Car Insurance in Texas
- How Much is Car Insurance in Texas?
- Real Quotes for Jerry.ai Customers in Texas
- The Cheapest Car Insurance in Texas
- Most Popular Insurance Companies in Texas
- Cost to Insure Different Cars in Texas
- Car Insurance Laws in Texas
- Car Registration Information in Texas
Looking for car insurance in Texas? Here you’ll find all the information you need on driving a car in The Lone Star State, regardless of what kind of car you own, what your budget is, or what kind of driver you are. Whether you live in Houston or San Antonio, Dallas or Austin — you can read on for the cheapest car insurance, the best car insurance, and the laws you need to know for Texas car insurance.
How Much is Car Insurance in Texas?
Why do car insurance quotes differ by state? First of all, each state has different laws around what kind of coverage you need to legally drive. Insurance companies also look at the number of car accidents and thefts in an area, how much people are generally using their car, and how likely an area is to have a natural disaster, among other factors. But while you can’t always control where you live, you can get cheap car insurance by choosing an insurance policy that has the best rates for your needs. If you live in Texas, here’s what you should know about how much you’ll pay for insurance: On average, drivers in Texas pay $2,658.56 each year for car insurance. This means drivers in Texas pay 12% below the average for the rest of the country. But however much you pay, you can use our advice on this page to save money.
What’s Your Rate?
But how do you know what policy is right for you in Texas? The truth is that insurance companies take many different factors into account when coming up with your quote. They create a profile based not only on where you live in Texas, but also on your credit score, marital status, the kind of car you own, and much more.
Not only does your profile change what kind of price you’ll get on car insurance, but it also might change the kind of coverage you want! Not all tiers are the same, and it’s important to know what you’re looking for. You could save money on your monthly or yearly insurance premiums by having a higher deductible. But if you do get into an accident or need to file a claim, that choice will cause you to pay more out of pocket.
The best way to make sure you’re always getting the best coverage for the right price is to let us do all the legwork for you. We can compare quotes from over 40 different insurance companies and find you the best rates in 45 seconds — no matter what kind of coverage you’re looking for.
Real Quotes for Jerry.ai Customers in Texas
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved | Type of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-19 |
| 54 year old female | CLEARCOVER | $70.50 | $67.50 | Standard |
| 2021-02-19 |
| 44 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $147.67 | $113.33 | Preferred |
| 2020-12-20 |
| 27 year old female | National General | $109.67 | $266.33 | Basic |
| 2020-12-01 |
| 22 year old female | Progressive | $102.67 | $297.33 | Basic |
| 2020-11-27 |
| 48 year old female | CLEARCOVER | $111.83 | $40.17 | Preferred |
The Cheapest Car Insurance in Texas
Which companies offer cheap car insurance in Texas? Below, we’ve ranked Texas car insurance companies based on which ones have, on average, the cheapest car insurance quotes for basic, standard, and preferred coverage levels for different profiles. These are averages to give you a sense of what drivers in your state are paying. But remember — it’s impossible to know what your quotes will be until you start comparing for yourself. That’s why we’re also showing you some real quotes we were able to find for our members recently. If you shop for insurance wisely, you can get a great deal without sacrificing your own safety and protection.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Texas for Basic Coverage
There’s all kinds of auto insurance you can get in Texas, depending on what your priorities are. But if your priority is the least expensive premium payments, you’ll want to check out a basic plan. In most states you legally need car insurance to drive. Basic plans ensure that you have the minimum coverage required by Texas. These are also plans with liability-only coverage. We were able to look at the average price drivers are paying for basic insurance coverage in Texas, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your driving record, your age, how many cars you drive, you gender, and whether or not you’re a homeowner — all huge factors real insurance companies use in determining rates.
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Basic Coverage in Texas
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercury | $787.81 |
| 2 | National General | $815.16 |
| 3 | Travelers | $833.21 |
| 4 | CLEARCOVER | $855.67 |
| 5 | Safeco | $868.24 |
| 6 | Infinity | $884.47 |
| 7 | Kemper | $911.17 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Basic Coverage in Texas
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-03 |
| 20 year old female | Progressive | $74.33 | $350.67 |
| 2021-02-23 |
| 23 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $54 | $132 |
| 2021-02-11 |
| 29 year old male | Infinity | $56.67 | $230.33 |
| 2021-02-08 |
| 50 year old female | Ready Insurance | $53.33 | $126.67 |
| 2021-01-28 |
| 32 year old male | Progressive | $75.67 | $139.33 |
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Standard Plans in Texas
Most drivers will want more than the basic minimum coverage that Texas requires — but still don’t want to break the bank. Standard plans offer both collision insurance and comprehensive insurance which gives you more protection than a basic plan. These plans generally offer a $1,000 deductible.
