If you’re in the market for car insurance in Tennessee, Mile Auto, State Farm, and Progressive offer the most competitive quotes depending on your situation.
On average, a full-coverage auto policy in Tennessee costs $134 per month, while a liability-only policy costs $69 per month. This is lower than the national averages of $182 for full coverage and $103 for liability coverage.
Your rate will ultimately depend on your driving record, age, claim history, chosen coverage, insurer, and more. Here’s what you should know about finding coverage that works for you in Tennessee.
Tennessee drivers can secure cheap coverage through State Farm, with rates as low as $49 for liability-only car insurance and $83 for full coverage.
Tennessee drivers pay a yearly average of $1,611 for full-coverage insurance.
Drivers in Tennessee must carry at least a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
6 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee
Whether you want the cheapest quotes, affordable coverage for your teens, or short-term coverage, you can find the most affordable car insurance companies for your situation.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
Best insurer for short-term coverage: Hugo
Best insurer for teen drivers: National General
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee
Several factors can increase your risk profile and insurance premiums, including your age, gender, driving history, credit record, and chosen coverage. But by following these steps, you can still find the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee without compromising quality of coverage.
Shop around. The Insurance Information Institute recommends gathering three quotes from various insurance companies. You want to ensure you compare the same policy types for the most accurate comparison.5
Increase your deductible. A higher deductible usually means lower monthly premiums. But “a high deductible plan may be unsuitable if you have a total loss and need funds to help purchase a new car,” says Kevin Walters, director of communications at the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
Take advantage of discounts. Maintaining a clean driving record, bundling policies, and having safety features on your car can qualify you for various discounts to help you save money on your policy.
Low-cost car insurance in Tennessee
Tennessee doesn’t have a low-income car insurance program to help drivers find low-cost car insurance. If you’re looking for a cheaper policy in Tennessee, consider comparing quotes from three to five car insurance companies every six months to make sure you’re still getting the best offer on your insurance. Car insurance companies revise their rates often, and the company that had the best deal six months ago may no longer be the best option for you today.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Tennessee: Mile Auto
Liability-only coverage will pay for the other driver’s medical expenses and property damage if you cause a car accident. While liability-only insurance is the most affordable option, it doesn’t cover your medical expenses or vehicle damage.2
Liability insurance in Tennessee costs $69 per month, on average. Find the cheapest companies in Tennessee for liability coverage below.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Tennessee: Mile Auto
If you’re looking for more than liability insurance, you should consider a full-coverage policy. This policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, protecting you and the other party in an accident. With collision coverage, your insurer pays for repairs to your vehicle, even if you’re at fault in an accident. Comprehensive coverage covers losses and damages from non-collision incidents, like theft or natural disaster.
If you drive frequently, have a loan or lease on your vehicle, or live in a high-risk area, you should purchase a full-coverage policy. You’ll have to pay a deductible before receiving coverage for collision or comprehensive claims.
Tennessee drivers pay a monthly average of $134 for full-coverage insurance. A number of insurers in Tennessee offer affordable full-coverage insurance rates, including the following:
Car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee adheres to the tort system, meaning you’re financially responsible for any damages or injuries resulting from an accident you cause. To drive legally in Tennessee, you must carry the minimum coverage required by law:3
While not required in Tennessee, additional auto insurance coverage can provide more financial protection in an at-fault accident. To ensure you have enough protection, consider the following optional coverages:
Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for drivers with an incident
If you’re a driver in Tennessee with a history of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other moving violations, you’ll typically receive increased insurance premiums.4
If you have a spotty record, insurers see you as a higher risk for future incidents than drivers with clean records. The likelihood of you having another moving violation increases, making you more liable to the insurer.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
A speeding ticket may not seem like a huge deal, but it can have consequences, including points on your driving record, fines, and premium increases for several years. The average monthly cost for a driver in Tennessee who has a speeding ticket on their record is $176.
