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Cheap car insurance in Tennessee
Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee for all Cars and Drivers!
Tennessee is known for Nashville, the country music capital of the world, iconic southern cuisine, vibrant culture and arts scene, and breathtaking terrain against mountainous backdrops.
The state needs to be better known for its cheap car insurance policies. Auto insurance can get downright expensive across the state (if you need help finding an affordable policy).
That can make it tough on those who are on a budget. And in this economy, there has never been a better time to put your nose to the grindstone and do what you can to get a cheaper car insurance rate.
We’ll fill you in on all the details you need to know to get the best possible Cheap car insurance in Tennessee today. From driving habits to zip codes and more, we leave no stone unturned in this guide.
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Car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Here’s what you need to know when driving in Tennessee
Like taxes, auto insurance is something that cannot be avoided (legally). If you drive in the United States, it’s mandatory.
To legally operate a motor vehicle on Tennessee state roads, motorists must have some insurance coverage, as in every state.
It would help if you were always prepared to provide proof of insurance if the police stopped you. Punishments for not doing so may be severe, including steep fines that you don’t want to be paying for.
This can all be avoided by ensuring you have the minimum coverage required by the state.
Limiting your coverage to the bare minimum might save you money, but it has some potential downsides. So, you’ll need to weigh the cost of your premium against the benefits of full coverage and your budget to determine what’s best for you and your family.
Need help? – That’s what we’re here for! Our team works tirelessly to help Tennessee residents like you get the MORE for LESS.
Message or call today for a FREE quote from top insurance companies in your area, and let us find the best policy for you.
Drivers must have liability insurance in Tennessee, but what is the bare minimum?
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 per accident
*PRO TIP: Your lender may require collision and comprehensive insurance if you have a vehicle loan or lease.
Enter your ZIP code below to view quotes for the cheapest Auto Insurance Rates.
Optional Car insurance coverage
Looking for a low-cost, complete, or full-coverage auto insurance plan may be prudent despite financial constraints. This one is more costly upfront than “liability only” insurance. However, it might save you a ton of money in the long term.
Optional types of Auto insurance coverage vary by carrier and may Include:
- Full or comprehensive car insurance coverage
- Collision car insurance coverage
- GAP insurance
- Medical coverage
- Roadside assistance service packages
- Rental car reimbursement
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Underinsured motorist coverage
What are the penalties for driving without Car insurance in Tennessee?
Car Insurance Might Be an Added Expense, But Getting Caught Without It Is Even More Costly.
When driving a vehicle on Tennessee roadways, motorists must be insured and have a current and valid proof of insurance policy in the vehicle at all times.
Driver’s license suspension, significant fines, and a “reinstatement cost” for driving as an “uninsured motorist” are just a few consequences for those found operating a vehicle without insurance.
Penalties for driving without Car insurance in Tennessee:
When it comes to violating its rules requiring vehicle insurance, Tennessee takes a firm stand.
Driving with Auto insurance but no proof of insurance
In Tennessee, drivers who cannot provide insurance documentation are subject to a $25 fine. Falsely informing law enforcement officials about one’s insurance coverage is considered fraud.
Further, your license and registration may be suspended after 45 days unless proof is provided.
Driving without Insurance
You face having your license and registration suspended until proof of insurance can be provided, a $300 fine for the first offense, and a mandatory retaking of your driver’s license exam.
There is also a $65 restoration fee, a $50 fee to the safety commissioner, and mandatory carrying of an SR-22 certificate for three years.
Getting into an accident without Car insurance
It is a Class A misdemeanor if an accident you’re involved in causes injury or death while uninsured. If found guilty, you may spend 11 months and 29 days in jail and pay a $2,500 fine. You must pay for accident-related expenses, including repairs and medical care, out of your own.
Cheap auto insurance in TN for minimum coverage
Looking for cheap car insurance in Tennessee isn’t exactly high on anyone’s list of fun activities. However, we can all agree that saving money is always good.
Liability-only policies are the most cost-effective approach to meet the state minimum coverage requirements without exceeding your budget.
How much does Cheap car insurance cost in Tennessee?
The answer to this question requires that we look at many variables that can impact how much you’ll pay. Insurance providers calculate your premiums based on several factors, some of which you can control and others that you can’t.
However, if we look at the averages, the data suggests that residents in Tennessee end up paying around $371/year for liability-only coverage and around $1340/year for full coverage.
For those without a calculator, that comes to about $40 per month for liability coverage and around $111.66/month for full coverage.
What factors determine your Auto insurance premiums in Tennessee?
- The age of your vehicle
- The make and model
- Your age
- The zip code you live in
- Whether you’re single or married
- Your past driving history
Despite laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender, race, or credit history, there is clear statistical bias when determining insurance prices in these categories.
