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 and Travelers offer some of the cheapest rates for drivers with poor driving records in Tennessee. Among them, Progressive has the lowest average 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, tickets or a DUI on your record, insurance companies will charge higher rates. Serious violations may affect your premiums for years, especially if you have multiple offenses.

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?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Tennessee is $2,744 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $2,054 annually.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets, or one in a school zone, will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

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?

State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Tennessee at $1,823 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Tennessee.

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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What is the cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with multiple tickets?

Erie Insurance offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $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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Expert's 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 provides the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Tennessee at $1,729 per year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers 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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Expert's 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?

The cheapest Tennessee insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $2,332 per year or $194 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing 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 statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

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

State Farm has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in Tennessee at $1,969 per year. Travelers also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving 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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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is cheapest for high-risk car insurance in Tennessee?

Watertown has the cheapest average high-risk insurance premiums in Tennessee at $2,586 annually. Meanwhile, Memphis has the highest average rates at $3,512 per year.

Where you live affects your insurance costs. Areas with more traffic, accidents or vehicle theft usually have higher insurance rates.

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?

High-risk drivers in Tennessee can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

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.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
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 Tennessee 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 might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage 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:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Tennessee

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Tennessee?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Tennessee?

An SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, but the violation that resulted in the requirement will; as a result, having an SR-22 means higher rates. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.