If you have a speeding ticket on your record, these insurance companies offer the most affordable coverage.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
At-fault accidents can cause your policy premiums to increase significantly, depending on the accident’s severity. Accidents can stay on your record for up to five years and keep your insurance rates high. For example, Tennessee drivers who have had an accident pay an average of $179 per month.
Fortunately, some companies offer accident forgiveness programs to help prevent rate increases after your first at-fault accident, and many insurance companies still provide competitive rates. Find the cheapest average monthly quotes in Tennessee below.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
A DUI is a severe offense with major legal and financial consequences. If you have one, Tennessee will usually require your insurer to file an SR-22 form to show that you have the necessary insurance to operate a vehicle.
This offense can result in a substantial increase in your rates for several years. In Tennessee, a DUI stays on your record permanently and you won’t be able to get it expunged. Tennessee drivers with a DUI pay an overall average of $173 per month for coverage.
You can work to lower your costs by shopping for the most affordable auto insurance company. To begin your search, consider the following insurers that offer competitive rates for drivers with a DUI on their record. Keep in mind, though, that you may need to go with a high-risk insurer if you can’t obtain coverage through the standard market.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors: Mile Auto
As you enter your 70s, age-related conditions may start to pose a hazard to you and other drivers on the road. Insurers may see your age as a risk factor for more accidents, and increase your insurance premiums.
Senior drivers in Tennessee pay a monthly average of $58 for liability-only policies and $112 for full coverage. To counteract the slight price increase, you can shop for an insurer that offers budget-friendly rates for senior drivers.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for teens: Mile Auto
Teenagers pay the highest auto insurance costs, which don’t start to drop significantly until drivers turn 25. Young drivers typically have less experience on the road, which presents an increased hazard to themselves and others. Liability-only car insurance and full coverage for Tennessee teens average $141 and $274 per month.
To save money on coverage for your teenager, you can keep them on your insurance policy, have them drive a safe car, and take advantage of a good student discount. You can also compare quotes to see which insurance companies offer the best rates for teen drivers, starting with the insurers below.
Tennessee car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurers in Tennessee can legally check your credit history to determine the likelihood of you filing a claim. Therefore, drivers with excellent or good credit scores will likely pay lower insurance premiums than people with poor credit scores.
Car insurance rates across Tennessee cities
Your location, down to your city and ZIP code, significantly affects your insurance rate. This is because factors like vehicle crime rates and weather patterns influence how likely you are to file a claim. This is why car insurance companies charge a higher premium for residents in some cities. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance across cities in Tennessee.
- Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Tennessee car insurance FAQs
Finding affordable car insurance that meets your coverage needs can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a high-risk driver. The information below should help you navigate the process of finding coverage in Tennessee.
How much is car insurance in Tennessee?
On average, Tennessee drivers pay $134 per month for full-coverage insurance and $69 per month for liability coverage. Your rate depends on your driving history, credit record, age, location in the state, chosen coverage, and more.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee?
Mile Auto has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee, with monthly liability rates as low as $42. State Farm and Progressive also offer affordable coverage, with respective monthly liability rates of $49 and $56.
But the cheapest insurer for you will depend on many factors, such as your age, ZIP code, the type of car you drive, and the coverage levels you choose.
What are the best car insurance companies in Tennessee?
The best car insurance companies in Tennessee include State Farm, GEICO, and USAA. Hugo, an on-demand insurer, offers the best coverage for drivers looking for temporary coverage. With an IQ Score of 9.3, solid financial strength ratings, and quality coverage, State Farm is your best option for coverage in Tennessee.
Is insurance cheaper in Tennessee?
Nationwide, drivers pay an average of $182 per month for full coverage and $103 for liability, so Tennessee residents benefit from slightly lower rates. Tennessee drivers pay $69 per month for liability insurance and $134 per month for full coverage.
Is Tennessee a no-pay, no-play state?
No. Tennessee is not a no-pay, no-play state. This means the state has laws that limit your right to sue for damages after an accident if you were driving uninsured when the accident occurred. The state operates under an at-fault system that requires drivers responsible for an accident to cover the costs of medical expenses and vehicle damage they cause the other party.