The Best Car Insurance in Tennessee

Auto-Owners leads Tennessee car insurance, followed by top providers Travelers, Erie Insurance, Farm Bureau and Farmers for different driver needs.

Find the best car insurance for you in Tennessee today.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: December 29, 2025

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Quick Take: What Is the Best Car Insurance for Tennessee Drivers?

Best Overall and Best for Young or Senior Drivers: Auto-Owners, 4.84/5 stars
Auto-Owners leads Tennessee car insurance with perfect scores in affordability (5/5) and customer experience (5/5). Young drivers pay $209 monthly and seniors pay $112 monthly, both well below typical rates. The mutual company structure prioritizes policyholder interests. Read more

Best Cheap for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket or Accident: Farm Bureau, 4.44/5 stars
Farm Bureau ranks second in Tennessee for affordability (4.97/5) with competitive rates for drivers with violations at $85 monthly. The mutual company structure and focus on rural communities provide budget-friendly coverage for drivers rebuilding their records. Read more

Best for Drivers With Bad Credit: Erie Insurance, 4.49/5 stars
Erie ranks second in Tennessee for customer experience (4.8/5) with competitive rates for credit-challenged drivers at $244 monthly. The company's Rate Lock Protection and DriveWise program provide additional savings opportunities. Read more

Best Car Insurance Companies in Tennessee

Auto-Owners leads with perfect scores in affordability (5/5) and customer experience (5/5) across driver types. Travelers places second at $58 monthly with strong competitive pricing. Erie ranks third with the second-best customer experience rating (4.8/5) and comprehensive coverage. The table shows top-rated car insurance company scores in Tennessee based on affordability, customer experience and coverage options:


Auto Owners	4.83	$55	1	6
Travelers	4.7	$58	3	5
Erie Insurance	4.48	$71	2	3
Farm Bureau	4.44	$56	5	8
Farmers	3.95	$79	10	1

Best Car Insurance in Tennessee by Driver Profile

Tennessee's best car insurance varies by driver profile. Auto-Owners wins five driver categories. Travelers leads in three categories.

Best for Young Drivers (16 to 25): Auto-Owners. Young drivers pay $209 monthly with Auto-Owners, hundreds below typical rates of $300 to $400. Family plan discounts reduce costs when adding teens to existing policies. Defensive driving course credits and good student discounts provide additional savings.
Best for Senior Drivers (65+): Auto-Owners. Seniors pay $112 monthly with Auto-Owners. Age-specific discounts reward experienced drivers, and defensive driving course credits cut premiums further. The simplified claims process and flexible payment options work well for older policyholders.
Best With an At-Fault Accident: Travelers. Travelers' accident forgiveness program stabilizes rates after your first accident, preventing the automatic premium spikes common with other insurers. Drivers with accidents pay $112 monthly. The streamlined claims process helps drivers get back on the road quickly.
Best With a Speeding Ticket: Erie. Erie penalizes speeding tickets less than Tennessee competitors, charging $112 monthly versus $130+ elsewhere. Point reduction programs and safe driving courses help clear violations faster. Rate increases for tickets run below industry averages.
Best With Bad Credit: Erie. Erie weighs credit scores less heavily when pricing policies, focusing more on driving history. Drivers with bad credit pay $244 monthly with Erie versus $280+ at credit-sensitive insurers. Payment plans accommodate tight budgets, and rates drop as credit improves.


Young Drivers	Auto Owners	2	1	6
Adult Drivers	Auto Owners	1	1	6
Senior Drivers	Auto Owners	2	1	6
Drivers With An Accident	Travelers	2	3	5
Drivers With A DUI	Travelers	1	3	5
Drivers With A Speeding Ticket	Erie Insurance	2	2	3
Drivers With Bad Credit	Erie Insurance	3	2	3
Drivers With Low Income	Auto Owners	3	1	6
Drivers With Newer Cars	Travelers	1	2	4
Drivers With Old Cars	Auto Owners	1	1	5

Best Tennessee Car Insurance Reviews

After evaluating dozens of insurers across multiple criteria, MoneyGeek identified Auto-Owners, Farm Bureau and Erie Insurance as the state's leading car insurance providers. Each company delivers distinct advantages for specific driver profiles and coverage needs. Our comprehensive analysis examines rates, customer service quality, coverage options and claims handling for these top-performing insurers.

