How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Tennessee
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 Tennessee 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.
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Car
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | $178 | Claudia, 28, Athens, TN | Toyota Camry | State Minimum | Yes |
| Progressive | $214 | Mathilda, 23, Humboldt, TN | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | State Minimum | Yes |
| National General | $131 | Ernest, 23, Lenoir City, TN | Kia Sedona Ex | State Minimum | Yes |
| Electric | $189 | Daisy, 29, Bartlett, TN | Ram 1500 Slt | State Minimum | Yes |
| Gainsco | $53 | Georgie, 30, Roan Mountain, TN | Toyota Scion Tc | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee
Here at Jerry, we wanted to find out what car insurance companies offered the cheapest car insurance rates in Tennessee, 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.
After finding new car insurance policies with Jerry, here’s what Tennessee drivers have had to say about working with their providers.
| Insurance Company | Date | Cost rating (out of 5) | What our customer said: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | October 31, 2024 | 5 | “First time having insurance and they and Jerry made it so easy for me to understand the policy and everything else. “ -John |
| Elephant Auto Insurance | October 29, 2024 | 5 | “Every time I needed something they have been great “ -Aaron |
| The General | October 28, 2024 | 3 | “Coverage is fairly decent. Pricing is the same just about anywhere. “ -Craig |
| Allstate | October 25, 2024 | 3 | “Need better communication between the customers and the agents to know if the policy is paid or not.” -Lily |
| Nationwide | October 19, 2024 | 3 | “Have used them in the past and would recommend to everyone.” -Estelle |
The bottom line: Using a car insurance comparison app or website like Jerry makes it quick and easy to find the best car insurance company based on your profile and priorities.
With a team of over 100+ licensed insurance agents, Jerry’s end-to-end service can help you set up your new policy and cancel your old one.
Minimum liability and full coverage
Tennessee drivers need to be able 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 will additionally benefit from full coverage or other optional coverage types.
Cheapest minimum liability coverage in Tennessee
In Tennessee, drivers must satisfy the state’s minimum car insurance requirements, which include the following liability limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
You might see this coverage referred to as 25/50/25.
Do you need more than the minimum liability insurance coverage in Tennessee?
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 personal injury lawsuits up to three years after the actual 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.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Tennessee
Liability coverage won’t cover damage to your own 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, while comprehensive coverage applies to damages caused by a variety of other events, like theft, severe weather, or hitting an animal.
If you have a car loan: Lenders will require that you keep full coverage on your car for the duration of your loan.
Check out the rates other Tennessee drivers have found for full coverage car insurance with Jerry’s help.
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Car
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Minimum | Yes | Electric | $178 | Claudia, 28, Athens, TN | Toyota Camry |
| State Minimum | Yes | Progressive | $214 | Mathilda, 23, Humboldt, TN | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited |
| State Minimum | Yes | National General | $131 | Ernest, 23, Lenoir City, TN | Kia Sedona Ex |
| State Minimum | Yes | Electric | $189 | Daisy, 29, Bartlett, TN | Ram 1500 Slt |
| State Minimum | Yes | Gainsco | $53 | Georgie, 30, Roan Mountain, TN | Toyota Scion Tc |
Average rates for minimum liability coverage and full coverage car insurance in Tennessee
Jerry’s data shows that the average cost of car insurance in Tennessee is $106 monthly or $1,274 annually for minimum coverage. The average cost for a full coverage policy in Tennessee is $170 per month or $2,037 per year.
Keep in mind: Your own car insurance costs in Tennessee may fall above or below these averages based on rating factors specific to you, such as:
- Where you keep your vehicle
- What type of vehicle you drive
- Your age, gender, and other demographics
- Your driving record
- Your insurance history
- The coverage level you choose
- The car insurance discounts you qualify for
Tennessee car insurance: Additional coverages
In addition to required liability coverage, there are a number of additional coverage options you can add to your car insurance policy in Tennessee, including:
- Medical payments
- Towing and labor coverage
- Rental reimbursement coverage
- Uninsured motorist coverage
If you have a car loan: Car values can depreciate quickly, especially during the first several years of ownership. If your car ends up stolen or totaled when the value has become less than your loan balance, gap insurance can help you cover the difference.
If you don’t own a car but routinely borrow someone’s: Consider a non-owner car insurance policy, which will set you up with the liability coverage you need. You can also usually add optional coverage types, like medical payments coverage, if you prefer. However, you won’t be able to add vehicle-specific coverage, such as collision or comprehensive insurance, since the owner’s policy would need to have these protections in place.
Car insurance premium by rating factors
Tennessee car insurance companies will consider many factors to calculate the cost of your premium, including:
- Your vehicle type: Expect to pay more for collision and comprehensive coverage on luxury vehicles, sports cars, or high-value vehicles.
- Where you keep your vehicle: Your city’s population density, car accident rates, and crime rates will influence your premium. Additionally, vehicles that can be stored in a secure garage will typically cost less to insure.
