How Much Is Car Insurance in Tennessee? (2023 Averages)
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Car insurance rates vary because of driving background and policy coverage amount. In Tennessee, the average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy is $1,018 per year, while minimum coverage costs approximately $504 per year. Insurers charge the highest rate of roughly $2,555 per year for including a young driver on a policy, and with a driving violation, drivers pay around $1,233 per year.
An auto insurance premium for the same coverage limits also differs between Tennessee providers. For example, GEICO charges an average of $776 per year for a full coverage policy, while Farmers charges the highest average of $1,291.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee
Along with average costs for our sample profile, MoneyGeek considers how Tennessee’s average car insurance costs change with several different factors. In Tennessee, age and credit score most significantly affect premium costs.
Click here to learn more about the average costs of car insurance for a given driver profile.
Average Costs of Car Insurance in Tennessee
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- DriverAverage Annual PremiumAverage Monthly Premium
- The Average Driver$1,018$85
- Drivers Buying Minimum Coverage$504$42
- Adding a Young Driver$2,555$213
- Drivers With a Violation$1,233$103
- Drivers With Poor Credit$1,897$158
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Why Are Car Insurance Rates Cheap in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s car insurance rates are among the nation’s cheapest. At $1,018 per year for a 40-year-old average male driver, rates are $406 cheaper, on average, than the national average rate of $1,424. MoneyGeek’s research reveals that the infrequency of natural disasters in the state contributes to Tennessee's cheap car insurance costs.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee: Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage
In Tennessee, the average cost of a full coverage car insurance is $1,018, while a state minimum liability policy costs $504. On average, there’s a $515 difference on those policies. All drivers must possess coverage that meets state minimums.
Car insurance costs change significantly with the amount of coverage. The most common policies are liability coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Policies with more features and extended coverage generally cost more.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee by Coverage Level
The state minimum policy in Tennessee is the cheapest car insurance coverage available for drivers. However, it has little protection, so you may choose to purchase a higher limit, such as 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.
The figures are shorthand for bodily injury and property damage insurance limits. For example, 50/100/50 represents:
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability coverage per accident
Drivers that purchase full coverage insurance have comprehensive and collision coverage, alongside liability coverage, to cover the cost of damage to their car.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee By Company
Prices also vary significantly by provider. In Tennessee, GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance rates on average, at $369 for minimum coverage and $776 for full coverage. On average, MetLife offers the most expensive rates for minimum coverage at $686, while Farmers provides the most expensive full coverage at $1,291.
USAA offers the most affordable car insurance in the state, but its policies are only available to the military and their families.
Average Annual Costs of Car Insurance in Tennessee - By Company
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- CompanyMinimum CoverageFull Coverage
- $324$602
- $369$776
- $389$826
- $427$877
- $445$959
How Much Is Car Insurance in Tennessee by Age?
In Tennessee, a driver’s age affects the cost of their car insurance. Due to their relative driving inexperience, insurers consider younger drivers risky, leading to higher premiums.
MoneyGeek’s research shows a 16-year-old purchasing their own car insurance policy pays $2,555 on average — $1,536 more than a policy for an average 40-year-old driver. Young Tennesseans can save money by being added to their parent’s car insurance policy.
In addition, insurance providers consider first-time drivers as high-risk individuals due to their lack of experience. New drivers, regardless of age, can expect to pay the same rates as teenagers.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Tennessee - By Age
How Does Driving History Affect Car Insurance Costs in Tennessee?
Car insurance is more expensive for people with bad driving records than drivers with clean records. For example, an accident or driving violation on your name can cause insurance companies to increase your rates.
Based on MoneyGeek’s study, a driver with a speeding ticket pays $214 more than someone with no violation, on average. We also discovered that the severity of a violation also contributes to rate increases. Drivers with negative driving records can still find affordable insurance policies by shopping around.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Tennessee - By Driving History
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- Driving ViolationAnnual Premium
- Safe Driver$1,018
- Speeding Ticket$1,233
- At-Fault Accident$1,428
- DUI$1,637
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Credit Scores and the Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee
Credit scores also affect how much your car insurance will cost in Tennessee. Our research reveals that drivers with excellent credit pay $183 less per year on average than someone with good credit.
Similarly, poor credit typically makes car insurance more expensive. Compared to drivers with good credit, drivers with poor credit pay an additional $888 per year, on average.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Tennessee - By Credit Score
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- Credit ScoreAnnual Premium
- Excellent$826
- Good$1,009
- Fair$1,241
- Below Fair$1,512
- Poor$1,897
How Much Is Car Insurance in Your City?
The cost of car insurance differs among states, but it can also significantly vary from city to city within a state.
MoneyGeek's research indicates that, in Tennessee, the city with the cheapest average car insurance rates is Chattanooga, at $800 per year. Meanwhile, Memphis has the most expensive annual average rates, at $1,177. The state’s average car insurance rate is $1,018.
Cities with a higher population density, road accident rate and natural disaster frequency tend to include more expensive car insurance rates.
Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in Tennessee - By City
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- CityAnnual Premium
- $800
- $817
- $801
- $1,177
- $804
- $860
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Car Insurance Rates
To help you learn more about car insurance rates in Tennessee, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions on the topic.
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