Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Tennessee

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee for a bad driving record?

Progressive, Erie Insurance, Travelers provides affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in Tennessee.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

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 a high-risk driver 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.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee after 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

For drivers with multiple tickets, Erie Insurance offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,729 per year or $144 per month.

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.

This table shows drivers in Tennessee how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance 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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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Tennessee?

Erie Insurance offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,729 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

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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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, Nationwide provides the lowest premiums for drivers with poor credit, averaging $2,332 per year or $194 per month. Even with a low credit score, you can still find affordable auto insurance.

While your credit score doesn't reflect your driving ability, it can impact your car insurance rates and place you in a higher-risk category. Insurers view lower credit scores as an indicator of increased risk based on statistics showing that these drivers are more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in Tennessee.

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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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee after an accident?

State Farm has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,969 a year. Travelers also offers affordable rates, averaging $2,071 per 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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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Watertown, averaging $2,586 annually. On the other hand, Memphis has the highest rates at $3,512 a year.

Where you live in Tennessee matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

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 can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Tennessee?

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

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.

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.

What are Tennessee's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Tennessee, you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies for high risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

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: