Full-Coverage Car Insurance in Texas: What You Need to Know

Texas drivers can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance from State Farm, with rates starting at $94 per month.

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Full-coverage car insurance usually includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. It can help pay for a variety of expenses, such as medical bills and property damage after an at-fault accident, damage from colliding with another vehicle or stationary object, and damage stemming from non-collision events like a fire or an object falling on your vehicle.

Like most states, Texas only requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance — full coverage is optional. But if you lease or finance your vehicle, you’ll likely have to buy full coverage to satisfy your lender’s requirements.

Here’s what you need to know about buying full-coverage car insurance in Texas.

What is full-coverage car insurance in Texas?

Full-coverage car insurance in Texas is typically a combination of three types of coverages, including:

It’s important to note that while full-coverage auto insurance provides more financial protection, it doesn’t cover every situation. You might want to explore additional coverage options or add-ons to fill in the gaps.

For example, roadside assistance may cover towing and other services during emergency situations on the road. Gap insurance can pay the difference between what you owe on your car loan or lease and the amount of your insurance payout — your vehicle’s diminished value — if you total your car. It’s up to you to determine which add-ons may make sense for your needs.

How much does full-coverage car insurance cost in Texas?

The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Texas is $218 per month. By comparison, the national average is $182. Here’s a look at the cheapest car insurance quotes for full-coverage car insurance in Texas.

What car insurance is required in Texas?

To drive legally in Texas, drivers must meet the minimum car insurance requirements of 30/60/25, which includes:

  • $30,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage: Bodily injury liability pays for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses after an at-fault accident.

  • $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage: Since passengers can sustain injuries in car accidents, Texas laws also require bodily injury liability to protect more than two parties.

  • $25,000 in property damage coverage: Property damage insurance covers repair or replacement costs if you cause an accident and the other driver’s vehicle sustains damage.

Additionally, Texas requires all auto insurers to automatically include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in every policy. If you don’t want these coverages, you’ll need to decline them in writing.2

Is full-coverage car insurance worth it in Texas?

Unless you lease or finance your vehicle and your leasing company or lender requires full coverage, a full-coverage policy is optional in the Lone Star State. But the additional coverage may be worthwhile, as the required 30/60/25 liability coverage only pays for the other party’s medical costs and repair bills after an at-fault accident. If you cause a serious accident, this minimum insurance might not be enough to cover all the other driver’s expenses.

Plus, it won’t protect your vehicle at all in any situation and may leave you with hefty out-of-pocket repair costs. Let’s say you walk out to the parking lot after work one day and learn someone stole your car. A full-coverage policy would kick in and pay you (or a lienholder) the actual cash value of your vehicle. Without it, you’d be responsible for all the out-of-pocket costs, as liability insurance won’t apply.

Put simply, full-coverage car insurance can give you greater financial peace of mind on the road. Also, if you lease or finance your car, your auto loan or lease company might require this type of policy. It can protect them from financial losses that may occur to your car while you still owe money on it.

How to find cheap full-coverage car insurance in Texas

Fortunately, you can lock in affordable full-coverage auto insurance in Texas. Here are some tips to help you out.

Full-coverage car insurance in Texas FAQs

Below, you’ll find the answers to several frequently asked questions about full-coverage policies in the state of Texas.

  • Is full-coverage car insurance required in Texas?

    Not legally. Texas doesn’t require drivers to carry full-coverage car insurance. But if you lease or finance your vehicle, your leasing company or lender will probably require you to buy full coverage. And even if you don’t have to buy it, full coverage is a good idea if you want greater financial protection.

  • Is Texas a no-fault state?

    No. Texas isn’t a no-fault state. Instead, it’s an at-fault or tort state. This means that the insurance of the driver who causes an accident must pay for the other party’s vehicle damages and injuries.

  • How much does full-coverage car insurance cost in Texas?

    In Texas, a full-coverage car insurance policy averages $218 per month for drivers with clean records. But some groups pay more. Texas teens face average full-coverage rates of $427 per month, while drivers with a DUI on their motor vehicle records see average monthly rates around $351.

    To lock in the cheapest car insurance coverage, shop around and compare coverage options, take advantage of discounts, and maintain a clean driving record.

  • Does Texas require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

    Texas state law requires insurers to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on all policies, but you can opt out of it by notifying your insurer in writing. But it’s a good idea to buy the coverage if you can afford it.

    More than 8% of Texas drivers are uninsured.4 If an uninsured driver causes an accident, uninsured motorist coverage could help pay for your damages and injuries.

Anna Baluch
Anna BaluchInsurance Writer

Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

Anna has been a contributor at Insurify since December 2022.