In Texas, car insurance costs. Here’s how to get the cheapest price:

Texas is at risk of a wider variety of natural catastrophes than most states, making driving on highways even more dangerous. This includes hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, ice storms, floods and wildfires, said Mark Friedlander (Triple-I), senior director of media relations at the Institute of Insurance and Information.

“Triple I recommends that all Texas drivers carry comprehensive coverage of options to protect themselves from the effects of these harsh weather and climate events,” Friedlander said.

Read on to learn about minimum requirements for car insurance for Lone Star State, the types of coverage available for options, meeting your coverage needs while getting the cheapest car insurance in Texas.

In this article:

Texas follows a disability auto insurance system. In other words, the driver responsible for the accident is liable for damages, and the insurance covers the other party’s expenses. In Texas, all drivers require that they purchase the following minimum amount of car insurance coverage:

If someone is injured or dies in a car accident that you caused, you will be sued by that person or his family and will be paid guilty bodily injury liability compensation for the costs of damages given for the loss of crime, such as pain, suffering, or financial damages. The minimum coverage is $30,000 per person, totaling $60,000 per accident.

Property Damage Liability Coverage pays for repair or replacement of a property damaged in a car accident. The minimum coverage for the Basic Policy is $25,000 per accident.

Insurance companies may refer to these minimum liability limits as “$30,000/$60,000/$25,000” or “30/60/25.” Also, most policies pay an attorney’s fee if you are sued for an accident.

You can choose to cover additional car insurance coverage beyond the minimum state requirements. Your premiums will rise along with more coverage options you add, but you will usually be better protected from all costs associated with the accident and more financially isolated.

learn more: The most common type of car insurance explained

If you are suing other people’s vehicle total, serious injury or death, or if multiple vehicles and those parties sues you, you should consider purchasing additional liability coverage across the minimum liability limit.

Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical expenses for the care of injured and others in your policy, as well as funeral costs, loss of wages and other non-medical expenses. In Texas, insurance companies must provide PIPs, but drivers can refuse compensation by signing a waiver.

Medical expenses compensationor MedPay covers medical and funeral expenses, but does not lose wages or other non-medical expenses. Insurance companies don’t need to provide this coverage, it’s an option for drivers.

If you are in an accident caused by another driver who is uninsured, uninsured, or hit and run driver, Uninsured driver coverage If you are injured, you will pay medical fees, but if your car is damaged, you will not pay for repairs or replacements. Insurance companies don’t need to provide this coverage, it’s an option for drivers.

learn more: What if I’m involved in Hit and Rank Rush?

If you damage your own car, Collision car insurance coverage You will pay for repair or replacement.

Comprehensive car insurance covers the costs of repairing broken windows, damage to cars that are not covered by collisions, such as flooding, fire, vandalism, falling or flying objects, or colliding with animals. It also covers the costs of replacing your car if it is stolen.

• Accidents driving an Uber, Lyft (or another ride-sharing service) or delivery of items from Uber Eats, Doordash, Instacart, or Grubhub

• Accidents when driving a company-owned car or other vehicle that you don’t own

• Damaged equipment not permanently installed in your car

• Accidents during the race

• Driving accidents in Mexico (although most Texas policies cover Canadian accidents)

• If you are intentionally damaged

In Texas, parents can purchase a different policy for teenagers who have begun driving. Alternatively, parents can add to their policies, whether it’s cheaper.

Some insurers require policyholders to name all people who live in their homes over the age of 16, who are legally driving age in Texas. Otherwise, the insurance company can retrospectively claim additional premiums per person, and cannot pay the claim or update the policy.

Parents should keep teenagers on a policy of at least 16, even if they are not in college. If you don’t have a car, your parents may be able to get a discount on your insurance premiums.

Drivers who have obtained car insurance from at least two commercial insurance companies and were unable to obtain it, Texas Auto Insurance Plan Association (Taipa). Coverage includes minimum limitations on physical injury liability and property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured/uninsured driver coverage, but does not include conflicts, comprehensive or higher liability limitations.

Taipa coverage is more expensive than traditional policies and is even more expensive if an accident occurs or is cited for the movement of a violation. However, if you are involved in an accident or do not obtain a traffic ticket, your premiums may be reduced in one year. Three years later, the designated insurance company will need to sell a cheaper traditional non-taper policy.

