Affordable Texas car insurance
Explore the roads of Texas with the car insurance you need. Find out more about the auto insurance requirements for Texas and lots of ways to save.
Texas drivers save 12% when you quote online!
If you’re looking for car insurance in the Lone Star State, you’re in the right place. Starting your Texas car insurance quote online will earn you a beefy discount right away. We know choosing coverage can be tricky, but we try to make the process easy to understand. Our Quote Wizard makes finding the coverages you need as simple as possible, but a licensed agent is available should you want to talk through your policy. Learn about Texas car insurance requirements while saving money on your policy.
Texas car insurance requirements
Drivers in Texas are required to have at a minimum 30/60/25 liability limits on their car insurance. Liability coverage is a third-party coverage, meaning that the payout is for the other party involved in the accident, not the insured. The minimum limits required in Texas are:
$30,000
limit for bodily injury liability coverage per person
$60,000
limit for bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000
limit for property damage liability coverage per accident
These minimum Texas auto insurance coverage requirements help protect the victim from the property damage or bodily injury costs associated with an accident.
Liability coverages
Liability coverage covers other people (not you) for their injuries and property damage if you cause an accident. Even though it doesn’t cover your injuries or damaged property, liability coverage does help to protect you from being financially on the hook if you cause an accident. Learn more about the differences between liability and what people refer to as full coverage.
You may want to consider buying more than the minimum liability coverage. The minimum liability limits might be too low if you cause a multi-vehicle accident or the other driver’s car is totaled. If you don’t have enough liability coverage to pay for the damages and injuries you cause, you might have to pay the rest out of your own pocket.
Find more coverage options available for car insurance in Texas
Consider other car insurance coverage options available including:
Comprehensive and collision insurance provide physical damage coverage
Comprehensive and collision coverages help pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage can help cover the value of your vehicle if it’s stolen as well as cover repairs from vandalism. Collision insurance helps pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object, such as a fence or a tree. 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.
PIP
Personal injury protection (PIP) can help pay the cost of necessary medical care resulting from injuries you and your passengers receive as a result of an auto accident. PIP applies regardless of who caused an accident, plus it can help 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 doesn’t have car insurance, uninsured motorist coverage can help 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 help pay for the amount not covered by the at-fault person’s insurance.
Rental reimbursement
Rental reimbursement coverage can pay for your rental car if you aren’t able to drive your car for more than 24 hours because of a loss covered by your comprehensive or collision insurance.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance coverage saves you from being stranded on the side of the road when something goes wrong with your car. If purchased, roadside assistance is available for use when your car is disabled due to a covered emergency, such as:
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- Battery failure
- Insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water, etc.
- Flat tire
- Lock-out
- Entrapment in snow, mud, water, or sand
Personalize your policy with additional protection
Legal services
For as little as $6/month, your legal needs can be handled by specialized attorneys for many of the life’s more complicated situations with our Legal Resources Plan. Services include family law matters, real estate transaction and will preparation to name a few.
Upgraded accident forgiveness
Accident forgiveness is automatically earned after you go 3 consecutive years without having an accident on your policy. Instead of waiting 3 years for an accident waiver, you can purchase upgraded accident forgiveness which will starts with your policy.
Diminishing deductible
Diminishing deductible, also referred to as “disappearing” or a “vanishing” deductible, can be added to a vehicle’s collision deductible to lower the out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
Factors that can affect your car insurance rates in Texas
Texas car insurance rates are dependent on many variables. Find several factors that are used to determine your car insurance premiums:
Type of car you drive
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.
Your 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.
How you use your car
How you use your car can impact your rate. For example, if you have a long commute or use your vehicle for business, you will likely pay higher rates than if you drive infrequently.
General rate trends
Texas car insurance rates may trend up or down. The premium you pay will depend on these overall rate trends.
