Whether you commute to work, drive your family around Houston, or use your vehicle every day, having the right auto insurance can help protect you from unexpected financial losses.
Texas requires drivers to meet minimum financial responsibility requirements. However, the minimum required coverage may not be enough to protect you from every expense after a serious accident.
Most Texas drivers meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements by purchasing auto liability insurance. The minimum required liability limits are known as 30/60/25 coverage:
$30,000 for bodily injury to one person in an accident
$60,000 for total bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 for property damage per accident
Liability insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause to others when you are legally responsible for an accident, up to your policy limits.
These are minimum limits, not a guarantee that every accident-related expense will be covered. If damages exceed your limits, you may be responsible for the remaining amount.
You may be able to choose higher limits, such as 50/100/50 or 100/300/100, for additional financial protection.
The protection you receive depends on the coverages included in your policy. Auto insurance can help pay for damage to other people’s property, injuries, and certain losses involving your own vehicle.
Liability coverage is required for most drivers in Texas. It generally includes two parts:
Bodily Injury Liability: Helps pay for covered injuries to other people when you are legally responsible for an accident.
Property Damage Liability: Helps pay for damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or property.
Liability coverage does not generally pay to repair your own vehicle after an accident you cause. For that protection, you may need additional coverage.
Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your insured vehicle after a covered collision, such as hitting another vehicle or an object, subject to your deductible and policy terms.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company may require collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for covered damage to your vehicle caused by events other than a collision. Depending on the policy, these may include:
Theft
Fire
Vandalism
Hail and certain other weather-related damage
Flood damage
Falling objects
A deductible generally applies. Comprehensive coverage does not cover every possible loss, so review your policy terms and exclusions.
The term Full Coverage is commonly used to describe an auto policy that combines liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. However, it is not a standardized insurance term and does not mean every type of loss is covered.
Optional protections, deductibles, exclusions, and coverage limits vary by policy. If you finance your vehicle, check your lender’s requirements before selecting your coverage.
Depending on the insurer and policy, you may also be able to select additional coverages.
UM/UIM coverage may help protect you and eligible passengers if you are involved in a qualifying accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
Depending on the coverage selected, it may help pay for eligible bodily injuries and property damage. Certain hit-and-run accidents may also qualify, subject to policy requirements.
Texas insurers generally must offer UM/UIM coverage, but you can reject it in writing. Consider the potential financial impact of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver before declining it.
Personal Injury Protection can help pay eligible medical expenses and certain other losses, such as lost income, for you and your passengers after a covered auto accident, regardless of fault.
Texas insurers generally must offer PIP, and you must reject it in writing if you do not want it. Check the available limits and policy terms to understand what it can cover.
Rental reimbursement can help pay eligible rental-car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim. Availability, daily limits, and maximum benefits depend on the policy.
Roadside assistance may provide services such as towing, help with a flat tire, a battery jump-start, or certain lockout services, depending on the plan and its limits.
Auto insurance premiums vary by driver, vehicle, coverage, and insurer. Two drivers with similar vehicles may receive different quotes because their circumstances and underwriting factors differ.
Factors that may affect your premium include:
Driving history, tickets, and previous claims
Your vehicle’s make, model, year, and repair costs
Your location and how the vehicle is used
Your selected liability limits and optional coverages
Your deductibles
Other rating factors used by the insurer
A lower premium does not always mean better value. Compare the coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and total cost of each quote before choosing a policy.
The right policy depends on your vehicle, budget, financial circumstances, and tolerance for risk.
When comparing options, consider:
Whether your liability limits are sufficient for your circumstances
Whether you need collision and comprehensive coverage
Whether your lender or leasing company requires specific coverage
Whether UM/UIM and PIP fit your protection needs
Whether the deductible is affordable if you need to file a claim
An insurance professional can help you understand the available options and compare policies with similar coverage.
Maintaining continuous auto insurance coverage can help you avoid driving without the required protection and may help prevent gaps that affect future insurance options or pricing.
If you decide to switch insurers, confirm that your new policy is active before canceling your existing coverage. Compare the effective dates carefully to avoid an unintended lapse.
Finding suitable auto insurance involves more than looking for the lowest price. You also need to understand the protection each policy provides and how its limits and deductibles affect your potential out-of-pocket costs.
Ava Sure Insurance works with multiple insurance carriers in Texas to help customers compare available coverage options and pricing.
Our goal is to help you find a balance between appropriate protection and a competitive premium.
Most drivers must meet Texas financial responsibility requirements. Purchasing liability insurance with at least the required 30/60/25 limits is a common way to meet those requirements.
The minimum liability limits are $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Generally, no. Liability coverage pays for covered injuries and property damage you cause to others when you are legally responsible. Collision coverage may help pay for damage to your own vehicle after a covered collision.
Texas generally does not require every driver to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. However, a lender or leasing company may require these coverages for a financed or leased vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage generally covers flood damage to an insured vehicle, subject to the policy terms and deductible. Liability-only insurance does not generally cover flood damage to your own vehicle.
You can generally switch insurers before your current policy expires, subject to the terms of your contract. Make sure the replacement policy is active before canceling your existing coverage.
Whether you need basic liability coverage or broader protection for your vehicle, comparing available options can help you make an informed decision.