tennessee car insurance
Welcome to our guide to Tennessee car insurance. You'll find info on everything from legally required coverages to Esurance discounts and perks like RepairView®.
Tennessee car insurance
Tennessee drivers are required to have the following coverages and limits on their policies:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 for property damage liability coverage per accident
You'll often see these limits written as 25/50/15.
Esurance in Tennessee
We've been insuring Tennessee drivers since May of 2005.
Esurance discounts in Tennessee
When you get a quote from Esurance, you'll find out if you qualify for any of these money-saving discounts:
- Claim-Free discount
- Fast 5® discount (for starting your quote online)
- Good Student discount
- Homeowners discount
- Defensive Driver discount
- Multi-Car discount
- Paid in Full discount
- Switch & Save® discount
Discounts are subject to eligibility. If you already have an Esurance policy and have questions about your discounts, give us a call at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262).
Our Renters Plus™ discount in Tennessee
If you rent your home, you can protect your valuables from fire and theft by adding renters coverage to your policy — and save some dough on your car insurance in the process.
Optional car insurance coverages in Tennessee
- Comprehensive coverage (may be required by a loan or finance company)
- Collision coverage (may also be required by a loan or finance company)
- Medical payments coverage
- Rental car coverage
- Emergency road service
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
- Uninsured motorist property damage coverage
- Custom parts and equipment coverage
- Loan/lease gap coverage
Factors that can impact your car insurance rate
- Your driving record
- Your claims history
- Where you live
- The make and model of your car
- Your age and gender
- Your credit-based insurance score
- The coverages, limits, and deductibles you select
- Discounts you qualify for
Esurance-approved car repair shops in Tennessee
If you take your car to one of Esurance's convenient E-star® shops, you can take advantage of guaranteed repairs and online repair monitoring through RepairView®.
Find an E-star repair shop near you.
Uninsured drivers in Tennessee
Tennessee has more than its share of uninsured drivers. A 2011 report from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimated that, in 2009, 24 percent of Tennessee drivers were uninsured. That's well above the national average of 13.8 percent, and tied for the third-most uninsured drivers in the U.S.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which is optional in the Volunteer State, offers financial protection against the 1 in 4 drivers who lack insurance.
Failure to provide proof of insurance
If you can't prove you have car insurance, you could be fined up to $100 and your drivers license could be suspended. Keep your insurance ID card in the glove box to avoid these penalties.
SR-22s
The state may require you to file an SR-22, otherwise known as a certificate of financial responsibility, if you're convicted of driving without car insurance, a DUI, or multiple traffic violations. Depending on the offense, you might have to file this document with the state (through your insurer) for up to 5 years.
Stolen cars in Tennessee
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported that the most stolen cars and trucks in Tennessee in 2010 were:
- 1997 Chevrolet Pickup (full-size)
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1997 Ford F150 Series/Pickup
- 1991 Chevrolet Pickup (S-10)
- 2005 Dodge Ram
- 1996 GMC Pickup (full-size)
- 1995 Honda Civic
- 1991 Toyota Camry
- 1999 Ford Taurus
- 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera
Cities where cars are stolen
These cities reported the highest number of stolen cars in 2010:
- Memphis – 4,473
- Nashville – 2,983
- Knoxville – 1,955
- Chattanooga – 1,346
Comprehensive coverage, which is optional unless your loan or finance company requires it, offers financial protection in the event your car's stolen.
Related links
Tennessee driving info
We'll break down road laws, facts, and stats that matter to Tennessee motorists.
The Esurance Coverage Counselor®
We'll help you customize a policy that meets your Tennessee driving needs.