Being in a car accident can result in significant costs, and lacking sufficient insurance coverage in Texas can lead to even more expenses. Since the state only requires minimum liability insurance, the right coverage is more important than ever. Every driver in Texas needs to understand what their required insurance covers and what additional coverage is available.
Shamieh Law can help Texas drivers understand their insurance policies and choose the right coverage.
Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements in Texas
Drivers in Texas must have minimum liability insurance coverage. The minimum coverage includes:
- $30,000 per injured person
- $60,000 per accident and total for all injured people
- $25,000 for property damage
Because minimum auto insurance is liability-only, it does not cover damages or injuries you sustain in an accident. This coverage pays up to its limit, and if damages exceed that amount, you may have to pay the remaining costs yourself.
What If I Get into a Car Accident With Only Minimum Coverage?
If you’re in an accident with only minimum coverage, your costs might go beyond the $60,000 per accident limit, making you responsible for damages and medical expenses that exceed your policy caps. With the minimum coverage, at least $30,000 of the victim’s injuries and medical bills will be covered through bodily injury liability, and up to $25,000 in property damage.
Multi-vehicle accidents, a totaled vehicle, and severe injuries requiring long-term care can all cause costs to exceed the coverage limits, along with remaining balances from car loans. You can purchase liability coverage above the minimum required by Texas law. If your car is damaged by a weather-related event like a storm or flood, these damages are not covered by liability insurance, but might be covered by comprehensive coverage.
Determining what coverage you need or navigating insurance claims after an accident can be challenging. Having a knowledgeable car accident attorney guide you through these processes, advocate for you with insurers, and gather evidence to support your claims helps build a strong case if coverage is insufficient.
Additional Auto Insurance Coverage Options in Texas
Texas requires you to have the minimum liability coverage, but more insurance options are available.
- Collision: Covers repairing or replacing your own vehicle after a crash.
- Comprehensive: Protects drivers against theft, vandalism, flooding, fire, weather damage, and other damage unrelated to a collision.
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection): Covers you and your passengers’ medical bills and some lost wages after an accident.
- Medical Payments Coverage: Pays for you and passengers’ medical bills, but is considered a narrower medical coverage alternative, especially if you do not have health insurance.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Pays if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, or if they’re unable to cover your damages, and if you’re hit in a hit-and-run. Of all the extra policies, this optional coverage may be considered nearly essential in Texas with many uninsured drivers on the road.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: The insurance company pays for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired, or if it’s stolen.
- Towing and labor coverage: Covers towing your vehicle and labor for towing, tire changes, and jump-starts.
- Liability coverage: The at-fault driver will be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle.
Penalties for Driving Without Auto Insurance in Texas
If you are driving in Texas without insurance, you can face misdemeanor charges and fines.
First offence fines range from $175 to $350, and second offenses could face a $350 to $1,000 fine. After a second offense, your vehicle could be impounded, which you would be responsible for paying for.
If you’re in an accident without insurance, your recovery options are limited, and attorneys might be unable to secure maximum compensation, despite their best efforts.
What Car Insurance Policy Is Right for Me?
To determine what car insurance policy is right for you, you need to evaluate your financial situation to determine what you can and can’t afford. Drivers with new vehicles might consider comprehensive coverage, but if you think your car isn’t worth the insurance policy, you might choose not to add it.
If you live in an area with high crash rates or think additional coverage might be necessary because the minimum coverage may not be enough to cover serious accidents, consider increasing your policy limits, even if your current coverage meets legal requirements. Going through this car insurance guide for Texas drivers can be helpful.
Let Our Team Review Your Auto Insurance Policy
Our attorneys at Shamieh Law are happy to review your insurance policy and provide advice because insurance can be confusing. We want our clients to have a clear understanding of their protections. Minimum coverage may not be enough, and knowing all available options is important.
Contact Shamieh Law for a free consultation about your auto insurance or accident claim, or call (469) 813-7332.
