Posts Tagged ‘Texas Car Insurance’

Texas State Insurance For Autos: What You Need To Know

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Every state has their own set of laws when it comes to car insurance coverage. In Texas, drivers are mandated to have “30/60/25″ coverage, which means $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The penalties for failing to buy adequate coverage can be quite severe. Uninsured / poorly insured motorists will pay $175 – $350 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent infractions. Police officers have a program that automatically runs the insurance on Texas cars, so there is no getting around this!

How Much Is Car Insurance In Texas?

According to Insure.com’s 2012 survey, the average cost for annual car insurance in Texas is $1,661 per year. In fact, Texas is considered the 12th Most Expensive State to drive in. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says it is getting more and more expensive to repair damaged vehicles after a crash, which is driving up the cost of collision coverage especially.

What Is A Texas Car Insurance Company Legally Obligated To Do?

As a driver, you have certain legal rights and protections. For instance, your Texas car insurance provider must issue you a “Consumer Bill of Rights” and have a state-issued license to be able to offer you coverage. They will need a toll-free contact number. They may not charge you excessive amounts or discriminate against you by sex, race, sexual orientation, or religion. They cannot drop you as a client if you file a claim for weather damage, falling objects, animal collision or a single accident that was not your fault. They may not cancel your policy if it is over 60 days old — unless you fail to pay, file a fraudulent claim or your license gets suspended / revoked.

What If You Can’t Find Texas State Insurance?

If you are having trouble getting Texas car insurance, you may apply through the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association, although it will be the most expensive type of insurance to get. They will cover you for liability, PIP and UM/UIM. Be aware that you will also be forced to pay a higher premium if you’ve driven uninsured for 30 days or more over the past 12 months. Aside from following the law, the best thing you can do to lower your Texas car insurance rate is shop around.

driving in texas

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Texas, USA |

Is Liability Auto Insurance Coverage Mandatory in Texas

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

For consumers in the Lone Star State, the question “Is liability auto insurance coverage mandatory in Texas?” is an important one. Drivers must buy at least the minimum level of coverage required under the state’s financial responsibility law.

Liability auto insurance coverage is used to pay claims for medical expenses made by the occupants of another vehicle falling an at-fault accident. It also pays for the cost to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle. This part of the auto insurance policy does not cover the policyholder, his or her family members and passengers riding in the vehicle. Other types of coverage, such as collision, comprehensive and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance are used to pay for these types of expenses.

Liability Auto Insurance: Texas Minimum Coverage Levels

The minimum amount of liability auto insurance coverage Texas drivers must have in place is $30,000 for one injured person and a total of $60,000 per accident. At least $25,000 in property damage coverage must be put in place as well.

Since the minimum amount of liability auto insurance for Texas drivers is relatively low, buying a policy which only meets the minimum standards set by the state may not be high enough to fully pay for damages caused in at fault accident. Since Texas uses the tort system for auto insurance purposes, people have been injured in an accident have the right to sue thee at fault driver to collect damages. If the level of coverage the at-fault driver has in place is not high enough to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation expenses and lost wages incurred as a result of the accident, he or she is responsible for paying the difference personally.

Texas auto insurance buyers have the option of buying a policy with a higher limit than the minimum level required by law if they wish. It is a good idea for drivers to consider the value of the assets they own and buy enough coverage to protect them if an accident occurs.

Proof of Auto Insurance Coverage in Texas

When insurance policies issued in Texas, the company provides the policyholder with a proof of insurance card. This card must be shown if the driver has been involved in an accident, to register her vehicle, or when requested by a police officer.

Penalties for Driving Without Liability Auto Insurance in Texas

A driver who is caught driving without insurance will be subject to a fine of between $175-$350 for a first offense. Subsequent convictions may result in fines of between $350-$1000, as well as suspension of the drivers license and impounding of his or her vehicle.

Get Affordable Liability Auto Insurance in Texas

To get the best rates on liability auto insurance in Texas, drivers should make a point of getting quotes from several companies before making a decision. Spending some time online to get quotes from different companies can lead to significant savings for drivers.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Texas, USA |

Texas Laws Regarding Liability Auto Insurance Coverage

Sunday, September 18th, 2011

Under Texas state laws, drivers are required to have at least a minimum level of liability coverage in place. This is a tort state for car insurance purposes, and people who have been injured in an accident have the right to sue the at-fault driver to collect damages for their injuries.

Bodily injury and property damage liability coverage form part of a standard auto insurance policy. At least $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance to pay for a personal injury claim made by one person and $60,000 to compensate all people injured in the same accident is required. Property damage liability coverage of at least $25,000 is also a legal requirement in the state.

Penalties for Driving Without Auto Insurance in Texas

Getting caught driving without auto insurance coverage in Texas means that a driver may be facing the following penalties:

  • Fine of $175-$350 for a first offense
  • Second or subsequent offenses carry a fine of $350-$1,000, suspension of the individual’s driver’s license and impounding of his or her car

Getting Caught Driving Without a License

A person who is caught driving without a valid license is liable for even more serious penalties. The person will be required to pay a $2,000 fine or spend 180 days in jail, or both. If an unlicensed driver is responsible for causing an accident resulting in serious injuries or the death of another person, the penalty is a $4,000 fine or one year in jail, or both.

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Texas, USA |

What are the State of Texas Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements?

Monday, September 5th, 2011

The state of Texas has set minimum auto insurance coverage requirements for all drivers. To comply with state legislation, consumers are required to have the following level of protection in place:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage of at least $30,000 to pay for injuries and damages suffered by a single accident victim
  • At least $60,000 to compensate two or more people who have been injured in the same accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability coverage to pay for the cost of repairs to the other driver’s vehicle and any public property damaged in the acciden

Physical Damage Insurance Coverage

Physical damage coverage is not required under state law, but it should be put in place to protect the driver’s own vehicle. Collision coverage pays for repairs to the vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or an inanimate object. The policyholder is responsible for paying a deductible before the insurance company will write a check for the repairs. If the car is totaled in the accident, the insurer will pay out based on the car’s cash value, not its replacement cost.

Comprehensive insurance coverage protects the vehicle from damage caused by an event other than a collision. It covers events like fire, flooding, vandalism, theft and broken windshields or windows. The vehicle owner is also required to pay a deductible before the insurance company will settle the claim.

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Texas, USA |

« Older Entries