Best and Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance in Tennessee for 2024

If you’re looking for gorgeous scenery to ride your motorcycle through, Tennessee has plenty to offer, from mountains, rivers, and forests to historic and lively cities. The state also boasts a comfortable climate, making it popular with bikers who want to hit the road year-round.

If you’re ready to ride your motorcycle in the Volunteer State, here’s what you need to know to do so safely and legally, including purchasing a Tennessee motorcycle insurance policy.

Do I need motorcycle insurance in Tennessee?

Motorcycle coverage is required in Tennessee and riders must show proof of insurance before registering their bike. But carrying motorcycle insurance is not just a legal requirement, but also it will protect your bike as well as your health in case you're involved in an accident.

To ride legally in Tennessee, all riders must carry the minimum amount of motorcycle insurance to prove financial responsibility.

Similar to most states, Tennessee requires all drivers – including motorcyclists – to carry liability insurance, at the minimum requirements. You may choose to purchase additional coverage, but you must at least have the Tennessee required minimum motorcycle insurance requirements. The state's minimums are below.

$15,000 for property damage,
$25,000 for bodily injury per person, and
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

It’s important to keep in mind that those minimums may not provide enough coverage in the event of a serious accident. That’s why many bikers choose to purchase more than the Tennessee minimums in order to receive more coverage. It’s up to you to decide if you want higher coverage limits and additional coverage like collision or comprehensive, but it’s typically encouraged that all bikers consider these insurance coverages. Additional liability motorcycle insurance coverage above the minimum limits would offer more protection to you and your assets if you’re found at fault for an accident.

If you were to get into an accident with your motorcycle and you didn’t have collision coverage, you’d be on your own to pay for the damages to your bike as an out-of-pocket expense. Likewise, if your bike were damaged by a fire or severe weather and you didn’t have comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage, you wouldn’t be covered for the damages and would need to pay out of pocket.

Even though Tennessee is one of the most expensive states for motorcycle insurance, riders can still find affordable motorcycle coverage. The best and most affordable motorcycle insurance company depends on your coverage needs. Some insurance companies provide better rates for minimum coverage policies, while others are a great choice for full coverage motorcycle insurance.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Tennessee?

Several factors help determine the cost of motorcycle insurance in Tennessee. Your annual motorcycle insurance premium will depend on where in the state you live, your age, the kind of bike you have, and more.

For example, if you’re an experienced rider, you may pay around $500 per year for motorcycle insurance, but if you’re a new driver, you should expect to pay more for motorcycle insurance. Likewise, if you have a luxury motorcycle of high value, your premium could be more than $1,000 per year.

There are many factors that affect the cost of motorcycle insurance in Tennessee, including:

Your age
Your driving record
Where you live in Tennessee
Where you store your bike
Your motorcycle - type of bike and age
If your motorcycle has any modifications
How much you drive each year (seasonal or full time)
Your deductible
The motorcycle insurance company you choose - get 3+ quotes to find the best price for your needs

What are the motorcycle insurance coverage options in Tennessee?

Many motorcycle insurance coverage options work in the same way that car insurance coverage does. If you’re leasing or financing your bike, you’ll likely be required by your lender to purchase collision and comprehensive motorcycle protection in addition to any other coverages required by the state of Tennessee.

Most motorcycle insurance companies offer the following coverages:

