The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2026

State Farm has the most affordable rates on average in Knoxville, but your insurance costs will vary depending on your unique situation.

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Jess Ullrich
Writer: Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.

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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 $100 per month on average for car insurance.

But even with these lower-than-average rates, many companies offer policies for even less. For instance, State Farm, Sun Coast, 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.

Key Takeaways
  • State Farm offers the average Knoxville driver the cheapest coverage in the area.

  • The average rate for full-coverage insurance in Knoxville is $132, and the average for minimum coverage is $67.

  • Seeking out discounts, comparing insurance companies’ rates, and increasing your deductible can help lower your premiums.

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Knoxville, Tennessee

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.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$46
Sun Coast$47
Mile Auto$50
Progressive$51
USAA$53
Direct Auto$54
Certainly$55
Allstate$60
AssuranceAmerica$60
Travelers$61
Auto-Owners$62
GEICO$63
The General$63
Erie$66
Trexis$69
Safeco$74
GAINSCO$75
Trexis One$77
National General$82
First Acceptance$83
Mendota$84
Dairyland$85
Farmers$90
Liberty Mutual$93
Bristol West$95
Insurify Car$95
Elephant$100
Root$100
Hugo$125
Chubb$129
State Auto$172
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT.

State Farm 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.

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Cheapest Car Insurance in Knoxville by Driver and Coverage Type

An aerial view of Knoxville, Tennessee

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 coverageState Farm$46
Full coverageProgressive$91
TeensState Farm$92
SeniorsState Farm$36
Drivers with a speeding ticketState Farm$60
Drivers with an at-fault accidentState Farm$64
Drivers with a DUIState Farm$67
Drivers with excellent creditState Farm$39
Drivers with poor creditState Farm$67
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

To offer more context on insurance prices, we’ve included further breakdowns for each driver type in the sections below.

Cheapest state-minimum coverage: State Farmexpand/collapse

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.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Liability Rates by Company

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$46
Sun Coast$47
Mile Auto$50
Progressive$51
USAA$53
Direct Auto$54
Certainly$55
Allstate$60
AssuranceAmerica$60
Travelers$61
Auto-Owners$62
GEICO$63
The General$63
Erie$66
Trexis$69
Safeco$74
GAINSCO$75
Trexis One$77
National General$82
First Acceptance$83
Mendota$84
Dairyland$85
Farmers$90
Liberty Mutual$93
Bristol West$95
Insurify Car$95
Elephant$100
Root$100
Hugo$125
Chubb$129
State Auto$172
Cheapest full coverage: Progressiveexpand/collapse

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 $132. Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies in Knoxville for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Progressive$91
State Farm$93
Sun Coast$95
Mile Auto$97
USAA$110
Direct Auto$118
Allstate$126
Auto-Owners$127
Travelers$127
GEICO$132
National General$133
Safeco$135
Erie$136
AssuranceAmerica$141
Certainly$150
Trexis$153
Root$165
Elephant$177
Liberty Mutual$180
The General$182
Farmers$184
GAINSCO$184
Trexis One$185
Mendota$188
Bristol West$201
First Acceptance$223
Dairyland$254
Chubb$264
State Auto$352
Cheapest for teens: State Farmexpand/collapse

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 $198 for car insurance coverage. The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers in Knoxville, according to Compare.com data.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates for Teens

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$92
Sun Coast$93
USAA$101
Progressive$101
Mile Auto$106
Certainly$109
Direct Auto$109
The General$118
GEICO$119
Allstate$119
Erie$125
AssuranceAmerica$128
Auto-Owners$129
Travelers$130
GAINSCO$137
Trexis$137
Trexis One$152
Dairyland$153
Safeco$157
Root$158
First Acceptance$164
Mendota$166
National General$168
Liberty Mutual$169
Bristol West$175
Farmers$185
Insurify Car$188
Elephant$190
Hugo$247
Chubb$271
State Auto$419
Cheapest for seniors: State Farmexpand/collapse

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.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates for Seniors

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$36
Mile Auto$39
Sun Coast$40
USAA$43
Progressive$44
Direct Auto$44
AssuranceAmerica$47
Certainly$47
Travelers$49
Auto-Owners$49
GEICO$50
Erie$51
Allstate$52
The General$53
Trexis$59
GAINSCO$64
National General$64
Safeco$64
Trexis One$66
Farmers$71
First Acceptance$71
Dairyland$72
Mendota$72
Liberty Mutual$77
Bristol West$79
Elephant$80
Insurify Car$82
Root$92
Chubb$97
Hugo$107
State Auto$129
Cheapest after a ticket: State Farmexpand/collapse

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 $132 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.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates With a Ticket

