Tennessee car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Tennessee?

Yes , Tennessee requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

Tennessee car insurance laws

Tennessee requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Tennessee drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Tennessee car insurance requirements

Tennessee requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Tennessee liability minimums are 25/50/25.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $442. However, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $287.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Tennessee.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$287	$24
Erie Insurance	$307	$26
Geico	$316	$26
State Farm	$342	$28
Travelers	$390	$33
Farmers	$536	$45
Nationwide	$603	$50
Progressive	$605	$50
Allstate	$772	$64
USAA	$266	$22

Read our methodology

Tennessee car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $442. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Tennessee.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Tennessee is Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee at an average rate of $287 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$442
Average monthly premium	$37

Read our methodology

Are the Tennessee minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Tennessee car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Tennessee drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Tennessee minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Tennessee?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Tennessee penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Tennessee requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Tennessee car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$100
Other penalties	Registration suspension
Jail time	No

Read our methodology

Tennessee minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Erie Insurance has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $789. Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $292.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $448, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $436, a difference of $12.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$1,066	$89
16	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$1,336	$111
16	Geico	$1,401	$117
16	State Farm	$1,582	$132
16	Travelers	$1,967	$164
16	Nationwide	$2,468	$206
16	Progressive	$4,004	$334
16	Allstate	$4,330	$361
16	Farmers	$4,344	$362
17	Erie Insurance	$903	$75
17	Geico	$1,122	$94
17	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$1,336	$111
17	State Farm	$1,367	$114
17	Travelers	$1,441	$120
17	Nationwide	$2,468	$206
17	Farmers	$2,982	$249
17	Progressive	$3,068	$256
17	Allstate	$3,567	$297
18	Erie Insurance	$764	$64
18	Geico	$1,002	$84
18	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$1,043	$87
18	Travelers	$1,139	$95
18	State Farm	$1,166	$97
18	Nationwide	$2,221	$185
18	Farmers	$2,491	$208
18	Allstate	$2,671	$223
18	Progressive	$2,712	$226
19	Erie Insurance	$685	$57
19	Geico	$802	$67
19	Travelers	$869	$72
19	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$918	$77
19	State Farm	$993	$83
19	Progressive	$1,246	$104
19	Farmers	$1,358	$113
19	Allstate	$1,546	$129
19	Nationwide	$1,895	$158
20	Erie Insurance	$621	$52
20	Geico	$696	$58
20	Travelers	$733	$61
20	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$820	$68
20	State Farm	$850	$71
20	Progressive	$1,165	$97
20	Farmers	$1,206	$101
20	Allstate	$1,341	$112
20	Nationwide	$1,530	$128
21	Geico	$511	$43
21	Erie Insurance	$601	$50
21	Travelers	$620	$52
21	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$706	$59
21	State Farm	$712	$59
21	Farmers	$740	$62
21	Progressive	$958	$80
