Compare Texas Car Insurance Rates [2024]

You would be surprised to know how many motorists in your state are uninsured or underinsured. Though it’s illegal to drive without an insurance policy in Texas, there are some motorists who just manage to do that.

In 2015, around 14.1% motorists were uninsured in Texas, which made the lone star state number 16th in the list of US states with estimated percentage of uninsured motorists.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in TX

Texas Monthly Car Insurance Rates: A Comparative Analysis by Demographics

For different age groups, you can see the premium rates for males and females. On average, the rates for males are higher than for females across all age groups in Texas.

For males below 30, there’s a high probability that their insurance premiums would be higher than their female counterparts, especially in the 17-year-old category, as we can see in the table above. It can be difficult to find cheap car insurance for young male drivers.

But, after 30, insurance carriers look at many other factors (other than age & gender) to calculate insurance premiums and there’s a slight difference in rates between males and females.

Insurance Carrier Rank by Premium Rates in Texas

Insurance Carrier Rank by Premium Rates

Most Expensive/Least Expensive Zip Codes by Premium Rates in Texas

Want to know how much insurance carriers are charging by zip code? Below are the most expensive zip codes in Texas.

Texas 25 Most Expensive ZIP Codes

The city of Laredo has the most expensive zip code. Now let’s see which cities have the cheapest zip codes.

Texas 25 Least Expensive ZIP Codes

Most Expensive/Least Expensive Cities by Premium Rates in Texas

Now that we’ve looked at zip codes, let’s see which cities are the most expensive.

Texas Top 10 Most Expensive Cities

While Laredo had the most expensive zip code, it is not among the top ten most expensive cities.

Texas Top 10 Least Expensive Cities

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Best Car Insurance Companies in Texas

There are some insurance companies that charge exorbitant premiums whereas there are others who charge a fraction of that amount, assuming that you keep all factors for premium calculations constant.

Which one should you choose? And, what factors should you consider before buying an insurance policy?

Should premium rates be the determining factor in your decision-making process? Or, should you consider the financial ratings and customer reviews of your insurance carrier?

We have answers to all those queries and much more in the section ahead to help you learn how to compare car insurance rates.

Financial Ratings of Leading Insurance Carriers in Texas

Every insurance company is rated by credit rating agencies that assess the long-term financial viability of an insurer so that they are able to meet their obligations with respect to claim settlement.

We are using AM Best ratings to give you an idea about the creditworthiness of the insurance providers in Texas, as it’s one of the first companies to evaluate the credit quality of institutions in America.

When it comes to claim settlement, having coverage from a reliable and creditworthy insurance company helps in faster responses and settlement of claims.

Car Insurance Companies with Best Customer Ratings in Texas

Communication in the digital era happens at supersonic speed. If you’re not satisfied with an insurance provider, you would immediately tweet about it or send a WhatsApp message to most of your friends.

A recent study found that negative reviews sway almost 86% of the customers. Also, a majority (90%) of the respondents said that their purchase decision was influenced by positive reviews of a specific brand.

Customer service and engagement have become a focal point of most insurance companies these days because that’s what differentiates them from the others in the market.

And, before making a purchase decision, you must look at the customer ratings of insurance providers as market research companies use every parameter available to gauge the satisfaction levels among consumers.

As per a study by J.D. Power in 2018, Texas Farm Bureau was the highest-ranked brand amongst auto insurance companies in Texas. J.D. Power’s study assessed customer satisfaction on five factors; interaction, policy offerings, price, billing process & policy information, and claims.

The insurance practice business consultant at the firm, Robert Lajdziak, also noted that “Cost is not the sole indicator of customer satisfaction in the auto insurance industry. Low prices may attract new customers, but it’s service that keeps them. The auto insurers that increase customer satisfaction across all facets of the customer experience make the price just one part of the overall relationship.”

Efforts made by insurance companies, especially in improving interactions through digital channels, have enhanced the overall level of customer satisfaction.

Read more:

• Texas Farm Bureau Auto Insurance Review
• Farm Bureau Car Insurance Discounts

Customer Complaints Data of Leading Insurers in Texas

Now that you have seen the financial ratings and customer satisfaction reviews of insurance companies in Texas, you should also know about the number of complaints against these companies.

Even though some companies manage to get an excellent financial rating, their complaints data tell another story. A high number of complaints mean that customers aren’t satisfied with the overall services of an insurer, irrespective of its ability to settle claims.