In Texas, if you are purchasing car insurance, the insurance company must provide you with a copy of it Bill of Rights for the Texas Consumer Bill of Rights. Content includes what type of coverage insurance company must provide, what is necessary if it refuses, the type of right to file a claim, and the rights surrounding renewal and cancellation.

Here are some tips on how to get the cheapest car insurance in Texas:

Texas has a very competitive auto insurance market, with over 100 domestic and local auto insurance companies providing coverage, Friedlander said.

When purchasing coverage, Triple-I recommends getting at least three estimates with comparable coverage, as prices can vary widely between carriers.

Carie Ann Roach, technical director for Austin-based independent insurance agents in Texas, said drivers can work with independent insurance agents who have contracted with several different insurance companies. You can efficiently obtain underwriting information from drivers and search for them using a variety of insurance companies on behalf of the driver.

“They can also educate their consumers, for example, on why certain airlines refuse to write them, or why other airlines are interested in writing them,” Roach said. “They can also educate their consumers about the coverage choices they are making, and educate them what happens when they choose lower and higher limits against higher limits.”

Drivers can compare sample car insurance fees and coverage from Texas auto insurance companies helpinsure.coma website provided by the Office of Public Insurance Advisors (OPIC) and the Texas Department of Insurance. The website also includes complaints information and financial ratings from top Texas car insurance companies.

learn more: Find and compare car insurance in Texas – Help Insurance

Texas auto insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, allowing drivers to significantly reduce premiums, Friedlander said. Included in the most common discounts A bundle of houses and carsmulti-policy, new vehicle, excellent driver, pay your bill in full, Bundle car and tenant insuranceand e-claim. Texas has a large population of active and veterans, so those individuals must check in Military car insurance discounts.

Insurance companies also use telematics to track driving habits, such as the time of driving most, miles, acceleration and braking patterns, to determine potential discounts, Friedlander added.

“Telematics is another great way to save a safe driver,” he said. “If you decide to sign up for usage-based telematics, it’s important to read a detailed print of how the program works, as some insurers can draw you with premium increases if the telematics app detects poor driving habits.”

learn more: Auto Insurance Discounts: 17 ways to save money

Independent agents will discuss other insurance lines suitable for each consumer, whether it be a homeowner, tenant or excessive coverage (such as an umbrella), Roach said.

“When they develop relationships with that consumer, and learn about their exposure and the stages of life today, they can work with that consumer to put together an insurance program that will help them feel safer,” she said. “Consumers make them feel much more aware of the choices they have made and knowledgeable.”

The amount you pay for Texas auto insurance is affected by many different factors. Some things can be controlled, such as driving safely and improving credits, while others can’t do as age.

Not all companies use the same information, but the typical items that determine the cost of car insurance are:

Factors that cannot be used to claim or decline more from car insurance include:

• Your race, color, religion, or country of origin

• Your age, gender, marriage status, geographic location, or disability – unless the insurance company can show you that you are at a higher risk of loss than others

• If your credit score was the sole factor in your decision

learn more: What is car insurance premium? Also, how is it calculated?

Drivers must demonstrate that they have liability insurance covering both physical injuries and property damage. These funding vehicles must also purchase collisions and comprehensive coverage to meet lender requirements.

Once a teenager has a provisional license at age 16, he or she can drive without the accompaniment associated with adults, but must comply with these restrictions until age 18.

• They are prohibited from driving from midnight to 5am unless they work, attend school, or unless they or others require emergency medical attention.

• They cannot drive with one or more people under the age of 21.

• They cannot drive after drinking alcohol, following Texas’ zero-tolerance laws.

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above 0.08%, or if a low BAC affects driving ability, it can be quoted in DWI.

learn more: What is the difference between DUI and DWI?

Penalty for first violation:

• The initial fine was $2,000 and an additional $3,000 fine at the time of sentencing

• Minimum 3 days in prison, maximum 180 days

• Your driver’s license has been revoked for up to one year

Penalty for the second crime:

• The initial fine was $4,000 and an additional $4,500 fine at the time of sentencing

• Minimum of 1 month and maximum year in prison

• Your driver’s license has been revoked for up to 2 years

Penalty for the third crime:

• The initial fine was $10,000 and an additional $6,000 fine at the time of sentencing

• Minimum 2 years in prison, maximum 10 years

• Your driver’s license has been revoked for up to 2 years

Additional penalties include: if you are driving in the car with a child while you are disabled:

• Up to $10,000 additional fines

• At least 2 years in prison

• My driver’s license was revoked for another 180 days

• Children are at risk

This article was edited by Tim Manni.