21	Nationwide	$1,018	$85
21	Allstate	$1,064	$89
22	Geico	$457	$38
22	Erie Insurance	$530	$44
22	Travelers	$564	$47
22	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$624	$52
22	State Farm	$632	$53
22	Farmers	$700	$58
22	Nationwide	$897	$75
22	Progressive	$909	$76
22	Allstate	$977	$81
23	Geico	$422	$35
23	Erie Insurance	$496	$41
23	Travelers	$515	$43
23	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$541	$45
23	State Farm	$545	$45
23	Farmers	$635	$53
23	Progressive	$798	$67
23	Nationwide	$844	$70
23	Allstate	$908	$76
24	Geico	$400	$33
24	Erie Insurance	$411	$34
24	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$461	$38
24	State Farm	$474	$40
24	Travelers	$487	$41
24	Farmers	$610	$51
24	Progressive	$766	$64
24	Nationwide	$800	$67
24	Allstate	$851	$71
25	Geico	$385	$32
25	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$388	$32
25	Erie Insurance	$398	$33
25	State Farm	$416	$35
25	Travelers	$436	$36
25	Farmers	$617	$51
25	Progressive	$673	$56
25	Nationwide	$694	$58
25	Allstate	$769	$64
30	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$315	$26
30	Geico	$338	$28
30	State Farm	$339	$28
30	Erie Insurance	$340	$28
30	Travelers	$427	$36
30	Farmers	$564	$47
30	Progressive	$611	$51
30	Nationwide	$615	$51
30	Allstate	$758	$63
35	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$296	$25
35	Erie Insurance	$311	$26
35	Geico	$332	$28
35	State Farm	$336	$28
35	Travelers	$426	$36
35	Farmers	$527	$44
35	Progressive	$589	$49
35	Nationwide	$612	$51
35	Allstate	$758	$63
40	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$289	$24
40	Erie Insurance	$298	$25
40	Geico	$312	$26
40	State Farm	$342	$29
40	Travelers	$397	$33
40	Farmers	$502	$42
40	Nationwide	$600	$50
40	Progressive	$601	$50
40	Allstate	$758	$63
45	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$276	$23
45	Erie Insurance	$287	$24
45	Geico	$311	$26
45	State Farm	$345	$29
45	Travelers	$397	$33
45	Farmers	$483	$40
45	Nationwide	$597	$50
45	Progressive	$599	$50
45	Allstate	$758	$63
50	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$269	$22
50	Erie Insurance	$282	$24
50	Geico	$300	$25
50	State Farm	$339	$28
50	Travelers	$397	$33
50	Farmers	$462	$39
50	Nationwide	$585	$49
50	Progressive	$594	$50
50	Allstate	$761	$63
55	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$262	$22
55	Erie Insurance	$275	$23
55	Geico	$300	$25
55	State Farm	$330	$28
55	Travelers	$378	$32
55	Farmers	$443	$37
55	Nationwide	$551	$46
55	Progressive	$599	$50
55	Allstate	$760	$63
60	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$264	$22
60	Erie Insurance	$281	$23
60	State Farm	$322	$27
60	Geico	$326	$27
60	Travelers	$383	$32
60	Farmers	$459	$38
60	Nationwide	$539	$45
60	Progressive	$597	$50
60	Allstate	$780	$65
65	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$276	$23
65	Erie Insurance	$296	$25
65	State Farm	$322	$27
65	Geico	$339	$28
65	Travelers	$430	$36
65	Farmers	$522	$44
65	Nationwide	$582	$49
65	Progressive	$694	$58
65	Allstate	$819	$68
70	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$298	$25
70	Erie Insurance	$320	$27
70	State Farm	$342	$29
70	Geico	$381	$32
70	Travelers	$459	$38
70	Farmers	$588	$49
70	Nationwide	$646	$54
70	Progressive	$722	$60
70	Allstate	$821	$68
75	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$320	$27
75	Erie Insurance	$361	$30
75	State Farm	$382	$32
75	Geico	$422	$35
75	Travelers	$512	$43
75	Farmers	$670	$56
75	Nationwide	$733	$61
75	Progressive	$780	$65
75	Allstate	$930	$78
16	USAA	$1,747	$146
17	USAA	$1,154	$96
18	USAA	$915	$76
19	USAA	$684	$57
20	USAA	$580	$48
21	USAA	$434	$36
22	USAA	$406	$34
23	USAA	$380	$32
24	USAA	$363	$30
25	USAA	$345	$29
30	USAA	$287	$24
35	USAA	$271	$23
40	USAA	$262	$22
45	USAA	$253	$21
50	USAA	$245	$20
55	USAA	$243	$20
60	USAA	$245	$20
65	USAA	$263	$22
70	USAA	$292	$24
75	USAA	$341	$28