We can see that Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Group has a negligible number of complaints and also bagged the trophy for highest customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power study.

Premium Rates of Insurance Companies in Texas

After sharing details of leading insurance providers, their ratings, customer reviews, and complaints data, it’s time to take a look at the premiums offered by different providers in Texas. For many consumers, premium rates are the determining factor behind their purchase decision.

Premium Rates by Insurance Companies in Texas

How Much Auto Insurance Costs in Texas

Explore car insurance costs in various Texas cities, including Alba, Austin, Carrollton, Houston, McAllen, and San Antonio. This concise citywise comparison provides insights into factors influencing car insurance rates, helping you make informed decisions about coverage tailored to your specific location.

Insurance Premiums by Commute Rate in Texas

Cost by Company with Different Mileage in Texas

While in Texas the premium rates offered by most of the insurance providers do not vary significantly depending on annual mileage, it’s always a good idea to check for low mileage discounts when you’re seeking quotes.

Since different people have different needs, the miles they drive on a daily basis usually make them more/less vulnerable to risks on the road.

If you drive less than 10,000 miles, you’re less prone to accidents on the road because of low exposure to traffic. Hence, it’s recommended to accurately estimate your annual mileage for a cheaper quote.

Another way to reduce your premiums is usage-based car insurance wherein your insurer would install a telematics device in your car and calculate premiums based on your driving behavior.

Insurance Premiums by Different Coverage Levels in Texas

Cost by Company With Different Coverage Levels In Texas

Insurance Premiums by Credit History in Texas

Do you want to know how much your credit history impacts your insurance premiums?

Premiums by Credit History in Texas

Data shows that insurance carriers significantly raise the premium rates if motorists have a poor credit rating. Those with a good credit history are charged much lower premiums than those who have a fair and poor credit history.

As per the State of Credit survey, the average vantage score for Texas was 656, which is amongst the top 10 states with the lowest vantage scores. Texas also tops the list of states with the highest average late payment rate.

Vantage score is consumer credit scoring system that rates the debt paying ability of consumers in the range of 300 to 850, and was developed in the year 2006 as a competition of FICO.

Car Insurance Premiums by Driving Record in Texas

Insurance Premiums by Driving Record in Texas

Driving under the influence (of alcohol or other substances) is considered graver than accidents and speeding violations, and those with DUI records are penalized with higher premiums. Car insurance after a DUI is usually the most expensive.

In the year 2016, Texas witnessed the highest number of fatalities resulting from alcohol-impaired driving with the death toll reaching at 1,438.

Alcohol-impaired driving can also lead to serious injuries that might result in repercussions for life, hence motorists should refrain from driving under the influence altogether.

Leading Car Insurance Companies in Texas

Number of Car Insurance Companies in Texas

Laws in Texas

State laws considerably influence auto insurance requirements in every state as the state determines the minimum amount of liability coverage, insurer rates approval, tort laws, etc.

Knowing about the laws related to your car insurance would help you make a more informed decision in buying coverage. It also can help you in seeking discounts or optional coverage to meet your needs.

Car Insurance Laws in Texas

At times, you might wonder why car insurance is mandatory in your state, especially when you have to pay high premiums.

The mandatory law was established more than a century ago when people started getting involved in car accidents, some of whom were unable to pay the financial cost incurred in the process.

The main purpose of car insurance laws was to protect everyone driving on the roads. Without the collective pool of premiums, it would be impossible for individuals to bear the financial cost of personal injury and property damage in fatal crashes.

Let’s look at some of the car insurance laws in place today.

Windshield Coverage Laws in Texas

If you regularly drive on unpaved roads or pass through terrains where there’s a high probability of getting hit by cobbles and pebbles on the windshield, you should know the windshield coverage laws in your state.

In Texas, there aren’t any laws specific to windshields, however, repairs are allowed from any vendor provided the material used is of similar quality.

Do make sure that you ask your insurer about broken windshield car insurance in your policy as windshield replacement can cost a lot, depending on the car.

Read more: Does car insurance cover broken car windows?

High-Risk Insurance in Texas

When states establish laws to protect motorists/pedestrians on the road, they also have to create separate rules for high-risk car insurance for drivers who have a history of bad driving behavior.