How does age affect your Auto insurance premiums in Tennessee?
Auto insurance companies generally agree that, within reason, the older the policyholder, the lower the risk of an accident. For example, a 39-year-old with a family to worry about is more likely to be a safer driver taking fewer risks than an inexperienced 20-year-old who views speed limits as a ‘suggestion.’ This explains why insurance costs tend to decrease with age.
Premiums typically begin falling at age 26 and continue until age 60, when they usually start rising again.
How does location affect your Car insurance premiums in Tennessee?
Your car insurance rates will vary depending on the state where you register and the zip code where you live and work.
To estimate your level of risk, insurance companies pool drivers into larger groups based on factors such as population density and crime rates.
For example, Tennesseans who live in less populated rural areas typically have a lower chance of break-ins and vandalism and a lower chance of getting in an accident (fewer drivers on the roads). By contrast, someone who lives in a city like Nashville is at a greater risk of filing a claim.
This is reflected in insurance rates, with those in less populated areas typically paying less out of pocket.
How does your driving record affect your Car insurance premiums in Tennessee?
Do you have citations or tickets on your record? What about an accident (even if it wasn’t your fault)? If so, you likely know you’ll have to pay more to get insured.
According to our analysis, if you had an accident where you were found to be at blame, your insurance premiums might rise by as much as $620 per year.
But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some deals to be found. This makes shopping around an even more critical aspect of getting your car insured.
At Insurance Navy, we make comparing quotes from multiple providers a breeze.
How does marital status affect your Car insurance premiums in Tennessee?
You may not have given it much thought, but whether you’re single or married might affect how much you pay for cheap car insurance.
Statistics have shown that married people have a decreased risk of getting involved in an accident. As a result, married people’s insurance premiums are lower than those of single people.
How does car type affect your Auto insurance premiums in Tennessee?
One of the primary considerations insurance firms use to calculate your premium is the type of automobile you drive. For example, suppose the make and model you drive is considered a ‘sports car’. In that case, you’re at a higher risk of exhibiting dangerous driving behaviors.
Similarly, suppose you drive a luxury vehicle and get in an accident. In that case, the insurer knows they’ll have to pay more for repairs.
By contrast, an economical family sedan or minivan is considered a safe and reliable vehicle with lower repair costs. As such, premiums for this kind of vehicle tend to be much lower than that of a luxury or sports car.
How do the miles driven affect your Car insurance premiums in Tennessee?
Did you know your Tennessee car insurance premiums might be affected by how often and for what purposes you use your vehicle?
To compensate for the higher risk posed by high mileage drivers, the average annual premium for those who rack up 20,000 miles or more on their vehicles tends to be around five percent more than those who drive 7,500 miles or less.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers who utilize their cars for short, local errands rather than long commutes to and from work often have lower insurance rates.
By driving less often and spending less time on “high-risk” roads, the risk of getting into an accident drops significantly. Insurance companies look favorably upon this, rewarding you with more affordable premiums.
How does your driving record affect your Car insurance premiums in Tennessee?
Common sense is all you need to know that having tickets, citations, or accidents on your driving record will increase your premiums. But how much more should you expect to pay on for cheap car insurance in TN?
Tennessee auto insurance rate increases by violation (averages):
- Speeding 16-20mph over the limit – 27%
- Speeding 6-10mph over the limit – 25%
- Failure to show documents (such as proof of insurance) to law enforcement – 18%
- NOT at-fault accident – 6%
- Driving without lights – 20%
- Failure to wear a seatbelt – 18%
- Driving on expired registration – 21%
- 1 Comp claim – 8%
- 2 Comp claims – 14%
- Child safety restraint violation – 20%
- Cell phone use violation – 25%
- Illegal turn – 26%
- Failure to yield – 27%
- Improper passing – 27%
- Racing or Reckless driving – 89%
- Driving on a suspended license – 94%
- Leaving the scene of a crime – 97%
*These are just examples, and your mileage may vary greatly depending on your carrier. This is not an all-inclusive list but a selection of typical traffic infractions.
Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for drivers with bad credit
Bad credit affects millions of Americans and tens of thousands of Tennesseans.
Unsurprisingly, many need help to make ends meet with inflation and living expenses at record highs.
But what does this mean for your chances of finding affordable car insurance?
What we’ve found is that there is a link between having poor credit and making vehicle insurance claims. This has led insurance carriers to consider factors like income and credit scores in determining how much to charge for coverage.
Industry data reveals that a Tennessee driver with low credit may expect to pay as much a $1,200 more yearly than a motorist with good credit.
