Get an auto insurance quote – The Lone Star State requires that a motorist may not operate an automobile before establishing financial responsibility for the vehicle. Financial responsibility is a law used to ensure that compensation is in place for injuries or damages to property of another party that an individual may cause with their automobile as a result of a traffic accident. There are a couple of ways to comply with this law; a deposit or bond can be placed with the state’s governing authority or by the most common method of buying an auto insurance policy.

If deciding to purchase policies to comply, motorists must be aware that the Texas car insurance law mandates that residents must purchase coverage with minimum liability limits of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injuries to two or more people and $25,000 for property damage per accident; this is commonly abbreviated as 25/50/25. Higher limits may be purchased for an additional premium which will provide more protection in the event that the costs following an accident exceed the minimum limits; one should also keep in mind that liability coverage will not pay for the damage of the insured’s vehicle or any injuries that they may sustain in an automobile accident.

Be Sure to Comply with Texas auto insurance Laws

The state recently implemented the TexasSure Vehicle Insurance Verification program that allows law enforcement officers or other users designated by the state to verify whether or not a vehicle is insured immediately; this program was designed to eliminate the ability to furnish false proof of automobile coverage or cancelling a policy after registration has been obtained. The program also aims to lower the amount of uninsured motorists in the state as well; the state estimates that about 20% of all TX vehicles are not covered by a policy at any given time. By providing law enforcement officers with the ability to have verify coverage immediately it may help deter individuals from making the unwise decision of driving uninsured.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance proof of financial responsibility must be shown if asked by a law enforcement officer, following an accident, when registering a car, obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or when getting a vehicle inspected. Failure to comply can result in penalties which can become more expensive and more of a hassle than maintaining coverage in the first place. A first conviction can result in a fine of $175 and up to $350 while subsequent violations can result in fines ranging from $350 to $1,000, the suspension the the motorist’s driving privileges and the impounding of the vehicle. Considering these stiff penalties that can be applied, it may be wise to stay insured at all times rather than risk being caught or even worse, have an uncovered accident.