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Texas requires every driver to carry liability insurance before operating a vehicle on public roads. The state minimum is 30/60/25 — $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Texas is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the other party's damages.
Texas Minimum Coverage Requirements
| Coverage | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $60,000 |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist (BI) | Not required |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $2,500 (must be offered; can be rejected) |
Expert Tip: Texas Hail Makes Comprehensive Essential
Texas leads the nation in hail damage claims. A single severe storm can total a vehicle or cause tens of thousands in damage. Comprehensive coverage is what pays for hail damage — not collision, not liability. If you're driving in Texas without comprehensive, you're exposed to one of the most common and costly claims in the state. This is especially true in the DFW Metroplex and the I-35 corridor.
—Brad Cummins
These limits apply to all private passenger vehicles registered in Texas. Motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and fleet vehicles may have different requirements.
What's Required vs. Optional
Required:
- Bodily injury liability (BI) — Pays for injuries you cause to others. Does not cover you or your passengers.
- Property damage liability (PD) — Covers damage you cause to another person's vehicle or property.
Offered but rejectable:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) — Texas insurers must offer $2,500 in PIP. You can reject it in writing, but it's worth keeping — PIP covers your own medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. See our PIP coverage guide.
Not required but worth considering:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) — Texas does not mandate UM/UIM, but carriers must offer it. Texas has a significant uninsured driver population. See our UM/UIM guide.
- Collision — Covers damage to your own vehicle from a crash. Required by most lenders if you finance or lease. See collision coverage.
- Comprehensive — Covers non-collision losses: theft, weather, hail, animal strikes, vandalism. Texas hailstorms make comprehensive especially valuable. Also typically required by lenders. See comprehensive coverage.
The state minimum is the legal floor, not a recommended coverage level. Most agents suggest at least 100/300/100 to protect against serious accidents.
Proof of Insurance & Vehicle Registration
Texas requires proof of insurance at registration and at any traffic stop. Acceptable proof includes:
- Insurance ID card (physical or digital)
- Policy declarations page
Texas uses TexasSure, an electronic verification system. Insurers report policy status to the state, so a lapse can trigger a notice even without a traffic stop.
SR-22: If your license is suspended for an insurance violation or certain driving offenses, Texas may require an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer. SR-22 requirements typically last two years.
Penalties for Driving Uninsured
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First offense | $175–$350 fine |
| Second and subsequent offenses | $350–$1,000 fine; license suspension; vehicle impoundment |
| Driving on suspended license | Additional criminal penalties |
Reinstating your license requires proof of insurance and payment of all applicable fees.
Cost of Car Insurance in Texas
Texas's average annual premium runs above the national average — roughly $1,800–$2,200 per year for full coverage, depending on the driver profile and ZIP code. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio consistently rank among the most expensive metro areas due to traffic density, hail exposure, and high claim frequency.
Rates vary most by:
- Driving record — At-fault accidents and major violations raise premiums significantly.
- Location — Houston, DFW, and San Antonio see substantially higher rates than rural Texas.
- Vehicle — Financed vehicles require collision and comprehensive, which increases total premium.
- Age — Teen drivers typically pay 2–3× the adult average.
- Credit history — Texas allows credit as a rating factor.
Use our car insurance calculator to estimate your costs.
Get Free Texas Car Insurance Quotes
Texas leads the nation in hail damage claims — and comprehensive coverage is the only policy component that pays for it. If you're driving in Texas without comprehensive, or with a deductible that doesn't match your exposure, share your policy through Canopy Connect and let a licensed agent help you calibrate it before the next storm season.
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Share your current policy declarations pages with us in two clicks. Takes about 30 seconds. We'll review your coverage, find gaps, and compare our carriers to your current policy.
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About Brad Cummins
Brad Cummins is the founder of Insurance Geek and primary author of its educational content. Licensed since 2004, he brings over 21 years of experience structuring life insurance and IUL strategies for clients nationwide.
Fact checked by Brianna Baiocco
Brianna Baiocco runs P&C operations at Insurance Geek and fact-checks property and casualty content. Licensed since 2009, she brings over 16 years of experience in auto, home, renters, and commercial insurance.
