What Used Cars Are The Cheapest To Insure In Tennessee?
Want to know the cheapest used vehicle to insure in Tennessee? We researched insurance quotes in the state to save you the effort!
This article covers insurance basics for the state of Tennessee and tips to save you money on premiums. We also found the best insurance companies and answered frequently asked questions!
Tennessee Cheapest Used Cars To Insure
We reviewed 45 vehicles from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ list to determine the cheapest used vehicles to insure in Tennessee. We did this by entering each vehicle, a basic driver profile, and a local address into an insurance quote generator.
1. 2021 RDX by Acura
The 2021 Acura RDX is the cheapest used vehicle to insure in Tennessee. It’s a four-door, midsize luxury SUV that seats five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Acura RDX costs $79 a month, which is below the state average of $302. Liability-only insurance is $39 a month.
The 2021 Acura RDX can get up to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway and has a combined rating of 24 mpg. Standard safety features include daytime running lights, a lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention.
2. 2021 XC40 by Volvo
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is the second-cheapest used vehicle to insure in Tennessee. It’s a small four-door SUV with seating for five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Volvo XC40 costs $80 a month, lower than the state overage of $302, while liability-only insurance costs $42 a month.
The 2021 Volvo XC40 can get up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway and has a combined rating of 25 mpg. Standard safety features include daytime running lights, blind spot detection, a lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention.
3. 2021 Outback by Subaru
The 2021 Subaru Outback is the third-cheapest used vehicle to insure in Tennessee. It’s a small four-door SUV that seats five. A full-coverage policy for the 2021 Subaru Outback costs $82 a month, which is lower than the $302 state average. Liability-only insurance costs $38 a month.
The 2021 Subaru Outback can get up to 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway and has a combined rating of 29 mpg. Standard safety features include daytime running lights, a lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention.
The 45 Cheapest Used Vehicles To Insure in Tennessee
The following table was compiled using vehicles from the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ 2021 list and generating an insurance quote from each vehicle using a local address and basic driver profile. The vehicles are listed in ascending order below based on the cost of a full-coverage policy.
| Year | Make | Model | Full Coverage | Liability Only |
| 2021 | Acura | RDX | $79 | $39 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC40 | $80 | $42 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Outback | $82 | $38 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-5 | $83 | $43 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-30 | $84 | $42 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Tucson | $85 | $42 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-3 | $86 | $46 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Forester | $86 | $37 |
| 2021 | Ford | Bronco Sport | $87 | $38 |
| 2021 | Honda | Odyssey | $88 | $41 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer | $89 | $42 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Legacy | $90 | $41 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Rogue | $91 | $45 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC60 | $91 | $45 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-9 | $92 | $41 |
| 2021 | Honda | Insight | $93 | $46 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC90 | $93 | $35 |
| 2022 | Honda | Civic | $94 | $41 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Camry | $95 | $41 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Ascent | $96 | $46 |
| 2021 | Chrysler | Pacifica | $97 | $48 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Santa Fe | $97 | $47 |
| 2021 | Honda | Accord | $97 | $41 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Murano | $98 | $46 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 3 | $98 | $47 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Highlander | $99 | $46 |
| 2021 | Acura | TLX | $99 | $53 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Palisade | $100 | $43 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 6 | $100 | $46 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Sienna | $100 | $46 |
| 2021 | Cadillac | XT6 | $102 | $44 |
| 2021 | Lexus | NX | $106 | $45 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Altima | $107 | $46 |
| 2021 | Kia | K5 | $655 | $47 |
| 2021 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | $658 | $40 |
| 2021 | Ford | Explorer | $669 | $54 |
| 2022 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $679 | $54 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V60 | $694 | $52 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S60 | $109 | $44 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S90 | $129 | $42 |
| 2022 | Kia | Stinger | $132 | $52 |
| 2021 | Lexus | ES 350 | $136 | $45 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Maxima | $140 | $52 |
| 2022 | Lexus | ES 350 | $142 | $45 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V90 | $147 | $41 |
Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance
Liability-only insurance is cheaper than full coverage because it only pays for the other driver’s expenses. A full-coverage policy also covers your expenses in an accident.
Below are the average annual costs for full coverage and liability-only coverage in Tennessee:
| Full-coverage policy | Liability-only policy |
|---|---|
| $3,626 | $1,407 |
The Best Tennessee Car Insurance Companies
Tennessee’s three best automobile insurance companies are Tennessee Farmers Mutual, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual.
To identify the best automobile insurance companies, we looked at which companies have the largest market share in Tennessee according to EverQuote and assessed each company’s complaint index from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data.