Liability insurance: Liability coverage is required in Tennessee. There are two forms of liability coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
- Bodily injury liability covers injury or death to other people in an accident that you caused while on your motorcycle.
- Property damage liability covers damage that you caused to another person’s property, such as their car.
- Motorcycle insurance liability also covers legal expenses in case you are sued. Liability doesn’t cover injury to you or damage to your motorcycle. This coverage doesn’t have a deductible.
Collision insurance: Motorcycle insurance collision coverage protects your bike if it were damaged in a collision with another vehicle. In the event that you’re in an at-fault accident in which your motorcycle is damaged, your motorcycle insurance company would cover the cost of damages, up to your policy’s limit, after you paid your deductible.
Comprehensive insurance: Motorcycle insurance comprehensive coverage protects your motorcycle from damages not caused by a collision. Comprehensive covers damages from fire, theft, vandalism, and anything else not caused by a car accident, such as severe weather like a flood or hail. Like collision coverage, comprehensive motorcycle insurance will cover the cost of damage, up to your policy’s limit, after you paid your deductible.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers on the road who either don’t have insurance or don’t have enough insurance coverage. If you get into an accident with someone who is uninsured or underinsured, this coverage may help pay for medical treatment, lost wages and damage to your bike. Exactly what this coverage would pay for may vary based on your policy.
Medical payments: Medical payments coverage pays for medical payments from injuries to you or any of your passengers in an accident while you were on your motorcycle. Medical payments motorcycle insurance coverage is not available in all states. If you have health insurance, you may not need this coverage. If you don’t have health insurance or you don’t have enough health insurance coverage, medical payments coverage would be useful.
Personal injury protection: Some states require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance. It covers medical payments for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

What are the optional motorcycle insurance coverages in Tennessee?

In addition to the coverages that are in the list above, there are many other types of Tennessee motorcycle insurance coverages. You may be able to add the following types of coverage to your Tennessee motorcycle insurance policy.

Coverage for customized motorcycle parts: Most of the time, standard coverage such as collision and comprehensive coverages don’t cover motorcycle parts that aren’t factory parts. For example, if you replaced your factory fenders with custom fenders, they may not be covered under a standard collision and comprehensive policy. If you’ve modified your bike with customized motorcycle parts and accessories, you may be able to add coverage for the customized parts to your motorcycle policy, depending on your motorcycle insurance company. Coverage for customized motorcycle parts would protect your after-market purchases.
Motorcycle trailer coverage: If you have a trailer for your motorcycle, make sure to ask your motorcycle insurance company about coverage for your transport trailer. Many companies offer coverage for your trailer for up to $7,500.
Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance provides you with service if you’re ever caught with a bike mechanical or electrical malfunction. It may even include towing in some cases. With roadside assistance, you could get help for various issues including if your bike ran out of gas, has a dead battery, has a flat tire and so on.
Rental reimbursement: While your motorcycle is getting fixed, you may need a rental in order to get around. Rental reimbursement coverage will allow you to get money back from your insurance company for a rental if your bike needs repairs from a covered accident.
Replacement cost: You have the option to choose replacement cost coverage or actual cash value coverage for your bike if it’s a total loss.
- Actual cash value (ACV): ACV would give you a payout of the value of your bike at the time of its loss. Actual cash value would take into consideration the depreciation of your motorcycle.
- Replacement cost coverage: If you want more coverage, you can choose to have replacement cost coverage which may pay out enough for you to get a new bike. Talk with your motorcycle insurance company when you purchase a policy to find out which option is best for your bike.
Lay-up motorcycle insurance: Lay-up insurance could come in handy if you live in a colder state and only drive your motorcycle seasonally while storing it away in the winter months. Lay-up motorcycle insurance would allow you to keep your comprehensive coverage active while pausing your other coverages.

How to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Tennessee?

When shopping for motorcycle insurance in Tennessee, you may have a few options of the type of policy you choose to buy. Some car insurance companies allow policyholders to add motorcycle insurance to their car insurance policy as an endorsement or rider. Another option is to purchase a separate motorcycle insurance policy.

Be aware that if you add your motorcycle to your car insurance policy as an endorsement or rider, you may be restricted in the coverage options you have. Standalone Tennessee motorcycle insurance policies are typically more flexible and customizable and may even be more affordable in some cases. Be sure to evaluate your needs and the offerings of different motorcycle insurance companies to determine the best option for you.

In order to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance in Tennessee, you’ll want to shop around. You should get motorcycle insurance quotes from multiple companies so you can compare motorcycle insurance costs and additional coverage options. When you get multiple quotes, you have a better chance of finding a good deal. Motorcycle insurance rates in Tennessee can vary greatly by company.