Below you’ll find the average price drivers are paying for standard insurance coverage in Texas, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your driving record, your age, how many cars you drive, you gender, and whether or not you’re a homeowner. All of these factors can impact premiums, so be sure to take a look at averages and quotes from drivers similar to you!
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Standard Coverage in Texas
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CLEARCOVER | $1,348.48 |
| 2 | Mercury | $1,540.42 |
| 3 | Progressive | $1,630.33 |
| 4 | National General | $1,642.29 |
| 5 | Safeco | $1,696.79 |
| 6 | Travelers | $1,816.35 |
| 7 | Nationwide | $1,816.93 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Standard Coverage in Texas
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-25 |
| 48 year old male | Progressive | $176.33 | $73.67 |
| 2020-12-11 |
| 26 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $67.50 | $118.50 |
| 2021-02-24 |
| 47 year old male | Bristol West | $188.67 | $141.33 |
| 2020-12-23 |
| 40 year old female | CLEARCOVER | $74.17 | $103.83 |
| 2021-02-21 |
| 22 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $104.17 | $47.83 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Texas for Preferred Coverage
Preferred coverage protects Texas drivers the most against any accidents or theft. Like basic plans, you’ll have collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. This is higher end full coverage, generally with $500 deductibles. That means you’ll be paying less out of pocket in the event of a claim. The downside? Your premiums are likely to be higher than what drivers with standard plans are paying. But if you comparison shop, you can still find the preferred insurance policy that’s less expensive.
We were able to look at the average price drivers are paying for preferred insurance coverage in Texas, as well as real quotes from actual Jerry.ai customers. You can customize these charts to find rates depending on your age, your driving record, whether you’re over or under 25 year old, the number of cars your drive, you gender, and if you own a home — all huge factors real insurance companies use in determining rates.
Average Cheapest Car Insurance for Preferred Coverage in Texas
| Rank | Company name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CLEARCOVER | $1,431.28 |
| 2 | Mercury | $1,729.14 |
| 3 | National General | $1,758.65 |
| 4 | Safeco | $1,761.21 |
| 5 | Bristol West | $1,793.56 |
| 6 | Progressive | $1,871.73 |
| 7 | Kemper | $1,892.23 |
Real Jerry Quotes for Preferred Coverage in Texas
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-30 |
| 38 year old female | Progressive | $93 | $40 |
| 2020-12-30 |
| 38 year old male | Progressive | $191.83 | $80.17 |
| 2021-02-22 |
| 27 year old male | Progressive | $72.83 | $120.17 |
| 2021-02-16 |
| 49 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $115.67 | $54.33 |
| 2021-02-10 |
| 51 year old male | Progressive | $141.33 | $438.67 |
Most Popular Insurance Companies in Texas
| Insurance company | Average annual premium in Texas |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,691.22 |
| CLEARCOVER | $1,868.75 |
| Ready Insurance | $1,119.55 |
| Kemper | $1,296.28 |
| Commonwealth Casualty Auto Insurance | $980.16 |
| Bristol West | $2,180.47 |
| Travelers | $2,284.28 |
| Nationwide | $2,822.05 |
| Mercury | $1,475.29 |
| Safeco | $2,224.65 |
Cost to Insure Different Cars in Texas
Auto insurance companies look into several different factors when coming up with their rates. A big one is what state you’re in — which is why it’s so important for Texas drivers to compare their rates to people in the same state. The car you drive can be a big factor as well. No matter what town, city, or country you live in, certain cars are just going to cost you more in coverage than others. Check out our chart to find out how much different cars cost to insure in Texas. And you can use our table of real quotes from Jerry.ai customers to see what people just like you are paying.
| Created | Cars | Customer | Carrier | Monthly premium | Amount saved | Type of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-02 |
| 42 year old female | Nationwide | $137.61 | $127.40 | Preferred |
| 2021-01-25 |
| 21 year old female | CLEARCOVER | $165.17 | $61.83 | Standard |
| 2020-12-31 |
| 21 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $64.50 | $256.50 | Basic |
| 2021-02-01 |
| 48 year old female | Progressive | $54.67 | $136.33 | Basic |
| 2020-12-26 |
| 21 year old male | Progressive | $69.17 | $20.83 | Basic |
| 2020-11-25 |
| 29 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $90.83 | $48.17 | Preferred |
| 2021-02-23 |
| 27 year old male | CLEARCOVER | $135.67 | $144.33 | Preferred |
Car Insurance Laws in Texas
Rush hour thoroughfares in Austin, Dallas, and Houston might find you sitting at a standstill in traffic on your morning or evening commute, and it’s not much lighter between those times. And in winter, Texas experiences an influx of snowbirds looking to escape the colder northern climes. All that traffic from residents and visitors makes for a dangerous set of roads that have their fair share of collisions. And make no mistake: Car accidents cause everyone’s insurance premiums to increase.
