Under state law, all Texas drivers must have a minimum amount of auto insurance to help protect themselves and other parties in the event of an accident. What’s more, drivers must be able to show proof of insurance if it’s requested by police and at your annual vehicle inspection. Making sure you abide by these laws may help you avoid trouble in the future. 
Mandatory Minimum Auto Insurance
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, all Texas drivers are required to carry proof of liability insurance. In other words, drivers must be able to prove they have insurance that can help them pay for accidents they cause. Liability insurance, which is a type of auto insurance, can help you pay for property damage, bodily injury and medical expenses that you may cause if you’re found to be at fault for an accident.
In Texas, you’re required to carry a minimum of $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person (up to a total of $60,000 per accident) and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. These coverage requirements are often referred to as 30/60/25 coverage.
Do I Need More Than the Minimum Auto Insurance?
Although it’s not legally required to carry more than the minimum mandated amount of liability insurance, it’s often a good idea to do so. This is because the minimum liability limits may be too low if you cause a multivehicle accident or another driver’s car is totaled in an accident you cause. Because your policy will only pay up to the policy limit, the other party or parties involved in the accident may sue you to recoup any money they may be out.
What’s more, Texas law only requires you to carry minimum liability coverage. By nature of liability insurance, you typically will not receive coverage for your own claims in the event of an accident. This means that, without additional insurance coverage from different types of policies, you’ll likely be paying for your car repair costs or any related medical bills out of your own pocket after an accident. Other types of auto insurance coverage, like collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and towing and labor coverage, can help provide a level of protection against other types of auto claims, but only if you purchase the appropriate policies.
How Can I Get Covered?
If you’re ready to secure the minimum liability coverage required in Texas, as well as any additional auto coverage, we’re here to help. Let the team of agents at Ed Weeren Insurance Agency, Austin’s trusted auto insurance agency, walk you through what options may be available to you.