Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Tennessee

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Tennessee will find the lowest rates from Progressive, Erie Insurance and Travelers. Among these, Progressive provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $2,054 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Progressive	$1,550	$2,054
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$2,194
Travelers	$1,395	$2,209
State Farm	$1,677	$2,697
Nationwide	$1,632	$2,729
GEICO	$1,565	$2,888
Farmers	$1,770	$3,383
Allstate	$3,032	$3,956
USAA	$1,194	$1,751

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Tennessee?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Tennessee, high-risk car insurance costs $2,744 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $2,054 annually from Progressive.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Tennessee, TN is $2,654

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
USAA	$1,194	$1,808
State Farm	$1,677	$1,969
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$2,125
Travelers	$1,395	$2,125
Progressive	$1,550	$2,458
Nationwide	$1,632	$2,674
GEICO	$1,565	$2,994
Farmers	$1,770	$3,044
Allstate	$3,032	$4,805

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Tennessee?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with a DUI

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, State Farm offers the most affordable rate at $1,823 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Tennessee for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,677	$1,823
Progressive	$1,550	$1,916
Travelers	$1,395	$2,219
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$2,519
GEICO	$1,565	$2,921
Nationwide	$1,632	$3,364
Farmers	$1,770	$3,729
Allstate	$3,032	$4,173
USAA	$1,194	$2,309

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Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with multiple tickets

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is Erie Insurance, with rates averaging $1,729 annually or $144 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Tennessee drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$1,729
State Farm	$1,677	$1,823
Progressive	$1,550	$1,889
Travelers	$1,395	$2,131
Nationwide	$1,632	$2,438
GEICO	$1,565	$2,869
Farmers	$1,770	$2,891
Allstate	$3,032	$3,405
USAA	$1,194	$1,425

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Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with a reckless driving conviction

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,729 per year.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$1,729
State Farm	$1,677	$1,823
Progressive	$1,550	$2,154
Travelers	$1,395	$2,219
Nationwide	$1,632	$3,364
GEICO	$1,565	$3,389
Farmers	$1,770	$3,877
Allstate	$3,032	$4,173
USAA	$1,194	$1,604

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Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with bad credit

The cheapest Tennessee insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $2,332 annually or $194 monthly. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects Tennessee car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Nationwide	$1,632	$2,332
GEICO	$1,565	$2,417
Travelers	$1,395	$2,428
Progressive	$1,550	$2,585
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$3,726
Farmers	$1,770	$4,017
Allstate	$3,032	$5,173
State Farm	$1,677	$7,063
USAA	$1,194	$2,316

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Tennessee

State Farm offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,969 per year. Travelers is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $2,071 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
State Farm	$1,677	$1,969	$1,969
Travelers	$1,395	$2,071	$2,724
Erie Insurance	$1,598	$2,125	$3,047
Progressive	$1,550	$2,458	$3,277
Nationwide	$1,632	$2,674	$3,687
Farmers	$1,770	$2,923	$4,191
GEICO	$1,565	$2,994	$4,478
Allstate	$3,032	$4,805	$6,068
USAA	$1,194	$1,808	$3,026

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Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee by city

Watertown has the cheapest car insurance rates in Tennessee, averaging $2,586 a year. However, the most expensive city is Memphis, with average insurance rates of $3,512 annually.

Where you live in Tennessee also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Watertown	$1,592	$2,586
Sevierville	$1,598	$2,587
Knoxville	$1,580	$2,589
Dayton	$1,591	$2,628
Kingston	$1,631	$2,690
Ashland City	$1,694	$2,754
Paris	$1,730	$2,784
Nashville	$1,708	$2,798
Hermitage	$1,751	$2,856
Germantown	$1,908	$3,100
Memphis	$2,161	$3,512

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How to reduce car insurance rates in Tennessee for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Tennessee is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Tennessee?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Tennessee car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Tennessee, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: