Car Insurance in Nashville, TN: How to Find the Best Coverage for Your Needs
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Living in Music City has plenty of perks, but it's not without responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is ensuring you have the best car insurance in Nashville, TN, you can get for your budget. Like residents of any city, Nashvillians must consider traffic, parking complications, and potential crime when shopping for insurance.
Here, we break down what you need to know about car insurance in Nashville, TN.
Introduction to Car Insurance in Nashville, TN
Beyond the specific car insurance considerations of living in Nashville, drivers must understand Tennessee car insurance requirements. First and foremost, as residents of the Volunteer State, Nashville drivers must comply with Tennessee car insurance regulations. Factors like tourist and commuter traffic and local weather risks can also affect insurance policies.
Tennessee's Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements
Like almost every state, Tennessee requires all drivers to have minimum auto insurance coverage. The minimum Tennessee insurance requirements are:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
- $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage
These minimum coverages are similar to most other state minimums and are designed to protect everyone on the road. Liability insurance doesn't protect you and your vehicle; it protects others from you. If you're responsible for paying for damages or another driver's injuries, liability insurance covers those expenses.
Drivers can also opt for uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) in their insurance policies to obtain additional coverage against uninsured drivers and cover their own bills after an accident.
Review the insurance requirements of your state:
How Nashville-Specific Factors Impact Car Insurance Rates
The average cost of car insurance in Tennessee is about $400 less than the national average. Somewhat surprisingly, Nashville, TN car insurance is actually less expensive than the state average. This is unusual, as urban areas with heavy traffic, congested highways, and higher accident rates often lead to higher insurance premiums.
One big reason why there is comparatively cheap car insurance in Nashville, TN is because of another major Tennessee city: Memphis. Memphis has the highest fatal accident rate in the country, at 25.96 deaths per 10,000 drivers, while Nashville's is about half that number. Although it's still one of the more dangerous cities to drive in nationwide, Nashville's insurance premiums are below the state average because other major cities have higher premiums.
Nonetheless, car insurance companies in Nashville, TN still charge close to the national average, and residents will want to find ways to save on insurance coverage.
Tips for Reducing Car Insurance Premiums in Nashville
While you must have at least minimum auto insurance coverage, there are ways to save on your car insurance premiums. Some tips include:
- Drive less: Many insurance companies offer discounts for those who don't drive very often.
- Maintain a clean driving record: The longer you avoid accidents or traffic violations, the lower your insurance premiums will likely be.
- Bundle plans: Many insurance companies offer discounts for bundling multiple policies, like car and homeowners' insurance.
- Lower limits: You can save on your monthly premium by opting for lower coverage limits or fewer coverages.
- Safe driving discounts: Look for an insurance company that offers discounts for taking defensive driving or safe driving courses.
How Seasonal Weather Affects Car Insurance in Nashville
Severe weather throughout the year can have an impact on your car insurance. It's important to try to lock in a plan that includes coverage if your car is impacted by a hail storm, mud season, or other severe weather events.
Understanding Coverage Options and Choosing the Right Plan
You have many coverage options for finding cheap car insurance in Tennessee. Of course, you want to find the best plan for your budget that still provides the coverage limits you need to feel adequately protected. While any car insurance in Nashville, TN should meet minimum liability requirements, most drivers also opt for collision or comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage pays for property damage and injuries sustained in a collision with another car or stationary object, such as a tree or guardrail. Since Tennessee is an at-fault state, drivers — or, more accurately, their insurance companies — who are deemed at fault for an accident are required to pay for property damages and injuries sustained by the other driver and their passengers.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage sustained by non-collision-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, or acts of nature, like hail storms or a tree falling on the car. Eighty percent of drivers opt for comprehensive coverage.
Affordable Car Insurance in Nashville: Using Everquote To Find the Best Deal
The right insurance policy provides adequate coverage and fits within your budget. Finding that plan, however, can be easier said than done. That's why there's EverQuote.
Use EverQuote's comparison tools to shop and compare rates and policies from many insurance policies to find the best plan in Nashville for you and your budget.