If you ride in Tennessee, motorcycle insurance isn't optional — it's the law. And beyond the legal requirement, motorcycle insurance in Tennessee is what stands between you and a financial disaster when something goes wrong on the road.

At Knoxville Insurance Store, we help motorcycle riders across Tennessee find the right coverage through multiple carriers. We're an independent agency — not tied to one company — which means we shop the market to find the best combination of coverage and cost for your specific bike and riding profile. Comparison shopping across multiple providers can save Tennessee riders up to 82% on motorcycle insurance, and that's exactly what we do for you.

Call (865) 579-0500 or stop by 11002 Kingston Pike Suite 103, Knoxville TN 37934 for your free Tennessee motorcycle insurance quote today. You can also request a quote online to get the process started.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Tennessee?

Yes — motorcycle insurance is required in Tennessee before you can legally ride or register your motorcycle. The minimum insurance coverage required for motorcycles in Tennessee includes $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per incident, and $25,000 property damage liability per incident. Having proof of insurance, either physical or digital, is required at all times in Tennessee to avoid fines and possible suspension of your license. You must show proof of insurance before registering your motorcycle in Tennessee.

Riding without insurance in Tennessee can result in penalties such as fines and license suspension. These aren't soft suggestions — Tennessee enforces them.

What the state minimums don't tell you: uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is highly recommended in Tennessee, where approximately 20% of drivers are uninsured. That's one in five vehicles on the road without coverage. If an uninsured driver hits you, your medical expenses and bike repairs come out of your own pocket unless you carry UM/UIM coverage. That's why we recommend building your motorcycle insurance in Tennessee well beyond the legal minimums.

Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options in Tennessee

Motorcycle insurance options in Tennessee include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage — plus a range of optional motorcycle insurance coverages that provide meaningful protection beyond the state minimum. Here's what each one does:

Liability Coverage Required by Tennessee law. Pays for other people's bodily injury and property damage when you're at fault in an accident. Does not cover your own motorcycle or your own injuries. Minimum limits are 25/50/25 — but higher limits are strongly recommended given the cost of serious accidents.

Collision Coverage Collision coverage helps pay for damages to your motorcycle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. If you're financing your motorcycle, your lender will require collision coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverages are optional in Tennessee unless the motorcycle is financed.

Comprehensive Coverage Comprehensive coverage protects against damages to your motorcycle not involving a collision, such as theft or vandalism — as well as fire, hail, falling objects, and animal strikes. Particularly valuable riding through the Great Smoky Mountains and East Tennessee mountain roads where wildlife strikes happen and tourist-area theft risk is elevated.

Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage Standard motorcycle insurance policies may not cover custom parts or modifications at all, necessitating specific coverage for expensive upgrades. Custom equipment coverage protects aftermarket parts and accessories added to your motorcycle — custom exhausts, chrome accessories, performance parts, saddlebags, and custom paint jobs. Without this add-on, your expensive modifications may be covered at pennies on the dollar or excluded entirely. Document everything with receipts and photos.

OEM Endorsement An OEM endorsement ensures that repairs to your motorcycle are made with new parts from the original manufacturer rather than aftermarket replacements. Worth considering on higher-end motorcycles where quality of repair parts matters.

Medical Payments Coverage Medical payments coverage is an optional insurance coverage that can be added to motorcycle insurance in Tennessee. It pays healthcare and medical costs for you and your passenger after an accident regardless of fault — filling gaps between your health insurance and actual medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is an optional insurance coverage available in Tennessee — but given that approximately 20% of Tennessee drivers are uninsured, skipping it is a significant financial risk. Tennessee law requires insurers to offer this coverage. You have to reject it in writing to decline. Don't decline it.

Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is an add-on coverage option available for motorcycle insurance in Tennessee. Emergency towing and roadside help when you break down — especially important riding through remote areas of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains where cell service gets spotty and the nearest shop could be miles away.

Passenger Liability Additional coverage for injuries to a passenger riding with you. If you regularly ride two-up, make sure your policy addresses passenger protection specifically.