Use the table at the top of this page to find the best motorcycle insurance companies in your zip code as rated by customers. In this table, you can see which motorcycle insurance companies in Tennessee customers say are the best. You can sort through companies and find the ones from which you want to get quotes.

If you want to read customer reviews of the company, click the company name in the table and you will be directed to the company’s profile page containing information about the company and reviews.

What are the available motorcycle insurance discounts in Tennessee?

Many companies offer motorcycle insurance discounts to Tennessee residents to help you save money on coverage for your bike. You can receive discounts based on you and your motorcycle. Discounts vary by company and eligibility. The following motorcycle insurance discounts are commonly offered.

Multi-policy discount: If you insure your motorcycle with a company that you already have a policy with for another line of insurance, you could earn this discount. This discount may apply if you insure your motorcycle along with your car, home, apartment, condo, boat or RV with the same company.
Multiple motorcycles discount: Some motorcycle insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one motorcycle with the same company on the same Tennessee policy.
Biker group discount: Many motorcycle insurance companies offer biker group discounts or riding association discounts if you’re a member of certain motorcycle organizations. Some examples of motorcycle organizations include the American Motorcycle Association and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Mature riders discount: If you’ve had your motorcycle insurance for a certain number of years, your motorcycle insurance company may offer you this discount.
Safe driver discount: You may qualify for a safe driver motorcycle insurance discount if you’ve been motorcycle insurance claim free for a number of years.
Safety and security discounts: If your motorcycle has certain safety and security features, such as anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device, you may be eligible for a discount.
Motorcycle safety course discount: If you take a motorcycle safety course to educate yourself, your motorcycle insurance company may offer you a discount on your insurance.
Renewal discount: If you renew your motorcycle insurance policy, you may be rewarded with a discount.
Transfer discount: Some motorcycle insurance companies offer a discount to bikers who switch or transfer their motorcycle insurance to them.

What are Tennessee motorcycle licensing laws?

In order to legally operate a motorcycle in Tennessee, you must have either a valid motorcycle learner permit or a Class M license. A Class M (motorcycle) license can be a standalone Tennessee license or you can have a Class M designation added to another primary class license.

If you already have a Tennessee operator license, you will need to take a motorcycle knowledge test and a skills/road test. If you obtain a certificate of completion from a Tennessee Certified Motorcycle Rider Education Program, you can bring that to the Driver License Servicing Center and you will be exempt from taking these tests.

If you do not already have another operator license in the state of Tennessee, you’ll also have to take a knowledge test for a Class D license. If you are 15 years of age, but not yet 16, you can apply for a motorcycle learner permit. You need to complete all of the exams required for obtaining a Class M license, and when you turn 16, you can exchange your permit for a license.

What are the Tennessee motorcycle laws?

Tennessee has a universal helmet law, meaning that all motorcycle drivers and passengers are always required to wear helmets. Daytime headlight use is required, and motorcyclists must wear eye protection unless their motorcycle has a windshield. Passengers must have a seat and footpegs.

Like most states, Tennessee prohibits lane splitting, the practice of driving between lanes of slowed or stopped automobile traffic.

What's Tennessee weather like for motorcyclists?

In general, the weather in Tennessee is temperature, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. In the summer, temperatures average above 90 degrees, but nights tend to be mild. The winters tend to be mild, but sometimes cold and it does snow in the Volunteer State. Nashville gets an average of 10 inches of snow a year and Memphis gets about 5 inches. Overall, the weather is favorable for year-round riding.

How does Clearsurance rate and rank the best motorcycle insurance companies in Tennessee?

Consistent with its mission towards greater transparency, Clearsurance does not keep its rating and ranking formulas in a black box. Our algorithm analyzes a range of inputs from our independent community of insurance customers, including:

Price
Customer Service
Claim service
Likelihood to renew

The algorithm also takes into account the percentage of what customers say the company does well vs. the percentage of what customers say the company could do better.

The Clearsurance customer ratings and rankings of the best motorcycle insurance in Tennessee are derived entirely from customer reviews and ratings.

Use the table at the top of this page to find the best motorcycle insurance companies in your zip code

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