Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes & Options in Tennessee
Car insurance in Tennessee costs just $1,263 per year, on average. That's cheaper than the current national average of $1,311 annually. Since Tennessee's car insurance is more affordable than many other states, there's no excuse not to get your vehicle set up with all the coverage necessary to ensure a safe ride. You'll probably want more coverage than just the state's bare minimum requirements, as well.
An independent insurance agent can help you browse dozens of different car insurance companies in Tennessee to find the coverage that's the best fit for you. But for starters, here's a closer examination of car insurance and requirements in the state of Tennessee.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Tennessee
There's no reason to waste time searching endless car insurance companies in Tennessee when you just want the best coverage, fast. We're hoping to make it much easier for you by providing this list of top picks for car insurance in Tennessee. Check out some of our recommendations for the best car insurance carriers in Tennessee in several categories.
- Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company Overall: Erie
- Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Erie
- Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: USAA
- Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Progressive
- Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Erie
A Tennessee independent insurance agent can help you decide if any of these companies have the type of car insurance you need most.
Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company Overall: Erie
Our pick for the best overall car insurance company in Tennessee gets awarded to Erie Insurance. Erie ranks highly in terms of claims satisfaction and customer service. The carrier also has consistently solid financial strength. We also chose the insurance company as our top pick in this category thanks to their better car replacement coverage, which isn't available from most car insurers. If a customer's car gets totaled in the first two years, Erie's coverage will replace it with the newest model.
First started in 1925 as the Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie has been in the insurance industry for almost a century. The carrier has more than 5,000 employees today. According to the official website, Erie also has more than five million insurance policies in force.
By 2020, Erie had already earned many impressive awards and titles, including being named as the 12th largest auto insurer in the US, the 11th largest home insurer in the US, and the 12th largest business insurer in the US. The carrier has also been a Fortune 500 company since 2003.
The carrier's massive reach and size have guided Erie's reputation as a respected, financially stable carrier with a strong outlook for the future. AM Best gives Erie an “A+” rating, indicating the carrier is a superior choice for insurance customers.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy |
| $73 | $877 |
Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Erie
Our pick for the best car insurance company for minimum liability coverage also goes to Erie. With extremely affordable state-minimum car insurance policies starting at just $427 per year, car insurance becomes accessible to many residents of the state. To make coverage even cheaper, Erie offers discounts for airbags, bundling your coverage, paying premiums in full, and having anti-theft systems in your vehicle.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy |
| $36 | $427 |
Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: USAA
Our pick for the best Tennessee car insurance company for full coverage goes to USAA. Not only does USAA offer all the types of auto insurance you really need, but the insurance company received a score of 890 out of 1,000 in the 2021 J.D. Power US Auto Insurance Study. Customers have proven they trust USAA when it comes to assembling a policy that goes beyond Tennessee's state minimum requirements.
First founded in 1922, USAA has been in the industry for more than a century. The carrier was originally created by a group of Army officers who decided to insure each other’s vehicles and has since expanded to servicing millions of customers across the country with a variety of coverage solutions.
In recent years, USAA’s net worth surpassed $35 billion. The insurance company has more than 13 million members (i.e., policyholders) and 35,000 employees. USAA has also paid out $2.4 billion in returns to its customers. The carrier has consistently received high marks from major agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s. AM Best rates the insurance company an "A++," the highest available.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy |
| $94 | $1,126 |
Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Progressive
Our top choice for the best Tennessee car insurance company for young drivers and students goes to Progressive. With high financial strength ratings, 24/7/365 customer service, and tons of auto insurance discounts including for distant students and good students, Progressive makes this coverage affordable to drivers of all ages. Of the companies surveyed, Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance policy options for students and young drivers, starting at $1,715 per year.
Founded in 1937, Progressive has many decades of experience in the insurance industry. The carrier was the first in the industry to allow consumers to pay policy premiums in installments, which was a groundbreaking accomplishment. The carrier's original mission was to become the Number One choice for auto insurance with both consumers and agents.
Now, Progressive easily earns our choice in this category. An extensive history and a wide selection of other products have also led to Progressive earning a reputation as a stable insurance company with a strong outlook for the future.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Young Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Young Drivers |
| $143 | $1,715 |
Best Tennessee Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Erie
Erie nabs a third spot on our list as our top pick for the best Tennessee car insurance company for accident history. Erie provides car insurance policies to drivers with poor driving records, including accident histories, starting at just $1,120 per year. Erie offers accident forgiveness and better car replacement coverage, and rental car reimbursement, which is also convenient for drivers with poor records.
| Average Insurance Cost: Accident History | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Accident History |
| $93 | $1,120 |
Tennessee Car Insurance Requirements
All states require drivers to meet minimum requirements for car insurance before they're legally allowed to drive. Tennessee is no exception. The state has fewer minimum requirements than others, but drivers here still must have at least the following:
- Bodily injury liability: In Tennessee, this coverage is required in amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of medical treatment to another driver and their passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
- Property damage liability: In Tennessee, this coverage is required in the amount of $15,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of repairs to a third party's personal property, like a vehicle, fences, etc., if you damage it with your car.
Optional car insurance coverages in Tennessee include:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This coverage can pay for damage to your vehicle or medical treatment if another driver causes a collision and doesn't have any or enough insurance of their own.
- Gap coverage: This coverage can pay the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe on your remaining vehicle loan after a collision.
- Roadside assistance: This coverage can pay for the costs of towing, etc., if you break down on the side of the road.
