Texas drivers can quote online for our 12% web discount!

If you’re a Texas resident in search of car insurance, you’ve come to the right place. We know choosing coverage can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn about Texas car insurance requirements while saving money on your policy.

 

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Car Insurance Coverage Requirements in Texas

Texas drivers are required to have at least 30/60/25 liability limits on their car insurance coverage. This means:

These minimum coverage requirements protect the victim from property damage or bodily injury in the event of an accident. 28% of Elephant customers in Texas opt for coverage higher than the state minimum.

You can take advantage of the coverage options available from Elephant Insurance, including:

Liability Coverages

Liability Coverage covers other people (not you) for their injuries and property damage if you cause an accident. Even though it technically doesn’t cover your injuries or damaged property, Liability Coverage does protect you from being financially on the hook if you cause an accident. Learn more about the differences between liability and full coverage.

Comprehensive and Collision

Comprehensive and Collision coverages pay to repair or replace your car if it damaged, regardless of who is at fault. You select a deductible that you pay out of pocket and your insurance company pays for the remaining damage up to the limits you select. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Texas has the second most motor vehicle thefts in the country in 2017. Comprehensive coverage can cover the value of your vehicle if it’s stolen as well as cover expenses like broken door locks and smashed windows.

PIP

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays the cost of necessary medical care resulting from injuries you and your passengers receive as a result of an auto accident, and applies regardless of who caused an accident, plus it can reimburse you for lost wages and can also cover non-medical expenses related to your accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

When the person at fault for an accident does not have motor insurance, Uninsured Motorist coverages will cover damages, medical treatment, and lost wages. If your injury expenses exceed the at-fault party’s liability limits, you can use Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage to pay for the amount not covered by the at-fault person’s insurance.

Rental Reimbursement

Rental Reimbursement provides rental car coverage if your car isn’t drivable for more than 24 hours because of a covered loss under Comprehensive or Collision coverage.

Towing & Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance coverage saves you from being stranded on the side of the road when something goes wrong with your car. If you lock your keys in your car or you get a flat tire, you can call Roadside Assistance to get help as soon as possible.

 

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Factors That Impact Your Car Insurance Rate In Texas

Your car insurance rate is dependent on many variables. Here are a few factors that help determine your insurance rate:

Driving Record

Frequent accidents, tickets, and insurance claims alert the insurance company that you are a high-risk driver, and your rate will likely be higher than a driver with a clean record.

Vehicle Usage

If you have a long commute, drive frequently, or use your vehicle for business, you will likely pay higher rates. If you don’t drive often, work from home, or park in a garage or covered carport, you could qualify for a rate reduction.

Type of Vehicle

The type of vehicle you drive can impact your insurance rate. Cars that are older, smaller, have a lower safety rating, are more expensive to repair, or are considered luxury vehicles often require higher premiums. Learn more about how your vehicle impacts your rates.

Rate Trends

Car insurance rates sometimes trend up or down. The premium you pay will depend on these overall rate trends.

Credit Score

In Texas, a driver with no credit may have a 91% higher premium on average than a driver with excellent credit.

 

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Other Car Insurance Options In Texas

If you opt out of getting a traditional car insurance policy, here are your alternatives.

Deposit of Cash/Security with the Comptroller

This is the most common option requiring you to have $55,000 set aside in cash or certificate of deposit (CD) with the Texas Comptroller.

Surety Bond

A surety bond requires that two other people insure you based on the state minimum requirements and agree to pay costs associated with an accident deemed your fault if you fail to do so.

Deposit of Cash/Cashier’s Check with County Judge

This option requires that you make a $55,000 deposit with the county judge in case it’s needed to cover accident-related expenses.

Certificate of Self-Insurance

If your company owns more than 26 cars, you can become self-insured instead of using a traditional policy. You must provide proof that you’re making more than $225,000 in monthly net assets along with other documentation.

 

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How to Save on your Car Insurance in Texas

State Discounts

You can take advantage of the many discounts offered by Elephant including:

• Multi-car discount
• Responsible driver discount
• Good student discount
• Paperless account discount

You can also save 12% just by quoting online!

Save On Your Car Insurance When You Bundle

Unlock even more savings when you bundle your insurance with Elephant. Combine homeowners or renters insurance with your auto policy to keep money in your pocket with our multi-product discount.

 

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Texas Car Insurance & Driving Laws

Insurance companies are required by law to provide fair, reasonable rates to all eligible drivers. There are some laws that impact qualifying for insurance and your rates.

CLUE

Most companies review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) to review your claims history. This information can help a company determine your rates.

SR-22

If you’re found guilty of certain traffic offenses, such as driving under the influence or getting too many traffic violations, you could be required to file an SR-22 form to reinstate or maintain your driving privileges. You will likely see an increase in your premium due to the violation.

Teen Driving Laws

In Texas, teenagers can receive their learner’s permit at age 15. At age 16 and after holding the learner’s permit for at least 6 months and completing 40 supervised driving hours, teenagers become eligible for a provisional driver’s license. Learning to drive comes with a lot of responsibility, and there are restrictions in place for drivers under age 18. Check with your insurance company before your teen obtains a permit to learn more about adding them to your policy, and for more information on teen driving laws, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website.

Traffic Offenses

If you receive a moving violation, DUI, license suspension, or revocation you will likely pay higher car insurance premiums.

Distracted Driving Laws

One in five crashes involves driver distraction. In Texas, there is a statewide ban on electronic messaging while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using wireless communications devices. In school zones, all drivers are prohibited from texting and using handheld devices while driving. Drivers should also contact local municipality to become familiar with any ordinances or local laws in effect. Visit your state’s government page for more information and read more about cells phones and safe driving.

Out of State Violations

Most states share out of state violations with the driver’s home state. Once your insurance company is notified, they will determine whether the violation will impact your premium.

 

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Texas Car Insurance FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Elephant Insurance policies:

What coverage is right for me?

Like most things, car insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, but when you have the right tools, you can feel confident in the policies you’ve selected. Now that you’re familiar with each of the coverage types and your state’s minimum requirements, you’re well on your way to finding the coverage that works best for you. For more guidance, check out our Coverage Wizard or read more in depth about the coverages Elephant offers!

What if I need to get my car repaired?

To make your claims experience as easy as possible Repair Assistance Program facilities are pre-qualified to ensure quality & exceptional standards.

When and how can I change my car insurance policy?

At any time! Making changes to your policy shouldn’t be difficult. You can login to your account to make most changes to your plan.