A motorist is considered a high-risk driver if they have been involved in multiple accidents/speeding violations. When an insurer realizes that a person’s driving behavior may cause significant cost outlay in future, they label these drivers as high-risk.

Because of their driving behavior, high-risk drivers are at times ineligible to obtain car insurance from the traditional market. To offer coverage to these drivers, the state has established a program for them, known as the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA).

Who’s eligible for this program?

Motorists in Texas who can prove that they were denied insurance coverage by at least two carriers within a period of 60 days can apply for coverage under TAIPA.

How does the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association work?

The TAIPA operates like an association wherein member companies licensed to do business in Texas form part of a pool that would provide coverage. Motorists who are accepted into the program are placed in that pool and are allocated an insurer according to the annual quota of insurers.

How is the annual quota decided?

To keep the process fair and avoid undue burden on any insurance company, each insurer has to offer coverage to a specific percentage of high-risk drivers depending on their market share in Texas.

Though the TAIPA program is a boon for high-risk drivers, the rates tend to be on the higher side for basic coverage and enable motorists to meet the state minimum liability requirement only. Recently, the rates were revised for both personal and commercial auto insurance.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Texas

Motorists buy coverage with the hope that, in the unfortunate event of an accident, the repair and injury costs would be settled by their insurance company. However, there are some motorists who try to find a loophole in the system to make some quick money and commit insurance fraud.

In 2017, the Texas fraud unit received 7,756 reports of motor vehicle insurance fraud which accounted for around 61.52% of the overall insurance fraud reports.

The data indicates that motor vehicle insurance fraud is quite rampant in Texas. That’s why there’s a penalty for insurance fraud, which increases with the value claimed.

• When the claim amount is less than $50: Anything lower than $50 is considered a “Class C” misdemeanor, carrying a fine of $500.
• When the claim amount is more than $200,000: As the value is high, the penalty is also severe with fines up to $10,000 and/or jail time of five to 99 years.

Let’s look at some of the most common types of auto insurance fraud:

• Staging an accident or car theft with the motive to get money from the insurance claim settlement
• Claiming a higher amount than the cost of repair after an accident from the insurer
• Sharing incorrect residential address information with the insurer to get a cheaper premium quote

Beware: On the other end of the spectrum, you can also be scammed after an accident. Here’s a short video on how to avoid scams post a crash.

Statute of Limitations in Texas

The statute of limitations defines a time limit from the date of an accident to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Beyond this limit, the state law wouldn’t allow you to go to the court with your grievance.

In Texas, you have two years from the time of the accident to file a lawsuit for both personal injury and property damage.

Texas Lemon Law

We are happy to inform you that if you have been facing repeated problems with your newly purchased or leased car, the Texas Lemon Law offers a redressal system for its replacement or repair.

Which vehicles are eligible under this law?

If you have bought or leased a new motor vehicle that has developed a defect causing continuous problems in its use, then you can apply for relief under the law, provided you have given the manufacturer a reasonable opportunity to repair the defect.

Please note: You have to submit a $35 fee with the Lemon Law complaint form.

Vehicle Licensing Laws in Texas

To get a cheap premium quote, you must have an impeccable driving record. And, to maintain a good driving record, you have to follow the licensing laws in your state so that you don’t receive any tickets.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Texas

Auto insurance is expensive, but if you happen to be involved in an accident, the financial costs of personal injury and property damage can burn a deep hole in your pocket. Despite that fact, some motorists tend to avoid buying insurance coverage.

Driving without insurance poses an extremely serious threat to others on the road, and the state of Texas has established TexasSure program to initiate automatic verification of insurance.

TexasSure is a motor vehicle insurance verification program that allows law enforcement officers to access a central database that connects vehicle license plate, VIN number, and the liability insurance policy. Law officers can easily verify whether you have coverage now.

In Texas, around 20% of motorists are driving without any insurance coverage. To reduce the number of uninsured motorists on roads, Texas levies heavy penalties.

First Offense: When you’re caught without insurance for the first time, you would be fined in the range of $175 to $350. In addition, you would have to pay an additional surcharge of $250 annually towards your driver’s license fee for the next three years.

Subsequent Offenses: For repeat offenders, the fines can range from $350 to $1,000 along with the chance of license revocation and vehicle impoundment.

Teen Driver Laws in Texas

When it comes to premium rates, teenagers have to pay the maximum because of the obvious risks involved with their driving behavior. On top of that, if teens get involved in accidents or speeding violations, their premiums increase further.

