The benefits of living in the great state of Tennessee (TN) are no longer a secret; the whole world seems to be moving there to enjoy the great outdoors, the lively music scene and the benefits of a strong economy and reasonable cost of living.
The population of Tennessee currently sits at over 7,051,000, which is a 2% increase over last year and a 10% increase over the last decade, placing the state in the top 10 in the country for growth. The accelerated rate of growth in Tennessee has resulted in an overtaxed highway infrastructure, especially in most of the metropolitan areas, which typically lack public rail or other mass transit options. All of this means more cars and congested roads all over the state, which leads to an increase in accidents.
Some of the things that make Tennessee a great place to live and visit also make it a dangerous place to drive. The beauty of the countryside and the hills and mountains make the state a haven for wildlife, but animals can cause damage to vehicles. In 2020, there were over 6,500 car accidents involving deer. 95% of these wrecks caused more than $1,500 worth of damage. The total price tag of these accidents exceeded $90 million in damages.
Tennessee's music scene is world-famous, but the same establishments that encourage live music tend to encourage drinking. Crashes involving impaired drivers account for the highest number of fatalities in Tennessee. The Nashville area recorded 957 alcohol-related accidents in 2022, which is a staggering increase over the 667 that occurred in 2021, indicating a disturbing trend in Music City.
While Tennessee's popularity is encouraging relocation from all over the country, its roads are becoming noticeably less safe, creating significant risk for Tennessee drivers who lack sufficient protection. Quality coverage is attainable at an affordable price at VIU by HUB, where you can compare Tennessee auto insurance quotes and options for coverage across a variety of insurance providers.
Tennessee has a Financial Responsibility Law that requires drivers to prove the ability to be financially responsible if a car accident were to occur. For most residents, the easiest way to abide by this law is to obtain Tennessee auto insurance. Required minimum limits for liability insurance include the following:
While state law does not require you to purchase this coverage, the law requires that every car insurance company offer it to their auto insurance clients for the same liability limits that are on their insurance policy. This coverage pays for expenses when you are hit by an at-fault driver who either didn’t carry insurance (uninsured) or didn’t carry enough insurance to address all the medical bills or car repair costs (underinsured).
Tennessee auto insurance costs are among the most affordable in the nation. The average driver pays approximately $1,230 per year, which is well below the $1,445 national average. A car insurance policy for a young driver may cost two or three times the average, and a driver with moving violations or a DIU may pay twice as much as the average.
Tennessee auto insurance policy quotes are very affordable in comparison to most states, but numerous other factors impact how much you can expect to pay.
A number of specific driver demographics are considered when calculating car insurance rates, including:
Credit history is taken into account when calculating insurance premiums in Tennessee. Drivers with low credit scores pay about 50% more than those with good credit.
The make, model and type of vehicle are factored in when calculating car insurance premiums.
The more you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. As a result, your Tennessee auto insurance premiums will be higher based on high annual mileage.
Drivers with a clean record can pay up to 40% less than those with poor driving records due to safe-driver discounts and save money. Drivers who file numerous claims, regardless of fault, can see rates increased for up to five years. Accidents and traffic violations can increase car insurance premiums from 20% to 200%, depending on the severity and number of incidents.
Tennessee law requires liability insurance, but drivers can opt to add other coverages to their Tennessee auto insurance policies for additional protection:
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
Understand risks, minimum state coverage requirements, average costs and other specifics that can impact auto insurance policies and premium rates in your city.