Tennessee Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Coverage Guide

Tennessee uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries when a driver with no insurance, or too little, causes a crash. Under Tennessee law, every auto liability policy includes it at the same limits as your bodily injury liability unless the named insured rejects it or picks lower limits in writing.

Typically covers

  • Your injuries when an uninsured driver is at fault
  • Your damages above a low-limit driver’s coverage
  • Many hit-and-run crashes
  • Damage to your car, if you added uninsured motorist property damage

Typically does not

  • Pay people you injure
  • Apply after a written rejection unless you ask for it back in writing
  • Come from an umbrella policy, which Tennessee does not require to include it
  • Pay when you caused the crash
State minimum$25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000Tennessee liability minimum for injuries per person, per accident, and property damage
Uninsured motoristIncluded unless rejectedPolicies include it at your liability limits unless you reject it or pick lower limits in writing
Insurance verificationTied to your vehicle identification numberEvery registered vehicle driven in Tennessee must carry the minimum liability insurance

What Tennessee law says

Tennessee Code Annotated section 56-7-1201 requires auto liability policies issued in Tennessee to include uninsured motorist coverage at limits equal to the policy’s bodily injury liability limits. A named insured can reject it entirely or choose lower limits in writing, but not below the state minimums. That signed form binds everyone on the policy and carries over to renewals with the same insurance company unless you ask for the coverage in writing or submit a new application.

Tennessee’s minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. A driver carrying only those amounts may not cover a serious injury, which is why uninsured motorist coverage matters.

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Property damage and the $200 deductible

When you buy uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, Tennessee law requires the insurance company to give you the chance to add uninsured motorist property damage, which applies to losses above $200. That $200 deductible does not apply if the same company insures your car for both collision and uninsured motorist property damage, and the other driver is positively identified and solely at fault.

Tennessee tip: If you signed a rejection form years ago, it may still be in force. Look at your declarations page, and ask your agent to add the coverage back in writing if you want it.
What happenedCoverage that helpsNotes
An uninsured driver rear-ends youUninsured motorist bodily injuryLimits match your liability unless you chose lower
At-fault driver has only the state minimumTheir liability, then your uninsured motorist coverageNotify your company before you settle
Hit-and-run on the interstateUninsured motorist, subject to proof rulesReport to police right away
Uninsured driver damages your carUninsured motorist property damage or collision$200 deductible unless the exception applies
You cause the crashYour liability coverageUninsured motorist does not apply

Choosing your Tennessee limits

Keeping uninsured motorist limits equal to your liability limits is the default for a reason. If you raise your liability limits, your uninsured motorist limits should follow. Review Tennessee liability, Tennessee medical payments, and Tennessee collision together.

Frequently asked questions

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Tennessee?

It is included automatically at your liability limits unless you reject it or choose lower limits in writing.

Does my umbrella policy include it?

Tennessee does not require umbrella or excess policies to provide uninsured motorist coverage. Ask whether yours does.

Does it cover my car?

Only if you added uninsured motorist property damage. Collision also covers your car.

Can I restore coverage I rejected?

Yes. Ask your insurance company in writing to add it back.

Need help applying this to your policy? Get a quote or ask an agent.

Sources & next steps

Declarations pages, policy forms, and state rules control claim outcomes. Confirm limits, deductibles, and endorsements with a licensed agent before you rely on any summary.

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