Car Insurance in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers spend an average of $1,050 a year on auto insurance according to the NAIC — ▼ −18% versus the national average of $1,282, ranking 34th most expensive of 51. The state requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and follows an at-fault system.
Average car insurance cost in Tennessee
The NAIC average expenditure is what insured drivers actually paid on average, including people who carry only liability. For those who buy each coverage, the average premium was $542 for liability, $441 for collision and $229 for comprehensive ($1,212 combined, versus $1,439 nationally). That average expenditure is 14% higher than the NAIC's previous data year ($924).
Minimum car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee's minimum is written as 25/50/25: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability. Those limits are low compared with the cost of a serious injury claim, so many drivers choose 100/300/100 — we estimate that "standard" level at about $655 a year here, $205 more than the minimum.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $25,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — Tennessee does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | No | — Uninsured motorist coverage is included unless the named insured affirmatively declines it. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | No | — Underinsured protection is part of Tennessee's uninsured motorist coverage. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical payments coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
The minimum property damage limit was raised from $15,000.
Compare with another state
Is Tennessee a no-fault state?
No — Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state. Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, use their own coverage, or sue.
Uninsured drivers in Tennessee
The Insurance Research Council estimates 21.3% of Tennessee drivers are uninsured — 5th highest in the country, compared with 15.4% nationally. That's roughly one uninsured driver in every 5 on the road. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't mandatory here (Uninsured motorist coverage is included unless the named insured affirmatively declines it), but with an above-average uninsured rate it is worth pricing.
SR-22 requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee uses the SR-22 — a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage. It is usually ordered after a DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations or a license suspension, and is typically kept for about 3 years. Violations such as DUI, unsatisfied judgments or serious hit-and-run offenses require SR-22 proof to be kept for the length of the suspension or revocation period.
By our model, a driver in their 30s with a DUI would pay about $860 a year for minimum coverage in Tennessee, versus $450 with a clean record. What is SR-22 insurance?
Estimate your premium in Tennessee
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Car insurance by city in Tennessee
We cover 10 Tennessee cities. Estimates are for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record; hover a city to find it on the map. The lowest estimate is in Jackson ($1,305) and the highest in Murfreesboro ($1,480).
- NashvillePop. 704,963 · Davidson County$1,415+7% vs state
- MemphisPop. 610,919 · Shelby County$1,385+5% vs state
- KnoxvillePop. 198,722 · Knox County$1,375+4% vs state
- ChattanoogaPop. 191,496 · Hamilton County$1,3250% vs state
- ClarksvillePop. 185,690 · Montgomery County$1,455+10% vs state
- MurfreesboroPop. 168,387 · Rutherford County$1,480+12% vs state
- FranklinPop. 89,142 · Williamson County$1,415+7% vs state
- Johnson CityPop. 73,635 · Washington County$1,3300% vs state
- JacksonPop. 69,303 · Madison County$1,305−2% vs state
- KingsportPop. 57,109 · Sullivan County$1,305−2% vs state
Estimated cost by driver profile in Tennessee
Age and driving record move premiums more than almost anything else. A teen on their own policy pays about 2.8× what a driver in their 30s pays for the same full coverage in Tennessee.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,240 | $1,800 | $3,645 | $304 |
| Young adult (22) | $725 | $1,050 | $2,120 | $177 |
| Adult in their 30s | $450 | $655 | $1,325 | $110 |
| Adult in their 50s | $415 | $605 | $1,220 | $102 |
| Senior (72) | $505 | $735 | $1,485 | $124 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $655 | $950 | $1,920 | $160 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $835 | $1,210 | $2,450 | $204 |
By coverage level
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $450 | $38 | $370–$535 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $655 | $55 | $535–$775 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,325 | $110 | $1,085–$1,565 |
Cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in Tennessee
Full-coverage estimates for current models, using HLDI insurance-loss data where available. Vehicle choice alone can swing the premium by more than $2,900 a year here.