It might not be suitable or fair, but we don’t set the prices; we help you find the cheapest car insurance that covers all the bases you need without breaking the bank.
Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for young drivers
In Tennessee, rates for adolescent drivers are around twice as high as for drivers over 30. Broadly speaking, insurance data shows that a younger driver’s average vehicle insurance premium is about $1778 per year (a considerable increase from that of an older driver).
Every motorist should have an equal opportunity to get low cost car insurance in Tennessee. To ensure you get access to the most cost-effective insurance choices, we work with various insurers to help you find cheap car insurance for your ride.
Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee after a DUI
Insurance companies in Tennessee have joined the state in taking a firm line against drunk driving.
It’s not just the law you need to be worried about here. If you’re convicted of a YOU’RE, YOUR insurance premiums WILL go up (significantly).
Due to their status as “high-risk drivers,” those with a DUI conviction are unlikely to find what most people would consider ‘affordable’ insurance. However, by comparing options, you might discover an insurance policy still within your budget.
Insurance Navy works with several leading insurers to help find you the most affordable policy possible.
SR-22 insurance in Tennessee
In Tennessee, offenses like driving under the influence, causing an accident, driving without insurance, or racking up too many points on your license may mean you’ll be required by law to carry SR-22 Insurance.
An SR22 is not insurance but a certificate or bond issued by your insurer to prove to the state that you carry a minimum level of liability protection. This guarantees that if you get in an accident, there is a bond to cover at least some of the damages caused.
Cheapest Car insurance in TN for drivers with speeding tickets
Insurance premiums can increase by as much as 20 percent if a driver is convicted of speeding. However, there is cause for optimism in due time.
You may have to grit your teeth for the time being, but if you maintain a clean driving record from here on out, your insurance premiums should start to drop again in the next few years.
Cheapest car insurance for good drivers in Tennessee
Insurance companies often reward safe drivers similarly to how they punish reckless drivers. Companies may define “good driver” differently, but generally speaking, this means you have few, if any, points on your driving record.
If you maintain a clean driving record, your premiums will go down over time, and you might even get a “safe driver” discount, reduced deductibles, and other incentives to boot.
Cheapest car insurance rates in Tennessee by city
As we mentioned earlier, where you live can significantly affect how affordable (or expensive) your insurance policy will be.
Are you looking for the cheapest policy by city? Bristol, TN, holds that title, with annual insurance premiums as low as $1,121 for full coverage.
What about the city with the most expensive policy? That would be Memphis, with policies hitting your wallet hard at about $1,689/yr for full coverage.
Average annual Auto rates by other cities in Tennessee:
- Chattanooga = $1478
- Knoxville = $1486
- Clarksville = $1498
- Nashville = $1546
Car insurance price trends in Tennessee
Are you wondering what others are paying and if the price has increased or decreased over time? In Tennessee, we saw an average increase of just $4 over the last year, with the typical driver in Tennessee paying around $1262/yr on average for full coverage.
Between 2018 and 2021, we saw a marked drop in the cost of auto insurance, going from $1506 down to $1262.
How to find Cheap car insurance in TN
Get Car insurance quotes from top auto insurance companies
Comparing quotes from the top auto insurance companies is a great strategy to discover low rates on Tennessee auto insurance. But who has time for that?
At Insurance Navy, we make finding the cheapest auto insurance a breeze. We work with the top insurance carriers in Tennessee to provide you with several offers from leading insurers without filling out multiple forms.
One and done is our approach, allowing you to evaluate your options for the best deal quickly.
Car insurance premium factors
This article looked at some of the most critical factors determining your auto insurance premium. While some of these are set in stone (like getting married), others can be manipulated to your benefit.
Car insurance coverage needs
If there’s one thing we do best, it’s helping Tennesseans like you find the RIGHT type of coverage at the right price. We take a consultative approach, helping educate you on your options and how you can save money on car insurance without sacrificing what you need to keep you and your family safe on the road.
Car insurance lapses
Letting a policy lapse is a common mistake, especially among those who may not drive for an extended time (due to medical ailment or vehicle breakdown). While not necessarily a red flag, a delay in coverage might disrupt your driving record and raise premiums.
Add Uninsured motorist coverage
According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 24% of Tennessee drivers drive without insurance. This represents a significant risk for you and your family. Although paying for uninsured motorist coverage won’t save you upfront, it can end up paying off big time if you happen to get in an accident.
Get the Cheapest car insurance quote in Tennessee from Insurance Navy™
Insurance Navy is dedicated to assisting Tennesseans in finding a car insurance policy at a price that won’t break the bank. As a broker, we provide Tennessee motorists easy access to competitive insurance quotes from multiple major providers.