Best Overall for Tennessee: Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners

Best Customer Experience and Coverage Options in Tennessee

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Customer Experience

3.4/5Coverage Points

Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$79
Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$32
Agent Service Score
Provider not found/5
Most Unique Coverage Add-On
True Blue Auto Coverage

pros
- Ranks first statewide for affordability and customer experience
- Mutual company structure prioritizes policyholder interests over profits
- Strong regional expertise serving Tennessee drivers for decades
- Local agent network provides personalized service and claims support
cons
- Limited digital tools compared to larger national competitors
- Fewer coverage options available than some major insurers
- Smaller agent network may limit accessibility in rural areas
Auto-Owners is our top pick for Tennessee drivers. The company earns perfect scores in affordability (5/5) and customer experience (5/5), ranking first statewide. Young drivers pay $209 monthly and seniors pay $112 monthly, both significantly below major competitors. The mutual company structure prioritizes policyholder interests over profits.
Auto-Owners charges competitive rates in Tennessee with full coverage at $79 monthly and minimum coverage at $32 monthly. Young drivers pay $209 monthly versus $300 to $400 at competitors. Seniors pay $112 monthly. Drivers with older vehicles pay $54 monthly.

Auto-Owners bundles policies for savings, rewards safe drivers and offers good student discounts. The loyalty program provides additional savings for long-term customers. Defensive driving course completion reduces premiums for older drivers.
Auto-Owners achieves a perfect 5.0 customer experience rating in Tennessee, ranking first statewide. The mobile app handles policy management, claims filing and digital certificate access efficiently.

Local agents throughout Tennessee provide regional expertise for weather-related damage and theft claims. Response times during severe weather events beat national competitors, and phone support wait times stay minimal.
Auto-Owners offers standard liability, collision and comprehensive coverage with roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and gap insurance. Flexible deductible choices and coverage limits match different budgets and risk profiles.

The company focuses on essential protections for Tennessee drivers. Comprehensive coverage handles severe weather damage, and roadside assistance serves rural areas where towing distances increase costs.

Best Cheap for Drivers With Violations: Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Tennessee

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ 5

5/5Affordability

4/5Customer Experience

2.5/5Coverage Points

Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$85
Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$27
Agent Service Score
Provider not found/5
Most Unique Coverage Add-On
Provider not found

pros
- Ranks second in Tennessee for affordability
- Best option for drivers with speeding tickets or accidents
- Mutual company structure means policyholders own the company
- Strong financial stability with AM Best A rating
cons
- Limited availability to rural and agricultural communities only
- Below-average customer service experience in Tennessee
- Fewer coverage options compared to major competitors
Farm Bureau ranks fourth for Tennessee drivers but leads for those with speeding tickets or accidents. The company ranks second for affordability (4.97/5) at $85 monthly. The mutual company structure and AM Best A rating demonstrate financial stability. Farm Bureau works well for budget-conscious drivers rebuilding their records after violations.
Farm Bureau charges competitive rates in Tennessee with full coverage at $85 monthly and minimum coverage at $27 monthly. These rates appeal to drivers with violations who face higher premiums industry-wide. The second-place affordability ranking demonstrates consistent value across driver profiles. Farm Bureau's pricing helps offset the rate increases that follow violations.
Farm Bureau earns a customer experience rating of 4.04 out of 5 in Tennessee. Local agents provide personalized service with expertise in Tennessee's tornado season and severe storms. The regional focus speeds response times during weather events. Digital tools handle basic policy management, though the company emphasizes agent relationships over mobile app features.
Farm Bureau provides standard liability, collision and comprehensive coverage with roadside assistance and rental reimbursement. The company focuses on basic protection rather than extensive customization.

Farm Bureau's coverage handles Tennessee's hail damage, tornado debris and flooding in areas like Nashville and Memphis. Essential protections serve drivers who prioritize affordability over specialty coverage breadth.

Best for Drivers With Bad Credit or Speeding Tickets: Erie

Erie

Best for Young Drivers and Drivers with Accidents

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Customer Experience

3.4/5Coverage Points

Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$103
Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$38
Agent Service Score
4.45/5
Most Unique Coverage Add-On
Rate Lock Protection

pros
- Ranks second in Tennessee for customer experience
- Best choice for drivers with bad credit
- Strong AM Best financial strength rating ensures claim payments
- Digital claim filing through mobile app available
cons
- Limited availability compared to larger national insurers
- Not among most affordable options in Tennessee
Erie ranks third for Tennessee drivers and leads for those with bad credit or speeding tickets. The company ranks second for customer experience (4.8/5) with comprehensive coverage options. Erie's risk assessment approach produces reasonable rates for credit-challenged drivers at $244 monthly, below typical rates of $280+. The DriveWise program and Rate Lock Protection provide additional savings.
Erie charges competitive rates for drivers with bad credit at $244 monthly versus $280+ at other insurers. Standard rates run $103 monthly for full coverage and $38 for minimum coverage. Drivers with speeding tickets pay $112 monthly.

