The competition between Tennessee auto insurance companies can be as fiery as a Titans v. Colts game. And with the state's below-average rate, agencies need to be more aggressive to stay in the game. No matter where you live in The Volunteer State you can unearth savings on your auto insurance premium. There will be more cash in your wallet if you have a clean driving record or if you've maintained a high credit score, but the best way to amass lower Tennessee auto insurance rates is to shop around.

Below the Curve
If you're looking to purchase your first policy or to switch providers, there are some things to keep in mind for the best, most affordable Tennessee auto insurance rates. Factors like where you live, what you drive and how much you drive will affect your premium. According to the I.I.I., Tennesseans paid an average of $649 for their car insurance in 2007, nearly $150 less than the U.S. average. But if you live and work in Memphis and drive a sports car to get there, you're likely paying well above that average. The reason is urban cities are more congested and therefore experience more accidents, thefts and vandalism. Sports cars have a higher number of claims on average to boot. However, you shouldn't expect to pay below that average just because you fit that same profile yet live in Millington seeing as you are exposed to the same elements as a Memphian yet have accrued higher annual mileage. But Millington residents should see lower Tennessee auto insurance rates if they drive less than 10 miles to work or if they carpool to get there.

The Grizzly Truth
To drive legally in Tennessee you must purchase a minimum liability insurance plan that covers $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage. You risk losing your license if you are uninsured, but you don't want to risk being underinsured either. A minimum of $100,000 for bodily protection per person and $300,000 per accident is recommended by the insurance industry. The I.I.I. states that approximately one out of every seven U.S. drivers is believed to be uninsured. If you only have minimum coverage and are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could be paying out of pocket for your medical treatment and car damage.

Titan Your Wallet
You'll find that most Tennessee auto insurance companies will offer a discounted rate if you combine your auto and homeowners policies. If you're a senior citizen or have taken a driver's safety course, you're bound to pay less on your premium. But we'll say it again; you are more likely to garner savings if you shop the competition. Get in the game by taking a few minutes to fill out a short form on LocalInsurance.com and in no time you'll receive multiple bids for Tennessee auto insurance rates from companies that want to win your business.

To find more information on the auto insurance requirements in Tennessee, visit these useful links: