A driver who is looking for Knoxville car insurance needs to buy at least the minimum level of coverage required by the state. This level of coverage may not be sufficient protection for their needs, though. To get the right type of car insurance, Knoxville, Tennessee, residents need to do their homework first.

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Average Knoxville Car Insurance Rates

Drivers in Knoxville, TN, paid an average of $666.22 in 2008. This number represents an increase of 2.4% over the previous year. In 2007, Tennessee drivers paid an average of $650.44 for their car insurance coverage. In the U.S., 40 states had higher average premium rates for car insurance than Tennessee. Some are over $2000 for the annual premiums.

Minimum Levels of Coverage for Knoxville Car Insurance

Residents of Knoxville, TN must have bodily injury liability insurance coverage in place to pay for the expenses associated with injuries sustained by people in the other vehicle when an accident occurs. State legislators have determined that Tennessee drivers must have at least $25,000 in coverage to pay for injuries sustained by one person in an accident. Coverage of at least $50,000 must be in place to pay for medical and other expenses incurred by all people injured in a single incident. This coverage is capped at the amount of the policy limits, no matter how many victims there were.

Knowxville Car Insurance Coverage Types

The first two type of coverages listed below are mandatory. You simply must purchase them, in the amounts above, to drive legally in the state. The types listed after that are optional, but often recommended.

Property Damage Coverage

One portion of mandatory coverage required for drivers in Tennessee is to put $10,000 in coverage in place to pay for property damage. This type of coverage looks after the cost of repairing the other vehicle involved in the accident, as well as any other objects that were damaged.

Bodily Injury Coverage

Bodily injury coverage, also mandatory, pays for medical bills of those injured in an accident where you are considered to the "at fault" driver. This coverage also compensates the injured person for lost wages and pays for legal representation, if necessary. Bodily injury liability insurance also pays for funeral expenses and long-term care for people who sustain serious injuries as the result of an accident. Pain and suffering is also covered under this part of a Knoxville driver's insurance policy.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Unlike bodily injury and property damage coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage protect your own vehicle. Collision insurance pays for the cost of repairing your vehicle after an accident. In the event that your car is totaled, the collision coverage pays up to the Book Value of the vehicle. Comprehensive coverage protects a vehicle owner from losses other than those caused by a motor vehicle accident. If your car is stolen or damaged the result of an act of vandalism, your comprehensive insurance will replace it or pay for the damages. Flood, earthquake and wind damage is also covered under this type of insurance.

Gap Insurance Coverage

Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and its estimated value. Some lenders or leasing companies will require a driver to buy this type of coverage. If you buy or lease a vehicle, it starts to depreciate the minute you drive it off the lot. In a situation where the vehicle is totaled in an accident, your collision coverage will only write a check up to the Book Value of the Vehicle. You may be stuck owing additional funds to the lender for a vehicle that you are no longer able to operate. The gap insurance coverage makes up the difference and pays off the amount of your outstanding car loan.

Personal Injury Protection Coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays benefits to you and the occupants of your vehicle following an accident. This type of insurance plan will for a certain percentage of the cost of medical bills and rehabilitation services. Most plans cover approximately 80% of these services. The PIP insurance will also pay a benefit for funeral costs and lost wages.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Putting uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in place is a good idea for Knoxville drivers. If your vehicle is damaged by a driver who doesn't have insurance, this coverage kicks in to compensate you for medical and other expenses. In a situation where you are hit by someone who doesn't have enough coverage to pay for your expenses, the underinsured motorist coverage will top up the other driver's coverage up to your policy limits.

Free Knoxville Car Insurance Quotes

To find out more about the Knoxville car insurance coverage available to you, use our free Knoxville online rate quote tool that will give you policy offers from several state providers. No one wants to pay more than they have to for this important protection and you can compare rates from different companies right away. Studies show that the most involved consumers are the ones that get the best deals on auto insurance. Why not be one of them?

Enter your zip code above to start comparing free Knoxville car insurance quotes online now!