Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for 2023

The cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee

Finding cheap car insurance in Tennessee may help you manage your budget and your overall finances. Our findings indicate that the following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee, on average, across a range of driving metrics.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee by coverage level 

When shopping for cheap car insurance, Tennessee drivers may want to consider how much coverage they need. While minimum coverage tends to be cheaper, it may leave you open to higher out-of-pocket expenses if you get into an accident. Full coverage usually costs more, but it provides greater financial protection. The tables below highlight five of the most affordable car insurance companies in Tennessee for both minimum coverage and full coverage.

Cheapest cities in Tennessee for car insurance 

When shopping for cheap insurance, Tennessee drivers should be aware that their geographic location plays a significant role in their car insurance premium. Some areas of Tennessee may have lower costs of living, which could translate to lower claims costs and thus lower rates. Additionally, the risk of accidents is higher in some areas, which could increase rates. Below, we showcase the five cheapest cities in Tennessee for both minimum and full coverage, as well as the cheapest company and its average rate in those cities.

Being deemed a high-risk driver

Minimum coverage requirements for Tennessee drivers

Tennessee’s required minimum coverage limits are fairly standard compared to the rest of the country. However, you should be aware that as of January 1, 2023, Tennessee increased its property damage minimum limit from $15,000 to $25,000. Tennessee car insurance laws now require drivers to carry at least the following minimum limits:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Insurance professionals typically recommend that drivers purchase more liability than this, and for good reason. Minimum limits may result in cheaper premiums, but they could leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs if you get into an accident. Any damages or injuries you cause that exceed your policy’s liability limits will be your responsibility to pay. These costs can lead to financial devastation, so understanding how much car insurance you need may be an important step in crafting a policy with adequate protection.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee

While there are some car insurance rating factors that are outside of your control, there are steps you can take to help find the lowest rate for your situation. If you’re wondering how to save on car insurance in Tennessee, these strategies may help you in your search.

Compare quotes from multiple carriers 

If you want to save on car insurance in Tennessee, most insurance professionals recommend getting multiple quotes before buying a policy. Shopping around may be one of the best strategies to find a competitive car insurance rate. Each insurer sets its own rates, so your premium will likely vary between companies, even for the same coverage.

Maintain a clean driving record 

Driving incidents like tickets, at-fault accidents and DUI convictions are very likely to increase your premium. These incidents may make you more likely to file claims, which costs insurers money. To compensate for the added risk, you’re typically charged a higher rate. Practicing safe driving habits may help keep your rate steady in the long run.

Car insurance discounts in Tennessee

Car insurance discounts are one of the most popular ways to save on your Tennessee car insurance. Most major car insurance companies offer at least a few discounts, and taking advantage of as many as you qualify for might help lower your premium. Here are some common ways to save on car insurance in Tennessee:

• Young driver discounts: If you have young drivers on your policy, or if you are a young driver yourself, you may want to take advantage of savings such as good student discounts, driver training discounts and student at school discounts.
• Safe driver discounts: Driving safely may help keep your base rate down, but some companies offer additional discounts if you haven’t had an at-fault accident or ticket in a certain number of years.
• Other discounts: Additional discounts, such as for paying your premium in full, signing up for paperless statements, and bundling your auto and home insurance, may help you save even more.

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.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.