Texas has multiple natural disaster hazards than most states, which can make driving on the highway even more dangerous. This includes hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, ice storms, floods and wildfires, said Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
"Triple I recommends that all Texas drivers carry optional full coverage to protect themselves from these inclement weather and climate events," Friedland said.
Read on to learn about the minimum requirements for car insurance in Lone Star, the types of optional coverage, how to get the cheapest car insurance in Texas while still meeting your coverage needs and more.
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Texas follows an opposition to the auto insurance system, which means the driver responsible for the accident is liable for damages, and its insurance covers the costs of the other party. Texas requires all drivers to purchase the following minimum car insurance coverage:
If someone is injured or dies in a car accident, you will be prosecuted by someone or family and find guilty, liability coverage for physical injury will be paid for the expenses of damages that cause pain, pain and financial damage (such as lost wages). The minimum coverage is $30,000 per person, totaling $60,000 per person.
Property damage liability coverage pays for the cost of repair or replacement of property that you have damaged in a car accident. The minimum coverage for the basic policy is $25,000 per accident.
Insurers sometimes refer to these minimum liability restrictions as “$30,000/$60,000/$25,000” or “30/60/25.” Most policies also pay your attorney’s fees if you sue for an accident.
You can choose from other auto insurance that exceeds the minimum requirements in the state. While your insurance premiums will rise with more coverage options you add, they will usually be better protected and financially not quarantined by all expenses associated with the accident.
learn more: The most common types of auto insurance explained
You should consider purchasing additional liability coverage on the minimum liability limit in case you have a total car, causing serious injury or death, or causing accidents involving multiple vehicles, those parties suing you.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical expenses for treating you and/or others in other policies, as well as funeral expenses, lost wages and other non-medical expenses. In Texas, insurance companies must provide PIP, but drivers can reduce coverage by signing a waiver.
Medical Payment Insurance or MEDPAY covers medical expenses and funeral expenses, but there is no loss of salary and other non-medical expenses. Insurers do not need to provide this insurance, which is optional for drivers.
If you are an accident caused by another driver who is uninsured, underinvested or crashed, the uninsured driver coverage will pay for medical expenses and if your car is damaged, you cannot pay for repairs or replacements. Insurers do not need to provide this insurance, which is optional for drivers.
learn more: What to do if you are involved in a crash
If you damage your car, collision car insurance will pay for repairs or replacements.
Comprehensive auto insurance covers any damage to your car that is not covered by collisions, including repairing damaged windows, floods, fires, vandalism, damage to fall or flying objects, and the cost of collision with animals. It also covers the cost of replacing a car if you are stolen.
Driving in Uber, Lyft (or other ride service) or accidents provided for Uber Eats, Doordash, Instacart or Grubhub
Accidents that occur when driving a car owned by a company or any other car you do not own
Damaged equipment not permanently installed in the vehicle
Accidents during racing
Accidents occur while driving in Mexico (although most Texas policies cover accidents in Canada)
If you intentionally cause damage
In Texas, parents can purchase separate policies for teenagers who start driving, or parents can add them to their own policies for cheaper options.
Some insurers will require policyholders to post the name of everyone living in the age of 16 or older (the legal driving age in Texas). If they don’t, the insurer may retroactively charge everyone additional premiums and may not pay any claims or renew their policy.
Even if they leave in college, parents must keep the teenagers over 16 years old. Although parents may be able to get discounts on premiums if they don’t have a car.
Drivers who try and cannot get a car insurance policy from at least two commercial insurers can purchase policies with the Texas Auto Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). Coverage includes minimum limits on liability for physical injury and property damage, personal injury protection, and driver coverage with uninsured/underinsured rates, but no collision, full or higher liability limitations.
Taipa has higher coverage than traditional policies, and even more if you have an accident or are cited for violations. However, if you have no accidents or get any traffic tickets, you may lower your premiums after one year. Three years later, the designated insurer is asked to sell you a cheaper regular non-Taipa policy.
