Non-owner car insurance in Tennessee

Which insurers in the state of Tennessee sell coverage for people without their own vehicle?

Quotes for 6 insurers are listed here, starting with the least expensive.

The lowest liability coverage Tennessee requires when you have no car

The Drive Insured page from the Tennessee Department of Revenue explains the least amount of coverage a policy must include. That required protection is called liability coverage. It handles the expense of injuries and property damage that other people suffer because of you. At least $25,000 covers each person injured or killed, and a minimum of $50,000 applies when one accident harms several people. Property damage must be covered by at least $25,000.

Revenue further states that fines and a possible loss of your vehicle registration await uninsured drivers. A commercial plate means the vehicle is treated under different rules. Before borrowing a work vehicle, confirm it has its own commercial auto policy, as the state expects.

Filing the Tennessee SR-22 and how long it must last

There is no standard SR-22 period in Tennessee. It stays in place for the exact length of your suspension or revocation, and a non-owner driver's policy can carry it.

An SR-22 is a notice sent to the state by your insurer, electronically, proving you have the needed liability coverage. The notice goes to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The SR-22 help article lists four triggers: a DUI, a claim from a crash, an unpaid court judgment, or two reckless driving tickets within 12 months.

As one example on the department reinstatement page, a year-long revocation means you need an SR-22 for one year. Submitting the form on your own is not allowed. The insurer sends the filing electronically and must be licensed in Tennessee by the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Review may require up to 5 working days, and the suspension ends no more than two days after approval.

Driving with a restricted license, paying in installments, and leaving Tennessee

Full reinstatement does not have to come first. Tennessee allows the SR-22 to continue when you are driving with a restricted license, a limited license meant for set purposes. The same reinstatement page outlines a payment plan for any money you still owe the state. It often requires a payment of 25% of what you currently owe.

Ending the policy early causes a new suspension, because you failed to keep future proof of financial responsibility. Getting back on the road afterward calls for a new SR-22, more reinstatement charges, and a fresh license application. Your case might shift if you move away, as the department says a waiver may be possible for out-of-state residents. First, talk to the department about your specific situation.

What Tennessee drivers pay, by age

The yearly cost for teens is about $1,045. At 40, the average annual cost to insure your own car at the minimum is $613, which runs roughly $106 more than the $507 for a non-owner policy.