As teenagers, it’s important to closely keep track of driving laws in your state.

Learner’s License: To be eligible for a learner’s permit, you must be at least 15 or older. A permit is issued to only those who satisfactorily complete the classroom phase of a driver’s education course.

Provisional/Intermediate License: Teens can apply for a provisional license if they have satisfied the requirements under the learner’s permit.

Unrestricted License: At 18, teens who have successfully held a provisional license can apply for a full license.

To ensure that your children follow the law, you can write a Texas Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. This agreement outlines specific rules that teens need to follow while driving as well as the consequences of anything on the contrary.

Driver License Renewal Procedure in Texas

Renewing your driving license as per the renewal cycle of your state would save you unnecessary hassles with law enforcement since you aren’t allowed to drive with an expired license.

In Texas, you have to renew your license every six years if you’re aged between 18-84. For residents older than 84, you’re required to renew your license every two years.

Texans can renew their license within a year before it’s supposed to expire and up to two years after the expiration of the license. However, if two years have elapsed since expiration, you aren’t eligible for renewal and have to apply for a new license.

Renewing your license every six years might seem like a big task to you, but the state of Texas has made the renewal procedure quite smooth.

Renewals by phone, mail, or online: If you’re below 79, you can renew your license by phone, mail, or online. Drivers under 18 and older than 79 are required to renew their licenses in person at a Texas DPS office.

Let’s look at the license renewal fee in Texas.

Rules of the Road in Texas

If you want to keep your auto premiums low, you need to abide by the rules of the road so that you can avoid tickets, speeding violations, and accidents.

Don’t worry, we aren’t asking you to take out the driver’s handbook. In this section, we are listing the basic rules you need to follow on the road.

Fault vs No-Fault

Texas follows the tort law according to which insurance companies try to find at fault party in the event of an accident before providing coverage.

In an at-fault state, if you’re involved in an accident caused by the other party, you would be compensated for personal injury and property damage costs by their insurer.

Seat Belt Laws in Texas

Do you know that seat belts can improve the chance of survival by 50% in the event of a fatal crash?

The seat belt laws in Texas require drivers and all passengers of a motor vehicle to wear seat belts, failing which they might be fined in the range of $25-$250.

Read more: Do seat belt laws impact my car insurance?

Car Seat Laws for Children in Texas

The safety of children is of paramount importance on the road as they are incapable of protecting themselves in a crash. That’s why children are required to be buckled up in a car seat for maximum protection.

Let’s look at the guidelines for child seats.

Another thing to consider about children in Texas: The Lone Star State tragically sees more child fatalities from heat strokes in cars than any other state in the nation.

Move Over Laws in Texas

The law requires motorists to reduce their speed if they’re approaching a stationary emergency vehicle (which includes Texas DMV vehicles and tow trucks) and vacate the lane next to the stationary vehicle.

Speed Limits in Texas

The maximum posted limit of rural and urban interstates in Texas is 75 mph, however, some segments of highways have a speed limit of 80 or 85 mph the fastest highway in America.

We took a look at the NHSTA statistics from 2005-2010 for fatal crashes in the counties where this highway is before the change and tallied up the totals.

Here are the most recent available stats for Texas driving fatalities by county before the new 85 mph highway in Texas:

TX County	Travis	Caldwell	Guadalupe	Totals
2010	78	15	8	101
2009	95	12	18	125
2008	92	9	13	114
2007	94	12	16	122
2006	103	3	12	118
				580

Now compare that to the most recent data below.

What do higher speed limits mean?

Only one thing can be sure: accidents at higher speeds will cause greater damage, and the chances of surviving an accident decrease as the traveling speed goes up.

Cars just aren’t built to withstand crashes upwards of 90 miles per hour.

When traveling at such high speeds, drivers have just a split second to make quick decisions (especially with wild hogs roaming the area). It is important to maintain safe following distances and adjust your speed according to the visibility conditions.

Ridesharing Laws in Texas

In 2017, the state of Texas established statewide rideshare car insurance standards through House Bill 100 for ridesharing companies as there were clashes over local ordinances that varied from city to city.

The new ordinance aims to protect the interest of riders and requires drivers to undergo criminal background checks annually, carry the minimum auto insurance coverage and be barred from driving if found on the sex offenders registry.