Texas follows similar guidelines as other states in implementing minimum auto insurance coverage laws to drive on the public roads. Here are the details you should know about the minimum requirements for insuring and registering a car in the Lone Star State.
What Car Insurance Is Required by Law in Texas?
Before drivers in Texas can fulfil their legal obligation to register their vehicle, they have to first obtain car insurance. Proof of insurance or proof of financial responsibility must be available to show law enforcement, including Property Damage Liability (PDL) and Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage.
In Texas, the driver who has been found at fault for causing the car accident is liable to make reparations for all injuries and property damage that occurs from it. That’s because Texas is what’s called an at-fault state, or tort state. If the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t sufficient to cover all the costs that arise from the collision, those who have suffered injury or property damage losses can sue them.
The mandatory BIL coverage takes care of other people who have been injured in the accident, not the driver at fault. This type of insurance includes compensation for an ambulance ride, prescriptions, doctor’s visits, and even lost wages as a result of the accident.
Similarly, PDL coverage applies to property damage losses experienced by those not at fault in the accident. Eligible damages are wide-ranging and can include other vehicles, fences, buildings, and the like.
In Texas, all car insurance policies include Personal Injury Protection (PIP). What’s different about PIP insurance is that it covers the policyholder for injuries even if you are the one to blame for the collision. It carries similar benefits to BIL coverage. However, it’s possible for drivers to opt out of PIP coverage by telling their insurer in writing that they do not want it.
Another coverage that insurers must let you know about in Texas is Underinsured and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident or experience damages from someone with no insurance or insufficient coverage, UM kicks in to pay medical and car repair bills. It’s strongly encouraged but not compulsory coverage.
Can You Drive a Car without Insurance in Texas?
Like most other states, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle without current proof of insurance or proof of financial responsibility in the state of Texas. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you face a fine of $175 to $300 for a first offence and $300 to $1,000 fine for subsequent convictions.
In addition to initial fines, you’ll be assessed a surcharge of $250 per year on your driver’s license unless you provide proof of financial responsibility. This comes in the form of an SR-22 certificate. While not an insurance product, it’s a form you purchase from your insurer for around $15 that proves you carry the minimum coverages. If required, you have to file an SR-22 for a minimum of two years. A $100 reinstatement fee will also be levied to get your driver’s license back.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Texas?
Texas is not unique in that the state requires drivers to maintain certain minimum auto insurance coverage when they’re driving. By enforcing these minimums, all compliant drivers are protecting themselves and others to some degree against the costs of injury and property damage in a car accident. To ensure you can drive legally in the state of Texas, it’s mandatory to carry these minimum liability coverages.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Texas
- Bodily injury liability per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $60,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $25,000
Car Registration Information in Texas
Once a vehicle has been insured, it’s required that you register your vehicle in Texas. You have 30 days to register a vehicle if you’re new to the state. Renewals have a five-day penalty-free grace period after expiry even if you’re pulled over, and you can renew penalty-free for up to 180 days after expiry if you haven’t been cited.
When you register your vehicle for the first time, you’ll be issued a pair of license plates that you need to install on the front and rear of your car. You’ll also receive a registration certificate that includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, and your personal information. You have to keep the registration certificate with you when you drive.
Every year when you renew your car insurance, you’ll be provided new stickers to put on your license plates showing the new expiry month and year. Registration expires on the last day of the month shown.
New registrations need to be done at the local county tax office. Proof of vehicle inspection, valid insurance, and proof of vehicle ownership are required to establish registration in the state. Total initial registration fees are $51.75 in Texas, but you may also be required to pay sales tax on your vehicle.
Renewing your registration in Texas offers you some choices. The simplest way is the online registration portal at the TxDMV, although it can take up to three weeks for processing and to receive your new certificate and tags. You can also renew in person at a Texas DMV office or by mail. You must have your renewal notice, a copy of your inspection report, proof of liability insurance, and your fees.
Base registration fees in Texas are $50.75 for passenger vehicles and $54 for pickup trucks. Local counties may charge an additional fee up to $31.50 and a road and bridge fund fee of up to $10, depending on where you live.