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Texas Auto Insurance Quotes

If you are one of those looking for the most cost effective auto insurance coverage in Texas, you are in for some good luck because of the number of options open to you. Not only will you get detailed information regarding the auto insurance laws of Texas, you will also learn the fundamentals of insurance coverage, thereby helping you to differentiate between what is mandatory and what is optional, from the law's perspective. It is important to understand the auto insurance laws before you hunt for the right kind of coverage. Only then would you be able to assess auto insurance quotes and determine if it is in sync with your requirements. That will also lead to better comparison of quotes from a lot of auto insurance companies offering coverage to motorists in Texas.

Texas Liability Insurance Requirements

Like most other states in the U.S., Texas requires that motorists purchase and maintain liability insurance coverage on all vehicles that are registered in the state.  Liability insurance helps by covering expenses caused by property damage or bodily injuries in the event of a motor vehicle accident.  The minimum required amount of liability insurance for bodily injuries for one person in one accident is $25,000.  For all bodily injuries in one accident, the minimum amount of coverage is $50,000.  Property damage must be covered by a minimum of $25,000 in liability coverage.  Texas does not require uninsured motorist or personal injury protection coverage.

Alternative Means of Establishing Financial Responsibility

If you do not want to purchase liability insurance, you can still comply with the financial responsibility laws in Texas.  You can file a surety bond with the county clerk in your county, make a deposit of $55,000 to a county judge, or make a deposit of $55,000 to your county comptroller.  You will receive a document that shows that you have filed the bond or made the deposit so that you can prove that you are in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of the state.

Proof of Insurance in Texas

Texas has a verification program that is called TexasSure.  Insurance companeis doing business in Texas submit information about new policies, policy renewals, nonrenewals, and cancellations right to the Texas Department of Transportation.  As long as minimum coverage is maintained on your vehicle, you do not have to take any additional action.  If you get a notice from the Department of Transportation about your insurance coverage, you will need to provide proof of insurance or clear up any issues related to your policy.

Penalties for Failing to Maintain Coverage

The penalty for not having insurance in Texas is suspension of your vehicle registration and driver's license.  In order to remove these suspensions, you will have to provide proof of current liability insurance that meets the minimums required by law and pay reinstatement fees that range from $175 to $350.

Auto Insurance Quotes for Liability Insurance

Given that liability insurance or meeting the financial responsibility requirements is mandatory, you will need to seek auto insurance quotes for the same. A lot of insurance providers offer liability insurance with a total coverage equivalent to the minimum financial responsibility mandated by law. That way you would find out about the premium that you need to pay in order to get a coverage that is in compliance with the financial responsibility mandated by Texas state laws for motorists driving on its roads. Through extensive shopping you may be able to find the cheapest insurance for the required liability coverage.

Additional insurance

Auto insurance quotes are important because liability insurance is not the only coverage you should look to possess. Although not mandated by law, other types of coverage like comprehensive and collision coverage and personal injury protection could also prove valuable in the long term. In fact, you can seek auto insurance quotes for full coverage that include liability, comprehensive and collision insurance. This way, you would be protected in all cases. While liability insurance provides damage cover to opposite party for accidents caused by your fault, collision insurance offers cover for damages to your vehicle due to accidents irrespective of who is to blame. Similarly, comprehensive coverage will ensure that you are protected against natural calamities like floods, earthquakes or hurricanes that have the potential to destroy a lot of property. PIP or personal injury protection offers damage cover for medical expenses incurred in the treatment of those in your car during an accident, irrespective of where the blame for the accident lies. This will allow you to breathe easy at all times.

Auto insurance tips that will save you money

One must understand that the best auto insurance policy is not the cheapest auto insurance policy. It is the one that offers reliable coverage that will stand you in good stead when you need it. There are several types of insurance and hence, the fine print associated with your policy is quite extensive too. You must pay special attention to this fine print to understand what you are covered for and what you aren't.

For example, you can pay extra money for totaled car insurance. However, in some cases, you might not be satisfied with the market value estimated and offered to you as compensation, by the insurance provider. The same holds with car damage repairs where you may not have the flexibility to choose a manufacturer of original equipment or service stations of your choice. This could result in results that are not very satisfying.

When you renew your auto insurance after a year where there have been no accident claims, you can claim for a discount in your premium. If you don't get any discount you can get a better deal by shopping elsewhere. Also make sure that you check your premium as insurance providers are known to slip in extra charges year after year that customers seldom notice.