Texas car insurance discounts can help lower your rates
We know that every dollar counts these days, so Elephant offers a number of car insurance discounts to help you save money on your Texas car insurance. Whether you have multiple vehicles, you are working from home, or you have a good student on your car insurance policy, we have a discount for you. Quote your car insurance online to find your discounts.
State discounts that add up to savings
Texas drivers can take advantage of the many car insurance discounts offered by Elephant including:
You can also save 12% just by quoting your Texas car insurance online!
Save on Texas car insurance when you bundle home and auto
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-policy discount.
Car insurance information by major cities in Texas:
Texas car insurance and driving laws you should know
Insurance companies in Texas 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.
SR-22
An SR-22 form can be required if a driver has been convicted of certain driving-related charges. If you are required to file an SR-22 form to reinstate or maintain your driving privileges, contact your agent to obtain the appropriate form. For more information, please visit our SR22 overview: What is an SR22 and how does it work?
Texas teen driving laws
Learning to drive comes with a lot of responsibility, and there are restrictions in place for drivers under the age of 18 in Texas. 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.
Texas distracted driving laws
One in seven crashes involves driver distraction according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 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 municipalities to become familiar with any ordinances or local laws in effect. Visit your Texas’s government page for more information and read more about cell phones and safe driving.
Out-of-state violations count
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.
Common questions about Texas car insurance
Here are a few questions that often come up for people looking for car insurance policies in Texas:
What factors affect Texas car insurance rates?
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There are many factors that can affect car insurance rates in Texas, including:
The car you drive: The make and model of your car can also affect your rates. Cars that are more expensive to repair or that are more likely to be stolen typically have higher rates.
Your age: Less experienced, younger drivers are usually considered to be more risky than older more experienced drivers and tend to pay higher rates.
Where you live: The city or town where you live can also affect your rates. Cities with higher rates of accidents or theft typically have higher rates.
Your driving record: A spotless driving record will help you get lower rates. Even a single at-fault accident or moving violation can increase your rates.
How many miles do you drive: Drivers who drive more miles per year typically pay higher rates.
To find out what coverage you need, check out our Coverage Wizard.
How and when can I change my Texas car insurance policy?
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Changes to your Texas car insurance can be made at any time during the life of the policy. Making changes to your policy should be easy and can be done by calling your insurance carrier or by logging into your account if you have online access.
What is the right coverage for me?
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Like most things, Texas car insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, but when you have the right information you can feel confident in the coverage you’ve selected. For more guidance, check out our Coverage Wizard. You’ll be on your way to feeling confident finding the coverage that works best for you.
I’ve been in an accident in Texas, how do I get my car repaired?
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If you need to get your vehicle repaired after an accident in Texas, you have a few options:
File a claim with your insurance company: If the damaged vehicle is covered by your comprehensive and collision coverage, your insurance company can help pay for the repairs to your car.
File a claim with the other driver’s insurance company: If the other driver was at fault for the accident, you can file a claim with their insurance company. You will need to provide them with proof of the accident, such as a police report and an estimate from a body shop. If the other driver’s insurance company agrees that they are at fault, they may help pay for the repairs to your car.
Pay for the repairs yourself: If you do not have comprehensive and collision coverage, or if the other driver’s insurance company doesn’t agree to pay for the repairs, you will need to pay for the repairs yourself. You can take your car to any body shop you choose, but you may want to get estimates from several shops before you decide.
What are the minimum coverage requirements for car insurance in Texas?
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The state of Texas requires drivers to carry proof of car insurance in their vehicles at all times.
Texas also requires drivers to have a minimum 30/60/25 liability limits on their car insurance coverage. Liability auto insurance is a type of car insurance that helps protect you financially if you are found at fault in an accident. It can help cover the cost of injuries to other people and damage to their property. Liability coverage is a third-party coverage, meaning that the payout is for the other party involved in the accident, not the insured.
Texas minimum car insurance liability limits required are:
$30,000 limit for bodily injury liability coverage per person
$60,000 limit for bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000 limit for property damage liability coverage per accident
What liability insurance is required in Texas?