- Your driving record: Numerous driving violations, especially severe ones, can put your rate on the rise.
- Your claims history: Policyholders who have filed insurance claims in the past are considered more statistically likely to file them in the future.
- What you use your vehicle for: Generally, a daily commuter car will cost more to insure than a secondary vehicle that’s only driven occasionally.
- Your credit score: Policyholders with good credit are considered less likely to file claims, resulting in lower auto insurance costs.
Cheapest Tennessee car Insurance after a driving violation
Your Tennessee driving record will predictably have a notable 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.
Cheapest car insurance for Tennessee drivers with a speeding ticket
A Tennessee speeding ticket usually causes car insurance rates to rise, but the severity will have an impact as well. You’ll likely see a steeper rate increase for driving 25 mph over the speed limit than you would for driving 5 mph over the speed limit. And if your speeding lands you with a Tennessee reckless driving charge, you’ll likely see an even higher rate.
Pro tip: Shopping around for car insurance can still help you keep your car insurance costs affordable. Check out rates Tennessee drivers have found with Jerry, even after a speeding ticket.
|
Speeding Type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding Violation-Major | Gainsco | $40 | Tommy, 30, Johnson City, TN | State Minimum | No |
| Speeding Violation-Major | Gainsco | $165 | Jose, 22, Bolivar, TN | State Minimum | No |
| Speeding Violation-Minor | Progressive | $71 | Wesley, 21, Bethel Springs, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
| Speeding Violation-Minor | Progressive | $61 | Ella, 23, Chattanooga, TN | State Minimum | No |
| Speeding Violation-Major | Progressive | $266 | Lida, 34, Mcminnville, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee after a DUI
Under Tennessee’s DUI laws, driving under the influence can send car insurance premiums through the roof.
But by gathering quotes from multiple auto insurance companies, you increase the odds of finding an affordable car insurance policy.
Tennessee SR-22 insurance
DUIs, reckless driving, and other severe violations can leave drivers subject to Tennessee SR-22 requirements. This can be challenging, because not all auto insurance companies offer SR-22 policies due to the increased level of risk.
At the same time, there are numerous providers that are willing to work with high-risk drivers, and some specialize in doing so. Comparing quotes from these providers can help you find an affordable policy.
Cheapest Tennessee auto insurance after an at-fault accident
At-fault accidents can result in steep rate hikes from your car insurance company.
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 Tennessee policyholders:
|
Accident Type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not At Fault | Gainsco | $40 | Tommy, 30, Johnson City, TN | State Minimum | No |
| At Fault With No Injury | Trexis | $130 | Winnie, 28, Chattanooga, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
| At Fault With No Injury | The General | $187 | Iva, 23, Nashville, TN | State Minimum | No |
| At Fault With No Injury | Gainsco | $165 | Jose, 22, Bolivar, TN | State Minimum | No |
| At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $71 | Wesley, 21, Bethel Springs, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
FAQ
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Is Tennessee a no fault state?
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Does Tennessee require car insurance?
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Does car insurance follow the car or the driver in Tennessee?
Cheapest auto insurance after other violations in Tennessee
As you’d probably expect, driving violations can increase your car insurance rate—but the exact impact will likely depend on how many you have and their severity.
Here’s a look at rates Tennessee drivers have found after various types of violations with help from Jerry:
|
Violation
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Obey Signal | Electric | $178 | Claudia, 28, Athens, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
| Suspension | Trexis | $401 | Chris, 27, Paris, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
| Ticket Violation Not Listed | Progressive | $123 | Etta, 55, Nashville, TN | State Minimum | No |
| Driving Left of Center | Trexis | $298 | Lela, 24, Dover, TN | State Minimum | Yes |
| Failure to Obey Signal | Progressive | $85 | Nelle, 25, Soddy Daisy, TN | State Minimum | No |
Cheapest Tennessee auto insurance based on insurance history
Car insurance providers prefer to see policyholders hold continuous car insurance over a certain period of time. On the contrary, having lapses in your insurance coverage could leave you with a more expensive premium.
If you’re shopping for car insurance for the first time: Start out strong by choosing a policy that’s right for your situation and your budget, then maintain consistent coverage to save more in the long run.
Jerry understands that missed payments could result in premature cancellation of your policy. That’s why we can send eligible customers payment reminders and late payment warnings to help you keep your coverage in good standing.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit
Because policyholders with poor credit are statistically more likely to file insurance claims, taking steps to improve your credit score can help you find lower rates on car insurance. In the meantime, shopping around can still help you save if you have poor credit.
