Cheapest and Best Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee (2024)


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Updated: May 20, 2024

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Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee provides liability coverage for drivers without their own vehicles. It’s a good option if you’re borrowing a car or need to maintain continuous coverage. Non-owner car insurance may also be needed to reinstate a suspended license following violations like DUIs.

Our study found that Auto-Owners offers the best and most affordable non-owner car insurance in Tennessee, ensuring a balance of affordability and quality service. It's the cheapest option for both drivers with clean records and those with violations.

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2024

Table of Contents

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek collected Tennessee car insurance data from Quadrant Information Services and analyzed customer and claim satisfaction ratings from sources such as J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

320Plans Analyzed
 
8Providers Compared

Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee drivers can find the most affordable non-owner car insurance policies from these providers:

  • Drivers with clean records: Auto-Owners ($14 per month)
  • Drivers with violations: Auto-Owners ($25 per month)

Having a driving offense on your record may result in higher insurance costs, even for non-car owners. The cheapest option for drivers with violations is $11 more per month than the most affordable option for those with clean records.

Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance With a Clean Driving Record in Tennessee

For Tennessee residents with clean driving records, the most affordable non-owner auto insurance is from:

USAA offers non-owner car insurance at approximately $17 per month but is only available to former and current military personnel and their families.

The cheapest non-owner car insurance policies in Tennessee cost an average of $14 per month, which is much lower than the national average of $43 per month.

Auto-Owners Insurance CoCheapest Annual Premium$171Cheapest Monthly Premium$14
State FarmCheapest Annual Premium$272Cheapest Monthly Premium$23
GEICOCheapest Annual Premium$315Cheapest Monthly Premium$26
FarmersCheapest Annual Premium$411Cheapest Monthly Premium$34
TravelersCheapest Annual Premium$417Cheapest Monthly Premium$35
ProgressiveCheapest Annual Premium$492Cheapest Monthly Premium$41
NationwideCheapest Annual Premium$600Cheapest Monthly Premium$50
Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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TENNESSEE MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee follows the same minimum coverage requirements as regular car insurance, which include the following limits:

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

While these limits satisfy the state’s requirements, they may not provide sufficient coverage for all drivers. It’s a good idea to assess how much coverage you need before selecting a policy to ensure you get adequate protection.

Cheapest Non-Owner SR-22 Car Insurance in Tennessee

The most affordable non-owner car insurance in Tennessee for drivers with violations are:

For military members in Tennessee with driving violations, USAA offers affordable SR-22 insurance at approximately $25 per month.

If you have a driving offense, such as a DUI or an at-fault accident on your record, you may need to file an SR-22, which can lead to an increase in your insurance costs. The cheapest non-owner SR-22 insurance in Tennessee averages $25 per month, which is $34 below the national average.

Auto-Owners Insurance CoCheapest Annual Premium$295Cheapest Monthly Premium$25
State FarmCheapest Annual Premium$302Cheapest Monthly Premium$25
GEICOCheapest Annual Premium$470Cheapest Monthly Premium$39
TravelersCheapest Annual Premium$544Cheapest Monthly Premium$45
FarmersCheapest Annual Premium$606Cheapest Monthly Premium$51
NationwideCheapest Annual Premium$692Cheapest Monthly Premium$58
ProgressiveCheapest Annual Premium$892Cheapest Monthly Premium$74
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WHAT IS SR-22 INSURANCE?

SR-22 is not a type of insurance, despite it commonly being referred to as "SR-22 car insurance." Instead, it’s a document submitted by an insurance provider to verify that a driver has the required insurance coverage in their state.

It’s typically required for individuals who commit severe violations such as a DUI or at-fault accident to demonstrate compliance with state insurance regulations.

What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?

Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee provides liability coverage for individuals who drive but don’t own a car. It offers financial protection for bodily injuries and property damage that you cause to others in an accident. However, it doesn’t provide coverage for your own injuries or damages to the car you’re driving since it lacks comprehensive and collision coverage.

If you regularly use rental cars, borrow vehicles from friends or family or need coverage to avoid a lapse in coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a good option. The following table highlights the coverage differences between non-owner and full coverage policies.

