In Knoxville, the overall average cost of car insurance is $105. What you’ll actually spend depends on a wide variety of factors unique to you. But despite the tourist destination’s popularity, it has relatively cheap average premiums compared to the national overall average of $144 per month and the state average of $103 per month.
Here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes and finding the right car insurance policy at an affordable price in Knoxville.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Knoxville
When you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy, you likely have the cost of coverage on your mind. The cheapest available policy won’t always work best for your needs since some insurers cater to specific driver categories or circumstances.
Consider the following affordable insurers in Knoxville.
Best insurer for affordable rates: State Farm
Best insurer for liability coverage: Allstate
Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: GEICO
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Knoxville
When it comes to finding cheap car insurance rates in Knoxville, several factors generally come into play. Take note of these tips to help you secure affordable coverage:
Keep a clean record. Maintain a clean driving record by obeying traffic laws and avoiding accidents and violations.
Choose a high deductible. Consider opting for a higher deductible, as this can lower your premium. But ensure you have enough savings to cover the deductible amount if you need to file a claim.
Ask about multi-policy discounts. Bundle your car insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, to qualify for multi-policy discounts.
Look into other discounts. Ask about available discounts for safety features in your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes and passive restraint systems.
Shop around. Compare quotes from different insurance companies to find the best rate for your specific needs.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Knoxville: Mile Auto
Liability-only car insurance provides coverage for injuries and damages you cause others, but it doesn’t cover damages to your own vehicle. This insurance includes bodily injury liability, which pays for medical expenses and legal costs related to injuries suffered by others, as well as property damage liability, which covers repairs or replacement of damaged property.1
A liability-only policy may be a money-saver for you if your vehicle is older, less expensive, and paid off. Knoxville drivers pay an average of $72 per month for liability coverage. Here are the cheapest liability insurance companies in Knoxville.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Knoxville: Mile Auto
The difference between liability-only and full-coverage car insurance lies in the scope of coverage provided. While liability-only insurance covers damages and injuries caused to others, full-coverage insurance extends protection to your own vehicle as well.
Though more expensive than a liability-only policy, full-coverage insurance covers vehicle repairs following collisions and non-collision incidents, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. You should consider full-coverage car insurance if you have a new or high-value vehicle. And if you lease or finance your vehicle, your leasing company or lender will require you to buy full coverage.
Knoxville drivers pay an average of $138 per month for full coverage. Here are the cheapest liability insurance companies in Knoxville.
Car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Mandated by Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law, drivers in the state must prove financial accountability in the event of a car accident. Most drivers need to purchase auto liability insurance coverage unless they qualify for an exemption.
Failure to meet the minimum-coverage requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability results in fines and the potential loss of vehicle registration.2
When acquiring liability coverage, you typically have the opportunity to add optional coverages, such as:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Certain driving-related incidents can have an effect on your auto insurance rates. These incidents include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and other moving violations.3
“Having a major infraction on your record, such as a DUI or reckless driving, could prohibit you from obtaining insurance with a standard auto insurer and cause you to pay rates that are more than double the average driver,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute.
You should understand how your driving record can affect the price you pay for your auto insurance policy.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
If you get a speeding ticket, you should prepare for a potential increase in your car insurance costs — drivers in Knoxville pay an average of $94 per month for liability coverage if they having a speeding ticket on their record. Insurance companies generally view speeding violations as a sign of increased risk, which leads to higher premiums.
The table below shows average rates for drivers with a speeding ticket compared to those for drivers with a clean record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
If you cause an accident, you should understand how it’ll affect your car insurance costs. Insurance companies generally consider at-fault accidents as a sign of higher risk and potential claims, so you’ll pay a higher premium.
Knoxville drivers pay an average of $95 per month for liability coverage with an at-fault accident on their record. Here are the cheapest insurers in the city.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Insurance costs can significantly increase if you receive a DUI on your driving record. Insurance companies view DUIs as a major red flag that indicates a higher likelihood of accidents and claims. If you’ve received a DUI conviction, expect a significant increase in your car insurance premiums.
Knoxville drivers pay an average of $93 per month for liability coverage with a DUI on their record. Here are the cheapest insurers in the city.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Your age is a significant determinant of your car insurance rates. Around age 35, rates generally decrease, as drivers become more experienced. But around age 70, insurance premiums increase slightly due to factors like potential health issues and increased accident risks.
Senior drivers in Knoxville pay an average of $60 per month for liability coverage and $116 per month for full coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Knoxville.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Car insurance for teenagers costs much more than premiums for older drivers due to a lack of driving experience and increased risk factors. Teen drivers in Knoxville pay an average of $144 per month for liability coverage and $277 per month for full coverage.
To obtain cheap car insurance as a teen, you can consider staying on a parent’s insurance policy, as this often earns you more favorable rates.
Additionally, completing an approved driver safety course, and selecting a safe and reliable car with good safety features can help lower insurance costs. Taking advantage of a good student discount by maintaining good grades can further contribute to obtaining affordable insurance.4
Knoxville car insurance quotes by credit tier
If you live in Tennessee, car insurance companies may assess your credit history when determining the cost of premiums. Having an excellent or good credit score can help secure lower insurance rates, while a poor credit score may lead to higher premiums.
To get an idea of how credit tiers affect average monthly insurance quotes in Knoxville, refer to the chart below.
Is car insurance more expensive in Knoxville?
Where you live, down to your ZIP code, has a significant effect on car insurance rates. If you live in Tennessee, you may pay lower premiums compared to drivers in other states, with an overall monthly average rate of $103. Knoxville drivers pay an overall average monthly rate of $105, which falls below the overall national average of $144 per month.
Car insurance rates can also vary within the same state on a city level, influenced by factors like crime rates, accident frequency, and weather conditions.
More cities in Tennessee
For full-coverage insurance, Knoxville drivers pay an average of $138 per month, which is lower than some other cities in Tennessee.