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Tennessee has relatively inexpensive auto insurance costs compared to the rest of the country, and Knoxville is no exception. Drivers in Knoxville pay $99 per month on average for car insurance.
But even with these lower-than-average rates, many companies offer policies for even less. For instance, Sun Coast, State Farm, and Mile Auto offer the most affordable rates — as low as $46 per month.
If you’re seeking new coverage, this article will discuss the cheapest insurers in Knoxville, how to choose the right company, and tips to save on your insurance.
Sun Coast offers the average Knoxville driver the cheapest coverage in the area.
The average rate for full-coverage insurance in Knoxville is $131, and the average for minimum coverage is $67.
Seeking out discounts, comparing insurance companies’ rates, and increasing your deductible can help lower your premiums.
While average car insurance rates in Knoxville can give you some insight into costs, they don’t tell the whole story. No matter the average rate, you can still find ways to save money by starting with the cheapest companies in the state.
The table below highlights the cheapest insurers in Knoxville and what you can expect to pay for auto insurance with each, according to Compare.com.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Sun Coast | $46 |
| Mile Auto | $47 |
| State Farm | $47 |
| Certainly | $51 |
| Progressive | $52 |
| Direct Auto | $53 |
| USAA | $55 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $59 |
| GEICO | $60 |
| Freedom National | $62 |
| Auto-Owners | $63 |
| Travelers | $63 |
| The General | $64 |
| Erie | $68 |
| Trexis | $68 |
| Safeco | $74 |
| Trexis One | $76 |
| GAINSCO | $79 |
| Dairyland | $80 |
| Mendota | $82 |
| Allstate | $85 |
| First Acceptance | $87 |
| National General | $87 |
| Farmers | $92 |
| Liberty Mutual | $98 |
| Foremost | $99 |
| Bristol West | $100 |
| Root | $100 |
| Elephant | $105 |
| Nationwide | $113 |
| Chubb | $133 |
| State Auto | $176 |
Sun Coast offers the lowest average rates in Knoxville, with drivers paying $46 per month.
In the following sections, we’ll break down costs further by driver demographics and coverage types to help you make an informed choice about the best car insurance.
Compare personalized quotes from Knoxville’s top insurers.
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The car insurance companies above are a great starting point for comparing new auto coverage, but your personal rates will vary depending on your age, driving record, address, credit history, and other factors.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for a variety of backgrounds and coverage types, according to Compare.com data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | Sun Coast | $46 |
| Full coverage | Sun Coast | $87 |
| Teens | Sun Coast | $94 |
| Seniors | Sun Coast | $40 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | Sun Coast | $61 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | Sun Coast | $64 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Sun Coast | $66 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | Sun Coast | $41 |
| Drivers with poor credit | Sun Coast | $58 |
To offer more context on insurance prices, we’ve included further breakdowns for each driver type in the sections below.
Tennessee requires drivers to have liability coverage to legally drive on public roads. The average rate for minimum coverage in Knoxville is $67, according to Compare.com data.
While getting state-minimum coverage can result in cheaper premiums, many experts typically recommend higher limits for greater protection on the road. Buying more coverage can provide peace of mind if you get into a serious accident that can easily surpass your liability limits.[1]
The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies for state-minimum coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Sun Coast | $46 |
| Mile Auto | $47 |
| State Farm | $47 |
| Certainly | $51 |
| Progressive | $52 |
| Direct Auto | $53 |
| USAA | $55 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $59 |
| GEICO | $60 |
| Freedom National | $62 |
| Auto-Owners | $63 |
| Travelers | $63 |
| The General | $64 |
| Erie | $68 |
| Trexis | $68 |
| Safeco | $74 |
| Trexis One | $76 |
| GAINSCO | $79 |
| Dairyland | $80 |
| Mendota | $82 |
| Allstate | $85 |
| First Acceptance | $87 |
| National General | $87 |
| Farmers | $92 |
| Liberty Mutual | $98 |
| Foremost | $99 |
| Bristol West | $100 |
| Root | $100 |
| Elephant | $105 |
| Nationwide | $113 |
| Chubb | $133 |
| State Auto | $176 |
If you’d prefer more protection behind the wheel, full-coverage car insurance is likely a better choice than minimum coverage. In addition to state-minimum insurance, full coverage typically includes collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.
Lenders and leasing companies typically require full-coverage insurance if you finance or lease your car.[2] This insurance protects you and the insurer’s investment.
