Your Guide to Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee

You might be required to file an SR-22 after a conviction for a high-risk traffic violation. Sometimes, filing new insurance with an SR-22 is necessary to get a suspended license back. Car insurance almost always costs more after a traffic violation, especially high-risk ones like a DUI. The good news is that Tennessee car insurance is cheaper than in many other states. Here’s everything you need to know about getting cheap SR-22 insurance in Tennessee.

What Is Tennessee SR-22 Insurance?

An SR-22 is a form an insurance provider can file for you with the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles (TN DMV) serving as your promise to maintain proper insurance coverage. It can also be called a certificate of financial responsibility. In Tennessee, you can have an SR-22 mandated to stay on your record for anywhere from three to five years, depending on why you got it, and that time might be extended for further violations.

Tennessee is a great state for affordable car insurance. A minimum policy with a clean record, meaning no SR-22 or infractions, costs about $487 per year on average. Minimum coverage after an SR-22 is $788 per year on average, an increase of 61%, which is still not that bad, compared to other states. That said, different companies have different premiums. Some companies offer cheaper average rates for SR-22 insurance in Tennessee.

What Companies Have Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee?

Most SR-22s come from a traffic violation, and any high-risk traffic violations can lift your annual insurance cost by a lot. It pays off to shop around and potentially switch to another provider. In order of average annual coverage cost for minimum insurance, the cheapest companies in Tennessee are:

• State Farm: $430
• Progressive: $484
• USAA: $597
• Tennessee Farmers: $623
• Geico: $679
• Erie: $680
• Allstate: $760
• Travelers: $847
• Nationwide: $904
• Farmers: $993

These rates are based on minimum liability car insurance coverage for Tennessee. State Farm and Progressive are both very competitive, with SR-22 insurance costs not far from the average cost of minimum coverage with a clean record. If those end up costing more for you or don’t fit your situation, some of the other companies on the list might be able to help. Keep in mind that these numbers are averages and your situation might be an exception from the norm.

What Is Minimum Liability Coverage in Tennessee?

Tennessee has a lower minimum required car insurance coverage than most states, particularly for property damage. The minimum coverage any car owner must have to drive in Tennessee is called 25/50/15. This refers to:

• $25,000 of coverage for bodily injury per person

• $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury per accident

• $15,000 of coverage for property damage per accident

If you get an SR-22 order for your insurance, it’s probably a way to promise you are at least getting a 25/50/15 plan, although you could get more. Being stuck with most of the bill for an accident can be difficult financially, so try to get as much car insurance as you can reasonably afford.

What Is Tennessee Full Coverage Car Insurance?

In Tennessee, like most states, full coverage refers to additional types of insurance, such as adding collision and comprehensive, added to liability. Full coverage is not the same as increasing the coverage amounts on regular liability, which would just be above-minimum liability insurance. Instead, full coverage policies have added, optional coverage for other situations besides liability.

For example, if you live in an area with a lot of severe weather that might damage your car, a comprehensive car insurance policy would pay for repairs from a fallen tree or storm damage. Comprehensive insurance is also great if you’re worried about car theft and vandalism. Tennessee does not require uninsured motorist coverage, so this could be a valuable addition to a full coverage plan.

After an SR-22, all types of car insurance will cost you more. However, going for something beyond the bare minimum liability insurance in Tennessee is generally a good idea. With low average insurance costs compared to most of the country, a little shopping around should reveal an affordable full-coverage policy.

What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance in Tennessee?

After committing a driving violation, you may have your license suspended. You’ll have to buy a new insurance policy with an SR-22 certification to get your license back, which may not seem worth it if you currently don’t even have a car. Non-owner car insurance is an affordable policy for drivers who need proof of insurance, such as drivers who are renting or borrowing cars.

Like some other states, Tennessee’s non-owner minimum coverage is the same as its minimum car owner 25/50/15 liability plan. You could go for more, such as a 50/100/50 plan. It’s important to remember that although it is affordable, Tennessee non-owner car insurance only applies to injuries and property damage to other parties, not for yourself or the borrowed vehicle.

The average cost of SR-22 non-owner car insurance in Tennessee is $718 per year. Some companies could get you a better deal, just like when shopping around for car owner’s insurance. Check out the insurance providers with the best annual cost for non-owner car insurance in Tennessee after an SR-22:

• Geico: $283

• USAA: $324

• State Farm: $346

• Progressive: $461

• Travelers: $462

• Nationwide: $786

These numbers are averages for a 50/100/50 coverage policy. You might find different winners in terms of price if you look for the minimum 25/50/15 plan or if you look at something much higher. Some companies are better suited to buying higher or lower amounts of non-owner coverage.

Should You Get Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee?

You can save money on car insurance in Tennessee by picking just enough coverage to protect yourself financially, followed by carefully shopping around to different providers with good rates. If your lifestyle allows it, you might be able to save money with non-owner car insurance, too.

Although it pays to take time and find a good deal, you don’t have to bargain hunt for too long. After all, you don’t want to be caught underinsured and in serious financial trouble. If you get an SR-22, just focus on finding a cheap form of insurance that works for you and keep a clean record for the designated number of years.

FIXD Research Team

At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.