Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for 2024

Car insurance in Tennessee costs an average of $2,026 per year for full coverage and $512 per year for minimum coverage, according to Bankrate’s 2024 study of quoted annual premiums. Tennessee’s rates are lower than the national annual averages of $2,458 per year for full coverage and $678 for minimum coverage, but drivers looking for lower rates may be able to find even cheaper car insurance in the state, even if they are young or have a prior incident on their driving record.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Geico
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Travelers
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Tennessee Farmers Mutual and Erie
• Cheapest company for young drivers: Travelers and Chubb

One way to save on car insurance is to purchase the minimum coverage required by your state’s laws. Keep in mind that this is typically liability-only coverage, so you may have to pay out of pocket for certain types of damage to your car, making this potentially risky if you get into an accident or your car is damaged by weather. According to rate data we analyzed from Quadrant Information Services, Grange offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee on average.

Minimum coverage requirements for Tennessee drivers

Tennessee’s required minimum coverage limits are fairly standard compared to the rest of the country. However, you should be aware that as of January 1, 2023, Tennessee increased its property damage minimum limit from $15,000 to $25,000. Tennessee car insurance laws now require drivers to carry at least the following minimum limits:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Insurance professionals typically recommend that drivers purchase more liability insurance than this, and for good reason. Minimum limits may result in cheaper premiums, but they could leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs if you get into an accident. Any damages or injuries you cause that exceed your policy’s liability limits will be your responsibility to pay. Additionally, any damage to your own vehicle will not be covered if you cause an accident and only have minimum coverage. These costs can lead to financial devastation, so understanding how much car insurance you need may be an important step in crafting a policy with adequate protection.

Full coverage car insurance offers more financial protection than minimum coverage. On top of offering liability protection, it includes collision and comprehensive insurance, which can pay for damage to your own car in a variety of scenarios. In our analysis, we found that Travelers offers the lowest average premiums for full coverage insurance in Tennessee.

Your car insurance rates in Tennessee will depend on many factors, including your age, gender and the type of vehicle you drive. Additionally, your driving record has a substantial impact on the price you pay. Depending on the type of incident, such as a ticket or previous accident, you could see your rates rise considerably for three to five years after the incident.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Tennessee Farmers Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Tennessee Farmers Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: Travelers

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Tennessee with a speeding ticket: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

A speeding ticket conviction in Tennessee is likely to increase the cost of your car insurance for three to five years after your conviction date, although each company has its own guidelines. Additionally, how much your insurer penalizes you for the ticket will vary. If you have a speeding ticket conviction, you might benefit from comparing rates from multiple insurance companies. Under our analysis, Tennessee Farmers Mutual offers the cheapest average rates to 40-year-old drivers with a speeding ticket in Tennessee.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Tennessee with an at-fault accident: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Car insurance rates after an accident, even in a cheaper-than-average state like Tennessee, tend to increase. Getting into an accident may indicate to insurers that you could be more likely to get into more accidents, and thus file more claims. Bankrate’s research found that the following five companies are among the cheapest in Tennessee after an accident, with Tennessee Farmers Mutual offering the cheapest average rates. Note that if you have purchased an accident forgiveness endorsement, your rates might not go up after your first accident, assuming you have met all the other criteria for your insurer.

Cheapest rates in Tennessee for high-risk drivers: Travelers

While the definition of a high-risk driver varies between companies, it may include having multiple tickets or accidents on your record or a combination of the two. Additionally, major violations like reckless driving and DUI convictions could result in you being deemed a high-risk driver. If you have a DUI conviction and you’re looking for the best cheap car insurance in Tennessee, you may want to shop around to compare rates, coverage offerings, discounts and third-party ratings. Based on our research, the companies below are some of the cheapest on average for Tennessee drivers with a DUI conviction.

Young drivers pay some of the highest rates for auto insurance in most states, and Tennessee is no exception. A combination of limited experience and less maturity means that they are more likely to get into accidents and file a claim. That can make finding cheap auto insurance for young adults difficult. But with a little legwork, it is possible.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Tennessee Farmers Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Travelers

Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Travelers

Adding a teen driver to your car insurance is one of the most potentially impactful premium events. Being relatively inexperienced on the road means that teens are more likely to get into accidents, which causes insurers to increase rates to compensate for the risk. However, it may be possible to find cheap Tennessee car insurance with a teen on your policy, and shopping around to compare car insurance rates, along with seeking out teen or student discounts is often one of the best strategies. Based on our research, Travelers might be a good company to get a quote from if you’re adding a 16-year-old to your car insurance policy in the Volunteer State.

Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie

Teen drivers already pay more than many other drivers for car insurance. Teens who get a speeding ticket will see their premiums rise significantly. If you’re 18 years old and get a speeding ticket in Tennessee, Erie might be one of the first companies to get a quote from.

Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Causing an accident at any age is likely to raise your insurance premium; causing an accident when you’re 18 and already considered high-risk could mean a pretty hefty surcharge. For teens who have caused an accident in Tennessee, Tennessee Farmers Mutual might be a good place to get a car insurance quote.

Cheapest Tennessee car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Travelers

A DUI is considered one of the most serious driving infractions. For a 21-year-old driver who is still classed as high-risk by most insurance companies due to their age, a DUI conviction can mean some very expensive car insurance premiums (or even denial of coverage). If you are 21 and have a DUI conviction, Progressive may be a good company to ask for a quote. Keep in mind that many car insurance companies, even some we have provided average rates for below, may not extend coverage to someone with a DUI conviction. The best way to see if you are eligible (and what your rates will actually be) is to request a quote.

Car insurance discounts are one of the most popular ways to save on your Tennessee car insurance. Most major car insurance companies offer at least a few potential discounts, and taking advantage of as many as you qualify for might help lower your premium. Here are some common ways to save on car insurance in Tennessee:

• Young driver discounts: If you have young drivers on your policy, or if you are a young driver yourself, you may want to take advantage of student-based savings such as good student discounts, driver training discounts and student at school discounts.
• Safe driver discounts: Driving safely may help keep your base rate down, but some companies offer additional discounts if you haven’t had an at-fault accident or ticket in a certain number of years. Additionally, most insurance companies now offer telematics programs, which could help safe drivers save on their premium by tracking their driving in real-time.
• Other discounts: Additional discounts, such as for paying your premium in full, signing up for paperless statements, and bundling your auto and home insurance, may help you save even more.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.