The Cheapest Car Insurance in Tennessee for March 2024

Penn National offers the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee, with an average annual rate of $1,275 for full coverage.
Ben Moore
By Ben Moore 
Updated

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Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in Tennessee isn’t always easy. The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare rates from multiple insurers.

The cheapest car insurance company in Tennessee is Penn National at $1,275 per year on average, or $106 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in Tennessee. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in Tennessee is $1,958 per year, or about $163 per month.

Minimum coverage in Tennessee is $467 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Progressive offers the cheapest rates in Tennessee at $274 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

If you're looking for cheap car insurance in your town, check out NerdWallet's analysis of the cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee's largest cities, including:

How we chose the cheapest companies in Tennessee

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 21 auto insurers in Tennessee and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2020 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in Tennessee. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in Tennessee where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Penn National: $2,643 per year, or about $220 per month.
  2. Erie: $2,703 per year, or about $225 per month.
  3. Progressive: $2,765 per year, or about $230 per month.
  4. Auto-Owners: $2,892 per year, or about $241 per month.
  5. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $2,894 per year, or about $241 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $519 per year, or about $43 per month.
  2. Erie: $723 per year, or about $60 per month.
  3. Travelers: $724 per year, or about $60 per month.
  4. Auto-Owners: $732 per year, or about $61 per month.
  5. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $802 per year, or about $67 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Progressive: $797 per year, or about $66 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $927 per year, or about $77 per month.
  3. Travelers: $1,099 per year, or about $92 per month.
  4. Allstate: $1,150 per year, or about $96 per month.
  5. American National: $1,314 per year, or about $110 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Progressive: $599 per year, or about $50 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $802 per year, or about $67 per month.
  3. Erie: $803 per year, or about $67 per month.
  4. Travelers: $905 per year, or about $75 per month.
  5. Geico: $922 per year, or about $77 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Progressive: $612 per year, or about $51 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $890 per year, or about $74 per month.
  3. Travelers: $953 per year, or about $79 per month.
  4. Erie: $982 per year, or about $82 per month.
  5. Geico: $1,189 per year, or about $99 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

  1. Progressive: $574 per year, or about $48 per month.
  2. Travelers: $1,063 per year, or about $89 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,118 per year, or about $93 per month.
  4. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,275 per year, or about $106 per month.
  5. American National: $1,380 per year, or about $115 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Penn National: $1,357 per year, or about $113 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,407 per year, or about $117 per month.
  3. Auto-Owners: $1,423 per year, or about $119 per month.
  4. Erie: $1,433 per year, or about $119 per month.
  5. Travelers: $1,574 per year, or about $131 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $287 per year, or about $24 per month.
  2. Auto-Owners: $293 per year, or about $24 per month.
  3. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $343 per year, or about $29 per month.
  4. Erie: $347 per year, or about $29 per month.
  5. American National: $372 per year, or about $31 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,627 per year, or about $136 per month.
  2. Progressive: $2,631 per year, or about $219 per month.
  3. Westfield: $2,668 per year, or about $222 per month.
  4. Geico: $2,715 per year, or about $226 per month.
  5. Encompass: $2,846 per year, or about $237 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $343 per year, or about $29 per month.
  2. Progressive: $352 per year, or about $29 per month.
  3. Erie: $365 per year, or about $30 per month.
  4. Westfield: $430 per year, or about $36 per month.
  5. American National: $452 per year, or about $38 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in Tennessee with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,407 per year, or about $117 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,909 per year, or about $159 per month.
  3. Penn National: $1,929 per year, or about $161 per month.
  4. Travelers: $2,010 per year, or about $168 per month.
  5. American National: $2,271 per year, or about $189 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $1,848 per year, or about $154 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $2,242 per year, or about $187 per month.
  3. Erie: $2,299 per year, or about $192 per month.
  4. American National: $2,320 per year, or about $193 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,590 per year, or about $216 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Penn National: $1,214 per year, or about $101 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,266 per year, or about $106 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,283 per year, or about $107 per month.
  4. Auto-Owners: $1,364 per year, or about $114 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,388 per year, or about $116 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $258 per year, or about $21 per month.
  2. Auto-Owners: $288 per year, or about $24 per month.
  3. Erie: $309 per year, or about $26 per month.
  4. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $316 per year, or about $26 per month.
  5. American National: $360 per year, or about $30 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,464 per year, or about $122 per month.
  2. Progressive: $2,285 per year, or about $190 per month.
  3. Geico: $2,571 per year, or about $214 per month.
  4. American National: $2,590 per year, or about $216 per month.
  5. Westfield: $2,646 per year, or about $221 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $316 per year, or about $26 per month.
  2. Progressive: $319 per year, or about $27 per month.
  3. Erie: $324 per year, or about $27 per month.
  4. Westfield: $424 per year, or about $35 per month.
  5. American National: $436 per year, or about $36 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,266 per year, or about $106 per month.
  2. Penn National: $1,721 per year, or about $143 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,727 per year, or about $144 per month.
  4. Travelers: $1,911 per year, or about $159 per month.
  5. American National: $1,992 per year, or about $166 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

