Can you go to jail for driving without insurance in Tennessee?

Tennessee car insurance laws require $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, up to $50,000 per accident, as well as $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.

Bodily injury liability insurance pays for any injuries that you accidentally cause with your car, while property damage liability coverage helps pay for any material assets that you damage while driving, like another person’s car or mailbox. Your insurance company pays up to the limit specified by your policy for each type of car insurance coverage.… read full answer

You can face multiple penalties if you’re caught driving without at least the minimum car insurance required in Tennessee, including $300 in fines, license suspension and impounding of your car. Another important Tennessee car insurance law to note is the grace period for new residents. You have 30 days to register your car when you move to Tennessee. You’ll need to bring proof of Tennessee car insurance when you go to register, with coverage in each of the categories listed below.

Minimum Coverage Required by Tennessee Car Insurance Laws

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $15,000

Car insurance in Tennessee costs $39 per month or $467 per year for minimum coverage, on average. The cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee are Auto-Owners, USAA, and State Farm, and getting quotes from several companies can help you find the best deal.

The average cost of car insurance in Tennessee is 30% lower than the … read full answernational average auto insurance premium. There are several factors that affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance in Tennessee, including your driving record, age and location, the amount of coverage you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee by Category

• After an at-fault accident: $180 per month
• Driver with poor credit: $66 per month
• Teen driver: $205 per month
• After a DUI: $89 per month

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee by Company

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a 45-year-old man in Tennessee with a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee by Age

Note: Rates are an approximation based on a driver in Tennessee with minimum coverage and a clean driving record. Actual rates will vary.

How to Lower the Cost of Car Insurance in Tennessee

1. Shop around and compare quotes. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three different insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
2. Choose a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums but means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you file a claim.
3. Consider lowering your coverage. Consider purchasing only the minimum amount of coverage required by your state, rather than purchasing higher limits or a full coverage policy.
4. Look for discounts you may be eligible for. For instance, most insurance companies offer a good-driver discount for customers with a clean driving record, a good-student discount, or a discount for paying your premiums in full up front.

To learn more, check out our guide to how much car insurance you need in Tennessee as well as our picks for the cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee.

You can get car insurance in Tennessee by comparing quotes from both national and local insurance companies to find the best deal, then purchasing coverage online, by phone or in person. In Tennessee, only liability car insurance is required for all drivers.

7 Steps to Get Car Insurance in Tennessee

1. Gather vehicle and driver details

You’ll need to have information about yourself and any other drivers you want on your policy, including driver names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers. You will also need details about the vehicles you’d like to insure, such as vehicle makes and models, VINs, and mileage.

2. Decide how you want to purchase insurance

Most insurance companies allow you to purchase car insurance online. You can also purchase it over the phone or in person through a company’s dedicated agent or through an independent insurance broker. Purchasing through an agent or broker instead of online may be better for people who are less tech-savvy and want to have a person walk them through the available options.

3. Look into the required types of insurance in Tennessee

In Tennessee, drivers must have at least a minimum amount of bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance.

4. Consider additional types of coverage

You should look into optional types of coverage, like collision and comprehensive. While they aren’t required by state law, lenders and lessors will often require financed vehicles to carry collision and comprehensive insurance, and these types of coverage can help protect your finances.

5. Compare quotes

Comparing prices from several different companies is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Tennessee

6. Check for discounts

Always make sure you’re taking advantage of every discount available.

7. Pay for your policy

You’ll need to figure out whether you’d rather pay monthly or pay in full up front. Most companies offer a slight discount for paying up front. When choosing a specific policy, you’ll also need to pick deductibles for certain types of coverage, like comprehensive and collision.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to getting car insurance.