Minimum Car Insurance Required in Tennessee
The minimum car insurance required in Tennessee, penalties for driving uninsured, and whether the state minimum is enough coverage.
- Cited from NAIC & the Tennessee DOI
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Updated August 2026
The Tennessee state minimum is 25/50/15 ($25k bodily injury per person, $50k per accident, $15k property damage).
These limits exist to cover damage you cause to other people — they do not repair your own car or cover your own injuries. Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting damage.
Driving without at least the required coverage in Tennessee can mean fines, license/registration suspension, reinstatement fees and SR-22 filing — and if you cause a crash while uninsured you are personally liable for the damage.
Because the minimum is only a floor, many Tennessee drivers step up to 100/300/100 and add collision/comprehensive if their car has value. The average Tennessee driver pays about $1,050/yr (NAIC, 2023). Verify the current limits directly with the Tennessee Department of Insurance before relying on them — laws change. Tennessee Dept. of Insurance →
Tennessee minimum car insurance FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires at least 25/50/15: $25k bodily injury per person, $50k per accident and $15k property damage. Minimums are the legal floor, not necessarily enough coverage.
What happens if I drive without insurance in Tennessee?
Penalties can include fines, suspension of your license and registration, reinstatement fees and an SR-22 requirement — plus personal liability for any crash you cause.
Is the state minimum enough coverage in Tennessee?
It is the legal minimum, not a recommendation. A single serious accident can exceed these limits, leaving you to pay the difference, so many drivers carry higher liability and add collision/comprehensive.