State guide
Insurance in Tennessee
Required coverage, penalties, official contacts and sources for Tennessee, reviewed 2026-10.
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Car insurance
What Tennessee requires.
Liability minimum 25/50/25. Claims system: fault-based claims.
| Coverage | Requirement in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 for each injury or death / $50,000 for total injuries or deaths per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Injury protection | Not listed as required |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Not listed as required |
Required coverage
- Bodily injury or death: at least $25,000 for each injury or death per accident
- Total injuries or deaths: at least $50,000 per accident
- Property damage: at least $25,000 per accident
- Or another accepted proof of financial responsibility with the Department of Revenue
Other coverage commonly available
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
If you drive without required coverage
According to the Department of Revenue, uninsured drivers in Tennessee pay fines and risk losing their vehicle registration if they cannot demonstrate proof of financial responsibility. A web-based insurance verification program checks Tennessee drivers.
Notices
What to know in Tennessee.
- Tennessee's Financial Responsibility Law can also be met with a bond or cash deposit with the Department of Revenue. The Department's help center article lists $65,000 for each. Confirm the current amount with the Department.
- If you have a car loan or lease, your lender may require collision and comprehensive coverage.
- A vehicle with a commercial license plate must be covered under a commercial auto policy. Regular passenger and motorcycle plates need a policy with the minimum limits.
- The verification program (Drive Insured Tennessee) comes from the James Lee Atwood Jr. Law, which began in 2017.
General information only. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the official sources listed below.
Home insurance
Start with the Department of Commerce and Insurance
- Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood. Flood coverage is bought separately, including through the National Flood Insurance Program.
- The Department of Commerce and Insurance is the state authority for questions about insurers, agents and complaints.
Health insurance
HealthCare.gov
HealthCare.gov (federal marketplace)
- Tennessee residents use the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov. Tennessee is not on CMS's list of state-based exchanges.
- Confirm current enrollment dates and eligibility for financial help on HealthCare.gov.
Contacts
Who to contact.
- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
- Website: tn.gov/commerce
- NAIC directory of state insurance departments
Sources
Where this summary comes from.
Reviewed 2026-10. Check each source for the current rule.
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