Texas requires at least $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 per accident and $25,000 of property damage liability, often written as 30/60/25. Every Texas auto policy also includes personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage unless you reject them in writing.
Driving without insurance can bring fines of up to $1,000, and a repeat conviction can lead to a suspended license and a 180-day vehicle impound.
Key Takeaways
- Texas requires 30/60/25 liability coverage: $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage.
- PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are part of every Texas policy unless you reject them in writing.
- A first conviction for driving uninsured carries a fine of $175 to $350. A second can mean a fine of up to $1,000, a suspended license unless you file an SR-22, and a 180-day impound if you own the car.
- If two insurers turn you down, you can get basic coverage through the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA).
Texas Minimum Car Insurance at a Glance
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Included unless you reject it in writing. The standard amount is $2,500 per person. |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Included unless you reject it in writing |
| Collision and comprehensive | Not required by law, but usually required by lenders and lessors |
The Texas Department of Insurance’s auto insurance guide puts the requirement this way: “at least $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage.” RateFrog’s guide to liability limits explains what those numbers cover.
PIP and Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas
Texas takes an opt-out approach to two coverages. The TDI says, “All auto policies in Texas include PIP coverage. If you don’t want it, you must tell the company in writing.” Under Texas Insurance Code section 1952.153, insurers don’t have to include more than $2,500 of PIP per person, and that’s the standard amount. It pays medical bills and some lost income for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the crash. RateFrog’s guide to PIP insurance explains how it works.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage works the same way. State law requires insurers to include it in every policy unless you reject it in writing, and the TDI says, “If you don’t want it, you must tell the company in writing.” Once you reject it, your insurer doesn’t have to add it back at renewal unless you ask in writing. See our guide to uninsured motorist coverage before you decide.
Proof of Insurance in Texas
Texas Transportation Code section 601.053 accepts several forms of proof, including:
- Your policy or a copy of it
- The standard proof-of-insurance card approved by the Texas Department of Insurance
- An image of your insurance card on your phone
- An insurance binder, or a certificate for a surety bond, deposit or self-insurance
Showing proof on your phone doesn’t give an officer permission to look at anything else on it. If you can’t show proof when asked, you’re presumed to be driving without insurance. But if you later show the court a document proving you were insured at the time, section 601.193 says the court must dismiss the charge. RateFrog’s guide to getting proof of insurance fast can help if you need a card right away.
Texas also verifies coverage electronically through TexasSure, a program run by the Department of Insurance with the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Information Resources. You need proof of current liability insurance to renew your registration, and the TxDMV says $1 of the registration fee funds TexasSure.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Texas
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First conviction | A fine of $175 to $350 |
| Second or later conviction | A fine of $350 to $1,000 |
| Second or later conviction (license) | License suspension unless you file and keep an SR-22 for two years |
| Second or later conviction (vehicle) | The court orders the vehicle impounded for 180 days if you owned it at the time and still do. To get it back, you apply to the court, show proof of insurance covering the next two years and pay an impound fee of $15 a day |
The fines come from Transportation Code section 601.191. The license suspension is in section 601.231, and the impound rules are in section 601.261.
One thing has changed: Texas no longer adds yearly surcharges for driving uninsured. The Department of Public Safety says the Driver Responsibility Program was repealed effective September 1, 2019. Some older websites still describe those surcharges as current.
SR-22 Filings in Texas
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry liability coverage. The Texas DPS SR-22 FAQ gives these examples of convictions that require one: “Driving While Intoxicated, Drug Offenses, Driving While License Invalid, and multiple convictions for No Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance.” A license suspended after a crash or an unpaid court judgment from a crash can also require one.
- How long: “You must maintain a valid SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction, or the date that a judgement has been rendered against you.”
- If it lapses: your license can be suspended again, and you’ll need a new SR-22 and a $100 reinstatement fee.
- If you don’t own a car: DPS says you can get a Texas non-owner SR-22 policy.
- Processing time: DPS says it can take up to 21 business days to process an SR-22.
RateFrog’s SR-22 guide explains how filings work and which insurers offer them.
If You Can’t Find Coverage
The TDI says, “If you can’t find a company willing to sell you a policy, you can get basic coverage through the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). You can get TAIPA coverage if two insurance companies have turned you down.” The TDI also notes that TAIPA coverage costs more than coverage from other insurers.
How Texas Insurers Set Rates
Texas lets insurers use credit information, with limits. The TDI says some companies use your credit score to decide what to charge, but they can’t turn you down or charge you more “only because of your credit score.” The TDI points drivers to HelpInsure.com to see which companies use credit scores. RateFrog’s guide to the factors that affect car insurance rates covers the rest.
If your insurer cancels for nonpayment, Texas law requires at least 10 days’ notice before the cancellation takes effect.
Is Texas Minimum Coverage Enough?
The TDI itself suggests thinking about more, noting that the minimum limits “might be too low if you cause a multi-vehicle accident or the other driver’s car is totaled.” If a claim is larger than your limits, you can be personally responsible for the rest. RateFrog’s guide to how much car insurance you need can help you choose, and you can compare car insurance quotes at several coverage levels.
Where to Get Help
The Texas Department of Insurance takes questions at 800-252-3439 and accepts complaints through its online complaint portal or in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PIP Required in Texas?
It’s included in every Texas policy unless you reject it in writing. You don’t have to keep it, but you have to decline it in writing to remove it.
Can I Show Proof of Insurance on My Phone in Texas?
Yes. Texas law accepts an image of your insurance card on a phone, and showing it doesn’t let the officer look at anything else on the device.
What Happens If I Get Caught Without Insurance in Texas?
A first conviction carries a fine of $175 to $350. If you can later show you were insured at the time of the stop, the court must dismiss the charge.
How Long Do You Need an SR-22 in Texas?
Two years from the date of your most recent conviction, or from the date of the court judgment if a judgment triggered the requirement, according to the Texas DPS.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance: Auto Insurance Guide
- Texas Insurance Code section 1952.101
- Texas Insurance Code section 1952.152
- Texas Insurance Code section 1952.153
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.053
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.191
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.193
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.231
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.261
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.262
- Texas Transportation Code section 601.263
- Texas DMV: Register Your Vehicle
- Texas DPS: Driver Responsibility Program
- Texas DPS: SR-22 FAQ