The average rate for full coverage in Knoxville is $131. Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies in Knoxville for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $87 |
| Sun Coast | $87 |
| Progressive | $101 |
| State Farm | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $118 |
| USAA | $121 |
| GEICO | $134 |
| Safeco | $135 |
| Travelers | $140 |
| Auto-Owners | $141 |
| National General | $142 |
| Certainly | $145 |
| Erie | $149 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $152 |
| Elephant | $157 |
| Trexis | $159 |
| Root | $167 |
| Trexis One | $182 |
| Liberty Mutual | $186 |
| The General | $186 |
| Allstate | $188 |
| Mendota | $196 |
| GAINSCO | $197 |
| Farmers | $203 |
| Freedom National | $216 |
| Bristol West | $219 |
| First Acceptance | $228 |
| Foremost | $228 |
| Dairyland | $239 |
| Nationwide | $249 |
| Chubb | $292 |
| State Auto | $389 |
Teen drivers lack experience on the road, which often translates to higher car insurance rates. They’re four times more likely to get into car accidents than drivers 20 and older, based on miles driven, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).[3]
In Knoxville, teen drivers pay an average of $202 for car insurance coverage. The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Knoxville, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Sun Coast | $94 |
| State Farm | $96 |
| Mile Auto | $102 |
| Certainly | $104 |
| Progressive | $106 |
| Direct Auto | $108 |
| USAA | $108 |
| GEICO | $114 |
| The General | $119 |
| Freedom National | $126 |
| Erie | $132 |
| Auto-Owners | $134 |
| Travelers | $138 |
| Trexis | $138 |
| Dairyland | $146 |
| GAINSCO | $153 |
| Trexis One | $155 |
| Safeco | $157 |
| Mendota | $167 |
| First Acceptance | $177 |
| Allstate | $178 |
| Liberty Mutual | $184 |
| Root | $184 |
| National General | $186 |
| Bristol West | $190 |
| Farmers | $194 |
| Elephant | $197 |
| Nationwide | $234 |
| Chubb | $290 |
| State Auto | $448 |
Unlike teen drivers, senior drivers enjoy some of the lowest auto insurance rates of any demographic — and with good reason. Older drivers tend to drive fewer miles and avoid night driving, which helps lower their risk of accidents, according to the IIHS.[4]
The average insurance rate for seniors in Knoxville is $86. The chart below highlights the five auto insurers with the lowest rates for senior drivers in Knoxville, according to our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $37 |
| State Farm | $37 |
| Sun Coast | $40 |
| Direct Auto | $43 |
| Certainly | $44 |
| USAA | $45 |
| Progressive | $45 |
| GEICO | $48 |
| Auto-Owners | $50 |
| Travelers | $50 |
| Erie | $52 |
| Freedom National | $54 |
| The General | $54 |
| Trexis | $59 |
| Safeco | $65 |
| Trexis One | $66 |
| GAINSCO | $67 |
| Dairyland | $68 |
| National General | $68 |
| Allstate | $69 |
| Mendota | $71 |
| Farmers | $73 |
| First Acceptance | $75 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 |
| Bristol West | $83 |
| Root | $84 |
| Nationwide | $86 |
| Elephant | $87 |
| Chubb | $101 |
| State Auto | $134 |
A speeding ticket can be a setback from an insurance perspective, as it often results in higher car insurance rates. Once you get a ticket, your risk goes up in the eyes of insurance companies. Our research shows that just one ticket can increase car insurance rates by 28% nationwide.
The average cost of car insurance for Knoxville drivers with a recent ticket is $131 per month, according to our data. The companies in the chart below offer the cheapest coverage, on average, if you have a speeding ticket in Knoxville.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $59 |
| Sun Coast | $61 |
| State Farm | $61 |
| Certainly | $67 |
| Direct Auto | $68 |
| Progressive | $69 |
| USAA | $73 |
| GEICO | $80 |
| Freedom National | $82 |
| Travelers | $84 |
| Auto-Owners | $84 |
| The General | $88 |
| Trexis | $90 |
| Erie | $92 |
| GAINSCO | $97 |
| Safeco | $100 |
| Trexis One | $100 |
| Dairyland | $103 |
| Mendota | $108 |
| National General | $111 |
| Allstate | $114 |
| First Acceptance | $115 |
| Farmers | $121 |
| Liberty Mutual | $128 |
| Elephant | $129 |
| Bristol West | $129 |
| Root | $137 |
| Nationwide | $151 |
| Chubb | $174 |
| State Auto | $240 |
A car accident can lead to higher car insurance premiums. A single at-fault accident results in a 33% average rate increase nationwide, according to our research.