Policy Coverage
Full Coverage
Non-Owner

Liability insurance

Medical payments

Personal injury protection

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Rental car liability

Average Cost of Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the average cost of car insurance is $30 per month, which is lower than the national average of $43 per month.

While location does play a role in determining insurance rates, factors like age, driving record, coverage limits and vehicle type have a bigger impact on your premiums. It’s important to consider these variables when assessing your insurance costs and coverage needs.

Non-Owner Car Insurance Cost Comparison: National vs. State

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National Average Cost

Monthly Premium

$43
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Tennessee Average Cost

Monthly Premium

$30
On average, non-owner car insurance in Tennessee is:$13 saved

This is 30% less expensive.

Best Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee

MoneyGeek’s analysis found that the best non-owner car insurance companies in Tennessee are:

  • Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100 ($14 per month)
  • State Farm: MoneyGeek score 69 out of 100 ($23 per month)
  • GEICO: MoneyGeek score 67 out of 100 ($26 per month)

Our scoring system takes into account factors such as affordability, customer service data from J.D. Power and financial stability ratings from AM Best.

The following overviews of the state’s leading non-car owner insurance providers can help you choose the best provider for your specific needs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Auto-Owners Insurance

With its combination of affordable rates and exceptional customer service, Auto-Owners stands out as the best non-owner car insurance in Tennessee.

This provider also offers various discount options that can help you reduce your insurance costs. You can take advantage of discounts for bundling insurance policies, insuring multiple cars, maintaining a safe driving record and having good grades (if you’re a student). Additionally, installing an anti-theft system in your vehicle can qualify you for a discount.

Read the full Auto-Owners car insurance review.

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Runner-Up
State Farm

State Farm features a wide range of discounts and a lower-than-average customer complaint index. It also has competitive rates for different types of drivers, including teenagers and those with a traffic violation.

State Farm offers numerous discount opportunities to help lower your insurance costs. These include bundling, safe driving, anti-theft system and multi-vehicle discounts. The company also provides driver's education, good student and medical payments discounts.

Read the full State Farm car insurance review.

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Third Place
GEICO

GEICO offers affordable rates and has a high customer satisfaction score. Although it provides fewer coverage options compared to competitors, GEICO remains a solid choice for non-owners insurance in Tennessee.

One of GEICO's strengths is its extensive selection of discounts. Installing safety features like airbags, anti-theft systems, anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights can qualify you for savings. Bundling GEICO insurance products and maintaining a clean driving history can also lead to additional savings.

Read the full GEICO car insurance review.

Should You Get Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee?

Non-owner car insurance is designed for individuals who don't own a vehicle but regularly use rental cars, borrow vehicles or wish to maintain continuous insurance coverage. It can also help drivers get their licenses reinstated following a driving offense.

Who Should Consider Non-Owner Car Insurance?

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    Car borrowers

    Non-owner car insurance is ideal for people who frequently borrow cars from friends or family members. This type of policy provides liability coverage for injuries and damages you may cause to others in an accident. It’s an affordable choice compared to buying a full coverage auto insurance policy.

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    Occasional renters

    Those who occasionally rent cars can also benefit from non-owner car insurance, as it provides property damage and bodily injury liability coverage if they get into an accident in the rental car.

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    Drivers between cars

    Non-owner car insurance is useful for drivers between cars since it ensures continuous coverage until you get a new car. Insurers often charge higher premiums if a driver has a gap in coverage, so non-owner insurance helps avoid this increase when you get regular coverage again.

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    License reinstatement seekers

    Individuals who need to get their driver's license reinstated after a suspension or revocation may be required to file an SR-22 form and get a non-owner car insurance policy. This can help them meet the state insurance requirements and regain their driving privileges.

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ONE-DAY CAR INSURANCE

Be wary of providers that advertise "one-day insurance" in Tennessee, as this is not an actual insurance product and could be a scam.

For temporary car insurance needs, such as for a move or a road trip, we recommend purchasing insurance directly from the car rental company. There are also several other ways to get short-term coverage in Tennessee depending on your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee

Here are responses to common questions regarding non-owner car insurance in Tennessee to help you make an informed choice.

Which company offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Tennessee?
Which companies offer non-owner car insurance with the best mix of quality and affordability in Tennessee?
How much does non-owner car insurance cost in Tennessee?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.