Chattanooga Car Insurance

Find the right car insurance policy for you.

Ann Herro, Insurance Expert Written by Ann Herro
Ann Herro, Insurance Expert
Written by Ann Herro

Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.

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Chattanooga is a lively southern town steeped in history. The city is nestled along the Tennessee River and is surrounded by mountains, creating a unique landscape and a challenging driving environment. Whether you are driving on one of the three major Interstate highways that traverse the town or on a quiet residential street, you are always at risk for being in a car accident in this bustling town.

A car insurance policy helps you recover financially after an auto accident. It pays for repairs to damaged cars and can even help you replace a totaled vehicle. And if you’re at fault, it can help you reimburse other drivers for any vehicle damage or injuries that you caused. 

Independent insurance agents make shopping for the right car insurance policy easy. Independent agents can work with multiple insurance companies, so you can compare quotes and make sure you are getting the high-quality, best-value coverage you desire. 

Tennessee Car Insurance Requirements

Tennessee law requires all vehicle owners to have a minimum amount of coverage, including:

  • Bodily injury liability: Required
  • Property damage liability: Required
  • Personal injury protection (PIP): Not required
  • Uninsured motorist coverage: Not required
  • Minimum liability limits: 25/50/15; coverage up to $50,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $25,000 for one individual; and $15,000 coverage for property damage

Auto liability insurance pays for medical bills and property damage for everyone involved when you cause a car accident. The minimum coverage limits required by the state of Tennessee may be sufficient to cover damage from minor accidents. But if you cause a serious accident, you could be seriously underinsured.

If you don’t have enough liability coverage, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for all of the expenses that exceed your policy limits. And if you’re sued for additional damages, the costs may be insurmountable. An independent insurance agent can help you decide what coverage limits are best for your family and you. Your agent can also help you evaluate and select a variety of important optional coverage types. 

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Number of Uninsured Motorists in Tennessee

Driving without insurance is against the law in Tennessee. Unfortunately, 20% of the drivers on the roads in Tennessee are uninsured. This can be a serious problem if you are involved in an accident caused by one of these drivers. 

  • How many US drivers are uninsured? 12.6%
  • How many Tennessee drivers are uninsured? 20%

If you are in an accident that is caused by an uninsured driver, it can be difficult—if not impossible—to collect reimbursement from the at-fault driver. Uninsured motorist insurance is designed to ensure that you can receive compensation without having to take the at-fault driver to court. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Tennessee.

Number of Auto Thefts in Tennessee

The auto theft rate across the state of Tennessee is lower than the national average. The auto theft rate in Chattanooga is significantly higher than in the rest of the state. 

  • National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.94
  • Tennessee auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.27
  • Chattanooga auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 5.96

Chattanooga residents need to take precautions to prevent auto theft. Always park in well-lit places, lock your doors and windows, and consider installing a car alarm or other anti-theft device. If prevention doesn’t work and your car is stolen or vandalized, you need comprehensive coverage to reimburse you for your lost or damaged car. 

Comprehensive coverage also helps you pay if falling objects, floods, structure fires, or other hazards cause damage to your car. An independent insurance agent in Chattanooga can help you review the cost to include this coverage in your policy.

How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in Chattanooga, TN?

Tennessee is the 24th most expensive state for car insurance. Unfortunately, car insurance rates in Chattanooga tend to be significantly higher than the state and national averages. If you want to save on car insurance in Chattanooga, it’s important to shop around for the best rate. 

  • National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
  • Tennessee average annual car insurance cost: $1,263
  • Chattanooga average annual car insurance cost: $1,649

Remember, everyone’s car insurance rates are a little different. Insurance companies evaluate the risks you present to them and base your rates on how likely you are to file a claim. Several individual factors are assessed, including:

  • The make, model, and year of the vehicle you are insuring
  • Your age, occupation, driving record, claims history, and credit score
  • Information about other licensed drivers in your household
  • Auto theft rates in your city or ZIP code
  • The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing and the deductibles you choose
  • Whether you own or rent your home

Most insurance companies offer numerous discounts to help you keep costs down. Bundling your home insurance or renters insurance with your auto insurance is often one way to earn a discount. Contact an independent insurance agent in Chattanooga to obtain and compare customized quotes from multiple, highly rated insurance companies.

Why Contact an Independent Insurance Agent?

Vehicle owners in Chattanooga can ask an independent insurance agent for help finding the best auto insurance. Independent agents can obtain quotes from multiple insurance companies, so you can choose a policy that best meets your coverage and budgetary needs. 

Contact a local agent to start comparing customized car insurance quotes. 

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http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
http://www.city-data.com