The mandatory liability insurance for these motor vehicles is $1 million to cover expenses from bodily injury and property damage in total for each incident, while the vehicle is engaged for a ride.

Automation on the Road in Texas

The state of Texas is making efforts to be ahead of everyone in the autonomous vehicles arena. Apart from allowing full deployment of automated vehicles, state officials are also forming a Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Task Force for testing self-driving cars.

Safety Laws in Texas

Multitasking isn’t easy and even more so when you are distracted by way of texting/talking on the phone or under the influence of alcohol/marijuana. The ill effects of alcohol consumption or excessive usage of mobile phones is a topic in itself, but here we would focus on the safety laws in Texas.

DUI Laws in Texas

In the state of Texas, the official term for driving after the consumption of alcohol is DWI or driving while intoxicated.

The law prohibits driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08% or more. Commercial drivers (including school bus drivers) are considered drunk when their BAC is more than .04%.

Beware: Drivers under the age of 21 aren’t allowed to drive a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their system. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

Texas penalizes heavily for DWI and the fines/jail time increases with the number of offenses.

• First Offense: First-time offenders can be fined up to $2,000 and face the possibility of jail time from three days to six months as well. In addition, their license can also be suspended for a period of up to 12 months.
• Second Offense: If you’re caught the second time, you may be fined up to $4,000 and face jail time from a month to a year. You can also lose your driver’s license for up to two years.
• Third Offense: For a third time, the fines increase substantially to $10,000 and you would have to spend time in prison for a period of two to 10 years. Also, you might lose driving rights for up to two years.

Distracted Driving Laws in Texas

Although driving while talking or texting on a hand-held phone is less dangerous than DWI, it still distracts you from the road and might lead to accidents.

Cellphone usage law: The state of Texas has imposed a texting ban for all motorists while driving. The use of hand-held phones is completely banned for drivers under the age of 18, and adults aren’t allowed to use cellphones around school zones during school time.

Texas Can’t-Miss Facts

With the end of the previous section, we know that you have learned about the car insurance laws of your state in detail. We are sure that the information provided above would help you in getting the right insurance coverage.

Now, we just want to share some facts about Texas related to the most popular vehicle for theft, fatality rates, commute rates of different cities, etc.

Vehicle Theft in Texas

Vehicle Thefts in Texas: Top 10 Stolen Makes and Models by Year

You can also search for the number of vehicle thefts in your city using the following table.

Vehicle Theft by City in Texas: Motor Stolen Statistics

Dangers on the Road in Texas

Despite how safely we drive on the roads, there would be some reckless driving by others leading to fatal crashes. In the next section, we would look at the crash data by city and the reasons behind it.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Conditions in Texas

Traffic Fatalities by Road Type in Texas

Fatalities by Person Type in Texas

Fatalities by Crash Type in Texas

Fatalities Trend for the Top 10 Counties of Texas

DWI Arrests in Texas

The number of alcohol-impaired driving arrests is on the higher side in Texas, especially for adults older than 18. Another number to be concerned about is the fatality rate per 100,000 people in Texas, which is much higher at 1.9 than the national average of 1.2.

EMS Response Time in Texas

Transportation in Texas

Do you ever think about why there’s so much traffic congestion on the road while you’re going to the office? Because around 80% of the population in Texas prefers to drive alone.

Yes, you aren’t the only one who likes solitude.

Car Ownership in Texas

The large majority of the population in Texas owns two cars, followed by three cars. The bar chart from DataUSA shows the comparison of car ownership in Texas with the national average, where the orange bars indicate data for Texas.

Commute Time in Texas

The average commute time for workers in Texas is around 25.2 minutes which is close to the national average of 25.3 minutes.

Commuter Transportation in Texas

Most of the people in Texas prefer to drive alone to work, followed by around 10% of people who carpool to their offices.

Top Cities with the Most Traffic Congestion in Texas

If you live in these four cities in Texas, you would have to spend close to 30-40 minutes stuck in traffic on average.

The traffic index means the composite index of commute to work, CO2 consumption while in traffic, dissatisfaction during time consumption, and overall inefficiency. The inefficiency index is an estimation of the inefficiencies of traffic in a city.

Now it’s time to get the best coverage for you. Start comparison shopping today using our FREE online tool for car insurance quotes. Enter your zip code below to get started.