In Texas, when you purchase a car insurance policy, the insurance company must provide you with a copy of the Texas Consumer Rights Act. Content includes the type of coverage the insurer must provide, what you need to do if you refuse, the various rights you have when you file a claim, and the rights surrounding renewal and cancellation.
Here are some tips on how to get the cheapest car insurance in Texas.
Friedland said Texas's auto insurance market is very competitive, with over 100 national and regional auto insurance companies providing coverage.
When purchasing coverage, Triple I recommends getting at least three quotes with comparable coverage, as prices can vary widely between carriers.
Carie Ann Roach, director of technical affairs for Austin-based Texas Independent Insurance Agent, said drivers can work with independent insurance agents who have signed with several different insurance companies. They can effectively obtain coverage information from the driver and search on behalf of the driver using various insurance companies.
“For example, they can also educate consumers about why some carriers refuse to write them and why others are interested in writing them,” Roach said. “They will also be able to educate consumers about the coverage choices they make and what happens when they choose lower limits versus higher limits.”
Drivers can compare sample auto insurance premiums and coverage for Texas Auto Insurance companies on the Texas Office of Public Insurance Consultant (OPIC) and the Texas Department of Insurance website. The site also includes complaint information and financial ratings from top Texas auto insurance companies.
learn more: Find and compare Texas auto insurance policies - Help
Friedland said Texas Auto Insurance offers a variety of discounts that allow drivers to significantly reduce their premiums. Some of the most common discounts include bundling homes and cars, multi-policy, new vehicles, good drivers, full payment of bills, bundling car and tenant insurance, and electronic bills. Because of the large population of active-duty military and veterans in Texas, these individuals should be charged military-related auto insurance discounts.
Friedlander added that insurance companies also use telematics to track driving habits such as the time of day, where you drive the most, drives, acceleration and braking methods to determine potential discounts.
“Telecommunication is another great way to save for safe drivers,” he said. “If you decide to sign up for usage-based telematics, it’s important to read how the program works because some insurers may increase your premium if their telematics app discovers poor driving habits.”
learn more: Auto Insurance Discount: 17 Ways to Save
Roach said independent agents will discuss other insurers that are suitable for each type of consumer, whether it is homeowners, renters or excess insurance (such as umbrellas).
“Once they have a relationship with consumers and understand the amount of exposure they have and the stages of their life today, they can work with that consumer to put together insurance plans to help them feel safer,” she said. “Consumers will make conversations more aware and understand the choices they make.”
The cost of car insurance you pay in Texas is affected by many different factors – some you can control, such as driving safely and improving credit, while others cannot be as good as your age.
While not all companies use the same information, here are typical items that determine the cost of your auto insurance policy:
Factors that cannot be used to charge more for auto insurance or reject you include the following:
Your race, color, religion or nationality
Your age, gender, marital status, geographical location or disability - unless the insurer can prove that you have a greater risk of loss than others
If your credit score is the only factor in your decision
learn more: What is car insurance premium and how to calculate it?
Drivers must demonstrate that they have liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage. These financing vehicles must also purchase collision and full coverage to meet the requirements of their lenders.
Once teenagers receive temporary permits at the age of 16, they can drive adults without company, but they must comply with these restrictions until they are 18:
Unless they are working, going to school, or they or others need emergency medical care, they are forbidden to drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
They cannot drive with people under the age of 21 who are not part of their immediate family.
Under Texas' zero tolerance law, they cannot drive after drinking.
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, or if a lower BAC affects your driving ability, you can refer to DWI with DWI.
learn more: What is the difference between DUI and DWI?
First crime fine:
The initial fine is up to $2,000 and an additional fine after judgment
At least three days in prison, up to 180 days
Revoked a driver's license for up to one year
Second offence fine:
First fines up to $4,000 and additional fines of $4,500 after judgment
At least one month in prison and up to one year
Revoked for two years' driving license
The third crime:
The initial fine is as high as $10,000 and an additional fine after sentence
At least two years in prison, up to 10 years
Revoked for two years' driving license
Other fines include:
Up to $10,000 additional fines
At least two years in prison
Driver's license was revoked for another 180 days
Child Hazard Allegations
This article is edited by Tim Manni.