Average cost of car insurance in Tennessee for 2024

How much is car insurance in Tennessee? 

To find the average cost of car insurance in Tennessee, Bankrate reviewed rate data from Quadrant Information Services, an analytics company with special expertise in the insurance industry. Our analysis revealed that Tennessee drivers pay an average of $1,429 per year for a full coverage policy and $371 for minimum coverage.

Compared to the national average of $2,014 per year for full coverage and $585 for minimum, it may seem like cheap car insurance in Tennessee is easy to find. However, that might not be the case for all drivers. There are a number of different factors that play into what you pay for your car insurance like your ZIP code, age, gender, driving record, credit history and the vehicle you drive. Bankrate has found average Tennessee car insurance rates for a number of different driving profiles to help give you a better idea of what your actual rate may be.

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Tennessee car insurance rates by city

Most drivers know that car insurance rates vary by state, but the city you live in may also affect your premium. Car insurance may be more expensive in certain cities based on the number of uninsured drivers, crime rates, weather patterns and more.

The table below highlights the average car insurance rates in 10 of Tennessee's largest cities.

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in Tennessee

Some states restrict car insurance companies from using your age and gender to determine your car insurance premium, but not Tennessee. The average car insurance cost in Tennessee is generally higher the younger you are. This is because younger drivers have less experience behind the wheel and are viewed as riskier to insure than older, more experienced drivers.

Cost considerations for young drivers in Tennessee

Teens and young drivers pay some of the highest car insurance premiums, partly due to their tendency to exhibit risky driving behaviors. One strategy parents might employ to help bring these premiums down is to list their young driver on their policy. However, your car insurance company may require that your young adult child lives in your household for this to be an option. You may want to reach out to your insurance agent to discuss if this tactic could be right for you and your family.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in Tennessee?

Car insurance rates in Tennessee by credit score

Tennessee car insurance rates by vehicle type

Estimate your car insurance cost in Tennessee

There’s a lot that goes into car insurance costs — so much so that it can feel impossible to determine what you’ll pay for your coverage. Bankrate can help. After you enter some basic information in the calculator tool below, we’ll give you an estimate of your car insurance rate. It’s not an exact quote, but our estimate can give you better insight into your car insurance costs to help with budgeting.

How to save on car insurance in Tennessee

Under Tennessee law, drivers are required to carry certain amounts of insurance coverage. There are a number of ways you may be able to save money on car insurance in Tennessee, though. Here are some strategies you might consider:

• Get multiple quotes: Before you settle on an insurance company, get a few quotes from different providers and compare them to see which carrier can offer the lowest rate for the type and amount of coverage you need.
• Look for discounts: When you are comparing insurance companies, look for providers that offer multiple discounts you can take advantage of. The more discounts you qualify for, the more money you might save.
• Pay in full: Most insurance companies will lower your car insurance rate if you pay the annual premium up front and in full, rather than in 12 or six monthly installments.
• Maintain a clean driving record: As demonstrated by the tables above, a clean driving record may be one of the best strategies for keeping your rates low. Avoiding tickets and accidents could help keep your rates steady.
• Raise your deductible: Your insurance provider could lower your rate if you agree to pay a higher deductible. But, be careful to not raise it too high. Make sure that if you do agree to a higher deductible, the amount is still something you can reasonably afford to pay at a moment’s notice.
• Consider liability-only coverage: It may not be for everyone, but if you’re someone who wants to pay the least per month, you might want to choose a liability-only policy. The average cost of liability insurance in Tennessee is over $1,000 less per year than full coverage and could help with your monthly expenses. However, if you find yourself needing to file a claim, you could face higher out-of-pocket costs.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology 

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry (base).

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy unless otherwise noted.