Situated along the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a densely populated city with a population of more than 600,000. Known as the birthplace of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll music, Memphis draws more than 10 million tourists each year.
With so many people living and driving in close proximity, the rate of car accidents increases, which causes insurers to raise car insurance rates. The monthly average cost of car insurance in Memphis is $156 — higher than the statewide average of $103 per month and the national monthly average of $144.
Here’s what you should know about finding car insurance in Memphis.
How much is car insurance in Memphis, TN?
Drivers in Memphis pay more for car insurance than in Tennessee overall. Memphis car insurance costs are also higher than the nationwide average. In the table below, you can see how Memphis car insurance rates compare.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Memphis
No single insurance company will be the cheapest for everyone. In the table below, you can see some of the cheapest car insurance companies for Memphis drivers.
Best car insurance companies in Memphis
The best car insurance company for you depends on your coverage needs and financial situation. The cheapest insurer may not always be the best insurer — consider factors like how often you drive and who else may be driving your vehicle.
State Farm is a good all-around insurer, offering cheap rates and a variety of discounts and coverages. USAA is the best insurance company for active military members, veterans, and their families. It offers a variety of coverages and excellent customer service. Mile Auto offers pay-as-you-drive car insurance, which is ideal for people who don’t drive frequently.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
Best insurer for military members and families: USAA
Best insurer for low-mileage drivers: Mile Auto
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Memphis
Insurance companies consider many different factors when setting car insurance premiums. While not everything is within your control, here are some steps you can take to land cheaper car insurance rates in the Memphis area:
Get multiple quotes. Shopping around to check rates with at least three insurance companies can help you uncover affordable insurance deals for the coverage you need.
Consider pay-per-mile insurance. If you live in a walkable or public transportation-accessible area, using your car less often and paying for insurance per mile could help you save.
Look for discounts. Insurers offer a wide variety of discounts that can lower your rates. For example, bundling your car insurance with a renters insurance or homeowners insurance policy could lower your rate. Paying your insurance in full or signing up for paperless billing may also qualify you for insurance discounts.
Enroll in safe driving courses and programs. Some insurers lower your rate if you take driver courses or enroll in programs that monitor your driving habits and reward you with discounts for safe driving. If you’re a cautious driver, consider looking for insurance companies with apps that track your driving and give you perks for good driving habits.
Car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers must have at least liability coverage that includes protection for bodily injury and property damage.1 Here’s the minimum car insurance you need to carry:
You may want to consider carrying more than the minimum required insurance coverage if you drive frequently. Some other insurance coverages to consider include:
Cheapest car insurance for Memphis drivers with an incident
Incidents on your driving record can raise your insurance rates because they indicate that you’re a higher-risk driver than someone with a clean driving record. You can still find cheap car insurance with prior driving incidents on record with the right insurers.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
How much your insurance rates increase after getting a speeding ticket can depend on how fast you were going, your history of speeding tickets, and where you were speeding. For example, speeding in a school or construction zone can result in a higher ticket and harsher repercussions than speeding in other areas.
Memphis-based drivers with a speeding ticket pay a monthly average of $267 for full coverage. Below are average monthly rates for car insurance in Memphis for drivers with speeding tickets.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
An at-fault accident is an accident in which you cause damage. In most cases, your insurance rates will increase when you’re at fault. But the amount your insurance rates increase can vary by insurance company and the severity of the accident.
In Memphis, the average rate for full-coverage insurance for drivers with an accident on their record is $271. Below are the cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Memphis with at-fault accidents on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Drivers charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee may pay fines, face up to 11 months in jail, and be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.2 Aside from the legal ramifications of a DUI, car insurance premiums almost always increase — and in some cases, insurance companies can cancel or refuse to renew your policy altogether.
The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Memphis for drivers with a DUI conviction is $265. If you’re shopping for insurance with a DUI, here are the cheapest options in Memphis.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
In general, rates for drivers tend to decrease around age 35 but increase around age 70. That’s because visual impairments, memory loss, and confusion can cause some seniors to get into more accidents, making older drivers a greater potential risk behind the wheel.
Memphis seniors pay an overall average of $131 per month for car insurance. Insurance rates for seniors vary by company, and below are the cheapest insurance options in Memphis.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Car insurance rates for teenagers and young adults typically skew much higher than for adults because teens have less experience behind the wheel, and limited driving history puts them at a higher risk for accidents.
Teen drivers in Memphis pay an overall average of $313 per month for car insurance.
But teens still have plenty of ways to save on car insurance, including:
Stay on their parents’ policy. Adding children to a parents’ policy is typically less expensive than purchasing a policy individually for a teen driver.
Apply for student discounts. Some insurance companies offer good student discounts for students who maintain a certain GPA. Enrolling your teen in a defensive driving course is another strategy that could help lower their rate.
Drive a safe vehicle. Teens who drive new cars with certain safety features — like alarms or other anti-theft devices — may qualify for lower car insurance rates.3
Below are the cheapest insurance quotes for teens in the Memphis area.
Memphis car insurance quotes by credit tier
In Tennessee, insurance companies can consider your credit history during underwriting to determine your insurance rate. They use your credit-based insurance score along with other factors to calculate a risk score to measure your likelihood of filing a claim.
In general, insurers consider drivers with excellent or good credit lower risk, which often means better insurance rates, while drivers with poor credit often pay more for car insurance. Below are average insurance rates by credit tier in Memphis.
Cost of car insurance in other Tennessee cities
Here’s how average monthly car insurance quotes differ in other Tennessee cities compared to Memphis.