  1. Progressive: $1,610 per year, or about $134 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $2,018 per year, or about $168 per month.
  3. American National: $2,044 per year, or about $170 per month.
  4. Erie: $2,064 per year, or about $172 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,440 per year, or about $203 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Penn National: $1,103 per year, or about $92 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,147 per year, or about $96 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,181 per year, or about $98 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,242 per year, or about $104 per month.
  5. Auto-Owners: $1,283 per year, or about $107 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $237 per year, or about $20 per month.
  2. Auto-Owners: $269 per year, or about $22 per month.
  3. Erie: $284 per year, or about $24 per month.
  4. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $295 per year, or about $25 per month.
  5. American National: $340 per year, or about $28 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,325 per year, or about $110 per month.
  2. Progressive: $2,044 per year, or about $170 per month.
  3. Westfield: $2,427 per year, or about $202 per month.
  4. Geico: $2,493 per year, or about $208 per month.
  5. American National: $2,516 per year, or about $210 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Progressive: $295 per year, or about $25 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $295 per year, or about $25 per month.
  3. Erie: $299 per year, or about $25 per month.
  4. Westfield: $389 per year, or about $32 per month.
  5. American National: $412 per year, or about $34 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in Tennessee with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,147 per year, or about $96 per month.
  2. Penn National: $1,562 per year, or about $130 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,570 per year, or about $131 per month.
  4. Travelers: $1,847 per year, or about $154 per month.
  5. Progressive: $1,901 per year, or about $158 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $1,462 per year, or about $122 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,826 per year, or about $152 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,899 per year, or about $158 per month.
  4. American National: $1,979 per year, or about $165 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,377 per year, or about $198 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,054 per year, or about $88 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,078 per year, or about $90 per month.
  3. Penn National: $1,087 per year, or about $91 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,179 per year, or about $98 per month.
  5. Auto-Owners: $1,235 per year, or about $103 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $234 per year, or about $19 per month.
  2. Auto-Owners: $267 per year, or about $22 per month.
  3. Erie: $277 per year, or about $23 per month.
  4. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $287 per year, or about $24 per month.
  5. American National: $316 per year, or about $26 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,219 per year, or about $102 per month.
  2. Progressive: $1,939 per year, or about $162 per month.
  3. American National: $2,244 per year, or about $187 per month.
  4. Westfield: $2,354 per year, or about $196 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,379 per year, or about $198 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $287 per year, or about $24 per month.
  2. Progressive: $292 per year, or about $24 per month.
  3. Erie: $292 per year, or about $24 per month.
  4. Westfield: $376 per year, or about $31 per month.
  5. American National: $384 per year, or about $32 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,054 per year, or about $88 per month.
  2. Erie: $1,481 per year, or about $123 per month.
  3. Penn National: $1,545 per year, or about $129 per month.
  4. American National: $1,724 per year, or about $144 per month.
  5. Travelers: $1,781 per year, or about $148 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $1,394 per year, or about $116 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,678 per year, or about $140 per month.
  3. American National: $1,770 per year, or about $148 per month.
  4. Erie: $1,803 per year, or about $150 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,301 per year, or about $192 per month.

Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers

Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,146 per year, or about $96 per month.
  2. Penn National: $1,168 per year, or about $97 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,254 per year, or about $105 per month.
  4. Progressive: $1,282 per year, or about $107 per month.
  5. Auto-Owners: $1,401 per year, or about $117 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-olds

Drivers in Tennessee who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Progressive: $260 per year, or about $22 per month.
  2. Erie: $308 per year, or about $26 per month.
  3. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $325 per year, or about $27 per month.
  4. Auto-Owners: $340 per year, or about $28 per month.
  5. Westfield: $416 per year, or about $35 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Tennessee can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,326 per year, or about $111 per month.
  2. Progressive: $2,104 per year, or about $175 per month.
  3. Geico: $2,580 per year, or about $215 per month.
  4. Westfield: $2,595 per year, or about $216 per month.
  5. American National: $2,599 per year, or about $217 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Erie: $324 per year, or about $27 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $325 per year, or about $27 per month.
  3. Progressive: $339 per year, or about $28 per month.
  4. Westfield: $416 per year, or about $35 per month.
  5. State Farm: $477 per year, or about $40 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Tennessee, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,146 per year, or about $96 per month.
  2. Penn National: $1,671 per year, or about $139 per month.
  3. Erie: $1,682 per year, or about $140 per month.
  4. American National: $2,022 per year, or about $169 per month.
  5. Travelers: $2,050 per year, or about $171 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Tennessee for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. Progressive: $1,512 per year, or about $126 per month.
  2. Tennessee Farm Bureau: $1,826 per year, or about $152 per month.
  3. Erie: $2,061 per year, or about $172 per month.
  4. American National: $2,088 per year, or about $174 per month.
  5. Penn National: $2,658 per year, or about $222 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest five auto insurance options for 64 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.

Minimum required car insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee law requires liability car insurance for all drivers living in the Volunteer State. If you cause a crash, this coverage kicks in to pay others’ injury treatment and property damage, up to your limit.

The state’s minimum liability limits are:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $15,000 property damage liability per accident.

A serious crash could easily result in damages that surpass these limits. To avoid paying out-of-pocket costs, consider selecting more than the bare minimum. You might also benefit from adding optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist insurance.

Check out NerdWallet’s guide to car insurance requirements by state for more detail on common coverage options in Tennessee and how they work.

Alternative Tennessee car insurance

If you’re denied car insurance on the voluntary market due to past violations, crashes, poor credit or other reasons, you can apply for coverage via the Tennessee Automobile Insurance Plan.

For more help finding cheap car insurance in Tennessee, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

  • For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.

  • We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.

  • For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.

  • For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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