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Texas requires 30/60/25 liability limits, a little higher than the 25/50 structure common in many states. The state is also large, with long highway distances, major metro areas such as Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, and a Gulf Coast that sees hurricanes, plus hail across much of the state. Those weather risks are covered by comprehensive coverage, which is optional unless a lender requires it. The Insurance Research Council estimated that about 13.8 percent of Texas drivers were uninsured in 2022.
Texas checks compliance through TexasSure, a statewide database that matches registered vehicles to insurer-reported policies. Law enforcement and county tax offices use it, so a policy that is missing from the database can cause problems even if you are insured. Texas also has a notable offer-and-reject system. Insurers must offer PIP and UM/UIM coverage, and you must decline them in writing, rather than having to ask for them.
| Minimum liability | 30/60/25 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | None beyond liability |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
Texas minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Texas you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $30,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $60,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $25,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Texas calls this 30/60/25 coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Texas insurers must offer personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on a new policy. If you decline either one, it must be in writing.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Texas a no-fault state?
Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Texas is an at-fault state. It uses modified comparative negligence with a 51 percent bar, so you cannot recover if you are more than 50 percent at fault, and your award is reduced by your share of blame.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Texas?
Status: Allowed.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Texas
Driving without the required liability insurance is a misdemeanor. The fine is $175 to $350 for a first offense and $350 to $1,000 for a repeat conviction, plus court costs, and a court may reduce a first-offense fine below $175 if the driver cannot afford it. A repeat conviction can also lead to a license suspension unless proof of financial responsibility is filed.
TexasSure is the state's vehicle insurance verification program. Officers and county tax offices check a registered vehicle's liability coverage against insurer-submitted data, and TxDMV can send letters when a vehicle cannot be matched.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Texas drivers
- If an officer cannot confirm your policy through TexasSure, show your insurance card or digital proof. A citation for driving without insurance can be dismissed if you can show you were insured when cited.
- Check your auto policy for PIP and UM/UIM. Texas insurers must offer them, and you only lack them if you rejected them in writing. TDI notes that insurers are not required to re-offer them at renewal, but you can ask at any time.
- If TxDMV sends a TexasSure letter saying your vehicle could not be matched, contact your insurer and confirm the VIN and policy dates on file. A typo can look like a gap.
- Compare the optional comprehensive coverage on your policy with the weather risks where you live. Hail and flood claims are handled under comprehensive coverage, not liability.
- Remember that a second conviction raises the stakes. Texas fines jump to $350 to $1,000, and your license can be suspended unless you file proof of financial responsibility.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Texas Department of Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are Texas's minimum liability limits?
Texas requires 30/60/25 liability coverage: $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury to everyone hurt in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This is set by the Texas Transportation Code. Liability coverage pays for harm you cause to others, not for repairs to your own vehicle.
What is TexasSure?
TexasSure is the Texas program that verifies auto liability insurance on registered vehicles. Insurers report policy data, and law enforcement and county tax offices use it to check coverage. TDI administers the program but has no enforcement authority over uninsured drivers. If your vehicle cannot be matched, you may receive a letter.
What is the fine for driving without insurance in Texas?
The fine is $175 to $350 for a first offense and $350 to $1,000 for a repeat offense, plus court costs. A court may reduce a first-offense fine below $175 if you cannot afford it. A repeat conviction can lead to license suspension unless you file proof of financial responsibility.
Do Texas insurers have to offer PIP and uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes. Texas insurers must offer personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on a new policy. If you do not want either one, you must decline it in writing. TDI says insurers do not have to re-offer these coverages at renewal, but you can ask to add them at any time.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance - Minimum liability coverage
- Texas Department of Insurance - Consumer Bill of Rights (personal auto)
- Texas Transportation Code Section 601.191 (Texas Public Law)
- State Auditor of Texas - An Audit Report on the Financial Responsibility Verification Program (TexasSure)
- Insurance Information Institute - Background on compulsory auto/uninsured motorists
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.