Tenn. Code Ann. » Tenn. Code / Title 29 / Chapter 20 / Part 3
Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-20-311 (2026)

Judgment over limits of insurance policy prohibited

✓ current as of May 2026
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No judgment or award rendered against a governmental entity may exceed the minimum amounts of insurance coverage for death, bodily injury and property damage liability specified in § 29-20-403, unless such governmental entity has secured insurance coverage in excess of such minimum requirements, in which event the judgment or award may not exceed the applicable limits provided in the insurance policy.

Acts 1973, ch. 345, § 28; 1976, ch. 656, § 1; T.C.A., § 23-3323.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21 cases, 1982–2006 · leading case: Lemons v. Cloer, 206 S.W.3d 60 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006).
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Lemons v. Cloer, 206 S.W.3d 60 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 6× “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-20-311 (stating that awards against Tennessee governmental entities cannot exceed the amount of insurance coverage); TenmCode Ann.”
Wakefield v. Longmire, 54 S.W.3d 300 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “See T.C.A. §§ 29-20-311, 29-20-403(b)(2)(A); 29-20-404(a).”
Coburn v. City of Dyersburg, 774 S.W.2d 610 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 3× “§§ 29-20-403 and 404 are read in conjunction with § 29-20-311 defendants’ liability is extended beyond the minimum limits set forth in § 29-20-403, up to and including the total amount of coverage provided by its insurance policy.”
Evans v. Perkey, 647 S.W.2d 636 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1982). · cites it 2× “§ 29-20-307 and the limit of its liability under T.C.A. § 29-20-311 and 29-20-403 is $20,000.”
Hill v. City of Germantown, 31 S.W.3d 234 (Tenn. 2000). “§ 29-20-311; Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-20 — 403(b)(2)(A).”
McGaughy v. City of Memphis, 823 S.W.2d 209 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 3× “T.C.A. § 29-20-311 (1980) provides: 29-20-311.”
Erwin v. Rose, 980 S.W.2d 203 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “§ 29-20-202, 203, 204 and 205, but the county’s liability is limited by Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-20-311: No judgment or award rendered against a governmental entity may exceed the minimum amounts of insurance coverage for death, bodily injury and property damage liability specified…”
Hutton v. City of Savannah, 968 S.W.2d 808 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “See T.C.A. §§ 29-20-311, -403 (1980 & Supp. 1994).”
Cates v. Elec. Power Bd. of Metro. Gov., 655 S.W.2d 166 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 3× “Appellant next relies upon T.C.A. § 29-20-311 as follows: “29-20-311.”
Morris Slutsky, et ux v. City of Chattanooga, 34 S.W.3d 467 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 4× “See T.C.A. § 29-20-311; T.C.A. § 29-20-403(b)(2)(A).”
Metaljan v. Memphis-Shelby Cnty. Airport Auth., 752 F. Supp. 834 (W.D. Tenn. 1990). · cites it 2× “Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-20-311. The current limits set out in Tenn.”
Brooks v. Memphis & Shelby Cnty. Hosp. Auth., 717 S.W.2d 292 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 2× “T.C.A. § 29-20-311 reads as follows: Judgment over limits of insurance policy prohibited.”
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