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Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 30/60/25 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,891 a year, 1% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Texas requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 30/60/25 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $2,891 a year ($241 a month), 1% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 14.5% (2023), the 19th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
Texas requires $30,000 bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability (Texas Department of Insurance, "Auto insurance guide," updated December 11, 2025).
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Part of every Texas policy by default; turning it down takes a written rejection. It covers medical costs and part of lost wages for the people in your car, regardless of fault. |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Every insurer has to offer it, and declining it also requires a signed rejection. |
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in Texas is $2,891 a year, 1% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Texas the 17th most expensive of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Texas is a large, varied market: premiums in big metro areas are typically far higher than in rural counties, and severe weather such as hail and flooding makes comprehensive coverage worth considering even on an older car.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Texas preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
Texas follows proportionate responsibility: you can recover damages reduced by your share of fault, but nothing if you are more than 50% responsible (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 33).
An estimated 14.5% of Texas drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 19th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Texas checks coverage electronically through TexasSure, a joint project of the state's motor vehicle, insurance, public safety and information resources departments, which identifies registered vehicles without required insurance. By the Texas DMV's own count, roughly 11.87% of the state's drivers had no insurance in September 2025. It differs from the IRC figure above because it uses the state's registration data and a later date. (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, "TexasSure - Insurance Verification")
Fines reach $350 for a first conviction for driving uninsured. A later conviction can cost as much as $1,000 and lead to license suspension, with court costs and fees on top. (Texas Department of Insurance, "FAQ: Auto insurance," updated February 26, 2026)
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Texas from $2,043 to $2,440 a year, an increase of 19% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
Texas uses the SR-22 certificate. Drivers are typically ordered to file one after a license suspension, for example for driving uninsured or certain serious convictions, and must keep it for the period set by the state.
Texas uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Texas Department of Insurance. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Texas.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
