Texas Auto Insurance Information
"Don't mess with Texas!", this is the slogan when it comes to legal requirements and liability for at-fault incidents. This is why a driver that lives or is going to live in the state of Texas should understand the basic requirements of Texas car insurance. Austin, the capital of Texas, has a phone number for the Texas Department of Insurance; 1-800-252-3439. Texas have to have liability insurance at the very least. Liability usually covers medical and repair expenses for the victim of the accident; a crash perpetuated by the driver will not be covered on this insurance. Liability is the smallest form of insurance that is accepted in almost any state. In liability insurance, twenty grand will be applied for medical expenses for the victims affected by the crash; forty grand will be applied to cover the collective medical expenses for all persons affected by the crash; fifteen grand will go into the property repairs in victims vehicles.
For the person at-fault to be covered in an insurance plan; he or she would need to purchase a collision and comprehensive policy. The policy is advisable for anyone who does not want to be held responsible for a collision; whether or not it is their fault or the other party involved. Considering the high price of body damage repair, something small such as a fender bender can jack up thousands of dollars. Keep in mind, persons liable for costs and damage that do not have the money to pay for it will generate a collection item on a credit report and other fines may be imposed. Even though all the states do not impose a liability insurance necessity, getting a Texas uninsured car insurance is a wise investment for the people who are just passing through. This type of insurance is supposed to provide assistance for the unfortunate who become victims of hit and run accidents.
Laws and Requirements: Texas Car Insurance for Citizen Drivers
The state of Texas sets the new limit for insurance coverage at 30/60/25. This began to take effect only on January 1, 2011; it is a little higher than that of some other states that use the 25/50/25 minimum. This means that for a car accident that results to the injury of an individual, the coverage must at least be $30,000. Total combined minimum limit for all physical injuries is $60,000 while liability coverage for damaged properties must not be less than $25,000.
Texas adheres to the Tort system where no vehicular accident is considered no-fault. In every accident, someone is always held responsible for causing the mishap, and together with the insurance provider, will be held liable for all the damages that are incurred because of the accident. It is important to note that states who observe the Tort system vary in the way it is implemented and it will help to know how it is done in the state you are in.
Texas does not require its citizen drivers to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that other states include in their minimum requirements. However, car registrants are advised to buy the additional coverage because the current minimum coverage requirement is deemed low for the average car accidents that result to bodily injuries. The current high costs of medical care and auto repair makes it even more logical to get a higher limit on your car insurance coverage.
Drivers are required to present proof of insurance coverage when requested by a law enforcement officer. Failure to provide the required documentary proof may result to the suspension of the driver's license and the car registration. Fines and penalties for such offenses vary from state to state.
The average cost of vehicular insurance for Texas residents in 2010 is $1,269, lower than the average national annual rate of $1,440. People have the notion that rates are standardized by the state in coordination with the insurance service providers. This is why some people no longer shop around for more competitive rates. However, this is not true as the state only sets the minimum coverage requirements while the insurance firms vary in the way they cost their products. It is therefore necessary to look around for better coverage at a more affordable cost.
To get ahead of the competition, some Texas insurance companies offer bigger discounts than others. The start of 2011 saw lower overall insurance rates, which makes it even more enticing to properly select the best insurance coverage for your vehicle now. In Texas alone, insurance policy prices have had major changes in the past several years.
The current average price for an auto insurance policy is significantly lower than it was in 2010, which in turn, was lower by 16% than the year before. 2011 then is a good year to get car insurance quotes either online or through conventional means. Some Texas insurance companies provide additional discounts for motorists with above-average driving records to make their packages more attractive.
Texas Department of Insurance
- 333 Guadalupe
- Austin, Texas 78701
- Phone: (512) 463-6169
- www.tdi.state.tx.us
Texas Department of Transportation
- 125 East 11th Street
- Austin, Texas 78701
- Nashville - Texas 37243
- Phone: (512) 463-8588
- www.dot.state.tx.us
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