Is car insurance required in Texas?
Asked by: Malachi Padberg | Last update: July 14, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (22 votes)
What insurance is mandatory in Texas?
In Texas, you must have at least $30,000 in liability coverage for each injured person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. This basic coverage is called 30/60/25.
Do you need insurance to get a car in Texas?
According to car insurance laws in Texas, every driver must have liability insurance at the very least. Liability insurance does not cover your own vehicle repairs or medical costs. You would need additional coverage like collision or comprehensive insurance for that.
What states don't require auto insurance?
New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that do not require auto insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase car insurance in these states, you would still be held liable for any property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle.
What happens if you don't pay car insurance in Texas?
Here are some consequences that can result from allowing your auto insurance coverage to expire in Texas: You may receive a ticket and/or have your license suspended. You'll likely be charged much higher rates for any future insurance policies. Your car may be impounded and you'll need to pay a hefty fee to get it back.
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How long can you go without car insurance?
It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.
Can I pause my car insurance in Texas?
Can you pause car insurance? For most carriers, you can't really “pause” your car insurance, but if you plan on not driving your vehicle for at least 30 days, you may be able to pause your liability coverage, depending on your carrier.
Which state can you drive without car insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate car insurance. However, drivers who choose not to buy car insurance must prove they have sufficient funds to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements (PDF) in the event they cause an accident.
What is the purpose of an umbrella policy?
What is an umbrella policy? Umbrella policies can protect your assets by paying large medical and repair bills that a court or your insurance company says you're responsible for paying. Most insurance policies – like home and auto – only pay up to a certain amount for liability coverage.
How many people in Texas do not have car insurance?
Texas is one of the most expensive states for car insurance. An estimated 12 – 20 percent of Texas drivers are uninsured.
How long can you go without car insurance in Texas?
You can't drive without insurance per Texas law. All drivers are required to have car insurance immediately. However, Texas's grace period allows drivers to carry over coverage from a previous vehicle for 20 days, with some drivers enjoying up to 30 days.
Is it a law to have car insurance in Texas?
Texas law requires all drivers to have adequate car insurance. According to state law, Texas drivers need to have minimum insurance coverages of $30,000 per injured person, up to at least $60,000 per accident. Additionally, Texas drivers must have coverage for property damage of at least $25,000.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Texas?
Drivers in Texas looking for the cheapest full-coverage car insurance can get it from Texas Farm Bureau at $1,036 a year, or $86 a month. State Farm is the second-cheapest choice at $112 a month. While Texas Farm Bureau has the cheapest full-coverage insurance. rates, State Farm offers many more discounts.
How to not have auto insurance in Texas?
You cannot avoid paying for car insurance in Texas if you own a registered vehicle. Car insurance is required for all vehicle owners in Texas, and driving without any coverage can have serious consequences, including license and registration suspension.
What is the minimum car insurance in Texas?
Texas law requires you to have at least $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. This is called 30/60/25 coverage.
Which two states do not require car insurance?
New Hampshire and Virginia are the only two states that don't require car insurance. In Virginia, drivers can pay the state a fee of $500 instead of buying car insurance, but that leaves them on the hook for damage they cause in an accident.
What states legally require car insurance?
Auto liability insurance is mandatory in 49 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).
Do I need insurance if I don't drive my car?
Even if your car isn't on the road, it may be a good idea to maintain certain coverages on it because mishaps can happen even if your car never leaves the driveway. For instance, if you don't have comprehensive coverage, you'll need to pay out of pocket for repairs if your car is damaged by hail or a fallen tree.
What age does insurance go down in Texas?
The most substantial reductions in auto insurance rates typically come as teen drivers get older, usually when they hit 18 or 19 years old. Rates continue to decline as you age, particularly once drivers pass the age of 25.
Is it illegal to not have insurance in Texas?
A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle without an automobile liability insurance policy or other evidence of financial responsibility. This offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $175.00 or more than $350.00.
Can I self insure my car in Texas?
Self-Insurance. (a) A person in whose name more than 25 motor vehicles are registered may qualify as a self-insurer by obtaining a certificate of self-insurance issued by the department as provided by this section.
Can I cancel my car insurance if I am not using it?
Depending on your state's rules and insurer, you may be able to pause your car insurance if you won't be driving for an extended period. If putting a pause on your car insurance isn't possible, you can reduce your coverages or cancel your policy for the time you don't need it.
Can I keep my car in the garage without insurance?
In that case, you may wonder if you need insurance on a stored car. You're not legally required to have insurance coverage on a vehicle that's not driven on public roads. If the vehicle is damaged or stolen, however, you'll have to cover the costs out of pocket if it's not insured.
Does Texas accept out of state car insurance?
You need insurance in order to register a car in Texas. Depending on how you register the car, you can use Texas insurance or a policy from out of state.