Best Tennessee Auto Insurance (2021)

Searching for Tennessee auto insurance? Our team has done all of the research on the best car insurance companies so you don’t have to. Read our guide in order to choose the right provider for your needs in Tennessee.

If you live in the Volunteer State, it is required for you to have auto insurance coverage to drive safely. Factors such as your vehicle make and model, driving history, and age can affect your insurance premium, so it’s important to find the best personalized coverage for you. We’ve evaluated the pros and cons of each provider as well as the state’s minimum requirements and what they mean.

We recommend getting multiple car insurance quotes in order to make the best decision. You can simply enter your zip code in the tool below to start comparing free quotes. 

In this article:

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In Tennessee

According to our cost estimates for Tennessee, USAA, State Farm, and Progressive are among the cheapest full-coverage providers.

Cost Of Tennessee Auto Insurance

In Tennessee, the average annual auto insurance expenditure was $996 in 2018, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The national average was $1,056.

Here’s a closer look at what drivers typically spent on Tennessee auto insurance:

*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of auto insurance. Total average annual expenditure measures what Tennessee drivers actually spent on auto insurance in 2017.

Annual Tennessee Car Insurance Estimates By Age

24-year-olds can pay up to $392 more for car insurance than 35-year-olds in Tennessee.

Annual Tennessee Car Insurance Estimates By Gender

According to our rate estimates, insurance costs in Tennessee aren't greatly affected by gender.

Annual Tennessee Car Insurance Estimates For Drivers With Bad Credit

Drivers with poor credit can pay up to $1,259 more than drivers with good credit.

Annual Tennessee Car Insurance Estimates For Bad Drivers

Car insurance costs can rise significantly due to speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs.

Our Top Picks For Tennessee Auto Insurance

We’ve done our homework on the best providers available in Tennessee and ranked them below for your convenience.

*You may notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for auto insurance in Tennessee.

#1 State Farm Insurance: Best For Students

Overall, our top recommendation for Tennessee auto insurance is State Farm because of its easy online quotes process, affordability, and usage-based coverage options. 

State Farm offers six types of auto insurance and also has a few additional coverage options:

• Rental car coverage: State Farm covers a rental car while your car is being repaired after a covered claim (up to the limits you choose).
• Travel expense coverage: State Farm pays for meals, lodging, and transportation (up to $500) if you get in an accident more than 50 miles from home and can’t get home. It also covers a return trip to pick up your car.
• Rideshare coverage: If you work for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, you should add this to your Tennessee auto insurance policy because a standard policy doesn’t cover the commercial use of your vehicle.
• Roadside assistance: Emergency road service includes one hour of labor at the breakdown site, towing to the nearest repair shop, fluid delivery, jump-starts, spare tire installation, and lockout services.

State Farm car insurance has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a 4.2-star rating on Google Play, and 4.8-star rating on the App Store. Its BBB page has some negative reviews, but almost all have responses from State Farm to resolve issues.

Overall, State Farm is most reviewed for its affordability. Its Drive Safe & Save™ program can save you up to 30 percent if you are a safe driver, and the Steer ClearⓇ program is highly suited for students and young drivers. Both of these plans have simple mobile applications that are also highly rated on the App Store.

To learn more about State Farm, read our full State Farm auto insurance review.

#2 Geico Insurance: Best Overall Nationwide

Geico is our second recommendation for Tennessee auto insurance because of its affordability and easy claims process. It offers standard coverage as well as roadside assistance and rental reimbursement.

Geico is highly rated for its outstanding customer service. It has an A+ rating from the BBB. Geico’s claims process is made simple with its mobile app that lets you submit claims with your accident information. The app has a 4.8-star rating on both Google Play and the App Store.

Geico’s BBB page has some negative reviews about issues with how claims were settled, however this is common in the insurance industry. We recommend reading both positive and negative reviews before making your decision on car insurance.

For more information, check out our full Geico auto insurance review.

#3 Erie Insurance

Erie car insurance is only available in a handful of states, including Tennessee. But this Fortune 500 company is worth looking into if you are in one of its qualifying states. It offers customizable coverage options and is highly rated by customers.

In addition to basic Tennessee auto insurance coverage, here are some offerings from Erie:

• Pet coverage: If your pet is injured during an auto accident in your vehicle, you will be reimbursed for vet costs up to $500 per pet and up to $1,000 total.
• Personal item coverage: Your personal items such as luggage and belongings are covered up to $350.
• Auto glass repair: With comprehensive coverage, you can get glass repair with no deductible. You can also upgrade to Full Window Glass, which waives the deductible for repairs and replacements. New wiper blades are included if your windshield is replaced.
• Roadside and rentals bundle: This covers you during roadside emergencies and when you need a rental car.
• Locksmith services: With comprehensive coverage, locksmith charges are covered up to $75.

There are several add-on plans available for Tennessee auto insurance policies, including the Erie Auto Plus plan, Erie Rate Lock, auto security, and additional rental car coverage. Erie also offers several discounts including: 

• Safe driving discount
• Car safety equipment discount
• Multi-car discount
• Reduced usage discount
• Young drivers discount
• Annual payment plan

Erie has an A+ rating from the BBB and was also the highest-scoring insurance company for customer satisfaction in the mid-Atlantic region in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠. All of the complaints about Erie reported on the BBB have been resolved.

To find out more, check out our complete Erie auto insurance review.

#4 USAA Insurance: Best For Military

USAA car insurance is a great choice if you or any of your family members is a current or former member of the military. Through our research, we’ve found that the company is affordable and has top-tier customer service.

Along with basic Tennessee auto insurance coverage, USAA offers a variety of products and services:

The 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study from J.D. Power lists USAA insurance as the top choice in each category. Its BBB page has some negative reviews from customers, but each instance tends to have a response from the USAA team. For more information about Tennessee auto insurance from the provider, read our comprehensive USAA auto insurance review. 

To see how much you would pay for auto insurance in Tennessee, enter your zip code below for free, personalized quotes.

Tennessee Minimum Coverage Requirements

In Tennessee, the state minimum requirements for your liability auto insurance are:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage per accident

These levels of coverage help guarantee that you are financially protected in an accident with an at-fault driver. You likely want to select more than the minimum on your Tennessee auto insurance policy in order to protect you and your vehicle in a serious accident.

What To Know About Driving In Tennessee

Tennessee state law requires you to have certain types of auto insurance. If you are caught driving without insurance, you will receive a misdemeanor as well as:

• Fines up to $2,500
• Jail time for up to 11 months and 29 days
• Possible suspension of driving privileges
• Reinstatement fees for driving privileges

Tennessee is considered a “fault state,” meaning that if you are involved in a car accident you are able to recover damages from the insurance company of the person at fault. In the case of an accident, the harmed driver will proceed by:

• Filing a claim with their car insurance company to later be reimbursed by the insurance company of the at-fault driver
• Filing a third-party claim with the car insurance company of the at-fault driver
• Filing a third-party injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver

In order to avoid paying these expenses out of pocket, it is important to have at least the minimum liability car insurance. 

Final Thoughts On Tennessee Auto Insurance

You have many choices for coverage in the Volunteer State. When choosing a Tennessee auto insurance company, keep in mind the level of coverage you are looking for, the price, and factors like the ease of the claims experience and the company’s reputation.

Tennessee is an at-fault state, and it is crucial to have the minimum liability requirements in order to drive safely. We recommend evaluating all of your options before choosing the best coverage plan for your needs. Fill out the easy form below to get personalized quotes for your vehicle.

Methodology

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

• Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
• Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
• Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
• Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
• Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
• Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.

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