Best Car Insurance in Texas
Last Updated on October 22, 2020
Drivers in Texas pay some of the highest rates for car insurance in the United States, with drivers in Texas’s biggest cities paying particularly high premiums. Fortunately, Texans have plenty of options for car insurance. By shopping around and choosing the right provider, you can pay cheap rates for car insurance anywhere in Texas.
Table of Contents
- Best Auto Insurance Companies in Texas
- Texas Auto Insurance Requirements
- Driving Without Insurance in Texas
- Car Insurance in Texas with a DUI
- Car Insurance in Texas with At-Fault Accidents
- Car Insurance in Texas with Speeding Tickets
- Car Insurance in Texas for Young Drivers
- Car Insurance in Texas with Poor Credit
- SR-22 Insurance in Texas
Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Texas
Some Texas car insurance companies charge low rates while providing good customer service and claims satisfaction. The best auto insurance companies in Texas include:
1) Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Farm Bureau offers some of the lowest rates in the state, charging drivers roughly $1,109 per year for full coverage car insurance.
| Texas Farm Bureau | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 7420 Fish Pond Road Waco, TX 76710 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-772-6535 |
| Website URL | https://www.txfb-ins.com/ |
2) GEICO
GEICO is known for affordable car insurance prices in most states, and Texas is no exception. GEICO doesn’t have the best record for claims satisfaction in Texas, although the company charges drivers approximately $1,211 per year for car insurance, making them one of the cheapest providers in the state.
| GEICO | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 5260 Western Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-861-8380 |
| Website URL | https://www.geico.com/ |
3) Republic Group
Known mostly within Texas, Republic Group offers affordably-priced car insurance to drivers across Texas. The typical Texan pays approximately $1,351 per year for Republic Group full coverage car insurance.
| Republic Group | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 4455 LBJ Freeway, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75244 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-344-2275 |
| Website URL | https://www.republicgroup.com/ |
4) Progressive
Progressive offers affordable car insurance prices throughout Texas, with drivers in cities paying particularly low rates with Progressive. The average driver in Texas pays approximately $1,497 to insure a vehicle with Progressive, making them one of the best insurers in the state for value and claims satisfaction.
| Progressive | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 6300 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, OH 44143 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-776-4737 |
| Website URL | https://www.progressive.com/ |
5) Auto Club of SoCal
Auto Club of SoCal, confusingly, also covers Texas and southwestern states. In Texas, Auto Club of SoCal charges relatively cheap car insurance premiums, with drivers paying roughly $1,501 to insure a vehicle in Texas. Auto Club of SoCal is affiliated with AAA.
| Auto Club of Southern California | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | PO Box 25001 Santa Ana, CA 92799 |
| Phone Number | 1-888-883-8417 |
| Website URL | https://www.calif.aaa.com/ |
6) State Farm
State Farm is a large and well-known insurance company. State Farm charges affordable prices for car insurance in Texas. The average Texas driver pays roughly $1,641 to insure a vehicle with State Farm.
| State Farm | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 1 State Farm Plaza Bloomington, IL 61701 |
| Phone Number | 1-309-766-2311 |
| Website URL | https://www.statefarm.com/ |
7) Nationwide
Nationwide is another large and well-known car insurance company available across the United States. Nationwide, like GEICO, has mixed reviews for claims satisfaction, although they continue to offer affordable car insurance prices across the state of Texas, with drivers paying roughly $2,101 per year for car insurance through Nationwide.
| Nationwide | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | One Nationwide Plaza Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Phone Number | 1-877-669-6877 |
| Website URL | https://www.nationwide.com/ |
8) USAA
USAA would be ranked higher on this list if membership was available to everyone, but it’s not. USAA car insurance is only available to members of the military and their families. If you’re eligible, you can pay cheap rates and enjoy great customer service with USAA car insurance, as they’re consistently ranked as the best car insurance company in Texas in J.D. Power’s annual survey. Some Texans pay as little as $1,100 per year for full coverage car insurance with USAA.
| USAA | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 9800 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78288 |
| Phone Number | 1-210-531-USAA |
| Website URL | http://www.usaa.com/ |
9) Allstate
Allstate is a large insurance company that charges cheap insurance premiums across the state of Texas. The average Allstate customer pays approximately $1,468 per year in Texas, making them one of the best-value car insurance providers in the state.
| Allstate | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 2775 Sanders Road Northbrook, IL 60062 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-255-7828 |
| Website URL | https://www.allstate.com/ |
10) Mercury
Mercury continues to grow its brand across Texas. Although they’re not as well-known as insurers above, Mercury offers affordable car insurance prices to drivers across Texas. Expect to pay around $1,681 per year for Mercury’s full coverage car insurance.
| Mercury | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 4484 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90010 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-503-3724 |
| Website URL | https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/ |
Texas Insurance Requirements
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requires drivers to show proof they can pay for accidents they cause. Most drivers obtain this proof by buying car insurance. You must provide proof of insurance if pulled over, involved in an accident, or registering a vehicle.
Drivers in Texas must have a policy that matches or exceeds the following minimum limits:
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $60,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of property damage liability coverage
Texas has relatively high car insurance requirements compared to other states, which is one reason why car insurance is more expensive in Texas. Some states require just $5,000 to $20,000 of coverage, for example.
Texas does not, however, require drivers to obtain personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, medical payments coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, or other coverages required in other states.
