Advisor

Content on Quartz Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Quartz Editorial and Advertising. Quartz Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website.

Cheapest Car Insurance In Tennessee (2024)

The cheapest car insurance in Tennessee comes from Tennessee Farmers Mutual at $28 per month on average.

Invalid Zip Code

Powered by 

Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
06/30/2024 06:18 PM

To save money, Tennessee drivers should compare different car insurance options and choose the one that offers the cheapest coverage. Our reviews team has researched the best car insurance companies nationwide. We carefully examined the reputation, satisfaction of customers, coverage choices, and average premiums of each provider.

In this review, we will show you the top methods for saving on car insurance and tell you where you can find the least expensive coverage in Tennessee that matches your driving profile.

Key Points

  • Tennessee Farmers Mutual is the cheapest car insurance company in Tennessee overall, with an average rate of $28 per month for minimum coverage and $132 per month for full coverage.
  • Progressive and USAA also offer affordable car insurance rates for many driver profiles.
  • If drivers are under 25 years old or have traffic violations on their record, they will have car insurance rates that are higher than the average.
  • You can save on car insurance by opting for minimum coverage, looking for discounts, increasing your deductible, and bundling your auto insurance with other policies.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Enter your zip code to shop for the best rates in your area

Car insurance companies have different ways of considering driver profiles. This means that the cheapest provider for one person might not be the cheapest option for you. To give you an idea, here is a quick overview of the cheapest auto insurance providers and their rates for various driver profiles in Tennessee.

Cheapest Car Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Minimum coverageTennessee Farmers Mutual$28$340
Full coverageTravelers$124$1,485
16-year-oldsErie$99$1,192
45-year-oldsTennessee Farmers Mutual$23$275
High-risk driversTennessee Farmers Mutual$34$405
After a speeding ticketTennessee Farmers Mutual$28$340
After an accidentTennessee Farmers Mutual$28$340
After a DUIProgressive$33$401
Poor credit driversTennessee Farmers Mutual$28$340

*Unless stated otherwise, average costs are minimum-coverage rates for single male drivers between the ages of 25 and 35 with a clean driving history.


What Is The Cheapest Car Insurance Company In Tennessee?

In general, we discovered that Tennessee Farmers Mutual offers the most affordable car insurance in Tennessee for different types of drivers. The following sections will cover the average monthly costs of both minimum- and full-coverage car insurance from the cheapest companies in Tennessee.

The rates provided apply to various Tennessee drivers of different ages, locations, and driving histories. The cheapest companies are organized by minimum coverage costs.

Cheapest Minimum Coverage In Tennessee: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Drivers looking for the most affordable coverage that just meets Tennessee state minimum requirements may find it at Tennessee Farmers Mutual for about $28 per month or $340 per year on average.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$28$340
Progressive$29$352
USAA$30$358
Erie$32$384
Auto-Owners$33$391
Travelers$34$408
GEICO$35$419
State Farm$42$505
Farmers$67$802
Allstate$71$852

Cheapest Full Coverage In Tennessee: Travelers

Travelers offers the best coverage at the most affordable price. The provider offers full-coverage insurance for an average of $124 per month.

Full-coverage insurance policies in Tennessee generally include liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive insurance.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Travelers$124$1,485
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$132$1,584
USAA$137$1,642
GEICO$143$1,713
Progressive$149$1,788
Erie$149$1,790
Auto-Owners$158$1,892
Farmers$203$2,432
State Farm$204$2,452
Allstate$249$2,991

Cheapest Car Insurance In Tennessee: Age

Below, you’ll find average insurance costs for Tennessee drivers ages 16 to 55 as well as the top five most affordable car insurance companies for each age group. The best car insurance rates are usually given to drivers who are 30 to 55 years old because they have more road experience and are less likely to be in car accidents compared to younger drivers.

Average Car Insurance Rates By Age

AgeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
16$201$712
25$43$180
35$37$150
45$36$142
55$34$131

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance: Young Drivers

As mentioned, teenage drivers and early 20s typically pay the most expensive car insurance rates. That’s mainly because these drivers have less practice driving and are more likely to break traffic rules and have car accidents.

In fact, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for teen drivers was nearly three times the rate for drivers 20 years old and older in 2021, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For 16-Year-Olds: Erie

If you’re a teen driver or the parent of one, Erie may be your best bet for finding the most affordable car insurance in Tennessee.

The company’s cheapest average rates for 16-year-old drivers are $99 per month or $1,192 per year, which is relatively affordable compared to other states. If you’re looking for full coverage, the average is $421 per month or $5,047 per year from Tennessee Farmers Mutual.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$99$454
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$111$421
GEICO$112$497
Travelers$128$474
Auto-Owners$149$561
USAA$155$635
Progressive$175$878
State Farm$177$699
Allstate$407$1,235
Farmers$494$1,266

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For 25-Year-Olds: Progressive

Car insurance rates decrease a lot for young drivers in their 20s compared to what teenagers pay. However, the rates for this age group can still be quite high depending on which insurance company you pick.

