What is liability car insurance?
If you cause a car accident, liability insurance pays for the other party’s medical expenses and property damage.[1] This type of insurance covers injuries to other drivers, their passengers, and pedestrians, as well as repairs to vehicles and other property, such as fences, street signs, and mailboxes.
Most states, including Texas, require drivers to carry liability insurance to protect others after an at-fault accident. New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t require drivers to have liability coverage.
Liability-only insurance provides the minimum coverage Texas law requires. But drivers who want to protect their vehicle typically choose full coverage.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Texas
Liability quotes in Texas start at $43/mo.
Cheapest liability car insurance in Texas
The average cost of car insurance in Texas is $110 per month for liability-only coverage and $206 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data.
The table below shows the cheapest auto insurance quotes for liability-only coverage in Texas. Factors like your driving record, age, credit history, ZIP code, coverage limits, and deductibles can affect your rate.[2]
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $43 |
| Allstate | $61 |
| Mile Auto | $63 |
| Progressive | $64 |
| GEICO | $70 |
| USAA | $77 |
| Mercury | $86 |
| First Acceptance | $88 |
| The General | $91 |
| Alinsco | $92 |
| Lone Star | $95 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $97 |
| Nationwide | $97 |
| GAINSCO | $98 |
| Bristol West | $101 |
| Clearcover | $101 |
| Root | $102 |
| Dairyland | $103 |
| Covercube | $104 |
| Mendota | $106 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $107 |
| Excepsure | $111 |
| Sun Coast | $112 |
| Direct Auto | $114 |
| Safeco | $114 |
| National General | $116 |
| Loop | $120 |
| Elephant | $121 |
| Chubb | $132 |
| Trexis One | $137 |
| 21st Century | $152 |
| Insurify Car | $156 |
| Hugo | $158 |
| Liberty Mutual | $185 |
Minimum liability car insurance requirements in Texas
Texas car insurance requirements include $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. You may see this written as 30/60/25 coverage.
Coverage | State-Minimum Coverage Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
Liability insurance in Texas pays only for third-party injuries and property damage when you cause a car accident. It doesn’t cover your medical expenses, your passengers’ medical expenses, or your car repairs.
For example, if you have a liability-only policy and rear-end another car, your insurance would cover the other driver’s vehicle repairs and injuries — but not your own.
A full-coverage policy in Texas, which typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured motorist coverage, would help pay for your expenses after an at-fault accident.
Is minimum liability coverage enough in Texas?
Minimum car insurance in Texas meets the legal requirements and keeps insurance premiums affordable. But it may leave significant gaps in protection, especially if you can’t afford to replace your vehicle or pay for major repairs out of pocket.
Liability insurance covers only injuries and property damage you cause to others. Texas state-minimum coverage may not be enough to cover another driver’s property damage or medical bills after a serious accident.
And it won’t pay for your medical expenses or vehicle repairs. You may want to consider additional coverage options if you:
Live in an area prone to flooding or other severe weather, such as hurricanes along the Gulf Coast
Can’t afford to repair or replace your vehicle out of pocket
Own a newer, high-value, or financed vehicle
Need more financial protection in the event of a costly accident or lawsuit
Penalties for driving without liability insurance in Texas
Under Texas law, drivers must carry liability insurance to drive legally in the state. If law enforcement catches you driving without proof of car insurance, you may face a penalty ranging from $175 to $350.
But if you’re caught driving without insurance a second time, your fine can range between $350 and $1,000. Additionally, if you’re involved in a car accident while uninsured, the state may suspend your driver’s license.
You’ll have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee, and the state may require your insurance company to file an SR-22 to prove you have liability insurance.[3]
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How to find cheap liability car insurance in Texas
Sticker shock is real when it comes to insurance, but the good news is you have many ways to lower your auto insurance rates. Getting a car insurance quote from several insurance companies is the best way to find affordable car insurance in Texas, but here are several other tips.[4]
Drive safely. Practicing good driving habits will help you score the lowest car insurance rates possible, earn safe driver discounts, lower your risk of injury or permanent disability, and avoid having to file claims.
Use telematics. Allowing your insurer to track your driving through a telematics mobile app or device can help you qualify for big car insurance discounts. But if you display risky driving behaviors, some insurers may increase your rates.
Improve your credit. Like most states, Texas allows insurance companies to use your credit history to generate a credit-based insurance score that predicts your likelihood of filing a claim. Drivers with good or excellent credit typically get lower rates than people with poor credit.
Set reminders to compare rates. It’s easy to forget to check your rates every six to 12 months when your car insurance policy is up for renewal. But that’s an easy time to switch to a new insurer that offers lower rates.
Opt for mileage-based coverage. A mileage-based policy charges a low base rate and a low rate for every mile you drive in a month. If you don’t drive many miles, this type of insurance could save you a lot of money.
Consider a TAIPA plan. If you’ve been denied auto insurance coverage, you may qualify for coverage through TAIPA — the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association.
Liability car insurance in Texas FAQs
Understanding what a liability-only insurance policy in Texas will cover — and what it won’t — can help you decide what type of car insurance coverage to buy. Below is some additional information about liability car insurance in Texas.
How much does liability insurance cost in Texas?
Liability car insurance in Texas costs $110 per month on average, according to Insurify data. By comparison, the national average is $98 per month.
Do you need liability insurance in Texas?
Yes. Car insurance laws in Texas require that all drivers buy a liability insurance policy to pay for any damage or injuries they cause in an accident. Policy requirements include $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Is Texas a no-fault state?
No. Texas isn’t a no-fault state. It’s considered a “tort liability” state, meaning that the insurance of the at-fault driver pays for damages and injuries to the other party in the crash. Texas drivers are free to sue for damages they sustain in a car accident if an insurance payout isn’t enough to cover their losses.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Auto insurance guide."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What Determines the Cost of My Auto Insurance?."
- Texas Department of Public Safety. "Crash Suspension."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Ways to save money on car insurance."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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