounts, such as paid in full and other loyalty savings options.

Cheapest car insurance in Nashville after other driving violations

Unfortunately, even if you don’t spot your specific driving violation in this list—whether for reckless driving or driving uninsured—it doesn’t mean your car insurance rates will escape unscathed.

Below is a list of where Nashville drivers found cheap insurance rates with Jerry after various violations.

Violation	Monthly coverage cost	Annual coverage cost
Failure to obey signal	$93	$1,123
Driving on suspended license	$153	$1,841
Other minor	$170	$2,050
Careless driving	$334	$4,017

Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville by age

On average, car insurance for new Nashville drivers starts high, drops after the age of 25, decreases into middle age, and rises again as drivers near their mid-70s. However, you can find tips on saving in every age group in the sections below.

Cheap car insurance in Nashville for young drivers

It’s hard to find

affordable car insurance for teen drivers

. Most providers calculate teen car insurance rates based on their lack of experience and increased accident risk. As such, most young drivers pay the following average premium costs:

Age	Monthly minimum coverage cost	Monthly full coverage cost
18-21	$190	$424
22-25	$118	$244

If you’ve got a teen driver between 16 and 19, consider adding them to your policy for additional savings. Teen drivers can also shop for student car insurance discounts—most providers offer savings for students who live away from home, or who maintain a strong GPA.

Cheap car insurance in Nashville for middle-aged drivers

As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+.

Age	Monthly minimum coverage cost	Monthly full coverage cost
26-34	$87	$174
35-44	$74	$151
45-54	$70	$134

While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.

Cheap car insurance in Nashville for senior drivers

As Tennessee drivers age, their chances of being involved in accidents and sustaining severe injuries increase. As a result,

car insurance for seniors

in their mid-70s and beyond increases in price.

Age	Monthly minimum coverage cost	Monthly full coverage cost
55-64	$60	$146
65+	$69	$134

Similar to middle-aged drivers, seniors seeking to lower their policy can shop for discounts, or shop for car insurance using the Jerry app. With live chat support, agents are available to help guide you through the process of finding the best car insurance for you.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville based on insurance history

A continuous insurance history with no car insurance lapses helps you save money. If there’s any point in time during which you didn't have auto insurance coverage, you’ll probably pay higher rates, even if it wasn’t your fault.11 Here’s a look at the average rate most Nashville drivers with a poor insurance history pay for coverage:

Insurance history	Monthly coverage cost	Rate increase (%)
With coverage lapses	$172	34%

By providing free quotes, Jerry helps Nashville drivers without insurance or with insurance gaps save money. And to help them make a fresh start, the app also offers automatic reminders for upcoming or missed payments.

Finding cheap car insurance in Nashville: Hear from real drivers

Sometimes, it can be challenging finding the right company—and coverage—for you. Luckily, real Jerry customers have shared their experiences with their current providers to help you get started. Here’s what they had to say:

Brand new to Progressive but so far, so good. The app is straightforward and the cost is incredible for my already tight budget.

Abbie

I’ve had Travelers for 2 years and it’s been amazing. Affordable and easy to update and understand. Highly recommend!

Heather-1

Had to submit a claim and it was 100 times easier than I thought it would be! And even with a bad driving record, my insurance is more than affordable. Love love love!!

Sydney

Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville for drivers with bad credit

Unfortunately, Tennessee doesn’t prohibit car insurance companies from

using your credit history to determine the cost of your car insurance

. You may pay higher premiums if you have a poor credit score because, statistically speaking, people with lower credit scores tend to file more insurance claims.

For example, research shows that drivers with low credit scores pay 44% more than drivers with fair credit, and up to 115% more than drivers with excellent credit.12 Here’s what you can expect to pay, on average, with poor, fair, and great credit scores in Nashville:

Credit rating	Average coverage cost
Less than 600	$138
601-699	$97
700+	$64

Cheap car insurance quotes in Nashville for popular cars

Next time you buy a new car, don’t forget to consider how its safety ratings and driver assistance technology could affect your monthly and annual premiums. Insurers weigh how likely you are to make a claim based on your car’s purchase price, repair costs, anti-theft measures, and more.

