Do I Need Car Insurance in Texas?

YES! When it comes to driving in Texas, following the law and investing in car insurance are non-negotiable. Beyond just having insurance, simply meeting the minimum liability requirement is a dangerous risk. However, many Texas drivers may be unclear about how car insurance and liability work in the state. Because of that, understanding the specific legal obligations that you must follow in order to protect yourself from liability and the vast benefits of extra protection is essential. At RMC Insurance Services, we strive to help our clients find the dedicated solutions to keep their vehicles and families safe on the road by finding tailored policies that work for you. 

The Absolute Requirement: Texas Liability Law

In Texas, car insurance isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a mandatory step that all drivers must complete. That’s because Chapter 601 in the Texas Transportation Code and Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act requires all vehicle owners in the state to maintain strict financial responsibility for their motor vehicles. For the majority of drivers, this is demonstrated by purchasing a minimum level of car liability insurance. The reason for this rule is so that victims of car accidents in the state can receive fair compensation for their suffering and damage without being forced to pursue the at-fault driver’s personal assets. 

 

Within your policy, liability coverage is the most crucial element and is what keeps you within the law – protecting you from severe fines, license suspensions, and exposure to personal injury claims. One way to think of minimum coverage amounts is by following the 30/60/25 rule. This rule is the short and easy-to-remember way to learn what the minimum amount of car liability insurance required by Texas law is. It goes as follows:

 

• $30,000: This figure is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for bodily injury liability to one person injured in an accident that you are at fault for. 
• $60,000: That is the maximum total amount that your insurance company will pay for all bodily injuries when combined into a single accident that you are at fault for. This is completely regardless of how many people were hurt. 
• $25,000: This is the maximum amount that your insurance company can pay for property damage liability to repair or replace the property of others, such as a vehicle, damaged in an accident caused by you.

What Does Liability Coverage Actually Do?

Not only is it essential to understand the bare minimum requirements for liability insurance in Texas, but learning how it functions can also help you feel more confident behind the wheel. Many drivers don’t understand how liability coverage actually affects them. The truth is, it’s actually meant to simply satisfy your legal obligation to other drivers on the road and shield your own personal resources. 

 

Its sole purpose is to pay for the injuries and property damage that you cause to other people. This includes bodily injury, which covers medical bills, ambulance fees, and even lost wages or funeral expenses. 

 

Additionally, it also covers property damage, which most often means their vehicle. This includes repairing and replacing structural and aesthetic aspects of their vehicle’s damage. Lastly, liability coverage also pays for the legal defense needed in an at-fault accident, if the victim decides to sue you for damages. This means that your insurance company, such as RMC Insurance Services, will hire and pay for an attorney to defend you in court. 

Protect Your Vehicle With Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

Liability coverage in Texas might be the law, but it doesn’t pay any sum toward your repairs, medical bills, or replacements if your vehicle is totaled. If you own a vehicle, especially a newer, more expensive model, then collision and comprehensive coverage is essential for creating a specialized financial safety net. These are both additions to your car insurance policy, but they can offer immense protection against everything Houston roads have to offer. 

 

Collision coverage covers damage specifically caused by your vehicle hitting another car or object, or by rolling over. This includes coverage regardless of which driver is at fault. It’s a major benefit for all Texas drivers for two primary reasons:

 

• It offers immediate repairs without waiting for the other party’s insurance to pay or dispute the charges.
• It covers single-vehicle accidents such as hitting a pole or swerving to avoid an animal. 

 

Comprehensive coverage covers damage from events other than a collision, such as weather, falling objects, or hitting a deer. In Texas, this is a huge benefit with the wide range of weather that the state faces, including hailstorms and floods. This can also be a huge protection against theft in high-crime parts of Houston.

Specialized Insurance Protection: Safeguarding Against the Unexpected

If you have a minimum liability policy, there are two primary things that you need to worry about that typically don’t fall under a minimum insurance police safety net:

 

• Drivers who break the minimal insurance policy laws in Texas
• Damage caused by Mother Nature and Mother Nature alone

 

Texas has some of the highest rates for uninsured drivers in the nation, which makes things complicated when the at-fault party is uninsured. Because of this, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is not just recommended, it is required by law. This pays for your medical bills and your property damage in the event of an accident caused by an uninsured driver.  

 

Another specialized, yet highly essential, add-on for your car insurance policy in Texas is auto glass or windshield repair coverage. While most windshield damage, including chips, cracks, or scratches, is covered within your comprehensive plan, it does raise a common deductible concern. This is because Texas doesn’t mandate a zero-deductible for glass, meaning that adding on a full glass endorsement can help completely eliminate the deductible for any auto glass repair claims.  For many drivers, it can be tempting to continue driving with major windshield damage. However, an obstructed view is the fastest way to get yourself into another accident, making glass repair essential. 

Texas Liability Compliance: Proof and Penalties

You may be wondering, “What happens if I still opt out of auto insurance in Texas?”. The truth is that the consequence of driving uninsured can be hefty. In many cases, it can lead to things such as:

 

• Fines up to $1,000
• License and vehicle registration suspension
• Impoundment of your vehicle

 

Because of this, working with a qualified and dependable car insurance provider like RMC Insurance Services in Houston is essential for finding a plan that protects you from the myriad of hazards that Houston’s roads have to offer. 

 

Your Next Step: Moving Past the Minimum Coverage For Car Insurance

Although the Texas law demands it, the state minimum really only guarantees protection for anyone you might injure on the road. Because of this, every Houston driver needs to invest in full-scale car insurance for their own and their family’s safety on the road. Not only can this protect you from financial risks in the event of severe accidents, but it also shields you from the constant threat of weather-related damage and uninsured drivers. At RMC Insurance Services, we strive to find a plan suited to you and for you – whatever policy and add-ons you need. Contact us today for a free car insurance quote with RMC Insurance Services.