Cheap car insurance in Tennessee for good drivers
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Affordable Tennessee car insurance that puts you first
Root rewards Tennessee drivers with lower rates, makes managing insurance simple, and gives you flexibility to choose auto insurance coverage that fits your needs.
Better auto insurance rates
Drivers who switch can save up to $1,300 a year on car insurance with Root. Get your personalized Tennessee auto insurance quote. It’s easy to see if you could save.
Customizable coverage options
Choose the coverage options and limits that work for you, your car, and your budget. Available coverages vary by state, and you can adjust your policy as your needs change.
Manage your policy in the app
Access your Tennessee auto insurance policy, view your insurance cards, and file a claim in as little as 3 minutes right from Root’s convenient mobile app.
Driving in the Volunteer State
Tennessee driving comes with its own soundtrack and plenty of interstate. Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville anchor the state, while Chattanooga, Clarksville, and the Tri-Cities add even more miles to the Volunteer State.
One interstate, three metros: I-40 crosses Tennessee from Memphis through Nashville and Knoxville before reaching the mountains.
More ways across Tennessee: I-24 connects Nashville and Chattanooga, while I-75 runs through Chattanooga and Knoxville on its way north.
Mountain roads ahead: TDOT maintains Tennessee’s highway system and provides statewide transportation resources.
From Nashville to Memphis and beyond: Explore Tennessee car insurance from Root.
Tennessee's minimum auto insurance requirements
To legally operate a vehicle in Tennessee, you must carry Liability insurance for both bodily injury and property damage.
The minimum coverage amounts for liability car insurance required for drivers in Tennessee are [1]:
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$25,000 per accident
Types of Tennessee auto insurance we offer
Explore our Tennessee car insurance coverage options available below. You can update your policy anytime in the Root app.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for another person’s injuries or property damage when you’re responsible for an accident.
Collision coverage
Get your car repaired or replaced after a collision with another vehicle or object regardless of who was at fault. Add optional rental coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Protect your car from damage beyond collisions, including theft, vandalism, severe weather, fire, and falling objects.
MedPay coverage
MedPay insurance helps cover eligible medical expenses like hospital or ambulance bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Stay protected if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for eligible injuries or damages.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance gets you back on the road when you're stranded, with services like towing, jump-starts, and tire changes.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Tennessee?
The average Tennessee driver pays $2,235 per year for full coverage car insurance [2].
Root customers looking to purchase Tennessee car insurance could save up to $1,300 a year.
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Tennessee Auto Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance required in Tennessee?
To legally operate a vehicle in Tennessee, you must carry liability insurance.
To avoid serious expenses in the event of a major accident, you should consider coverage that protects:
You and your passengers (MedPay coverage)
Your vehicle (collision and comprehensive)
However, liability insurance is the only coverage you are legally required to select when purchasing auto insurance in Tennessee.
Is it legal to drive without insurance in Tennessee?
No, you cannot legally drive without auto insurance in Tennessee. State law requires every driver and vehicle owner to maintain continuous liability insurance and carry proof of it inside the vehicle. If you’re found driving without insurance, your driver’s license or vehicle registration could be suspended.
Do you need insurance to register a vehicle in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee requires vehicles to be insured in order to be registered, and you’ll need to keep that coverage in place for as long as the vehicle is registered. Letting your insurance lapse on a registered vehicle can lead to penalties, including suspension of your registration.
How do I lower my car insurance rate in Tennessee?
The easiest ways to save on your Tennessee car insurance premium are to drive safely, compare car insurance quotes, and review your coverage and deductible to find opportunities to save. With Root, you can get a personalized car insurance quote in minutes and explore coverage options that fit your needs and budget in the Volunteer State.
Is Tennessee a no-fault car insurance state?
No, Tennessee is not a no-fault state. It is an at-fault (or fault-based) state for car accidents. The driver who causes the crash is responsible for paying for medical bills, car repairs, and other damages through their insurance.
Is auto collision insurance required in Tennessee?
Tennessee law does not require drivers to carry collision coverage. The state only requires minimum liability insurance. Still, when comparing auto insurance quotes, consider adding collision protection to help pay for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Is uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage required in Tennessee?
No, Tennessee drivers are not required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Like all auto insurance companies, Root offers optional UMPD and UM / UIM coverage in Tennessee to help pay for injuries or vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Insurers in Tennessee must offer this coverage, so if you don’t want it, you’ll need to reject it in writing. We make it easy to choose your coverage in our app.
Does Root offer full coverage car insurance in Tennessee?
There’s actually no such thing as “full coverage” in the auto insurance industry, but the term usually refers to combining liability (Bodily Injury and Property Damage), collision, and comprehensive. Root offers all of these coverages.
Who needs SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?
High-risk Tennessee drivers may be ordered by a court or the Tennessee Department of Safety to provide an SR-22 after serious violations such as DUI, DWI, or driving without insurance.
An SR-22 is not insurance, but a certificate your auto insurer files to prove you carry the state-required minimum coverage. For high-risk drivers, failing to maintain it can result in license suspension.
How does Tennessee verify car insurance?
Tennessee uses an electronic insurance verification program, created under the James Lee Atwood Jr. Law, to check registered vehicles against insurance company records. If your coverage can't be verified, you'll get a notice asking for proof of insurance. If you don't respond, your registration could be suspended.
What happens if I'm partly at fault for an accident in Tennessee?
Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault rule with a 50% bar. You can recover damages only if you're less at fault than the other driver, and your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. If you're found 50% or more at fault, you can't recover damages.
Helpful resources for Tennessee drivers
Tennessee Driver Services
Tennessee Driver Services issues driver's licenses and ID cards, administers driving tests, and maintains driving records.
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
The Department of Commerce and Insurance regulates insurance in Tennessee and helps consumers with insurance questions and complaints.
Tennessee Department of Transportation
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References
Tennessee Department of Revenue. Financial Responsibility Law.
Insure.com. Annual average rates were compiled in 2026.