Comparing auto insurance in Tennessee is most useful when you account for state rules, local claims patterns, and the coverage options that protect your own vehicle as well as other drivers.
Tennessee pricing is shaped by Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga traffic, rural highway exposure, severe storms, flooding, winter weather, tornado risk, and animal-collision exposure. NOAA lists 116 billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events affecting Tennessee from 1980 through 2024, including 68 severe storm events and 15 winter storm events. Tennessee Highway Patrol also reported just over 8,000 deer-related crashes statewide in 2024.
Tennessee premiums can vary between Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Tri-Cities, college towns, mountain communities, suburban counties, and rural areas because traffic density, commute mileage, garaging ZIP code, storm exposure, deer crashes, theft risk, local claim patterns, vehicle type, driver history, and carrier pricing differ across the state.
25/50/25
$25,000 bodily injury or death liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury or death liability for two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 property damage liability
At Fault
Offer/Rejection Rule
Tennessee does not require PIP for standard private passenger auto policies. Drivers who want first-party medical protection can ask about optional medical payments coverage or other available first-party coverages.
Offer/Rejection Rule
Tennessee does not require every driver to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Tennessee law requires UM coverage to be included unless the named insured rejects it in writing or selects lower limits, subject to the statutory minimum rules.
Source: Tennessee Code Section 55-12-102
Recent rate data estimates Tennessee annual auto insurance premiums at about $2,130 for full coverage and $510 for minimum coverage.
| Driver Profile | Estimated Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean record, 35, full coverage | ~$2,130/yr |
| Clean record, 35, minimum required coverage | ~$510/yr |
NerdWallet June 2026 Tennessee average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
Source: NerdWallet 2026
Average premiums are estimates and are not quotes. Actual rates vary by ZIP code, garaging location, driver profile, driving record, credit-based insurance score where used, vehicle, coverage limits, deductibles, discounts, claims history, prior insurance, and carrier.
Tennessee minimum coverage focuses on required protection such as $25,000 bodily injury or death liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury or death liability for two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 property damage liability. Minimum coverage may satisfy state rules, but it usually does not repair or replace your own vehicle after many losses.
Some drivers need a financial-responsibility filing or high-risk auto insurance after serious violations, coverage lapses, or license-related issues. The form name, filing trigger, and required duration vary by state.
Tennessee uses SR-22 proof of future financial responsibility in some suspension, revocation, restricted-license, and reinstatement situations. Tennessee Department of Safety guidance says SR-22 proof must be maintained for the length of the suspension or revocation period when required, and cancellation before completing the requirement can lead to another suspension for failure to maintain future proof of financial responsibility.
Tennessee Department of Safety guidance reviewed for this page refers to SR-22 proof of future financial responsibility, not FR-44. Do not publish FR-44 as a standard Tennessee requirement.
High-risk insurance may cost more, but comparing quotes can help you review available options.
Adding a teen driver to your Tennessee auto insurance policy typically increases premiums because newer drivers have less experience. Good student, driver training, safe driving, and household policy discounts may help reduce the cost when available.
Compare quotes when adding a teen driver because companies can rate household drivers and vehicles differently.
Insurance partners may offer various discounts to Tennessee drivers, including:
Tennessee drivers should ask about safe-driver, good-student, multi-car, bundling, low-mileage, anti-theft, vehicle safety feature, telematics, paperless billing, automatic payment, and pay-in-full discounts. Tennessee law also provides for appropriate premium reductions for eligible drivers over age 55 who complete an approved accident-prevention course, as determined by the insurer.
Ask about available discounts when comparing quotes.
| Rank | Carrier | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm Group | 21.30% |
| 2 | Tennessee Farmers Group | 15.70% |
| 3 | Progressive Group | 14.91% |
| 4 | Allstate Insurance Group | 10.16% |
| 5 | Berkshire Hathaway Group | 7.24% |
| 6 | United Services Automobile Association Group | 5.77% |
| 7 | Erie Insurance Group | 3.37% |
| 8 | Liberty Mutual Group | 2.80% |
| 9 | Alfa Insurance Group | 2.19% |
| 10 | Farmers Insurance Group | 2.06% |
Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners 2024
Carrier rankings are based on NAIC 2024 Tennessee total private passenger auto group-level direct written premium market share. These are insurance groups, not necessarily consumer-facing brand names or quote recommendations.
Find auto insurance in these major Tennessee cities:
The estimated average cost of car insurance in Tennessee is $2,130 per year for full coverage and $510 per year for minimum required coverage, based on NerdWallet’s June 2026 Tennessee rate analysis for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record. Your actual premium can vary by ZIP code, garaging location, driving record, vehicle, coverage choices, deductibles, discounts, credit-based insurance score where used, and carrier.
Tennessee requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury or death liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury or death liability for two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 property damage liability.
PIP is not required in Tennessee. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not required to purchase if rejected properly, but Tennessee law requires UM coverage to be included unless the named insured rejects it in writing or chooses lower limits as allowed by law.
Tennessee may require SR-22 proof of future financial responsibility in certain suspension, revocation, restricted-license, or reinstatement situations. An SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy; it is proof that required financial responsibility coverage is being maintained.
Many insurance partners offer same-day coverage. Once you select a policy and complete the application, coverage can often begin immediately or on the date you specify.
Tennessee drivers can compare quotes, maintain continuous coverage, ask about safe-driver, good-student, multi-car, bundling, low-mileage, anti-theft, safety-feature, telematics, and payment-related discounts, review deductibles, and check whether an approved accident-prevention or defensive-driving course can help reduce premiums.
Important: A-1 Auto Insurance connects consumers with insurance quote partners. We are not a licensed insurance company or agent. The quotes you receive are from our partner insurance providers. By submitting your information, you consent to be contacted by our partners regarding insurance products and services.
Coverage availability, pricing, and requirements vary by state and individual circumstances. The information on this page is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Check current state insurance department or DMV requirements before buying minimum-only coverage.
