The average annual car insurance cost in Chattanooga is $800, lower than Tennessee's state average. After rating insurance companies based on coverage level and driver profile, MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the cheapest widely available insurer in Chattanooga. MoneyGeek's recommendations on the best insurers in the city can assist you if you're looking for low-cost insurance with quality service.
In Chattanooga, on average, GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance, including for a state minimum policy and with a speeding ticket. USAA is an inexpensive option if you have a military background. Considering cost and quality of service, MoneyGeek found Erie is the best auto insurer in Chattanooga. Your best choice depends on your profile and coverage preferences.
bestauto insuranceChattanooga2022The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Chattanooga
Cheapest Overall - GEICO
Cheapest State Minimum - USAA
Cheapest With a Driving Violation - State Farm
Best Overall - Erie
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Chattanooga
On average, the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Chattanooga is from the following companies:
- GEICO: $615 per year
- State Farm: $671 per year
USAA offers the cheapest policy at roughly $566 per year, but you have to be a current or former military member to be eligible.
MetLife has the most expensive full coverage policy in Chattanooga, averaging $946 per year, more than double GEICO’s price.
Full coverage car insurance includes comprehensive and collision insurance that protects you against costs from damages to your car. Your premium may vary depending on the liability limits you choose.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Chattanooga
Full Coverage 100/300/100
- Company100/300/100per year
- 1.$566
- 2.$615
- 3.$671
- 4.$676
- 5.$681
MoneyGeek’s study uses the profile of a 40-year-old male driver in Chattanooga carrying full coverage car insurance, as detailed in our methodology.
Full coverage car insurance costs more than Tennessee's minimum car insurance because it protects your car against damage. It includes liability and two other coverages:
- Collision insurance: protects you from expenses caused by a crash
- Comprehensive insurance: protects you from damages caused by non-collision-related incidents and theft
Despite its advantages, a full coverage policy isn’t for everyone. With an older car, you may find liability-only or state minimum insurance more cost-effective if the full coverage rate exceeds your car’s value.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Chattanooga for Minimum Coverage
A minimum coverage auto policy is the cheapest you can buy in Chattanooga. On average, the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Chattanooga is from:
- GEICO: $298 per year
- Tennessee Farmers: $314 per year
USAA is the most affordable option for those with a military background at $296 per year on average.
GEICO’s rate is $215 lower than MetLife, which offers the most expensive minimum coverage policy at around $513 annually.
A policy with minimum coverage is your cheapest option in Chattanooga, but you risk full protection since it excludes comprehensive and collision coverage and has low liability limits.
Use the table below to see how rates change based on liability limits.
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Chattanooga
State Minimum
- CompanyState Minimumper year
- 1.$296
- 2.$298
- 3.Tennessee Farmers$314
- 4.$320
- 5.$321
A minimum coverage policy is your cheapest option in Chattanooga, but it offers you the least protection, with liability and uninsured motorist limits of 25/50/15, per Tennessee law. That means you may pay out of pocket after an accident.
For example, if you cause an accident and the other driver's medical bills amount to $40,000, but your limit for bodily injury is only $25,000 per person, you have to shell out $15,000.
Tennessee Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Chattanooga if You Have Driving Violations
Having violations on your driving record, such as a ticket, at-fault accident or DUI, increases your annual premium in Chattanooga. On average, you can find the cheapest car insurance with a violation in Chattanooga from:
- Cheapest after a ticket: GEICO, $700 per year
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident: State Farm, $794 per year
- Cheapest after a DUI: State Farm, $732 per year
If you’re an eligible military member, USAA offers a low rate for drivers with a speeding ticket at roughly $669 per year.
Improving your poor driving record over time gets you a lower rate in Chattanooga. In the short term, it’s best to compare car insurance quotes to find the best rate after a violation.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Chattanooga With a Violation
Speeding Ticket
- CompanySpeeding Ticketper year
- 1.$669
- 2.$700
- 3.$704
- 4.$732
- 5.Tennessee Farmers$853
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Chattanooga
Chattanooga$800
Tennessee$1,018
U.S.$1,424
The average car insurance premium in Chattanooga is $800 per year. This rate is 21.4% lower than the Tennessee state average and 43.8% more affordable than the average national rate of $1,424 annually.
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Chattanooga
If you are looking for the cheapest car insurance in Chattanooga, you need to request and compare personalized quotes from several providers. Insurance companies will evaluate your personal information, such as age, address, driving record and the type of vehicle you drive, to provide you with a personalized insurance quote. To ensure that you get the best rates for your situation, you should regularly request quotes to see if you qualify for discounts or rebates.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Chattanooga
MoneyGeek compared auto insurance providers to determine the best car insurance company in Chattanooga. If you consider affordability and excellent service, the MoneyGeek internal rating system found that the two best companies are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 93 of 100
- Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 90 of 100
USAA received the highest score in Chattanooga by MoneyGeek's rating system but is only available to former and present military members and their families. If you fit the criteria, USAA is the best insurer in Chattanooga.
MoneyGeek measured scores out of 100 based on several factors, including data from J.D. Power affordability, financial security, and customer satisfaction ratings.
1
USAA
Score:9
2
Erie
Score:92.5
3
Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Score:9
4
GEICO
Score:8
5
State Farm
Score:82.5
6
Nationwide
Score:8
7
Travelers
Score:8
8
MetLife
Score:8
9
Safeco
Score:77.5
10
Progressive
Score:77.5
11
Allstate
Score:7
12
Liberty Mutual
Score:7
13
National General
Score:72.5
Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
Your ZIP code can also affect your ability to find the cheapest car insurance in Chattanooga. This is because different neighborhoods have varying rates of car thefts, accidents and uninsured drivers. However, your rates will probably not vary much based on your neighborhood within Chattanooga. Drivers from ZIP code 37415 pay an average of $7 less per year than drivers from the 37421 neighborhood.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 37415$797
- 37421$804
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Chattanooga
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of fatal accidents also contribute to car insurance rates in Chattanooga. How Chattanooga ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
Methodology and Assumptions
MoneyGeek’s average premium rates for Chattanooga are based on 100/300/100 comprehensive collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible for a 40-year-old male driver. The average driver profiled drives a 2010 Toyota Camry LE and has no tickets or accidents on their record. Additional premiums are added based on coverage type, location and driving record. Learn more about MoneyGeek’s data and methodology here.
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