Progressive provides the cheapest car insurance costs on average at $32 per month or $385 per year for minimum coverage. Travelers costs $128 per month or $1,539 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Progressive$32$160
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$32$149
USAA$33$152
GEICO$34$146
Travelers$34$128
Erie$36$167
Auto-Owners$39$185
State Farm$47$231
Allstate$72$265
Farmers$73$215

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance: Adult Drivers

Auto insurance rates are usually the most affordable for people in their 40s who drive. You can compare average auto insurance premiums of drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s from the top five cheapest companies for each age group below.

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For 35-Year-Olds: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Drivers in their mid-30s may insure their cars at the cheapest cost by getting a minimum coverage car insurance policy from Tennessee Farmers Mutual. The company offers average minimum-coverage costs of $25 per month or $295 per year. For full coverage, Tennessee Farmers Mutual’s rates average $115 monthly or $1,378 annually.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$25$115
USAA$26$121
Auto-Owners$27$131
Progressive$27$138
Erie$28$132
Travelers$34$119
GEICO$36$139
State Farm$38$178
Farmers$61$190
Allstate$70$233

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For 45-Year-Olds: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Forty-five-year-old drivers may find the most affordable minimum coverage from Tennessee Farmers Mutual, with average rates of $23 per month or $275 per year. The cheapest full coverage comes from Tennessee Farmers Mutual at $103 per month or $1,237 per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$23$103
Progressive$24$121
USAA$25$113
Auto-Owners$25$127
Erie$26$122
Travelers$31$108
GEICO$37$147
State Farm$39$175
Farmers$57$172
Allstate$70$233

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For 55-Year-Olds: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Tennessee Farmers Mutual usually offers the most affordable car insurance rates to drivers in their 50s in Tennessee. The insurer’s average premiums are $22 monthly or $261 annually for minimum coverage. The cheapest full coverage option is from Tennessee Farmers Mutual, costing $103 monthly or $1,237 annually

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$22$92
Progressive$22$100
USAA$24$106
Auto-Owners$24$118
Erie$25$117
Travelers$30$97
GEICO$32$122
State Farm$37$164
Farmers$52$159
Allstate$71$230

Cheapest Car Insurance In Tennessee: High-Risk Drivers

Your driving behavior is a significant factor in determining the cost of your car insurance, along with the type of coverage and your age. Auto insurers typically determine if you’re a high-risk driver by looking at how many infractions are on your driving record, including speeding citations, at-fault accidents, and DUI convictions.

Average Car Insurance Rates For High-Risk Drivers

Drivers who are considered high-risk have to pay more than the average amount for car insurance because they have multiple violations on their driving records. On average, Tennessee motorists who are deemed high-risk may find the most affordable rates from Tennessee Farmers Mutual for minimum coverage or Tennessee Farmers Mutual for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$34$158
Progressive$38$199
Travelers$43$173
USAA$46$210
Erie$47$197
State Farm$48$228
GEICO$55$220
Auto-Owners$69$308
Farmers$91$271
Allstate$96$341

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For Drivers With A Speeding Ticket: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Drivers with a speeding citation on their record can generally find the most affordable coverage from Tennessee Farmers Mutual, with average rates of $28 per month or $340 per year for minimum coverage and $132 per month or $1,584 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$28$132
Erie$36$161
USAA$36$164
Progressive$37$190
GEICO$40$165
Travelers$40$165
State Farm$47$222
Auto-Owners$57$261
Allstate$79$281
Farmers$86$262

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For Drivers With An At-Fault Accident: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Getting into a car accident in Tennessee can also make your car insurance rates go up. Tennessee Farmers Mutual tends to offer the most affordable rates on average at about $28 per month or $340 per year for minimum coverage and $132 per month or $132 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$28$132
Travelers$42$170
Progressive$44$235
USAA$45$198
Erie$47$197
State Farm$51$240
GEICO$58$243
Auto-Owners$60$275
Farmers$96$281
Allstate$113$397

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For Drivers With A DUI: Progressive

If you’re a motorist with a DUI conviction, you may find the cheapest minimum car insurance in Tennessee from Progressive for $33 per month or $401 per year on average. They also have rates of $172 monthly or $2,062 annually for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Progressive$33$172
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$45$211
Travelers$46$184
State Farm$47$222
USAA$58$268
Erie$58$233
GEICO$66$251
Auto-Owners$91$387
Farmers$92$270
Allstate$95$345

Cheapest Tennessee Car Insurance For Drivers With Poor Credit: Tennessee Farmers Mutual

