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Tennessee Auto Insurance Rates & Requirements

Tennessee requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Average premiums range from $110–$150/month for minimum coverage to $180–$240/month for full coverage, based on available industry data.

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Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

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Updated May 2026

State Requirements

Tennessee operates as a tort state where at-fault drivers are financially responsible for crash damages. All drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it during traffic stops or after accidents. The Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law requires continuous coverage — lapses trigger registration suspension and reinstatement fees up to $350 according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

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25/50 ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident)
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault crash. Tennessee's minimum of $25,000 per person is low relative to typical injury costs — a single serious injury often exceeds $100,000. Underinsured drivers in Tennessee face direct lawsuits for amounts exceeding their policy limits, making higher limits critical.
$25,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability
Pays for damage to other vehicles, buildings, or property you hit. The $25,000 minimum may not cover a totaled newer vehicle — average new car value in the U.S. exceeds $48,000. Tennessee does not require collision coverage for your own vehicle, meaning at-fault drivers must pay out-of-pocket for their own repairs if carrying only minimums.
Must be offered; drivers may reject in writing
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene. Tennessee has an uninsured motorist rate near 17%, above the national average of 13%, making this coverage especially relevant. Insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits unless you decline it in writing.
Not required
Collision Coverage
Repairs or replaces your vehicle after a crash regardless of fault. Tennessee does not mandate collision coverage, but lenders require it for financed or leased vehicles. Given Tennessee's rural road network and higher rates of single-vehicle crashes on winding routes, collision coverage offers important protection beyond state minimums.
Not required
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers non-collision damage including hail, theft, vandalism, and animal strikes. Tennessee ranks high for deer collisions — approximately 1 in 130 drivers will hit a deer annually according to claims data. Comprehensive also covers tornado and severe storm damage, which occurs frequently across Middle and West Tennessee.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Tennessee

Tennessee Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000
Property Damage$25,000

License Reinstatement Fee$65

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Tennessee quote.

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Cost Overview

Tennessee insurance rates vary significantly by location, with urban areas like Memphis and Nashville seeing higher premiums due to theft and crash frequency. The state's 17% uninsured motorist rate drives up costs for all drivers, as insurers price in the risk of uncompensated claims. Rural counties with longer emergency response times and higher speeds see elevated injury severity, affecting liability costs.

What Affects Your Rate

  • Memphis drivers pay 25–35% more than state averages due to elevated theft rates — Memphis consistently ranks in the top 10 U.S. cities for auto theft per capita.
  • Nashville premiums run 15–25% above rural Tennessee rates, driven by crash frequency on congested I-40, I-65, and I-24 corridors.
  • Credit score impacts rates significantly in Tennessee — drivers with poor credit may pay 60–80% more than those with excellent credit for identical coverage.
  • Drivers with a DUI face premiums 2–3 times higher and must file SR-22 proof of insurance for three years following conviction.
  • Young drivers under 25 pay 40–60% more than middle-aged drivers, with rates dropping sharply after age 25 for those with clean records.
  • Vehicle theft risk varies widely — pickup trucks are stolen at higher rates in rural Tennessee, while sedans and SUVs are targeted more in Memphis and Nashville metro areas.
Minimum Coverage
$110–$150/mo
Meets Tennessee's 25/50/25 liability requirement with no collision or comprehensive coverage. Leaves you fully exposed for damage to your own vehicle and vulnerable to out-of-pocket costs if the other driver is uninsured.
Standard Coverage
$140–$190/mo
Increases liability limits to 100/300/100 and adds uninsured motorist protection. Provides better protection against lawsuits and coverage when hit by uninsured drivers, which is common in Tennessee.
Full Coverage
$180–$240/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible to Standard Coverage limits. Covers your vehicle regardless of fault and protects against theft, weather damage, and animal strikes prevalent in Tennessee.

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Coverage Types

Liability Insurance

Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. Tennessee's tort system allows injured parties to sue for amounts exceeding your policy limits, making higher liability limits essential for asset protection.

Full Coverage

Combines liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection. Covers both your vehicle and others regardless of fault, offering complete financial protection in crashes, theft, and weather events.

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays for non-crash damage including theft, hail, falling objects, fire, and animal strikes. Covers your vehicle's actual cash value minus your deductible regardless of fault.

Collision Coverage

Repairs or replaces your vehicle after crashes with other vehicles or objects, regardless of who caused the accident. Pays up to your vehicle's actual cash value minus your chosen deductible.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Covers your medical bills and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Also applies in hit-and-run crashes where the responsible party cannot be identified.

SR-22 Insurance

A certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer with the Tennessee Department of Safety, required after DUI convictions, driving without insurance, or multiple serious violations. Not a separate policy, but proof your coverage meets state requirements.

Find Your City in Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Nashville

urban
Memphis, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Memphis

urban
Knoxville, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Knoxville

urban
Chattanooga, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Chattanooga

urban
Clarksville, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Clarksville

suburban
Murfreesboro, Tennessee cityscape and street view

Murfreesboro

suburban
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Franklin

suburban
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Jackson

urban
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Johnson City

urban
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Hendersonville

suburban
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Kingsport

urban
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Maryville

suburban

Frequently Asked Questions

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