We found that the average Knoxville driver pays a monthly rate of $138 after a speeding ticket. If you’re seeking new auto coverage after an accident, check out the five cheapest companies in Knoxville.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $64 |
| Sun Coast | $64 |
| Mile Auto | $65 |
| Certainly | $71 |
| Progressive | $73 |
| Direct Auto | $74 |
| USAA | $76 |
| GEICO | $80 |
| Auto-Owners | $86 |
| Freedom National | $87 |
| Travelers | $87 |
| The General | $90 |
| Erie | $93 |
| Trexis | $95 |
| GAINSCO | $104 |
| Trexis One | $106 |
| Safeco | $106 |
| Dairyland | $109 |
| Mendota | $115 |
| Allstate | $117 |
| National General | $119 |
| First Acceptance | $122 |
| Farmers | $126 |
| Liberty Mutual | $134 |
| Bristol West | $135 |
| Root | $137 |
| Elephant | $141 |
| Nationwide | $156 |
| Chubb | $181 |
| State Auto | $247 |
If authorities catch you driving under the influence (DUI), expect a dramatic increase in your car insurance rates. A DUI conviction translates to high risk in the eyes of your auto insurer and an average rate increase of 59% nationally, according to Compare.com data.
Knoxville drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average of $142 per month for car insurance coverage, according to our data. Here are the five cheapest insurers for Knoxville drivers with a DUI.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Sun Coast | $66 |
| Mile Auto | $69 |
| State Farm | $69 |
| Certainly | $73 |
| Progressive | $74 |
| Direct Auto | $77 |
| USAA | $80 |
| GEICO | $87 |
| Freedom National | $89 |
| Auto-Owners | $92 |
| Travelers | $92 |
| The General | $93 |
| Trexis | $97 |
| Erie | $99 |
| Trexis One | $109 |
| Safeco | $115 |
| GAINSCO | $115 |
| Dairyland | $117 |
| Mendota | $117 |
| Allstate | $124 |
| First Acceptance | $125 |
| National General | $127 |
| Farmers | $134 |
| Liberty Mutual | $143 |
| Bristol West | $146 |
| Root | $146 |
| Elephant | $153 |
| Nationwide | $165 |
| Chubb | $194 |
| State Auto | $241 |
Tennessee law allows insurers to consider your credit history when calculating your insurance rates. That said, Tennessee law restricts them from denying or canceling your coverage solely based on your credit.[5]
Still, if you have bad credit, insurance companies could view you as a higher financial risk, which may mean higher rates. Drivers with poor credit pay around 40% more for insurance than drivers with excellent credit, according to our data.
The average rate for Knoxville drivers with poor credit is $124. Here are the cheapest insurers in Knoxville if you have bad credit, according to our data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Sun Coast | $58 |
| Mile Auto | $58 |
| Certainly | $64 |
| Progressive | $65 |
| Direct Auto | $65 |
| USAA | $67 |
| State Farm | $68 |
| GEICO | $74 |
| Freedom National | $78 |
| Travelers | $78 |
| The General | $79 |
| Trexis | $85 |
| Safeco | $91 |
| Auto-Owners | $94 |
| Trexis One | $95 |
| GAINSCO | $97 |
| Dairyland | $99 |
| Erie | $99 |
| Mendota | $103 |
| Allstate | $105 |
| National General | $107 |
| First Acceptance | $109 |
| Farmers | $113 |
| Liberty Mutual | $117 |
| Bristol West | $123 |
| Root | $123 |
| Elephant | $129 |
| Nationwide | $139 |
| Chubb | $213 |
| State Auto | $218 |
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As with most states, Tennessee requires all drivers to have car insurance to be roadworthy. You’ll need to purchase the following coverage amounts:
$25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability per accident[6]
Bodily injury liability insurance pays the other driver and their passengers for injuries if you cause an accident. Property damage liability coverage pays for repairs to other people’s property or vehicles if you’re responsible for an accident.
Failure to meet Tennessee’s minimum coverage requirements could result in fines and suspension of car registration. Visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue site to learn more.
Car insurance experts typically recommend buying more than the minimum amount of car insurance state law requires. State minimums may not be enough to cover the damages if you get into a serious car accident, especially if the other driver and their passengers suffer severe injuries.
And if you have a car loan or lease a vehicle, your lender or leasing company may require you to have full coverage. That means you’ll need to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance in addition to the state’s minimum required coverages.
Compare personalized quotes and get cheaper rates in minutes.
Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions Knoxville drivers have about auto insurance to help you find the best coverage at the lowest cost.
Sun Coast is the cheapest auto insurance company in Knoxville. Its average liability rate is $46 per month, according to Compare.com data. But it may not be the cheapest company for you, so compare multiple insurers before purchasing your next policy.
Drivers in Knoxville pay an average of $99 per month for car insurance coverage. Minimum coverage costs $67 per month, while full coverage averages $131.
The average Tennessee driver pays around $97 per month for car insurance. But keep in mind that your personal rate can vary widely depending on personal factors like your age, driving record, and more.
Tennessee requires all drivers to purchase basic liability insurance with limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, as well as $25,000 in property damage protection. That said, many experts recommend purchasing higher limits. And if you can’t afford to repair or replace your vehicle out of pocket, a more robust full-coverage policy is worth considering.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
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