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse | Midsize SUV | $865 |
| GMC Acadia | Midsize SUV | $885 |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $970 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Small SUV | $970 |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $985 |
| Honda Pilot | Midsize SUV | $985 |
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $990 |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $1,000 |
| Ford Bronco | Midsize SUV | $1,040 |
| Acura RDX | Luxury SUV | $1,050 |
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M4 | Luxury sports car | $3,765 |
| BMW M3 | Luxury car | $3,745 |
| Lamborghini Urus | Luxury SUV | $3,665 |
| BMW 7 Series | Luxury car | $3,270 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury car | $2,695 |
| Lucid Air | Luxury car | $2,475 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Luxury SUV | $2,270 |
| Audi RS 7 | Luxury car | $2,215 |
| Porsche Taycan | Luxury sports car | $2,080 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Luxury sports car | $2,065 |
Cheap car insurance in Tennessee: how to lower your rate
- Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 on collision and comprehensive saves about $95 a year on a typical Tennessee full-coverage policy.
- Match coverage to your car's value. On a 10-year-old car, dropping collision and comprehensive could cut the bill from about $1,025 to $655.
- Drive less, pay less. Low-mileage and usage-based programs can save around $95 a year if you drive under 7,500 miles.
- Protect your record. A single speeding ticket adds roughly $290 a year in our model; an at-fault accident adds much more.
- Shop at renewal. Rates for the same driver differ widely between insurers. Compare identical limits and deductibles.
- Ask about discounts — bundling home and auto, good student, safe-driver, paid-in-full and defensive-driving course discounts. See common discounts.
Complaints and help: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates and handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and billing — free of charge.
- Website
- www.tn.gov
- File a complaint
- Consumer complaint page
- Consumer helpline
- 1-800-342-4029
Tennessee vs. neighboring states
| State | NAIC avg. | Minimums | System | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $1,050 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 21.3% |
| Alabama | $1,081 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 16.8% |
| Arkansas | $1,051 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 12.1% |
| Georgia | $1,555 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 19.0% |
| Kentucky | $1,046 | 25/50/25 | Choice no-fault | 14.1% |
| Mississippi | $1,200 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 28.2% |
| Missouri | $1,155 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 20.7% |
| North Carolina | $925 | 50/100/50 | At-fault (tort) | 11.8% |
| Virginia | $1,114 | 50/100/25 | At-fault (tort) | 12.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Tennessee?
NAIC data puts the average Tennessee auto insurance expenditure at $1,050 a year, 18% less than the national average of $1,282 (rank 34 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive). Our estimate for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record is about $1,325 a year ($110 a month); state-minimum liability is about $450.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires at least 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
Is Tennessee a no-fault state?
No. Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage.
How many drivers in Tennessee are uninsured?
The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 21.3% of Tennessee drivers are uninsured, ranking 5th in the nation (national estimate: 15.4%).
Does Tennessee require SR-22 insurance?
Yes, Tennessee uses the SR-22 certificate for drivers who must prove financial responsibility, typically for about 3 years. Violations such as DUI, unsatisfied judgments or serious hit-and-run offenses require SR-22 proof to be kept for the length of the suspension or revocation period.
Which Tennessee city has the cheapest car insurance?
Among the 10 cities we cover, Jackson has the lowest full-coverage estimate at about $1,305 a year, while Murfreesboro is the highest at about $1,480. Differences come from population density, commute length and local weather risk.
How much does car insurance cost for a teen driver in Tennessee?
An 18-year-old on their own full-coverage policy would pay roughly $3,645 a year in Tennessee by our estimate, or about $1,240 for minimum coverage. Joining a parent's policy usually costs less.
How do I file a complaint against a car insurance company in Tennessee?
Contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (consumer line 1-800-342-4029). It handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and rates at no cost.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: Financial Responsibility Law
- Tennessee Department of Safety: Do I need SR-22 Insurance?
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report, Table 41 (liability limits history)
- Tennessee Insurance: File an Insurance Complaint
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau: population estimates and American Community Survey
- FEMA National Risk Index