# Tennessee motorcycle insurance for riders who know the roads.

Canonical page: https://www.roamly.com/states/motorcycle-insurance-tennessee

From the 318 curves of the Tail of the Dragon to the Cherohala Skyway, Roamly works with carriers who understand how Tennesseans actually ride.

### Tennessee at a Glance

| **Requirement** | **Details** |
| --- | --- |
| **Minimum liability** | 25/50/25 ($25k bodily injury per person, $50k per accident, $25k property damage). Uninsured motorist coverage is included in every policy unless you reject it in writing or choose lower limits. |
| **Helmet law** | Required for every rider and passenger, at every age. Riders 21 and older may wear helmets certified to Snell, ASTM, CPSC, or SIRC standards instead of DOT. Operators and passengers need eye protection unless the bike has a windshield. |
| **Lane splitting** | Illegal. Tennessee law bars riding between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles. |
| **Registration** | No safety inspection and no emissions testing. As of September 2026, the standard motorcycle plate fee is $19.50 a year (county fees may apply). The state verifies insurance electronically. |

*Requirements and regulations may change. Verify with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue for the most current information.*

## What you need to know about Motorcycle Insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee pulls riders from all over the country for the Dragon and the Skyway, and the state checks insurance electronically — so lapses get noticed. Here's what actually shapes your policy.

### Tennessee's 25/50/25 Minimum

The state requires $25k/$50k bodily injury and $25k property damage — the property damage minimum went up from $15k to $25k on January 1, 2023. Uninsured motorist coverage comes with your policy unless you turn it down in writing. We'll help you figure out what makes sense for how you ride.

### Agreed Value for Custom Builds

Your Road King with the stretched bags and custom paint isn't a stock bike. Roamly works with carriers who may value your sweat equity, not some database guess.

### Peer-to-Peer Rental Coverage

Riders fly into Nashville and Knoxville to ride the mountains. Want to list your bike on Twisted Road or Riders Share for them? Many personal policies exclude rental use, so check yours first. Roamly works with carriers who may be able to help.

### SR-22 Filing When Needed

If the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security requires an SR-22 to reinstate your license, it has to stay in place for the length of the suspension or revocation. Roamly works with carriers that file SR-22s, and we'll help you get the filing started. No judgment.

## Protection Beyond Basics

| **Type** | **Details** |
| --- | --- |
| **Mechanical Breakdown Coverage** | Engines fail at the worst times — like somewhere in the middle of the Cherohala Skyway, miles from the nearest town. Through Roamly's carrier partners, coverage may be available to help with sudden mechanical breakdowns beyond warranty. |
| **Riding Gear Coverage** | Helmets, jackets, boots, and gloves — and in Tennessee, the helmet isn't optional for you or your passenger. Roamly works with carriers who may offer coverage options to help protect your riding equipment. |
| **Agreed Value for Custom Builds** | Your garage-built bike is worth more than a database number. Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage that may insure your build for what it's actually worth. |

## Rent Your Bike Without Losing Coverage

With the Tail of the Dragon and the Natchez Trace Parkway drawing riders from out of state, a Tennessee bike can do more than sit in the garage between your own rides. Listing it on Twisted Road or Riders Share can help it earn its keep, but many personal policies exclude rental use — check yours before you hand over the keys. Roamly works with carriers who may cover your bike even when it's rented through legitimate platforms, which may help you earn from your bike while keeping it protected.

## What Tennessee Actually Requires

**Tennessee mandates 25/50/25 liability coverage for every registered vehicle, motorcycles included.** That's $25k per person and $50k per accident for bodily injury, plus $25k for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is built in unless you reject it in writing, and Tennessee is an at-fault state with no PIP requirement, so medical payments coverage is an optional add-on worth considering. Add a helmet for you and your passenger every time, plus eye protection for both of you unless the bike has a windshield. The minimums keep you legal, but they won't go far if you total someone else's Street Glide or hurt someone badly — and liability alone doesn't pay to fix or replace your own bike. We'll help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.

## Custom Builds Get Real Value

**You built your bike the way you wanted it: Vance & Hines exhaust, Corbin seat, custom paint, and upgraded suspension.** Stock book value doesn't account for the work you put in or the parts you upgraded. Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage options — we'll help document your build so it may be insured for an agreed amount that reflects your upgrades, which may help if you ever need to file a claim.

### LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

*Roamly is a licensed insurance agency. Insurance policies referenced are offered through Roamly and underwritten by third-party carriers including Progressive, National General, Foremost, Safeco, Nationwide, Dairyland, Mercury, and Plymouth Rock, among others. Not all products or coverages are available in every state. Coverage terms, conditions, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and availability vary by state, carrier, and policy. This page is provided for general information and is not a contract of insurance. See the actual policy for a full description of coverages, terms, and conditions.* ***Tennessee law references current as of September 2026 — confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue.***

## Frequently asked questions

### What's the minimum motorcycle insurance required in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. A $65,000 single-limit policy also qualifies. Uninsured motorist coverage is included unless you reject it in writing. These minimums keep you legal, but they might not be enough if you cause serious damage or injury. Requirements may change — verify with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

### Do I have to wear a helmet in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee has a universal helmet law covering every rider and passenger, at every age. Riders 21 and older can choose a helmet certified to Snell, ASTM, CPSC, or SIRC standards instead of the federal DOT standard. If the bike has no windshield, both the operator and any passenger need goggles, a face shield, or impact-resistant glasses.

### How much does motorcycle insurance cost in Tennessee?

It depends on your bike, riding history, where you live, and the coverage you pick. Whether you keep or reject uninsured motorist coverage, and whether you add collision, comprehensive, or medical payments, will move the number. A personalized quote takes a few minutes and gives you the real figure.

### Does Roamly cover peer-to-peer rentals like Twisted Road?

Roamly is a brokerage — we work with carriers who may cover your motorcycle while it's rented through platforms like Twisted Road and Riders Share. Many personal policies exclude rental use, so it's worth checking yours before you list. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy.

### Will you insure my custom build at real value?

Roamly works with carriers who offer Agreed Value coverage options. We may help document your mods up front so your bike can be insured for an agreed amount, not a depreciated database number. If it's totaled, the agreed value — less any deductible — is what the policy is built around. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy.

### Do I need full coverage or just liability?

Liability is what Tennessee requires — it pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. "Full coverage" usually means adding collision and comprehensive, which help pay to repair or replace your own bike after a crash, theft, vandalism, or storm damage. If you're financing, your lender will likely require both.

### What if I need SR-22 in Tennessee?

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files electronically with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to prove you carry at least the minimum coverage. Tennessee requires it to stay in place for the length of your suspension or revocation. Roamly works with carriers that file SR-22s and can help you keep it active. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by state and policy.

### Does my credit score affect my rate in Tennessee?

It can. Tennessee allows insurers to use credit information, but it can't be the sole reason to deny, cancel, or non-renew your policy, and items like medical collections can't count against you. Your riding record, bike, and location are also major rating factors, and how much each one counts varies by carrier.

### Can I drop insurance on my bike over the winter in Tennessee?

Be careful. Tennessee checks insurance on registered vehicles electronically, and if coverage can't be verified, your registration can be suspended. As of September 2026, that means a $25 coverage failure fee, another $100 if it isn't resolved, and a $25 county reinstatement fee, plus proof of insurance or a sworn statement that the bike isn't used on public roads. Starting July 1, 2027, those fees rise sharply, beginning at $500. Comprehensive-only coverage won't satisfy the liability requirement for a registered bike, so talk to us before you change anything.

## About Roamly

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