Tennessee has a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, from the Great Smoky Mountains’ scenic highways to Graceland’s gates. According to the Federal Highway Administration Tennessee also had over 5 million vehicles registered as of 2015. According to Bankrate’s 2021 study on annual premiums, the average cost for car insurance is $1,338.
There are so many cars on the roads, it is vital to have the best Tennessee car insurance. Your financial health is important and auto insurance can help you avoid financial ruin if you are involved in an accident. Bankrate’s editorial staff has examined multiple factors from the largest companies in the Volunteer State to help determine which company can offer the best coverage.
The best car insurance companies of Tennessee
Bankrate’s editorial staff reviewed the average quoted premiums provided by Quadrant Info Services from the top insurance companies in Tennessee to determine the best. We also looked at customer service ratings, coverage options, and discounts. The following five companies were ranked as the top auto insurance providers in Tennessee based on our research.
State Farm
State Farm is the second-lowest annual premium for full coverage, but has the highest satisfaction score in auto claims satisfaction. State Farm is the #1 nationwide auto insurer and offers a wide variety of coverages and discounts to its customers. Tennessee residents can save as much as 20% on their auto and home insurances by having more than one vehicle. Policyholders can reduce their car insurance costs by following safe driving practices and taking part in the Drive Safe & Save Program.
Geico
Geico has the lowest annual total coverage premium and is a good option if you’re looking for affordable insurance. Geico offers several discounts that could help reduce your premium, including discounts for military personnel, federal employees, and good students.
However, Geico did receive a below-industry-average score for claims service in the 2020 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims satisfaction Study. This could be a sign that policyholders are often dissatisfied by the claims service they receive.
Tennessee Farmers Insurance
Farmers Insurance offers a wide range of coverages for Tennessee drivers. Although adding a teenage driver to your car insurance policy can be costly, Tennessee parents can make savings by using Farmer’s young driver discount. The Farmers auto claims satisfaction rating is 1 point higher than Geico’s. It is tied with the average ranking score. This indicates that the company can improve customer satisfaction. Farmer’s is the 10th most-popular insurance brand in the country with a 39% positive opinion rating from YouGov.
Progressive
Progressive offers more than the standard car insurance coverages that you would expect from major auto insurance companies. Progressive also offers additional options to personalize your car insurance. Tennessee drivers can get rideshare coverage, gap insurance, and custom parts and equipment as well as gap insurance up to $5,000. Progressive offers a deductible savings bank that reduces your collision and comprehensive deductibles by $50 for each policy period in which you don’t file a claim.
Allstate
Allstate has the highest car insurance rates in Tennessee, but it also scores higher than average for claims satisfaction. With a 47% positive rating, it is also the fourth-most popular insurance brand. Tennessee residents can join the Drivewise program to reduce their car insurance costs. This program tracks driving habits and rewards drivers who are safe. It offers up to 40% savings. Auto insurance costs can be reduced by being a responsible payer. This includes multiple discounts for paying on time, setting up automatic payments and avoiding late payments.
Average cost of car insurance in Tennessee
The minimum coverage in Tennessee requires minimum coverage and the annual premium is $371. Full coverage costs $1,338 on average. This premium is significantly lower than the national average of $1674 for full coverage, and $565 for minimal coverage.
Auto insurance premiums can vary based on where you live and which state you reside . Each geographic area has its own rating factors. These factors include the minimum amount of insurance required, the chance of an accident, the severity of accidents, and the possibility of non-accidental claims such as hail damage or theft.
Tennessee’s minimum insurance requirements
Tennessee law requires that drivers have at least the minimum amount of car insurance.
Tennessee’s minimum liability limits are 25/50/15, which means that you must have at least these coverages:
- $25,000 per injury or death in an accident
- $50,000 per accident for all injuries and deaths
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
While this is the minimum coverage you need, it does not cover your vehicle, your injuries, or funds to rent a vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired. The minimum liability required by the state may not be sufficient to cover any damages you might cause in an accident at fault. This could leave you with uninsured expenses. Insurance professionals agree that higher liability limits are a good idea if you have the funds. If you have a vehicle loan or lease, you will be required to purchase full coverage insurance.
How to get the best car coverage
Insurance can pay the cost of your vehicle’s repair or replacement, as well as the costs for any medical bills and lost wages due to personal injury. You may be able to get additional coverage for certain possibilities by getting the best car insurance.
- Assess your needs. Your car insurance needs are determined by your circumstances. For example, you may have a teenager to insure. You might also need to consider a history of tickets or accidents . Or, you may want to make sure your premium is as low as possible. These rating factors can change over time, such as teen drivers moving out or improving their driving record. You may also want to reevaluate your auto insurance to make sure it is still a good fit for your needs.
- Take into account state factors. Tennessee is susceptible to natural disasters like tornadoes or weather events such as hailstorms. Comprehensive insurance should be considered. In 2019, Tennessee had the third highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the U.S., with almost 24% of all drivers uninsured. You may consider buying uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to protect yourself against the financial consequences of an accident with an uninsured driver.
Car insurance discounts in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers pay less for car insurance than the national average, but there are ways to reduce your premium.
- Multi-policy: Having more than one policy with the same company can lead to significant savings. Bundling auto and home insurance is a great way of saving with Tennessee auto insurance companies. You can also get additional savings on boat, life and other types of policies.
- For additional savings, seniors 55 years and older can take a state-approved defensive driving course. To receive the discount, the course must be completed and the certificate must be submitted to the insurance company. Senior drivers can not only pay more but can also be safer and avoid making claims.
- Vehicle safety: A new car equipped with safety features may reduce the cost for auto insurance. You are less likely to be in an accident if your car has more safety features. In the form of a discount, the insurance company then saves on claims.
- Good student: Teen drivers can be expensive to insure even in Tennessee. Discounts can help you lower the cost of car insurance for your young driver. Many insurance companies offer discounts to students who have good grades.
Every company offers its own discounts so it is important to speak to your agent to determine if you are taking advantage.
Questions frequently asked
Which is the best auto insurance company?
The top insurance companies have high ratings for customer satisfaction, policy options, pricing, billing, policy information and customer interaction, as well as claims handling. Your insurance needs will be different from the needs of other drivers. Comparing multiple quotes and understanding what you need from a company is a great way to find the right coverage.
What is the monthly cost of car insurance in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s average car insurance cost is $30.92 per monthly for minimum coverage. The average monthly cost of auto insurance for full coverage is $111.50. The cost of car insurance in Tennessee per month will vary depending on many factors such as your driving record, make/model of the car, coverages, and where you live.
Is Tennessee an insurance state that does not have to pay for its own mistakes?
Tennessee is an fault insurance State. This means that the at-fault party in an incident, or their insurer, pays for other person’s injuries, and property damage. It is crucial to set adequate liability limits in Tennessee. If you are found at fault in an accident, your insurance company will pay for the damages.
