The Best Cheap Tennessee Car Insurance for 2024

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.

• Cheapest for typical drivers: Geico
• Cheapest for teen drivers: Geico
• Cheapest for drivers with one speeding ticket: USAA
• Cheapest for military members: USAA
• Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage: Trustgard

Cheapest for typical drivers

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:

• USAA, with an average annual rate of $1,041
• Tennessee Farmers, offering an average annual rate of $1,285
• Nationwide, with a competitive rate of $1,339

Cheapest for teen drivers

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:

• USAA, with an average rate of $2,890
• American Select, with an average annual rate of $3,793

Cheapest for drivers with one speeding ticket

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:

• Geico, with an average annual rate of $1,276
• Tennessee Farmers, with a annual premium of $1,329
• Nationwide, offering an average annual rate of $1,643

Cheapest for military members

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:

• Geico, with an average annual rate of $1,062
• American Select, with an average rate of $1,321

Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage

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:

• Geico, with a rate of $309
• Tennessee Farmers, offering an average annual rate of $315
• USAA, with an average rate of $330
• American Select, with an average annual premium of $330

Average car insurance cost in Tennessee compared to the national average

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.

Tennessee auto insurance laws

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.

Tennessee minimum coverage requirements

At a minimum, Tennessee drivers must carry:

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

How to get cheap auto insurance in Tennessee

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.

Where to find 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:

• Good student discount
• Defensive driver discount
• Pay-in-full discount
• Away-at-school discount
• Occupational discount
• Alumni discount
• Professional organization discount
• Safety feature discount
• Usage-based discount
• Multi-car discount
• Multi-policy discount
• New car discount

Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in Tennessee

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.