Cheap Car Insurance in Texas
Cheapest car insurance in Texas for all cars and drivers
We’ve all heard the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas,” but does this apply to your auto insurance premiums? Thankfully, no.
Good auto insurance coverage in Texas does not always have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are a variety of affordable policies out there. Below is how to get cheap car insurance in Texas, even if you have a few blemishes on your driving record.
Minimum Car insurance requirements in Texas
Before beginning the shopping process, understand that Texas requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. As with many other states, there is a mandatory minimum amount of coverage every driver must carry to be considered a legal driver in Texas. Failure to meet these liability coverage requirements will result in severe penalties.
Outlined below are the car insurance coverage laws in the state of Texas.
Texas Minimum Liability Auto insurance requirements:
$30,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per person
$60,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000 for property damage liability
In Texas, auto insurance companies must also offer drivers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage along with personal injury protection (PIP). Personal injury protection helps cover medical expenses from a car accident. However, Texas allows drivers to reject this coverage, but it must be in writing.
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What are the penalties for driving Uninsured in Texas?
All drivers in Texas must carry car insurance coverage, and failure to do so will result in you facing various penalties. You could receive a fine of up to $4,000, depending on the circumstances. Your penalty’s extent can rely on the court and the Texas county where you live.
You may face jail time (decided based on the severity of your case), vehicle impoundment, and an SR22 insurance requirement.
Texas SR22 insurance is not insurance in the traditional sense; instead, it notifies the Texas state government that drivers carry at least the required minimum amount of car insurance coverage. Filing an SR22 reinstates your driving privileges so long as you fulfill all other requirements.
Auto insurance alternatives in Texas
Texas offers alternative coverage options to traditional car insurance if drivers cannot find an insurance company to cover them or feel they would benefit better from being self-insured.
Suppose you are still looking for insurance carriers to provide coverage. In that case, the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association can assist you with an auto insurance policy.
For drivers who wish to take the self-insurance coverage route, Texas allows you to prove financial responsibility through the following avenues:
Surety bond with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Drivers can file a surety bond with at least two other people who own property in Texas. The property connected to the bond has to be worth at least as much as the mandated insurance coverage amounts.
Making a deposit - Drivers can file a $55,000 deposit with either a Texas comptroller or your county judge and can work to cover insurance. You can make your deposit in either cash, securities, or check. Ensure that you file your deposit with the same Texas county where you registered your vehicle.
Certificate of self-insurance - If you promise to pay up to the same amount specified in Texas insurance laws, you can qualify for a self-insurance certificate. This option is only available if you have at least 25 vehicles. It may be ideal for business owners.
While self-insuring your coverage may be an option for drivers in Texas, it requires a large sum of money paid upfront. Collisions are also very pricey on their own. Depending on your living situation, one accident can put you at financial risk.
It is highly recommended that Texas drivers take the traditional auto insurance route if they can find coverage.
Cheapest car insurance in Texas for basic coverage
Basic car insurance policies contain only liability insurance coverage and tend to meet the Texas-mandated minimum coverage limits. It is the most straightforward policy drivers can purchase to be considered legal drivers in Texas.
For these reasons, finding an affordable basic Texas car insurance policy is not too difficult. The cheapest basic Texas car insurance costs average from $400-$500 per year. Depending on your personal factors, you may be paying below or above this average annual rate.
Some policies analyzed by Texas providers may cost drivers in the $900 range annually, on average. However, this is still a reasonably affordable price for cheap auto insurance in Texas. However, it would help if you remembered what you were paying for.
Basic car insurance coverage is only liability coverage, which offers no protection. The state-mandatory coverage limits are very low and anything not covered falls on the driver to pay out of pocket.
Cheapest car insurance in Texas for full coverage
Full coverage auto insurance refers to a policy that includes comprehensive and collision car insurance coverage on top of liability coverage required in Texas. This kind of policy protects not only your finances but also your vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against non-collision related damage such as theft, vandalism, and flooding.
Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle from an accident, regardless of which driver was at-fault.
Full coverage auto insurance also tends to include coverage limits beyond what is mandatory in Texas. Due to all of this, you can expect to be paying more for this type of coverage.
