120+ more)
)
15 years at the Boston Globe
5+ years covering insurance industry
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in
Updated
Tennessee is an at-fault state, meaning drivers are financially responsible if they cause a car accident. This is different from no-fault states, where each driver’s own insurance coverage pays for their damages.
Tennessee’s DUI/DWI laws also differ from those in many other states. DUI laws apply to drivers 21 and older, while DWI laws target drivers aged 16–20 under a zero-tolerance policy.[1]
Tennessee’s car insurance requirements call for drivers to carry coverage that meets or exceeds the following requirements:
$25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person injured or killed in an accident
$50,000 in bodily injury liability for all people injured or killed in one accident
$25,000 in property damage liability per accident[2]
These minimum liability coverage requirements pay for other people’s medical bills and property damage in an accident you cause. The coverage does not cover damage to your own car or medical expenses for you and your passengers.
Tennessee requires 25/50/25 liability coverage. These minimum limits match those of neighboring Georgia and Alabama, but Tennessee’s bodily injury requirements are lower than Virginia’s 50/100 limits. Property damage requirements are $25,000 in all four states.[3]
Drivers must also show proof of insurance, either on paper or electronically, if an officer asks after certain traffic violations or accidents. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also checks insurance policies through an electronic verification program.[4]
Most people show proof of financial responsibility by having a liability insurance policy when driving or registering a car. Tennessee law also allows a qualifying cash deposit, bond, or self-insurance in certain cases.[5]
Compare rates from the nation’s leading insurance companies
Minimum coverage is not sufficient to cover all possible incidents on Tennessee roads. A serious accident can cost more than $25,000 in injuries or property damage, and, if you are the at-fault driver, you’ll be responsible for covering the rest.
Minimum coverage also does not protect your car or cover injuries suffered by you or your passengers.
You can enhance your protection by adding the following coverage choices:
Higher liability limits: Give you more financial protection if you cause an expensive accident.
Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, minus your deductible.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage from things other than collisions, like hail, falling trees, theft, fire, or flooding.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Pays if you are hurt or your car is damaged by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance.
Medical payments coverage: Helps pay medical bills for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the accident.
Tennessee has about 191,065 crashes each year, according to the state’s driver’s license manual.[6] Severe weather is another reason to consider comprehensive coverage. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded several billion-dollar storms in Tennessee, including tornadoes, hail, and high winds.[7]
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
If you drive without proof of insurance, you could face both court and administrative penalties in Tennessee. This violation is commonly classified as a Class C misdemeanor, which can include a fine of up to $300. Your vehicle may also be towed as part of the violation.[5]
Here you can see how different violations are handled under Tennessee law.
Violation | Classification/Process | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Basic failure to show proof of insurance | Class C misdemeanor | Fine up to $300; vehicle may be towed |
| First electronic-verification notice | Administrative | $25 coverage-failure fee after no timely response |
| Final verification notice or aggravated conduct | Administrative or Class A misdemeanor | $100 fee and registration suspension; Class A charge for invalid proof or qualifying injury/death crash |
The electronic verification program has its own administrative process. If a registered owner doesn’t confirm insurance or another exemption after the first notice, they may have to pay a $25 fee. Not responding to the final notice can lead to a $100 fee and suspension of vehicle registration.
To get driving privileges or registration back, the driver may need to show proof of insurance and pay reinstatement fees.[8]
Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law requires drivers to show they can pay for any liability from driving.[5] Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law applies to vehicles subject to the state’s registration and title requirements.
Drivers must provide evidence of financial responsibility when an officer requests it in connection with certain traffic charges or a reportable accident. In a reportable accident, the officer must request proof from every involved driver, regardless of apparent or actual fault.
Tennessee also uses an electronic insurance-verification program to check whether registered vehicles have the required coverage. When the system can’t verify insurance, the Department of Revenue sends the vehicle owner a notice directing them to provide proof of insurance, another form of financial responsibility, or a valid exemption.
Carrying liability insurance with at least Tennessee’s 25/50/25 minimum limits is the most common way to comply. Acceptable evidence includes a declarations page, insurance binder, or insurance card in paper or electronic form.
The law also recognizes a state-issued certificate documenting a qualifying cash deposit, bond, or self-insurer status. Failure to respond to verification notices can result in fees and suspension of the vehicle’s registration.[9]
If you still have questions about Tennessee car insurance laws, the following answers can help.
No. Tennessee is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes a crash is often responsible for any injuries or property damage.
The law says drivers must show they can pay for damages from a crash. To do this, drivers are responsible for carrying at least 25/50/25 liability insurance and keeping valid proof of insurance with them.[5]
In Tennessee, insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist coverage, usually at the same limits as available bodily injury liability coverage. The main policyholder can reject this coverage in writing or choose lower limits if allowed.
Let your insurance company know right away if an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver may be at fault. Keep the police report, photos, medical bills, repair estimates, and any other documents related to your loss.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
15 years at the Boston Globe
5+ years covering insurance industry
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
