If you drive in Texas, you are legally required to show proof that you can cover the costs of any accident you cause. The state’s minimum insurance requirements often fall short of covering all damages. Shamieh Law can explain Texas’s insurance rules, how additional coverage may protect you, and what options you have if you’re in an accident involving different policies.
Understanding Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas
Texas requires its drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage, so they can cover the costs of accidents they cause. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes the accident or their insurer is responsible for the damages victims face.
Liability insurance pays to repair or replace the other driver’s car, or other damaged property, and pays other people’s medical expenses when you’re at fault in a Texas car accident.
If you don’t have liability insurance, it’s considered a misdemeanor, punishable with a $175-350 fine. If you’ve already received this offense before, you could receive a fine of $350-$1,000. The fine may be reduced if the court finds you have not been previously convicted of driving without insurance, and cannot pay the entire fine.
What Is the Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Required in Texas?
Texas requires drivers to carry what’s known as 30/60/25 coverage. This means your policy must include at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, up to $60,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Having at least the minimum coverage will protect you financially if you cause an accident by paying the other driver’s car repair and medical bills, so the responsibility doesn’t fall on you.
| Coverage | What it covers | Minimum amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to others in an accident | $30,000 per person $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to other people’s property in an accident | $25,000 per accident |
What Does Minimum Texas Auto Insurance Cover?
In Texas, insurance covers injuries, property damage, and total costs up to a certain amount. There are more options for further coverage, but minimum auto insurance covers:
Bodily Injury Liability
If you’re in an accident with the minimum auto insurance coverage, at least $30,000 of the victim’s injuries and medical bills will be covered.
Property Damage Liability
If you only have minimum coverage in Texas, you’ll be covered for property damage up to $25,000 in an accident you cause.
Exclusions and Limitations of Minimum Coverage
If someone has the minimum auto insurance required, there is a payout limit. Your insurance company will pay up to $60,000 total per accident.
These limits may not be enough after a serious accident. If you total another driver’s vehicle or cause a multi-car crash, the minimum coverage could fall short of paying all medical bills and repair costs. You could be personally responsible for the remaining expenses, and you might even face a lawsuit to recover those funds.
Why is the Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Not Enough in Texas?
In the event of an accident, especially if the accident is severe or involves more than one driver, several expenses are incurred. Usually, the minimum coverage is not enough due to:
- High medical costs
- Serious injury cases
- Vehicle repair and replacement expenses beyond $25,000
- Risks of underinsurance
- Personal liability
If the injured party’s injuries require serious medical care, their medical expenses can quickly exceed $30,000. Your health insurance will only cover so much for anyone injured in a car accident, depending on your coverage and policy, and you may face out-of-pocket expenses.
What Are Other Additional Auto Insurance Coverage Options?
You can buy more liability coverage with a higher limit, which reduces your out-of-pocket expenses in case of serious or multi-vehicle accidents. It’s recommended to consider expanding your liability coverage in Texas beyond the typical 30/60/25 coverage.
Other types of insurance you can have are:
- Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers your vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by fire, flood, vandalism, or other non-collision events.
- Medical payments coverage: Covers medical bills for you and passengers in your vehicle, and may also apply if you are injured in another person’s car or as a pedestrian or cyclist.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Included in all Texas policies unless waived in writing. Similar to medical payments coverage, but also covers lost wages and certain nonmedical costs.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Pays if you are hit by a driver with no insurance, not enough insurance, or in a hit-and-run.
- Towing and labor coverage: Helps pay the cost of towing your vehicle if it cannot be driven.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Pays for a rental car if your vehicle is stolen or being repaired after a covered accident.
Let Us Help You Evaluate Your Auto Insurance Policy
Auto insurance policies in Texas are complex and can leave your coverage lacking or, in the event of an accident, insufficient. If you were in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you can still pursue compensation for your accident. You may not realize all the damages you can recover, or
After an accident, having an experienced car accident attorney can help you determine the value of your claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact Shamieh Law today or call 469-813-7332