Uninsured Motorists in Tennessee: What Drivers Need to Know
In order to drive in Tennessee, you need to have enough auto insurance. While this is the law, many people ignore it. In fact, there are approximately 29 million uninsured drivers in the United States. Tennessee also has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the country, at 23.7%.
Almost every state requires auto insurance (New Hampshire is the only exception). All other states have mandatory minimum requirements in place. In Tennessee, the minimum required limits are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person.
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Still, this may not be enough coverage. In most cases, state minimum limits are not sufficient, especially given rising medical and vehicle repair costs. Many professionals recommend higher liability limits for better financial protection.
In Tennessee, the average cost of full-coverage auto insurance is approximately $200 per month. For minimum liability coverage, the average is much lower, around $44 to $88 per month. This is still a huge expense for many drivers, with some deciding to drive without coverage.
The penalties for driving without insurance are stiff. The penalties vary from state to state, but in Tennessee, a person can face a $300 fine and driver’s license suspension until the driver provides proof of financial responsibility. In addition, if you are in an accident while you are driving without insurance, you can be sued by the other drivers involved for causing damage to their vehicles or their medical bills. So you may not want to fork over the money for insurance, but driving without it is a huge risk.
How Uninsured/Uninsured Motorist Insurance Can Help
Nearly half of all states require drivers to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. With this coverage, the insurance company pays for your car repairs and medical bills if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance.
There are two forms of uninsured motorist coverage:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)
Uninsured motorist insurance does come with a cost. It typically costs between $50 and $150 more per year for substantial protection, depending on your location.
Tennessee does not require this insurance, so adding it is voluntary. Tennessee insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing. While it does cost a bit more, many drivers feel having this added peace of mind is well worth the cost. Given that Tennessee has one of the highest uninsured driver rates, this coverage is strongly recommended.
Contact Us Today
Car accidents are always more complex when there are issues with insurance. While Tennessee does have minimum coverage amounts in place, sometimes drivers do not carry enough insurance due to cost.
An accident with an uninsured motorist can leave you feeling uncertain about your options. A Mt. Juliet uninsured motorist lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC will guide you through the process. We will work to secure the compensation you need to move forward. Schedule a consultation with our office today by filling out the online form or calling (615) 622-6060.
Source:
valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/uninsured-motorist-statistics
