Tennessee has a little-known auto insurance rule for drivers over 55. Under Tennessee Code § 56-7-1107, the rates for every auto policy must include a reduction for vehicles whose regular drivers are over 55 and have completed an approved motor vehicle accident prevention course. The insurer decides how large the reduction is, based on what it can actuarially justify, but the law says the reduction has to be there.
| Rule | What § 56-7-1107 says |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Vehicles whose regular operators are over 55 and completed an approved accident prevention course |
| Size of the reduction | Appropriate reduction as determined by the insurer to be actuarially justified |
| Course approval | Approved by the commissioner of safety, taught by an approved instructor |
| Course format | At least 8 hours of classroom instruction, or an approved online course |
| Not eligible | Self-instructed courses (an approved online course is not considered self-instructed) |
| How long it lasts | 3 years from completion, or 3 years from the next renewal if the insurer chooses |
| Repeat course | Period is based on the last course completed |
| Your job | Give your insurer the information needed to determine eligibility |
| Exclusions | Fleet or commercial vehicles without an assigned operator; recent claims or violations until 3 clean years; license revoked or suspended in the last 3 years; court-ordered defensive driving |
Source: Tennessee Code § 56-7-1107.
What kind of course counts
The course has to be a motor vehicle accident prevention course approved by the Tennessee commissioner of safety and taught by an approved instructor. It must consist of at least eight hours of classroom instruction, or be an online course the commissioner has approved. The statute says there is no premium reduction for a self-instructed course, and it adds that an approved online course is not treated as self-instructed. Before you sign up, confirm the course is approved by the commissioner of safety, and keep the certificate the sponsoring agency issues when you finish.
How long the reduction lasts
The reduction stays in effect for three years from the date you complete the course. The insurer may instead start it at your next policy renewal and run it for three years from there. If you take the course again, the three-year period is based only on the most recent course you completed, so many drivers retake it before the reduction ends.
You have to tell your insurer
The reduction is not applied automatically when you finish a class. The statute puts the responsibility on the person claiming the reduction to give the insurance company the information it needs to determine eligibility. Send a copy of the completion certificate to your agent and ask that it be noted on the policy.
Who is left out
- Fleet or commercial vehicles, unless there is a regularly assigned principal operator.
- Vehicles carrying a higher rate because of prior claims, or whose operator was convicted of a motor vehicle violation, until the operator has kept a record free of at-fault accidents or violations for three continuous years.
- Vehicles whose operator had a license revoked or suspended within the previous three years.
- Vehicles whose operator was required by a court to take a defensive driver training course.
Accidents that were not your fault are treated differently under a separate Tennessee law: Tennessee law says an accident that did not involve your negligence cannot raise your auto insurance premium.
A quick checklist
- Confirm everyone who regularly drives the car is over 55.
- Pick an approved classroom or approved online course, not a self-study packet.
- Send the certificate to your agent and confirm when the reduction starts.
- Put a reminder on your calendar before the three years run out.
- While you are reviewing the policy, check your limits: Tennessee’s auto liability minimum is 25/50/25 — here is what TDCI’s Auto Insurance 101 page says. and TDCI’s glossary defines uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
This article is informational only. It summarizes a Tennessee statute and is not legal advice. It does not promise a specific discount, coverage, or eligibility; your insurer's filed rates and your policy control.
Related reading from All Seasons
- Tennessee law says an accident that did not involve your negligence cannot raise your auto insurance premium.
- Tennessee’s auto liability minimum is 25/50/25 — here is what TDCI’s Auto Insurance 101 page says.
- TDCI’s glossary defines uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- TDCI’s glossary separates collision coverage from comprehensive coverage.
- TDCI’s glossary explains how a telemetric device can feed auto insurance rate making.
- Once a Tennessee auto policy has been in force for 60 days, the insurer can cancel it midterm only for reasons the law lists.
- Senior Homeowners in Washington County: Ways to Cut Insurance Costs Without Cutting Coverage
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Do Tennessee auto insurers have to give older drivers a discount for a safety course?
Tennessee Code § 56-7-1107 says every auto policy's rates must include an appropriate reduction, as determined by the insurer, when the regular operators are over 55 and completed an approved accident prevention course.
Does an online course qualify?
An online course approved by the commissioner qualifies. The statute says there is no reduction for a self-instructed course, and an approved online course is not treated as self-instructed.
How long is the course?
The statute requires at least eight hours of classroom instruction, or an online course approved by the commissioner, taught by an approved instructor.
How long does the reduction last?
Three years from the date you complete the course, or three years from your next renewal if the insurer chooses to start it then. If you repeat the course, the period is based on the last course you completed.
Will my insurer apply it automatically?
Not necessarily. The statute makes the person claiming the reduction responsible for giving the insurer the information needed to determine eligibility, so send your completion certificate.
Who does not qualify?
The statute excludes fleet or commercial vehicles without an assigned operator, vehicles with recent claims surcharges or violations until three clean years, operators with a license revoked or suspended in the last three years, and court-ordered defensive driving.
How big is the discount?
The statute leaves the amount to the insurer, as an appropriate reduction it determines to be actuarially justified. Ask your agent what your company's filed reduction is.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
