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If you drive a vehicle in Tennessee, you must have auto insurance. Auto insurance protects you and protects other drivers on the road in the event of an accident. But with all the expenses you have each month, it can be tough to pay for the auto insurance policy you require. Here, we'll dive into the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee and search for the best low cost car insurance. We'll learn how much car insurance is in Tennessee, as well as which companies offer the most affordable car insurance.
A "typical" driver, in this case, is someone with a clean driving record. And the best car insurance in Tennessee for a driver with a clean record is offered by Geico. Geico's average annual rate for drivers with a clean record is $1,038.
Not far behind are:
Anyone who has ever raised children has learned that it can be expensive to purchase auto insurance for young drivers, even through the best car insurance companies. When it comes to Tennessee auto insurance, the story is no different.
The best car insurance company in Tennessee for teen drivers is Geico, with an average rate of $2,664. While $222 per month is nothing to sneeze at, it's far and away a lower rate than some of the other car insurance quotes in Tennessee for teen drivers.
Two other companies offering competitive rates for young drivers are:
Drivers in the habit of speeding tend to watch their insurance rates climb. When looking at cheap auto insurance in Tennessee for drivers with one speeding ticket on their record, we found USAA to be the most forgiving, with an average annual rate of $1,260.
Other options for Tennessee auto insurance are:
Current and former military members (and their families) have a relatively easy time finding cheap auto insurance in Tennessee. For example, USAA offers an average annual rate of $1,019.
For drivers who don't qualify for USAA coverage, two other Tennessee auto insurance companies are also competitive. They are:
For drivers who cannot currently afford a policy with more comprehensive coverage, Tennessee car insurance laws require at least minimum coverage. The lowest Tennessee minimum car insurance coverage is presently offered by Trustgard, at a rate of $304.
Right behind the group leader are:
How much is car insurance in Tennessee? When you factor in the more expensive car insurance companies and high-risk drivers, the average statewide cost is $2,272. That's about 16% lower than the national average.
Average Rate Category | Tennessee | National Average |
---|---|---|
Overall | $2,272 | $2,646 |
Young drivers | $5,595 | $5,988 |
1 accident on driving record | $2,603 | $3,092 |
1 speeding ticket on driving record | $2,293 | $2,766 |
Tennessee does not fool around when it comes to car insurance. Drivers who risk getting on the road while uninsured could face fines of up to $2,500, jail time just shy of one year, a suspended license, and SR-22 insurance once driving privileges have been reinstated.
Note: Despite its name, SR-22 insurance does not provide actual coverage. Following an event (like an accident, multiple speeding tickets, or driving without insurance), the state may stop trusting the driver and require that they provide proof they're insured. An SR-22 from an insurance company serves as proof.
At a minimum, Tennessee drivers must carry:
The most obvious way to snag cheap auto insurance in Tennessee is to keep your driving record clean. Don't risk your record by speeding or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And because insurance quotes are based, in part, on your credit score, it's important to keep your score as high as possible. Working to raise your credit score can help lower the cost of your insurance policy.
And then there are discounts -- numerous potential discounts.
The number of potential discounts on auto insurance varies by insurance company, but taking time to look through the options can save you money. Here are some of the ways drivers can save:
Drivers can plan on being ticketed if they're ever caught texting while driving in the state of Tennessee. Not only will they receive a $50 fine for texting, but they'll also be responsible for paying court costs and the higher insurance premium associated with drivers who have a ticket on their record.
When looking for low-cost car insurance, the trick is to avoid any driving habits that could make it harder to find what you need.
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The data found on this page is a combination of publicly available quote data obtained directly from the carrier as well as insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from the top ten (10) to fifteen (15) carrier markets, within each state, based on annual written premium and should be used for comparative purposes only -- your own quotes may be different.