Take a look at how much drivers in Nashville with the most popular cars pay on average for coverage:

Popular vehicle	Average coverage cost
Honda Civic EXL	$67
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	$92
Ford F-150	$124
Nissan Altima S	$181
RAM 1500 TRX	$209

How to lower car insurance costs in Nashville

1. Shop around and compare quotes

Experts recommend

car insurance shopping

between at least three different providers every six months. It’ll ensure that you're getting the lowest rates for coverage options in Nashville

Jerry makes checking local insurance deals quick and hassle-free. The app automatically compares quotes from top providers and presents the five to seven lowest rates in Nashville so you can see if you’re missing out.

Compare car insurance quotes now

2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Car insurance discounts

can help you rack up savings over years and years. Call up your insurance provider to ask if they offer programs like:

Auto and home insurance bundles

: Bundle your auto and homeowners insurance, and you could save money on both policies. Large insurance companies offer a range of other products—like life insurance, business insurance, motorcycle insurance, roadside assistance, and renters insurance—that are also eligible for bundling.

Good driver discounts: Keep a

clean driving record

for at least three years, and you may be eligible for savings.

Good student discounts: Maintain a B average or better in high school or college, and you could save money on your car insurance.

Telematics discounts: Install a telematics device in your car, and you could save money by driving calmly and safely rather than braking hard or speeding.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you want to save on car insurance without losing valuable coverage, consider raising your deductible for collision and comprehensive insurance. However, keep in mind that it’s a last resort and you should first make sure you can reasonably afford the increase.

MORE:

How to choose a car insurance deductible

FAQ

How much is car insurance in Nashville, TN?

Nashville drivers spend around $71 per month or $856 per year on state minimum

liability coverage

Full coverage

costs around $185 per month or $2,225 per year.

What’s the basic car insurance in Tennessee?

The minimum car insurance coverage required by law in Tennessee is $25,000 of

bodily injury liability coverage

per person (up to $50,000 per accident) and $25,000 of

property damage liability coverage

per accident.

What’s the best and cheapest insurance for a car?

The best and cheapest car insurance depends on your insurance needs and driver profile. Experts recommend at least doubling your liability coverage limits and investing in a full coverage policy for affordable but comprehensive coverage.

Is car insurance more expensive in Tennessee or Georgia?

Minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee and Georgia is fairly comparable, but Georgia’s full coverage prices are much higher. It costs about $1,283 per year for minimum coverage and $1,855 per year for full coverage in Tennessee, versus $1,253-$2,554 in Georgia.

Is it illegal to not have car insurance in Tennessee?

It’s illegal and a Class C misdemeanor if you don’t carry car insurance in Tennessee. Tennessee law outlines numerous penalties, including a fine of up to $300, vehicle impoundment, a

driver’s license suspension

, and a three-year

SR-22 requirement

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes and conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). All average quote data is based on rates for single drivers with a clean record and a single car between the ages of 35 and 65.

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.

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.

Sources

https://www.iii.org/article/what-determines-price-my-auto-insurance-policy

https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=c797fc95-bae0-4e3f-8f57-5413f4b890a0&nodeid=ACCAAMAABAAC&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FACC%2FACCAAM%2FACCAAMAAB%2FACCAAMAABAAC&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=55-12-102.+Part+definitions.&config=025054JABlOTJjNmIyNi0wYjI0LTRjZGEtYWE5ZC0zNGFhOWNhMjFlNDgKAFBvZENhdGFsb2cDFQ14bX2GfyBTaI9WcPX5&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4X8K-TFT0-R03N-44H7-00008-00&ecomp=bgf5kkk&prid=a85ca61d-31c3-4a29-a6de-6a1849e60f3a

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/police/data-dashboard/vehicle-crashes-map

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/costs/guide-to-calculating-costs/data-details/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/worst-drivers-in-america.html

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state

https://www.city-data.com/city/Nashville-Davidson-Tennessee.html

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/01/new-tennessee-laws-in-2024-include-harsher-distracted-driving-penalties/71754169007/

https://www.city-data.com/city/Nashville-Davidson-Tennessee.html

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/worst-states-for-drunk-driving/

https://www.iii.org/article/what-if-i-cant-find-auto-coverage

https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Official-CFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINAL-REPORT.pdf

Meet our experts

Jasmine Kanter

Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that's accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance.

Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.

Kianna Walpole

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

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.

Josh Damico

Head Of Insurance Operations

18+ Years Experience in Insurance

Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.