Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee doesn’t require non-owner car insurance, but it can be worth it if you frequently borrow or rent a car.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
4.7 / 517K reviews
)
Writer: Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
Writer: Catherine HilesInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
Qualifications:
16+ years in personal finance and insurance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
Catherine Hiles is a freelance writer covering insurance, personal finance, and home improvement. A Certified Financial Education Instructor, Catherine is committed to providing readers with empowerment and insight when facing insurance decisions.
Her work has been published in TIME, The Penny Hoarder, BobVila.com, Tom's Guide, and Angi. She has a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of Chester in the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, and two energetic dogs.
)
Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Editor: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
)
Reviewer: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Reviewer: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
What to know about non-owner car insurance in Tennessee
Non-owner car insurance is a liability-only policy for people who don’t own a vehicle but occasionally drive someone else’s car. It can help pay for injuries or property damage you cause to others while driving a rented or borrowed car. But since it’s usually secondary coverage, it only kicks in if the claim exceeds the car owner’s standard car insurance policy limits.
For example, let’s say you borrow a friend’s car and rear-end a car at a light. Your friend’s liability insurance pays for the other driver’s injuries and vehicle damage first. Then, your non-owner policy pays for damages once their other policy caps out.
Non-owner car insurance requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee law doesn’t require drivers who don’t own a car to carry car insurance. But anyone who drives a car must be able to show proof of financial responsibility, most commonly through liability insurance.[1]
These are Tennessee’s minimum coverage requirements:[2]
Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability coverage: $25,000 per accident
After an accident or traffic stop, you have 30 days to provide proof of insurance to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Otherwise, the state will fine you $25–$100, and you won’t be able to drive in Tennessee until you have coverage.[3]
Find Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee
Policies average $31 per month
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 17,301 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Who should get non-owner car insurance in Tennessee?
Although drivers who don’t own a car aren’t required to have car insurance under Tennessee car insurance laws, it can be a smart purchase if you frequently drive someone else’s car.
Here are some examples of drivers who may need non-owner car insurance in Tennessee:
Drivers who frequently borrow a friend’s car: Your friend’s liability insurance offers primary coverage but may not cover all expenses after an accident. A non-owner policy provides additional financial protection with secondary coverage.
Drivers who often rent cars or use a car-sharing service: A non-owner policy may be more affordable or offer better coverage than rental car insurance. Just keep in mind it won’t protect the vehicle itself.
Drivers who want to maintain continuous coverage: If you’re no longer insuring a vehicle you own, but plan to eventually, a non-owner policy can prevent a lapse in coverage. This can help keep rates down when you’re ready to buy a standard policy again, since some insurers see coverage gaps as high risk.
Drivers who need an SR-22: Tennessee law requires you to get SR-22 insurance after certain traffic violations. A non-owner policy with an SR-22 endorsement can help you satisfy state requirements.
SR-22 requirements in Tennessee
An SR-22 is a form that proves you have adequate insurance coverage after certain traffic violations. Tennessee law may require you to carry SR-22 insurance if you have one of the following violations in your recent driving history:[4]
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Hit and run
Vehicular assault
Vehicle theft
Speed racing
You must maintain an SR-22 for the length of your license suspension, whether or not you own a vehicle. A non-owner policy with an SR-22 endorsement can help you satisfy Tennessee’s SR-22 requirements.
Tennessee requires insurers to file your SR-22 electronically.[5] If you cancel the SR-22 before your license suspension ends, you must refile before you can reapply for a license. Your car insurance rates might also go up since most insurers consider SR-22 drivers high risk.
Cost of non-owner car insurance in Tennessee
Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee averages $31 per month, according to Insurify data. That’s much cheaper than the national average of $46. It’s also much cheaper than liability insurance or full-coverage insurance in Tennessee, which averages $60 and $132 per month, respectively.
Tennessee non-owner car insurance is cheaper than standard car insurance because it insures you as a driver rather than a specific vehicle. Unlike full-coverage insurance, non-owner insurance doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage.
Your actual rate depends on several factors, including your driving record, age, credit score, and coverage levels. The table below compares the average cost of non-owner car insurance in Tennessee and nationally.
Non-Owner Car Insurance | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Tennessee average | $31 |
| National average | $46 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Tennessee quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Compare Tennessee Car Insurance Quotes
Save on a non-owner policy
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 17,301 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
How to get non-owner car insurance in Tennessee
Follow these steps to get a non-owner car insurance policy in Tennessee:
Compare quotes. Check rates with multiple Tennessee insurance companies that offer non-owner policies. Keep in mind that not all insurers offer non-owner policies.
Choose your coverage limits. Under Tennessee law, all drivers must have at least 25/50/25 in liability coverage. Choosing higher limits offers added financial protection but can increase your rates.
Consider additional coverage. Around 21% of Tennessee drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. While you have the option to waive uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, keeping it adds protection after a crash with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage. You may also want to consider medical payments (MedPay) insurance, which helps pay for your injuries.
Buy coverage and keep proof handy. Once you’ve chosen your limits and coverage, pay your monthly premium and sign the policy documents to begin coverage.
Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee FAQs
If you regularly drive but don’t own a car or you need an SR-22 under Tennessee law, you may need non-owner car insurance. Below are the answers to some common questions about this type of coverage in Tennessee.
Can you get insurance on a car that’s not in your name in TN?
No. You generally can’t get insurance on a car that’s not in your name in Tennessee. If a family member owns the car, they can add you to their policy. Otherwise, you’ll need non-owner car insurance.
Is non-owner insurance required in Tennessee to reinstate a suspended license?
You’ll need a current car insurance policy to reinstate a suspended license in Tennessee. If you don’t own a car, a non-owner auto insurance policy can usually satisfy the requirement under Tennessee law.
Is non-owner insurance required in Tennessee if you frequently rent cars?
No. Non-owner car insurance isn’t required in Tennessee for frequent car rentals because you can typically buy liability coverage and a collision damage waiver from the rental company. But you may choose to get non-owner car insurance if you prefer not to buy liability insurance through the rental company.
Sources
- Tennessee Department of Revenue. "Insurance Verification Overview."
- Tennessee Department of Revenue. "Financial Responsibility Law."
- Tennessee Department of Revenue. "Notification Letters and Penalties for Failing to Remedy Issue or Respond."
- Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. "Do I need SR-22 Insurance?."
- Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. "Reinstatements."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
)
Car Insurance Discounts in Tennessee
Most Tennessee drivers can save on their premiums with a safe driver discount. Drivers 55 and older can also take an accident-prevention course to qualify for a state-mandated premium reduction.
)
Best Car Insurance in Tennessee
State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO top our list of best car insurance companies in Tennessee.
Tennessee Car Insurance Requirements in 2026
Tennessee drivers must carry liability insurance with minimum coverage limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 per accident for property damage.
)
SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee: Cost, Requirements, and Cheapest Companies
Drivers with an SR-22 in Tennessee pay an average of $74 per month for liability-only coverage and $163 per month for full coverage.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Tennessee?
Drivers in Tennessee pay an average of $1,155 per year for car insurance.
)
Classic Car Insurance in Tennessee
Classic car insurance in Tennessee helps protect your investment at a lower cost than a standard policy. But it comes with strict usage restrictions and storage requirements.
Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers can find the cheapest liability-only car insurance from State Farm, with an average rate of $35 per month.
Cheap Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in Tennessee
State Farm has the cheapest liability car insurance in Tennessee, with an average rate of $35 per month.
Cheap Full-Coverage Car Insurance in Tennessee
Tennessee drivers can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance from Progressive, with rates of $75 per month.
)
Temporary Car Insurance in Tennessee: What Your Short-Term Options Really Are
Temporary car insurance policies aren’t available in Tennessee. Insurify Car is a flexible alternative that lets you pay for coverage in seven-day installments.
Tennessee Car Insurance Laws
Tennessee drivers need to have proof of financial responsibility, carrying at least 25/50/25 liability insurance. Driving without insurance can lead to fines, registration suspension, or even criminal charges.
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Tennessee
State Farm is the cheapest insurer in Tennessee, with liability policies averaging $35 per month. Progressive has the lowest full-coverage car insurance, at an average of $75 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sun Coast offers the cheapest car insurance in Chattanooga, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $36 per month.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Clarksville, Tennessee (September 2026)
Sun Coast offers the cheapest car insurance in Clarksville, with liability premiums averaging $39 per month. The history of extreme weather in Northern Tennessee, including tornadoes and flooding, may affect average car insurance rates in Clarksville.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Cleveland, Tennessee (September 2026)
State Farm offers Cleveland’s cheapest liability coverage, at $34 per month. Cleveland drivers contend with traffic on I-75 and a relatively high statewide uninsured-driver rate, both of which can contribute to local insurance costs.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Franklin, Tennessee
Sun Coast offers the cheapest car insurance in Franklin, with a liability quote of $35 per month.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Jackson, Tennessee (September 2026)
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Jackson, TN, averaging $37 per month for minimum coverage. Jackson’s lower cost of living and wages, which are far below the national average, may influence car insurance costs in the Hub City.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Kingsport, Tennessee
Sun Coast offers the cheapest car insurance in Kingsport, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $30 per month.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Knoxville (September 2026)
The cheapest car insurance company in Knoxville is State Farm, with an average monthly rate of $35 for liability insurance. Due to lighter truck traffic and shorter commute times, premiums in the city are lower than in other major Tennessee metros like Chattanooga.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Memphis, Tennessee (September 2026)
State Farm offers the lowest-cost auto insurance in Memphis, charging an average of $54 per month for liability-only coverage. Memphis’ central location and strong transport network also mean lots of traffic congestion and vehicle theft, which drives insurance rates up for everyone.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (September 2026)
Sun Coast has the cheapest car insurance in Murfreesboro, with an average liability-only rate of $39 per month. The city’s longer commute times and heavy congestion lead to higher rates than in surrounding areas.
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Nashville (September 2026)
Nashville’s heavy downtown congestion and high vehicle theft rate can drive up car insurance costs. You may find the lowest quotes from Sun Coast, with liability rates of $44 per month.