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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

How much is high-risk car insurance in Tennessee?

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $2,744 in Tennessee, you can find rates as low as $2,054 from Progressive.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Tennessee
State
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*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K1 comprehensive claim for over 2k1 comprehensive claim for under 2k2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Tennessee, TN is $2,654
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024
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

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm has the lowest rate at $1,823.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with multiple tickets

Erie Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with rates averaging $1,729 or $144.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with a reckless driving conviction

Drivers with reckless driving conviction can get the cheapest rates from Erie Insurance at $1,729.

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.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee with bad credit

Nationwide offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor credit at $2,332 or $194. However,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.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Tennessee

State Farm has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,969. Travelers also has affordable rates at $2,071.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee by city

Watertown has the cheapest car insurance rates in Tennessee at $2,586. But the most expensive city is Memphis with rates of $3,512.

Your location in Tennessee also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

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 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.

Tennessee car insurance laws 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.

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