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$897	$75
16	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$894	$75
16	Geico	$1,277	$106
16	State Farm	$1,240	$103
16	Travelers	$1,486	$124
16	Nationwide	$1,939	$162
16	Progressive	$3,777	$315
16	Allstate	$4,380	$365
16	Farmers	$3,898	$325
17	Erie Insurance	$754	$63
17	Geico	$1,032	$86
17	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$894	$75
17	State Farm	$1,068	$89
17	Travelers	$1,121	$93
17	Nationwide	$1,939	$162
17	Farmers	$2,699	$225
17	Progressive	$2,897	$241
17	Allstate	$2,893	$241
18	Erie Insurance	$654	$55
18	Geico	$941	$78
18	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$711	$59
18	Travelers	$907	$76
18	State Farm	$922	$77
18	Nationwide	$1,751	$146
18	Farmers	$2,278	$190
18	Allstate	$2,379	$198
18	Progressive	$2,609	$217
19	Erie Insurance	$591	$49
19	Geico	$763	$64
19	Travelers	$714	$60
19	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$637	$53
19	State Farm	$795	$66
19	Progressive	$1,206	$101
19	Farmers	$1,266	$106
19	Allstate	$1,475	$123
19	Nationwide	$1,492	$124
20	Erie Insurance	$548	$46
20	Geico	$649	$54
20	Travelers	$622	$52
20	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$568	$47
20	State Farm	$695	$58
20	Progressive	$1,134	$95
20	Farmers	$1,115	$93
20	Allstate	$1,206	$101
20	Nationwide	$1,278	$107
21	Geico	$497	$41
21	Erie Insurance	$535	$45
21	Travelers	$542	$45
21	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$502	$42
21	State Farm	$594	$50
21	Farmers	$664	$55
21	Progressive	$936	$78
21	Nationwide	$910	$76
21	Allstate	$1,017	$85
22	Geico	$441	$37
22	Erie Insurance	$486	$41
22	Travelers	$504	$42
22	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$471	$39
22	State Farm	$540	$45
22	Farmers	$622	$52
22	Nationwide	$806	$67
22	Progressive	$907	$76
22	Allstate	$1,009	$84
23	Geico	$426	$36
23	Erie Insurance	$479	$40
23	Travelers	$482	$40
23	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$436	$36
23	State Farm	$471	$39
23	Farmers	$573	$48
23	Progressive	$795	$66
23	Nationwide	$755	$63
23	Allstate	$906	$76
24	Geico	$412	$34
24	Erie Insurance	$451	$38
24	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$410	$34
24	State Farm	$425	$35
24	Travelers	$473	$39
24	Farmers	$558	$47
24	Progressive	$760	$63
24	Nationwide	$714	$60
24	Allstate	$843	$70
25	Geico	$392	$33
25	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$374	$31
25	Erie Insurance	$431	$36
25	State Farm	$382	$32
25	Travelers	$424	$35
25	Farmers	$569	$47
25	Progressive	$682	$57
25	Nationwide	$652	$54
25	Allstate	$788	$66
30	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$308	$26
30	Geico	$359	$30
30	State Farm	$339	$28
30	Erie Insurance	$359	$30
30	Travelers	$414	$35
30	Farmers	$548	$46
30	Progressive	$622	$52
30	Nationwide	$606	$51
30	Allstate	$788	$66
35	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$296	$25
35	Erie Insurance	$329	$27
35	Geico	$358	$30
35	State Farm	$336	$28
35	Travelers	$411	$34
35	Farmers	$546	$46
35	Progressive	$604	$50
35	Nationwide	$606	$51
35	Allstate	$788	$66
40	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$285	$24
40	Erie Insurance	$316	$26
40	Geico	$319	$27
40	State Farm	$342	$29
40	Travelers	$383	$32
40	Farmers	$569	$47
40	Nationwide	$606	$51
40	Progressive	$609	$51
40	Allstate	$787	$66
45	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$274	$23
45	Erie Insurance	$296	$25
45	Geico	$314	$26
45	State Farm	$345	$29
45	Travelers	$383	$32
45	Farmers	$524	$44
45	Nationwide	$591	$49
45	Progressive	$607	$51
45	Allstate	$785	$65
50	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$265	$22
50	Erie Insurance	$277	$23
50	Geico	$303	$25
50	State Farm	$339	$28
50	Travelers	$383	$32
50	Farmers	$471	$39
50	Nationwide	$570	$48
50	Progressive	$595	$50
50	Allstate	$744	$62
55	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$260	$22
55	Erie Insurance	$256	$21
55	Geico	$303	$25
55	State Farm	$330	$28
55	Travelers	$365	$30
55	Farmers	$438	$37
55	Nationwide	$551	$46
55	Progressive	$592	$49
55	Allstate	$744	$62
60	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$257	$21
60	Erie Insurance	$253	$21
60	State Farm	$322	$27
60	Geico	$325	$27
60	Travelers	$369	$31
60	Farmers	$424	$35
60	Nationwide	$555	$46
60	Progressive	$594	$50
60	Allstate	$762	$64
65	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$269	$22
65	Erie Insurance	$266	$22
65	State Farm	$322	$27
65	Geico	$332	$28
65	Travelers	$415	$35
65	Farmers	$461	$38
65	Nationwide	$576	$48
65	Progressive	$701	$58
65	Allstate	$803	$67
70	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$292	$24
70	Erie Insurance	$297	$25
70	State Farm	$342	$29
70	Geico	$359	$30
70	Travelers	$437	$36
70	Farmers	$512	$43
70	Nationwide	$618	$52
70	Progressive	$719	$60
70	Allstate	$803	$67
75	Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee	$313	$26
75	Erie Insurance	$355	$30
75	State Farm	$382	$32
75	Geico	$396	$33
75	Travelers	$473	$39
75	Farmers	$581	$48
75	Nationwide	$648	$54
75	Progressive	$748	$62
75	Allstate	$907	$76
16	USAA	$1,612	$134
17	USAA	$1,082	$90
18	USAA	$871	$73
19	USAA	$667	$56
20	USAA	$571	$48
21	USAA	$431	$36
22	USAA	$401	$33
23	USAA	$378	$32
24	USAA	$361	$30
25	USAA	$351	$29
30	USAA	$295	$25
35	USAA	$278	$23
40	USAA	$269	$22
45	USAA	$261	$22
50	USAA	$253	$21
55	USAA	$250	$21
60	USAA	$254	$21
65	USAA	$273	$23
70	USAA	$303	$25
75	USAA	$348	$29

Read our methodology

Tennessee minimum coverage cost by city

Johnson City drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Tennessee at $400. However, Memphis pay the most at $616.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Tennessee.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Johnson City	$400	$33
Jackson	$441	$37
Franklin	$446	$37
Knoxville	$462	$39
Murfreesboro	$462	$39
Chattanooga	$466	$39
Clarksville	$467	$39
Hendersonville	$468	$39
Nashville	$502	$42
Memphis	$616	$51

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in Tennessee

Tennessee requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Tennessee car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Tennessee?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Tennessee, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.