Erie bundles home and auto policies through the HomePro discount for 10% to 25% savings. The DriveWise program monitors driving habits and rewards safe behavior with rate cuts. Safe driver discounts and loyalty rewards add savings.
Erie achieves a customer experience rating of 4.8 out of 5 in Tennessee, ranking second statewide. The mobile app receives positive reviews for policy management, claims filing and digital certificate access. Local agents and 24/7 claims support handle Tennessee's severe weather and hail damage effectively. The regional presence speeds response during tornado season and winter weather.
Erie offers comprehensive coverage beyond standard liability, collision and comprehensive protection. Add-ons include gap insurance, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and identity theft protection. Weather-related coverage options address Tennessee's tornado risk and severe thunderstorms. Flexible policy options let drivers customize protection levels for state-specific risks.

Rates at the Best Car Insurance Companies in Tennessee

Tennessee's top insurers charge below the state average of $47 for minimum coverage and $103 for full coverage. Travelers offers the lowest full coverage rates at $78 monthly. Auto-Owners and Farm Bureau rank second and third at $79 and $85 monthly respectively. See our guide to average auto insurance costs in Tennessee.


Travelers	$78	$38
Auto Owners	$79	$32
Farm Bureau	$85	$27
Erie Insurance	$103	$38
Farmers	$104	$53

Tennessee car insurance rates depend on driver profile. Clean records and middle-age drivers pay the least, while violations and poor credit increase costs. Each insurer specializes in different categories. Match your profile below to find your best rate in Tennessee.


Drivers With Old Cars	Auto Owners	$54	$22
Adult Drivers	Auto Owners	$77	$28
Drivers With Newer Cars	Travelers	$78	$38
Senior Drivers	Auto Owners	$112	$49
Drivers With An Accident	Travelers	$112	$51
Drivers With A Speeding Ticket	Erie Insurance	$112	$42
Drivers With A DUI	Travelers	$118	$53
Drivers With Low Income	Auto Owners	$150	$66
Young Drivers	Auto Owners	$209	$82
Drivers With Bad Credit	Erie Insurance	$244	$95

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Tennessee

Getting the best car insurance in Tennessee means selecting adequate coverage for state risks and finding competitive rates.

1
Choose the Best Coverage
- Tennessee minimum requirements: $25,000 per person bodily injury liability, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage. State minimums satisfy legal requirements but won't protect you adequately in serious crashes.
- Most Tennessee drivers need 100/300/100 coverage: $100,000 in liability protection shields your wages and assets from lawsuits, while comprehensive and collision coverage handles storm damage, theft and at-fault accidents. Add uninsured motorist coverage since 20% of Tennessee drivers lack insurance. Learn more about how much coverage you need.
2
Get the Best Rates
- Get multiple quotes: Comparing at least three quotes reveals which insurer offers your best rate since pricing varies significantly for identical coverage. See the cheapest companies in Tennessee.
- Strengthen your risk profile: Tennessee-approved defensive driving courses unlock discounts, and addressing violations promptly reduces long-term rate impacts. Improving your credit score can slash premiums up to 70%.
- Maximize discounts: Good driver savings (10% to 20%) combine with multi-car discounts (10% to 25%), paperless billing (3% to 5%) and automatic payments (2% to 5%). Bundling home and auto insurance adds another 15% to 25% off.

Best Auto Insurance in Tennessee: FAQ

Below, our Tennessee car insurance experts tackle the most frequently asked questions about securing affordable coverage:

What's the best comprehensive deductible for Tennessee drivers?

Pick a $500 or $750 comprehensive deductible in high-theft areas like Memphis, Nashville or Chattanooga. Lower deductibles make sense given Tennessee's severe hailstorms and tornadoes that frequently damage vehicles. The reduced out-of-pocket expense during claims justifies slightly higher premiums.

Is full coverage the best choice for my older paid-off car in Tennessee?

Keep full coverage for cars worth $10,000 or more given Tennessee's tornado risks, severe storms and rising theft rates. Drop comprehensive and collision for vehicles under $5,000. Maintain full coverage without emergency savings regardless of vehicle value. With adequate savings and an older car, removing these coverages cuts insurance costs significantly.

What is the best Tennessee car insurance for customer service?

Auto-Owners leads Tennessee for customer service with a perfect 5.0 rating.

What is the best car insurance in Tennessee for the lowest rates?

Travelers offers the lowest full coverage rates. See our analysis of the cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee.

What's the cost of car insurance in Tennessee?

The average cost of car insurance in Tennessee is $103 monthly for full coverage and $47 for minimum coverage.

How We Rated the Best Car Insurance in Tennessee

We researched more than 70 companies in Tennessee, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in Tennessee. We also analyzed customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services.

Here's how we score each company in Tennessee:

Affordability (60%): We look at quotes for different driver profiles and compare rates within Tennessee. Our main rating uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We analyzed rates in Tennessee by driver profile to make sure you get the best rate.
Customer experience (30%): We used sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to see what customers think about each company. We focused on Tennessee-specific feedback to get an accurate best score.
Best coverage options (10%): This score considers the breadth of coverage options a company offers and unique coverage features.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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