- Medical payments: This coverage can pay for the treatment of your own injuries or injuries to your passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
- Rental car reimbursement: This coverage can pay for the costs of a rental car after a covered accident.
- Comprehensive: This coverage can pay for costs caused by threats other than collision, including incidents with large animals, windshield breaks, and more.
- Collision: This coverage can pay for damage to your own vehicle after an accident you're at fault for.
A Tennessee independent insurance agent can help you build the car insurance policy that works best for you and your family.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee
Car insurance in Tennessee costs $1,236 per year on average. With car insurance averages in the US overall being $1,311 per year, Tennessee's auto insurance rates rank #24 for the country. Car insurance costs vary depending on the insurance company, what coverages you need, etc. Minimum liability-only coverage costs an average of just $427 per year in Tennessee, while a policy with "full coverage" costs an average of $1,126 annually.
Average Tennessee Car Insurance Costs By City
Higher car insurance premiums can be influenced by local crime rates, car values in the area, local traffic rates, risk of inclement weather, and more. That's why car insurance rates vary not only by state, but also by city. In Tennessee, resident drivers in the city of Brentwood pay the lowest car insurance rates, on average, for the whole state, at just $982 per year. But resident drivers in Chattanooga pay about $1,649 for car insurance each year, the highest in the state.
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Tennessee
Car insurance is already affordable in Tennessee, but discounts can help bring premium costs down even further. Many car insurance discounts are available, but the specific ones offered may vary by the insurance company. Here are just a few car insurance discounts you may find in Tennesee:
- Military discounts: Offered to active or even retired military members.
- Paperless billing: Offered to customers who sign up for paperless billing statements.
- Student driver discounts: Offered to customers with households that have a student driver.
- Anti-theft devices: Offered to customers whose vehicles are equipped with anti-theft devices that add to its security, such as an alarm.
- Safe driver discounts: Offered to drivers with a clean track record with no accidents or traffic violations over the past few years.
- Other discounts: If a customer belongs to a certain organization such as a union, group, or the government, or is a teacher, they may earn an additional discount on car insurance premiums.
Your Tennessee independent insurance agent can help you find any discounts you qualify for on auto insurance.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Tennessee
With the help of an independent insurance agent in Tennessee, finding the best car insurance quote in the state becomes a breeze. Independent insurance agents can browse coverage options and rates from tons of different carriers for you. Then, they present all the results together in one place. Afterward, you and your agent can make an informed choice about which Tennessee car insurance quote is the best for you.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Tennessee
Filing a car insurance claim in Tennessee is likely a stressful enough process already, but it doesn't have to be confusing on top of that. Here's how to file a car insurance claim in Tennessee, broken down step-by-step.
- File a police report: If you were involved in a traffic collision, be sure to file a police report ASAP.
- Tend to any injuries: Next, make sure any injured parties get the medical attention they need.
- Call your independent insurance agent: Your Tennessee independent insurance agent can help contact your carrier and even handle a car insurance claim for you.
- Get a rental vehicle: After getting your claim number from your agent, they can also help you arrange to get a rental vehicle if necessary.
- Schedule a visit with an adjuster: A visit from an insurance adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle is likely to be necessary. Your agent may be able to help you make arrangements for this, as well.
Your Tennessee independent insurance agent can always help keep you updated on your car insurance claim's status along the way and answer any questions you may have.
How does your city measure up to the national average?
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
| City | Commute time (min) | Auto thefts / 1,000 | Annual insurance cost |
| Brentwood | 26.1 | 0.42 | $982 |
| Chattanooga | 19.4 | 7.23 | $1,649 |
| Clarksville | 24.7 | 2.92 | $1,111 |
| Cleveland | 18.7 | 4.11 | $1,612 |
| Columbia | 27.9 | 2.45 | $1,234 |
| Dyersburg | 18 | 3.19 | $1,084 |
| Franklin | 25.3 | 0.65 | $987 |
| Jackson | 17.6 | 2.91 | $1,021 |
| Kingsport | 19 | 5.04 | $1,217 |
| Knoxville | 20.5 | 5.21 | $1,484 |
| Memphis | 21.7 | 6.22 | $1,549 |
| Murfreesboro | 26.9 | 1.81 | $1,193 |
Popular Questions about Tennessee Car Insurance
Tennessee drivers pay $1,263 per year for car insurance, or about $105 per month.
Actually, Tennessee is an "at-fault" state, meaning the driver who caused the car accident must pay for any property damage and medical treatment for injured parties.
It depends on which coverage you select, but Tennessee requires all drivers to carry at least bodily injury liability car insurance and property damage liability.
Drivers in Tennessee are required to carry these coverages, at minimum:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Our research found that the best car insurance companies in Tennessee are Erie Insurance, USAA, and Progressive. These carriers were ranked at the top thanks to their customer service ratings, financial strength, policy options, premium rates, and more.
Yes, drivers in Tennessee are required by state law to at least carry minimum liability coverage. Failure to do so can result in being charged with a Class C misdemeanor. Fines of $300 can accompany this charge.
In Tennessee, car insurance follows the car. So if you let a friend or family member drive your vehicle, they should be covered under your car insurance policy if they cause a collision.
Not compared to the US overall. Tennessee's car insurance premiums rank #24 of all 50 states, from least expensive to most expensive.
No, Tennessee is one of only seven states in the nation that doesn't require proof of car insurance to register a vehicle.
Minimum coverages of $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as $15,000 of property damage liability per accident.