Driving Without Insurance in Texas
Drivers must carry valid insurance to legally drive in Texas. However, approximately 20% of drivers in Texas – 1 in 5 people – do not carry car insurance.
If you are caught driving without insurance in Texas, you will receive a fine of $175 to $350 for your first violation. Before 2019, Texas would add an additional fee of $250 to your driver’s license, although the state no longer charges this fee.
For the second, third, and subsequent violations, the penalty for driving without insurance increases. You will receive a fine of$350 to $1,000. Repeat offenders could also have their licenses revoked and vehicles impounded. You may need to pay fees to get your vehicle back and have your license reinstated. Plus, your insurer will increase the cost of premiums. You are considered a high-risk driver, and that means significantly higher insurance premiums.
For all of these reasons, it’s best to avoid getting caught driving without insurance in Texas.
Car Insurance in Texas with a DUI
Getting a DUI will increase car insurance rates by 40% to 60% in Texas, depending on your age and driving history. If you have an otherwise clean record, then a single DUI may only raise rates by approximately 40%.
Some car insurance companies in Texas treat DUIs more harshly than others. The best car insurance companies in Texas for drivers with a DUI include:
- USAA: $1,611 per year
- Texas Farm Bureau: $1,698 per year
- Republic Group: $1,786 per year
- GEICO: $1,987 per year
- State Farm: $2,109 per year
A DWI stays on your record permanently in Texas unless you get it expunged or sealed. If you have a DWI on your record, anyone who runs a criminal background can see it. However, a DWI should only affect insurance premiums in Texas for 5 to 7 years. Different insurance companies treat DUIs/DWIs in different ways, and your DUI may fall off your record in as little as 3 years with some insurers.
Car Insurance in Texas with At-Fault Accidents
If you cause an accident in Texas, then you’ll pay higher insurance premiums for 3 to 7 years. An at-fault accident is a serious offense, and it indicates you’re a higher-risk driver to insure. Fortunately, insurers in Texas treat at-fault accidents in different ways. Consider requesting a quote from the following insurance companies after an at-fault accident in Texas:
- USAA: $1,499 per year
- GEICO: $1,502 per year
- Nationwide: $1,646 per year
- Texas Farm Bureau: $1,713 per year
- Republic Group: $1,829 per year
After an accident, shop around for car insurance. Your current insurance company might have a harsh stance towards at-fault accidents, while other insurers have a softer stance.
Car Insurance in Texas with Speeding Tickets
Texas has some of the highest speed limits in the country. With wide-open roads and spaces, it’s easy to speed in Texas. Unfortunately, speeding is also illegal, and drivers who get caught speeding in Texas may face higher insurance premiums.
Some Texas insurers raise rates after a single speeding ticket – particularly if it was a serious speeding ticket. Other Texas insurers ignore your first speeding ticket.
If you received a speeding ticket in Texas, consider requesting a quote from the following insurance companies:
- Texas Farm Bureau: $1,091 per year
- GEICO: $1,111 per year
- State Farm: $1,151 per year
- Auto Club of SoCal: $1,209 per year
- Allstate: $1,212 per year
Car Insurance in Texas for Young Drivers
Young drivers have the highest accident fatality rate in Texas, which is why young drivers pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the state. Many young drivers in Texas remain on their parents’ policy for as long as possible. Typically, you can remain on your parents’ policy as long as you’re still living at home.
Once you move out and obtain your own car insurance policy, however, it helps to shop around and save money. The best car insurance companies for young drivers in Texas include:
- USAA: $1,235 per year
- Texas Farm Bureau: $1,391 per year
- Republic Group: $1,401 per year
- State Farm: $1,798 per year
- Allstate: $2,001 per year
Car Insurance in Texas with Poor Credit
Texas, like most states, allows car insurance companies to calculate premiums based on credit score. As a driver in Texas with bad credit, you’ll pay higher rates for car insurance. Statistically, you’re a riskier driver to insure than someone with good credit.
Fortunately, car insurance companies use credit score in different ways. If you have a bad credit score, request a quote from the following companies:
- Texas Farm Bureau
- GEICO
- Travelers
- USAA
- Esurance
Overall, Texas is one of the harshest states in America for drivers with bad credit. Drivers with a very poor (300 to 579) credit score pay nearly $3,000 per year for car insurance – 2 to 3 times what drivers with a good credit score (670 and above) pay.
SR-22 Insurance in Texas
High-risk drivers in Texas may need SR-22 insurance. The Texas DMV may require you to obtain SR-22 insurance if you were caught driving under the influence or let your insurance lapse.
All major car insurance companies in Texas provide SR-22 insurance. However, because you’re a high-risk driver, you’ll pay higher car insurance than other drivers in Texas.
To lower SR-22 insurance costs in Texas, request a quote from the following companies:
- USAA: $831 per year
- State Farm: $1,211 per year
- Texas Farm Bureau: $1,488 per year
- GEICO: $1,493 per year
- Allstate: $1,978 per year
All rates are based on minimum liability coverage (not full coverage). SR-22 insurance lets you meet minimum car insurance requirements in
In other states, SR-22 insurance is 2 to 3 times higher than normal car insurance. In Texas, SR-22 insurance is “only” 75% higher, making it relatively affordable compared to other states.
Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Texas
Texas has relatively high car insurance premiums compared to the rest of the United States. This is due to the state’s stringent insurance requirements. Fortunately, with a bit of research, drivers in Texas can pay relatively low rates for car insurance regardless of their driving history, age, credit score, or location.