On average, Texas’s cheapest full coverage car insurance policy costs drivers anywhere from $1,000 to $1,300 annually. Be mindful that your factors can easily make a drivers auto insurance rates fall above or below this average.
Regarding the price tag, basic car insurance coverage is more appealing than full coverage. However, it would help if you analyzed what you are getting. Full coverage insurance provides you with more robust protection.
Car insurance rates and traffic violations in Texas
Traffic violations will significantly impact a drivers car insurance premiums in Texas. While one ticket may not always increase your car insurance rate, accumulating multiple violations is bound to have some noticeable impact.
However, how much it will increase your insurance coverage rates depends on several factors, including how severe your violation was and your auto insurance provider.
For some general examples, drivers convicted of reckless driving may see their insurance coverage rates increased by 38%, while being caught driving with a suspended driver’s license can affect a driver’s insurance rates by 46% in Texas.
It’s very evident by these estimated statistics that practicing safe and smart driving habits can save you thousands of dollars on cheap car insurance in Texas.
Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Texas after a DWI
Being convicted of a DWI in Texas is severe, with penalties that go beyond the legal system. Not only will you face jail time and numerous fines, but you will also have to file an SR-22 Insurance certificate.
Even if this is your first offense in Texas, your insurance provider will likely consider you a high-risk driver and raise your rates.
Drivers also risk being dropped by their insurer, and getting coverage after that can be challenging.
Regarding drivers finding affordable car insurance in Texas after a DWI, car insurance premiums average around $1,100-$2,100 per year. Much like vehicle insurance rates for Texas drivers with poor credit, be reassured that the cheapest coverage you can find is thousands of dollars.
Insurers worry they are risking a lot by providing high-risk drivers with coverage, meaning they must prepare for the worst possible accident. Your insurance premiums can be expensive for a few years following your conviction.
How can you find Cheap car insurance in Texas?
Finding Texas’s cheapest car insurance coverage can be tedious, but it is doable. You may encounter roadblocks if you have an iffy driving record or a less-than-favorable credit score. However, with some time and effort, a reasonable car insurance rate in Texas is within reach.
Below are some tips and tricks to find Texas’s best car insurance rate.
Car insurance coverage requirements in Texas
Drivers must analyze their coverage options and car insurance needs whenever their policy is up for renewal. A significant way to save money is to drop any unnecessary coverage.
Your vehicle is up there in age, and collision insurance coverage may be worth it. Or you are in a better financial position and can adjust your deductibles to lower your overall rates.
Making these small changes can save you some money on your rates in the long run. But ensure you only drop coverage you are confident you don’t need. You want to avoid driving underinsured, leading to many legal and legal problems with your Texas car insurance company.
Car insurance discounts in Texas
Ask your insurance agent about any discounts you qualify for. Insurance providers offer numerous deals to help get you the cheapest annual premiums.
A good driver discount can be beneficial for those with clean driving records. Some providers also offer breaks if you are a homeowner. Bundling policies is also a great way to save on auto insurance rates.
No matter your driving record, at least one or two discounts are available to get the cheapest premiums possible.
Improve your credit for better Car insurance rates
Your insurance provider will consider your credit score when purchasing coverage in Texas. The lower it is, the more expensive your rates will be. To reduce them, you should work towards raising your credit score.
Your credit score can improve by staying on your bills and paying off loans. The higher your credit score is, the more financially responsible you are perceived to be.
Insurers like drivers who are stable in this fashion because they think someone with a good credit score will get into fewer accidents and make fewer claims. Improving your credit score can take a while, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Get Car insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies
You must shop around and not just settle for the first car insurance provider you come across. Ensure you get car insurance quotes from multiple insurance carriers, businesses local to Texas, and national providers.
You can find the cheapest option regardless of your driving record or other personal factors. However, you should only settle for car insurance companies if they have the most affordable rates.
You want to ensure you are getting substantial coverage, or you are practically paying for nothing. Being a wise and patient car insurance shopper will pay off.
Practice safe driving habits
Practicing smart and cautious driving habits is the best way to keep your insurance rates low in Texas. Rates are less likely to rise if you say accident and claims-free.
Making smart decisions, like choosing not to drive after having a few drinks, will help you avoid collisions and claims. Those considered good drivers see some of Texas’s cheapest auto insurance rates.