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Liability insurance helps protect you financially if you are found at fault in an accident. Liability coverage helps pay to repair the other driver’s car if you caused the accident. It also helps pay the other driver’s and his or her passenger’s medical bills and some other expenses. Texas law requires you to have at least $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. This is sometimes referred to as “30/60/25” coverage.
What is a “30/60/25” minimum auto policy?
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A “30/60/25” minimum auto insurance policy describes the minimum liability limits Texas drivers are required to carry. Liability insurance helps protect you financially if you are found at fault in an accident. It can help cover the cost of injuries to other people and damage to their property. Policy limits are the maximum amounts that an insurance company can pay to repair another’s person car or medical bills if you are responsible for the accident. Texas law requires you to have a minimum $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage.
What is considered “full coverage” car insurance?
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When people use the term full coverage auto insurance, they’re usually referring to a car insurance policy that is a collection of coverages to protect the policyholder. It’s not a specific type of insurance and the term can vary in meaning. That said, full coverage is typically liability (usually includes bodily injury and property damage) plus comprehensive and collision coverage. When you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company may require you carry comprehensive and collision coverage. To find out what coverage you need, check out our Coverage Wizard.
Do you need car insurance to register a car in Texas?
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When you register a car in Texas, you are required to show proof that you can pay for accidents you cause. Most drivers do so by purchasing auto liability insurance. The minimum limits for auto liability insurance in Texas are $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, along with $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
The documents you may need to register a car in Texas include:
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of ownership (such as the title or registration from your previous state)
- Proof of vehicle inspection
- Completed application for Texas title and/or registration
- Registration fee
You can find more information about registering a car in Texas at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Texas?
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Being involved in a car accident is bad enough, but it can be much worse if the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage can help in this situation.
Why choose Elephant for your car insurance in Texas?
Elephant agents are friendly, trusted experts who are serious about protection. We’re here answer questions without all the jargon and offer car insurance solutions in Texas to you. Here are a few things we think set us apart from the competition.
Affordable auto insurance
Everything from state-required liability coverage to personal injury protection to collision insurance—we have the affordable coverages you need to protect yourself. Find the car insurance coverage you need to protect you and your car, discounts to save money, and add-on services like legal services to help make your like simpler.
Tools to make car insurance easy to understand
Manage your policy and file claims quickly and easily with our mobile app, claims photo app, online account access, and agent chat.
Learn more about our policy perks
Take advantage of flexible payment options
Flexible payment options and online tools. With flexible payment plans, multiple purchase options, convenient insurance claims filing and our highly reviewed mobile app, Elephant delivers protection with convenience.
Bundle your home and auto insurance for even more savings
Save money and time when you purchase home or renters insurance and car insurance together. It’s simple: when you bundle policies with Elephant, you qualify for our multi-policy discount.
Learn more about bundling your policies
Our customers give us high marks and we hope you will too.
We are proud that 9 out of 10 customers renew with us each term* and that our average Google rating is 4.7 stars as of 2023.
And we’re very proud to have been named a Forbes America’s Best Insurance Company 2023. Forbes partnered with Statista to survey over 15,000 U.S. customers of more than 3,300 U.S. insurance companies to create the rankings. Participants rated their insurance providers in terms of their overall satisfaction and whether they would recommend them to family and friends.
Superior car insurance claims experience
As of 2022, Elephant has earned a customer confidence score (Net Promoter Score) that is 32% higher than the industry average. Our claims team and repair network are there when you need them.
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*90% of customers stayed with Elephant at renewal between Oct. and Dec. 2024.
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Additional Texas Resources
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Drive Texas TxDOT Highway Conditions
Texas A&M Transportation Institute Center for Transportation Safety
TxDOT Traffic Safety Campaigns
Texas Department of Public Services Driver License Services
Governors Highway Safety Association
Recent posts about car insurance
Feel confident in your Texas car insurance coverage
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