The average complaint index is 1, meaning that a company with a complaint index of 2 has twice as many complaints against it as what’s typically expected in the industry. Companies with lower market-share-to-complaint ratios indicate fewer complaints and happier claimants.
You can see all of the rankings below:
| Insurance Company | Market Share | Percent of Total Complaints | Complaint Index* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Farmers Mutual | 16.4% | N/A | 0.07 |
| State Farm | 21.79% | N/A | 1 |
| Liberty Mutual | 5.1% | N/A | 1.12 |
| Progressive | 8.6% | N/A | 1.41 |
| Allstate | 6.15% | N/A | 1.50 |
| Nationwide | 3.29% | N/A | 1.76 |
| Berkshire Hathaway | 9.31% | N/A | 2 |
*Complaint index data are national numbers from the NAIC.
Tips To Lower Insurance Premiums in Tennessee
Drivers in Tennessee can follow these tips to maximize discounts and minimize insurance premiums:
- Consider bundling your auto insurance policy with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
- Ask your provider about discounts related to your profession or military status.
- Enroll in your provider’s telematics program for safe driver discounts.
- Lower your premiums by raising your deductibles.
Research Methodology
We chose an in-state address to help Tennessee drivers find the cheapest used vehicles to insure. Using Tennessee data provides more relevant and accurate information for Tennessee policyholders than using national averages.
We applied the Tennessee address and a basic driver profile to input the 45 aforementioned used vehicles through an insurance quote generator.
Basic Driver Profile
- 35-year-old male with a bachelor’s degree
- Single and employed full time
- Homeowner but did not bundle policies
- Owns the vehicle rather than leases or finances it
- Has been with the current insurance carrier for five or more years
We used vehicles on the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ 2021 list. The IIHS is an independent, non-profit organization that collects safety data for cars on the market.
We used the following limits for liability-only quotes:
- $100,000/$300,000 liability limits
- $100,000 property damage limits
- $10,000 personal injury protection
For the full-coverage quotes, we included the following coverages with the liability selections:
- $1,000 deductible on collision coverage
- $1,000 deductible for comprehensive coverage
- $50/$1,500 rental reimbursement
- $100 roadside assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest SUV to insure in Tennessee?
The cheapest SUV to insure in Tennessee is the 2021 Acura RDX. A full-coverage policy costs $79 per month.
Are older cars cheaper to insure?
Yes, because older cars are less expensive to repair or replace. Your vehicle depreciates as it gets older, posing less of a financial risk for your insurance provider.
How much liability insurance is required in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires drivers to have an insurance policy with a bodily injury limit of $25,000 per person per accident, a total limit minimum of $50,000 per accident, and a minimum property damage coverage of $25,000.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Tennessee?
The penalties for first-time and subsequent offenses include suspension of your license and registration, a $300 fine, and towing of your vehicle. To reinstate your license and registration, you’ll have to retake and pass a driver’s test, pay a reinstatement fee, and provide proof of insurance.
What is the basic insurance for a car?
The basic insurance for a car is liability insurance, which covers the other driver’s car repairs and medical expenses if you’re responsible for an accident. Your leasing or financing company may require you to carry additional insurance, such as a comprehensive collision policy.
What car has the highest insurance rates?
Luxury vehicles, performance cars, and rare automobiles have the highest insurance rates. Their rates are higher because they’re more expensive to repair and replace.
References
- (2023.) Why is Tennessee car insurance so expensive? WalletHub. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/why-is-car-insurance-in-tennessee-so-expensive-2140709615/
- (2020.) 2021 Acura RDX Owner’s Manual. Honda Motor Company. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/BTJB2121OM/enu/BTJB2121OM.PDF
- (2020.) 2021 Volvo XC40 Owner’s Manual. Volvo Car Corporation. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://volvornt.harte-hanks.com/manuals/2021/XC40_OwnersManual_MY21_en-US_TP32898.pdf
- (2020.) 2021 Subaru Outback Getting Started Guide. Subaru of America. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://techinfo.subaru.com/stis/doc/ownerManual/MSA5B2104A_STIS_2nd.pdf
- (2019.) Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Tennessee. EverQuote. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.everquote.com/blog/car-insurance/largest-companies-tennessee/
- (2023.) Consumer Insurance Search Results. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm
- (2023.) Why You Should Have Auto Insurance. Tennessee Department of Revenue. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/drive-insured-tennessee/for-drivers/why-you-should-have-auto-insurance.html
- (2023.) How to Reinstate Suspended Registration. Tennessee Department of Revenue. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360059845152-DIFD-15-How-to-Reinstate-Suspended-Registration
- (2023.) Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Tennessee. Bankrate. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/driving-without-insurance-tennessee/
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.