Take a look at the auto insurance quotes these Tennessee drivers with varying credit scores have found with Jerry.
|
Credit Range
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Car
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 550-659 | Electric | $178 | Claudia, 28, Athens, TN | Toyota Camry | State Minimum | Yes |
| 660-750 | Progressive | $214 | Mathilda, 23, Humboldt, TN | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | State Minimum | Yes |
| 550-659 | National General | $131 | Ernest, 23, Lenoir City, TN | Kia Sedona Ex | State Minimum | Yes |
| 550-659 | Electric | $189 | Daisy, 29, Bartlett, TN | Ram 1500 Slt | State Minimum | Yes |
| 550-659 | Gainsco | $53 | Georgie, 30, Roan Mountain, TN | Toyota Scion Tc | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest Tennessee car insurance by age
Age isn’t everything, but it has a major 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 gradually decrease over time for most of your adult life.
By age 75, you can generally expect car insurance costs to rise again.1
Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for young drivers
Teen drivers pay the most for car insurance in Tennessee out of any age group.
Considering that teens are statistically far more likely to experience accidents, this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. To help compensate, some young drivers might qualify for good student discounts or defensive driving course discounts.
That increased risk also makes it worthwhile to consider adding full coverage to a young driver’s policy—especially if they’re driving a vehicle that’s newer or carries a higher value.
Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for senior drivers
As drivers reach their mid-seventies, they can generally expect their car insurance rates to rise again, thanks to statistics.
The increased likelihood for accidents—and for severe injuries if an accident happens—can make care insurance more expensive for seniors.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to save, including by shopping around for new car insurance quotes. Check out the best rates senior drivers in Tennessee have found with Jerry’s help.
Cheapest car insurance 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 Tennessee drivers include:
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ram 1500
- Honda Civic
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Rogue
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Escape
|
Popular Car
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry L | National General | $370 | Ronnie, 37, East Point, GA | State Minimum | Yes |
| Honda Civic Ex-L | National General | $254 | Nelle, 23, Lawrenceville, GA | State Minimum | No |
| Honda Civic Lx | Progressive | $211 | Henrietta, 26, Macon, GA | State Minimum | No |
| Ford F-150 | The General | $201 | Bernice, 54, Lilburn, GA | State Minimum | No |
| Nissan Rogue S | National General | $129 | Lulu, 43, Savannah, GA | State Minimum | No |
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
Is it cheaper to insure a new car or a used car?
Newer vehicles usually cost more to insure than older ones.
Tennessee cheapest car insurance by location
Your location will have a significant impact on your car insurance costs in Tennessee. Drivers in Memphis might see different rates than those in Nashville or Knoxville.
Insurers will consider factors like your ZIP code’s:
- Population density
- Accident rates
- Auto theft and other crime rates
- Severe weather risks
Even within the same city, you might see ZIP codes with noticeably different average rates.
Take a look at how car insurance rates can vary across Tennessee.
|
City
|
Customer
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Car
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, TN | Claudia | Electric | $178 | Toyota Camry | State Minimum | Yes |
| Humboldt, TN | Mathilda | Progressive | $214 | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | State Minimum | Yes |
| Lenoir City, TN | Ernest | National General | $131 | Kia Sedona Ex | State Minimum | Yes |
| Bartlett, TN | Daisy | Electric | $189 | Ram 1500 Slt | State Minimum | Yes |
| Roan Mountain, TN | Georgie | Gainsco | $53 | Toyota Scion Tc | State Minimum | Yes |
How to lower car insurance costs in Tennessee
Here are some tips from Jerry’s team of licensed insurance agents to help you save on car insurance in Tennessee:
- Gather and compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers.
- Bundle your car insurance with home insurance or renters insurance.
- Find out what other insurance discounts you’re eligible for—like safe driver discounts, low mileage discounts, auto-pay discounts, or safety feature discounts.
- Increase your deductible for your comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Take steps to improve your credit history.
- Take an approved defensive driving course—you might qualify for a discount.
- Consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage on older, low-value cars.
Learn more: 11 Ways to lower car insurance
Why is car insurance so expensive in Tennessee?
Because location plays a crucial role in determining your insurance rate, you might pay more for car insurance in Tennessee due to factors like:
- Your city’s population density
- Accident and crime rates
- High number of uninsured drivers
- Rising repair costs
- Healthcare costs
- Severe weather risks
FAQ
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What is the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee?
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How much is car insurance in Tennessee?
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What is Tennessee’s minimum car insurance coverage?
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Does the state of Tennessee require car insurance?
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Do you need insurance to register a car in Tennessee?
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How long can you drive without insurance after buying a car in Tennessee?
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Licensed Insurance Agent
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
Lina Zhang is co-founder and vice president of operations at Jerry, where she leads a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, content, legal, and compliance. Lina’s operational excellence was a critical enabler of Jerry’s 10x growth in its first year of operation.
Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, led YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017.
Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
Lina holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nanjing University, a doctorate in biochemistry from Dartmouth College, and a juris doctorate from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She’s a member of the State Bar of California and a licensed property and casualty insurance producer in all 50 states.
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.