Car insurance costs more for drivers who have bad credit. Those who don’t have the best credit history may want to check out Tennessee Farmers Mutual, which has an average minimum-coverage rate of $33 per month or $392 per year and an average full-coverage rate of $153 per month or $1,833 per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance in TennesseeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Tennessee Farmers Mutual$33$153
Progressive$47$248
GEICO$49$221
USAA$50$246
Travelers$52$212
Erie$65$345
Auto-Owners$90$413
Farmers$97$303
Allstate$104$424
State Farm$177$861

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In 10 Tennessee Cities

Another thing to consider is the location in Tennessee where you reside, as this can affect the amount you need to pay for car insurance. Auto insurance companies consider drivers riskier to cover in areas with:

  • Larger groups of people
  • There are an increased number of cars on the road.
  • More car accidents occurring at a greater frequency.
  • More instances of breaking traffic rules
  • More incidents of car theft and slashed tires
  • Crazy weather conditions

Certain factors that increase risk have a greater impact on people who own cars in big cities. That’s why drivers in busy cities typically have to pay the highest average amount for basic car insurance coverage. On the other hand, drivers in rural areas with less crime and fewer people tend to have lower rates.

CityMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Memphis$54$181
Knoxville$39$135
Chattanooga$39$134
Collierville$47$154
Nashville$43$144
Antioch$44$148
Maryville$35$129
Sevierville$36$136
Cleveland$37$130
Greeneville$33$129

Top 5 Car Insurance Companies In Tennessee

We have looked at more than 40 insurance companies in Tennessee in terms of their coverage, service, and reliability, besides their cost. Based on this analysis, we have identified the top five insurers for Tennessee residents. Based on our research, we found Tennessee Farmers Mutual to be the best provider for most drivers in Tennessee. These are our overall ratings for the options we suggest.

Overall RatingCostCoverageReliabilityService
#1 State Farm4.74.34.65.04.5
#2 Travelers4.64.44.94.54.2
#3 Erie4.54.35.04.54.5
#4 GEICO4.54.24.24.94.3
#5 Progressive4.54.04.84.84.1

*The overall and category ratings above are based on nationwide factors.


How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance In Tennessee

In Tennessee, you have many options for reducing how much you pay for car insurance. These include:

  • Opting for minimum coverage: If you choose to get only the minimum coverage that your state asks for, you will be able to get the least expensive car insurance available.
  • Seeking out discounts: Most insurance companies have multiple discounts that can help cut down on premium costs, from military and good student discounts to discounts for drivers that remain accident free for five years.
  • Raising your deductible: A higher deductible will lower your premium costs, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
  • Bundling your auto insurance: You can often bundle your auto insurance with a homeowners insurance policy or other type of coverage to earn a discount.
  • Comparing quotes: Getting price estimates from several companies can help you determine which provider will give you the most favorable offer.

Many insurance companies provide the option of usage-based insurance programs, which can greatly help you save. These programs use telematics to monitor your driving habits–from your speed and braking to the time of day you drive. If you drive safely, you could get a big discount. However, some programs may increase your rates if you drive in a risky way.

Some companies also offer diminishing deductibles and accident forgiveness. A diminishing deductible option decreases your deductible amount each time you renew your policy. Accident forgiveness ensures that your rates won’t increase after your first accident with the company.

What Does Tennessee Require For Car Insurance?

Drivers in Tennessee must meet minimum insurance requirements as outlined by state law, which include basic liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:

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

Liability coverage only takes care of other parties’ injuries and property damages in an accident that you cause. UM/UIM covers your injuries and property damages, but only in the case that the at-fault driver has little to no auto insurance.

Getting comprehensive insurance will ensure that your car is covered if stolen, vandalized, or damaged by floods, fire, animals, or other natural disasters. Collision insurance covers your car repairs after an accident.


Our Take: Best Cheap Car Insurance In Tennessee

When it comes to both minimum and full coverage, Tennessee Farmers Mutual is the best and most affordable car insurance company for most drivers in Tennessee. While the above costs can give you an idea of what you’d pay for car insurance in Tennessee, getting a personalized quote will help give you a more accurate picture of what you’ll pay.

Many companies offer quick and free tools on their websites for getting insurance quotes. Alternatively, you can call a company’s insurance agent or representative for assistance. Once you have gathered quotes from at least three providers, take the time to compare them and choose the one that suits you best.

Compare Car Insurance Rates
Enter your zip code to shop for the best rates in your area

Best Cheap Car Insurance In Tennessee: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about car insurance in Tennessee:

How much is car insurance per month in Tennessee?

The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in Tennessee is $40 per month or $481 per year. For full coverage, the average is $165 per month or $1,977 per year.

Is Tennessee Car Insurance Cheaper?

Tennessee auto insurance is typically cheaper than the national average. Nationwide, the average cost of minimum-coverage insurance is $670 per year, while the average in Tennessee is $481 per year. For full coverage, residents of Tennessee pay about $1,977 per year on average, which is less than the national average of $2,216 per year.


How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.