Tennessee insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for Tennessee. Updated Aug 20, 2026.
Tennessee DOI page content changed
Tennessee DOI Website · Aug 21, 2026
Department of Insurance
Tennessee's insurance regulatory environment is designed to protect consumers while ensuring a competitive market for insurers. The Department of Commerce and Insurance oversees various insurance lines, including auto, health, life, homeowners, workers' compensation, and commercial insurance.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-12-107 - Establishes minimum financial responsibility limits of $25,000/$50,000/$25,000
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1201 - Requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage equal to liability limits unless rejected in writing
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1206 - Prohibits insurers from raising rates based solely on uninsured motorist claims
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-12-139 - Financial Responsibility Law requiring proof of insurance at traffic stops and accidents
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1201(e) - Requires actual physical contact or clear and convincing evidence of unknown uninsured motorist for coverage
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1201 (Uninsured Motorist Coverage)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1301 (Financial Responsibility)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1401 (Mandatory Insurance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1501 (Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1601 (Insurance Fraud)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1401 (Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1501 (Mandatory Insurance Requirements)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1601 (Penalties for Non-Compliance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1501 (PIP Coverage)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1601 (Medical Payments Coverage)
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1303 - Requires minimum 10 days' notice for policy cancellation
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1304 - Requires 60 days' notice of non-renewal for homeowners policies
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-5-202 - Regulates use of credit-based insurance scores in underwriting and rating
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-105 - Bad faith statute allowing 25% penalty for refusal to pay loss within 60 days
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-105 - Unfair claims practices prohibitions for property insurance claims
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-101 (Homeowners Insurance Coverage)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-102 (Cancellation and Nonrenewal)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-103 (Fair Plan)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-104 (Flood Insurance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-101 (Homeowners Insurance Requirements)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-103 (Credit Scoring)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-104 (Fair Plan)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-201 (Homeowners Insurance)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-202 (Fair Plan)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-203 (Cancellation and Nonrenewal)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-204 (Credit Scoring)
Recent Bulletins
Use of Aerial Imagery by Insurers
Provides guidance on insurers' use of aerial imagery and drone technology in underwriting and claims handling for property insurance. Addresses consumer privacy concerns and requires insurers to provide transparency about data collection methods.
View bulletinAttorney Opinion Letters
Clarifies requirements for attorney opinion letters submitted by captive insurance companies as part of licensing and annual reporting. Specifies acceptable formats and minimum content requirements.
View bulletinReconciliation of Premium on Surplus Lines Policies Issued in Tennessee
Outlines new reporting requirements for non-admitted insurers doing business in Tennessee regarding reconciliation of premiums on surplus lines policies. Requires quarterly reporting to the Tennessee Insurance Producer Association.
View bulletinNotice of Catastrophe Claims Data Call related to Hurricane Helene Insurance Claims
Requires all property and casualty insurers writing homeowners, commercial property, or auto physical damage coverage in affected Tennessee counties to submit detailed claims data related to Hurricane Helene damage.
View bulletinFlood Recovery
Reminds insurers of their obligations to policyholders affected by recent flooding in Tennessee, including prompt claims handling, fair settlement practices, and prohibition against policy cancellation or non-renewal based solely on flood-related claims.
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
Insurance Claims and Policy Requirements
Requires health benefit plan issuers to provide claims experience reports within 30 days of written request; updates reinsurance and risk insurance regulations; defines farm property classifications for insurance purposes; adjusts readability standards for life and health insurance policies.
Health insurers must provide more transparency to policyholders through mandatory claims reporting; farm and agricultural property insurance classifications updated for better coverage.
Effective: 2025-07-01
Excepted Benefits Exemptions
Clarifies that excepted benefits (limited dental, vision, specific disease coverage) are not part of requirements to provide coverage for specific persons, providers, treatments, services, conditions, or diseases unless expressly required by law.
Insurers have clearer guidance on coverage mandate exemptions; consumers understand that excepted benefits are not subject to all mandates.
Effective: 2025-07-01
Electronic Insurance Cards
Requires hospitals and physicians to accept electronic insurance cards as valid proof of an insurance policy, plan, or contract. Defines specifications for electronic insurance card formats and required information.
Consumers can use digital insurance cards instead of physical copies; healthcare providers must accept electronic proof of coverage, modernizing insurance verification.
Effective: 2026-01-01
Enhanced Injury Reporting Requirements
Requires employers to report to the Bureau of Workers' Compensation each accident that results in a work-related death or personal injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. Imposes penalties equal to 1.5 times workers' comp costs for non-compliance.
Employers must report more workplace injuries to state authorities; improved data collection on workplace safety; significant penalties for employers who fail to report.
Effective: 2025-01-01
Breast Examination Coverage
Requires health benefit plans that provide coverage for screening mammograms to also provide coverage for diagnostic imaging and supplemental breast screening without imposing cost-sharing requirements on the patient.
Women have expanded access to comprehensive breast cancer screening without out-of-pocket costs; health insurers must cover diagnostic imaging in addition to routine screening mammograms.
Effective: 2023-08-09
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