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$60
Sun Coast$62
Mile Auto$62
Progressive$68
Direct Auto$70
USAA$70
Certainly$73
AssuranceAmerica$79
Allstate$79
Travelers$81
Auto-Owners$82
GEICO$85
The General$87
Erie$89
Trexis$91
GAINSCO$93
Safeco$100
Trexis One$102
National General$105
Dairyland$108
First Acceptance$110
Mendota$111
Farmers$118
Liberty Mutual$122
Root$123
Bristol West$123
Insurify Car$126
Elephant$126
Hugo$166
Chubb$169
State Auto$233
Cheapest after an accident: State Farmexpand/collapse

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 $143 after a speeding ticket. If you’re seeking new auto coverage after an accident, check out the five cheapest companies in Knoxville.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates With an Accident

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$64
Sun Coast$67
Mile Auto$70
Progressive$73
USAA$74
Direct Auto$77
Certainly$78
AssuranceAmerica$83
Allstate$86
Auto-Owners$86
Travelers$86
GEICO$87
The General$90
Erie$93
Trexis$98
GAINSCO$100
Safeco$107
Trexis One$110
National General$113
Dairyland$116
First Acceptance$118
Mendota$120
Farmers$126
Liberty Mutual$129
Root$131
Bristol West$131
Insurify Car$135
Elephant$137
Hugo$178
Chubb$180
State Auto$245
Cheapest after a DUI: State Farmexpand/collapse

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 $151 per month for car insurance coverage, according to our data. Here are the five cheapest insurers for Knoxville drivers with a DUI.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates With a DUI

Company
Average Monthly Premium
State Farm$67
Sun Coast$71
Mile Auto$73
Progressive$77
USAA$78
Direct Auto$79
Certainly$83
Auto-Owners$87
AssuranceAmerica$88
Travelers$89
The General$90
Allstate$90
GEICO$93
Erie$97
Trexis$104
GAINSCO$110
Trexis One$116
Safeco$120
National General$120
Dairyland$125
First Acceptance$125
Mendota$126
Farmers$132
Liberty Mutual$136
Bristol West$139
Insurify Car$143
Elephant$147
Root$147
Hugo$188
Chubb$189
State Auto$244
Cheapest for bad credit: State Farmexpand/collapse

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 $123. Here are the cheapest insurers in Knoxville if you have bad credit, according to our data.

The below rates in Knoxville, TN, are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, October 1 at 5:20 AM PDT. 

Average Rates With Bad Credit

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Sun Coast$58
Mile Auto$61
Progressive$63
USAA$65
Direct Auto$66
State Farm$67
Certainly$68
Travelers$72
GEICO$73
AssuranceAmerica$74
Allstate$74
The General$77
Trexis$85
Safeco$91
GAINSCO$92
Auto-Owners$93
Trexis One$95
Erie$96
National General$101
First Acceptance$102
Mendota$103
Dairyland$104
Farmers$105
Liberty Mutual$110
Bristol West$117
Insurify Car$117
Elephant$123
Root$123
Hugo$154
Chubb$205
State Auto$214

Tennessee Auto Insurance Requirements

A bridge in Knoxville, Tennessee

As with most states, Tennessee requires all drivers to have car insurance to be roadworthy. You’ll need to purchase the following coverage amounts:

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.

Is minimum coverage enough in Knoxville?

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.

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Knoxville Auto Insurance FAQs

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.

What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Knoxville?

State Farm 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.

How much is car insurance in Knoxville?

Drivers in Knoxville pay an average of $100 per month for car insurance coverage. Minimum coverage costs $67 per month, while full coverage averages $132.

What’s the average cost of car insurance in Tennessee?

The average Tennessee driver pays around $101 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.

What’s the minimum amount of car insurance you can buy in Tennessee?

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.

Sources

  1. III. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
  2. Naic.org. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
  3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). "Teenagers."
  4. Iihs.org. "Older drivers."
  5. LexisNexis. "Tennessee Code § 56-5-202 (2021) - Use of Credit Information for Personal Insurance Policies."
  6. Tn.gov. "Why You Should Have Insurance."

Methodology

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.

About Compare.com

Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.

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  • All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.

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Jess Ullrich
Writer: Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess Ullrich is a personal finance writer who’s been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work has been published in Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and she's been contributing to Compare.com since 2024. Prior to writing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz.

Lequita Westbrooks
Editor: Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years editing insurance content

  • 10+ years in content creation


Lequita's extensive editorial experience spans insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more.

David C. Marlett
Reviewer: David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance

Qualifications:
  • 25+ years teaching risk management and insurance

  • Managing director, Brantley Risk & Insurance Center


An Appalachian State Univ. professor, David teaches risk management/insurance. He's appeared in the NY Times, CNN, and more.