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Texas car insurance: minimum limits, PIP and UM rejection, TexasSure and costs

By Editorial team, last reviewed

Quick answer

Texas requires liability insurance of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Every Texas policy also includes personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage unless you reject them in writing. Texans spent an average of $1,428.94 a year per insured vehicle in 2023, above the national average of $1,281.

Key facts

FactTexas
Liability minimum$30,000 / $60,000 bodily injury, $25,000 property damage
PIPIncluded in every policy unless you reject it in writing (required amount: $2,500 per person)
Uninsured motoristMust be included (combined UM/UIM) unless you reject it in writing
Underinsured motoristPart of the same UM/UIM coverage; can be rejected in writing
Medical paymentsOptional
Fault systemAt-fault (add-on PIP)
First-offense fine for driving uninsured$175 to $350
Average spent per insured vehicle (2023)$1,428.94 a year, about $119 a month
Average liability + collision + comprehensive premium (2023)$1,726.91 (US: $1,438)
RegulatorTexas Department of Insurance, 800-252-3439
Insurance verificationTexas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), TexasSure

City guides in Texas

  • HoustonHouston car insurance explained through flood and storm risk, metro theft data, Texas rules and ways to pay less.
  • San AntonioSan Antonio car insurance for a fast-growing city: Texas rules, advice for military households, commuting and theft data.
  • DallasDallas car insurance through two local risks, theft and uninsured drivers, plus Texas rules and ways to lower your premium.
  • AustinAustin car insurance for newcomers and remote workers: Texas rules, commuting and crash data, and ways to lower the premium.
  • Fort WorthFort Worth car insurance for car-dependent households: Texas rules, multi-car and teen driver tips, theft and crash data.

Coverages Texas adds unless you refuse them in writing

Texas is an at-fault state: the driver who causes a crash pays for the damage through liability insurance. But the law also builds two layers of protection for you into every policy, and they stay there unless you sign them away.

Personal injury protection. The Texas Department of Insurance says all Texas auto policies include PIP, and you must tell the company in writing if you don't want it. PIP pays your and your passengers' medical bills, plus some lost wages and other costs, whoever caused the crash. The law requires $2,500 per person, and insurers may offer broader benefits than that minimum. For example, if your PIP limit is $5,000 and your emergency room bill is $3,000, PIP can pay that bill without waiting for the other driver's insurer to accept fault.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM). Insurers must offer this coverage, and it is included unless you reject it in writing. It pays when the driver who hits you has no insurance or too little insurance. Our uninsured motorist coverage guide covers how these claims work.

A signed rejection can carry over to renewals with the same insurer unless you ask in writing for the coverage back. If you rejected PIP or UM/UIM years ago, your current policy may not have them. Your declarations page shows what you carry.

TexasSure and how the state checks your insurance

TexasSure is the state's insurance verification program, an automated database run jointly by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), the Department of Insurance, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Information Resources. Its job is to spot vehicles that lack the required liability coverage.

Texas law links the program to traffic stops. An officer can check coverage through the verification program, and a ticket for no insurance must state that the officer could not verify coverage that way. Carrying your insurance card is still the quickest way to settle a question at the roadside.

TxDMV estimated that 11.87% of Texas drivers were uninsured as of September 2025. The Insurance Research Council, using a different method, estimated 14.5% for 2023, below the national 15.4%. Either way, a meaningful share of drivers around you may have no coverage at all.

Fines and impound for driving uninsured

OffensePenalty under Transportation Code chapter 601
First offenseFine of $175 to $350
Second or later offenseFine of $350 to $1,000
Second or later conviction, if you own the carVehicle impounded for 180 days, with a daily impound fee
Later offense on your recordLicense suspension unless you file and keep proof of insurance

A court can lower a first-offense fine for someone who cannot afford it. The fine may not be the biggest cost, though. Without insurance, you pay personally for any damage or injuries you cause.

Texas car insurance costs: above the national average

Measure (2023)TexasUnited States
Average spent per insured vehicle$1,428.94$1,281
Average liability + collision + comprehensive premium$1,726.91$1,438

Texas is above the national average on both NAIC measures. Crash data are part of the picture. IIHS counted 4,160 crash deaths in Texas in 2024, or 13.3 per 100,000 people (US: 11.5) and 1.35 per 100 million miles driven (US: 1.19). Speeding was a factor in 36% of deaths, above the national 29%.

Prices also vary inside the state, because insurers rate partly by where the car is kept; see how ZIP code affects car insurance. Ways to bring your own price down include discounts, a higher deductible and comparing quotes at every renewal.

Claim deadlines Texas insurers must meet

The Department of Insurance sets clear timelines once you file a claim:

  1. The insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 days.
  2. Once it has all the information it needs, it has 15 business days to accept or deny the claim.
  3. If it needs more time, it can take up to 45 days, but it must tell you.
  4. After agreeing to pay, it must send payment within 5 business days.

If a deadline slips, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439. Our claims guide walks through the whole process.

If you are a high-risk driver in Texas

After certain convictions, Texas requires an SR-22, a certificate your insurer files to prove you carry insurance. In Texas it must be kept for 2 years from the most recent conviction or judgment. If regular insurers will not cover you, the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) is the assigned-risk plan; you qualify after 2 insurers turn you down. See high risk auto insurance after a DUI for more.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reject PIP in Texas?

Yes, but only in writing. Every Texas policy includes PIP unless you sign a rejection. The required amount is $2,500 per person.

What is TexasSure?

TexasSure is Texas's insurance verification program, an automated database that identifies vehicles without the required liability coverage. Officers can use it at traffic stops.

What is the fine for driving without insurance in Texas?

A first offense carries a fine of $175 to $350. A later offense costs $350 to $1,000, and a second conviction can lead to a 180-day impound of a car you own.

How long do I need an SR-22 in Texas?

Texas requires an SR-22 for 2 years from the date of your most recent conviction or judgment. If it lapses, Texas DPS charges a $100 reinstatement fee.

How long does a Texas insurer have to pay a claim?

After it agrees to pay, the insurer must send payment within 5 business days. Earlier steps have their own deadlines, listed above.

Is car insurance in Texas more expensive than average?

Yes, on NAIC figures for 2023. Texas drivers spent $1,428.94 per insured vehicle, against $1,281 nationally. Neighbors Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico have their own averages.

Sources

Last reviewed by the StateCover Guide editorial team. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.