Texas car insurance requirements

Quick answer

Texas requires every driver to carry liability insurance of at least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage, often written as 30/60/25. You must be able to show proof of insurance when asked by police and when registering a vehicle.

TX at a glance

Minimum liability: 30/60/25
Personal injury protection: $2,500 unless rejected in writing
Fine for driving uninsured (first offense): $175 – $350
SR-22 period: 2 years from conviction

Texas law requires every driver to show financial responsibility, meaning proof that you can pay for injuries and damage you cause. For almost everyone, that means an auto liability insurance policy that meets the state minimum. This page explains what that minimum covers, the other coverages Texas insurers must offer you, what happens if you drive uninsured, and when you need an SR-22.

Texas minimum liability coverage: 30/60/25

Coverage	Minimum required
Bodily injury liability, per person	$30,000
Bodily injury liability, per accident	$60,000
Property damage liability, per accident	$25,000

Liability insurance pays for other people's injuries and property when you cause a crash, including medical bills, lost wages and repairs to their car. It does not pay for your own injuries or your own car.

Texas is an at-fault state. After a crash, the driver who caused it (and their insurer) pays for the other side's losses. If the costs are more than your liability limits, the injured person can come after you for the difference. With the price of new cars and medical care, $25,000 of property damage and $30,000 per injured person can be used up by a single serious crash, which is why many Texas drivers buy higher limits than the minimum.

Coverage Texas insurers must offer you

Personal injury protection (PIP)

Every Texas auto liability policy must include personal injury protection of at least $2,500 per person. PIP pays medical bills and a portion of lost income for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the crash. You can remove it only by rejecting it in writing. If you never signed a rejection, your policy includes it.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

Insurers must also offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which pays for your injuries and, if you choose, your car when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. As with PIP, you can decline it only in writing. Because not every Texas driver carries insurance, UM/UIM is worth serious consideration.

Collision and comprehensive

These are optional under Texas law:

Collision pays to repair or replace your car after a crash, whoever is at fault.
Comprehensive (“other than collision”) pays for theft, fire, hail, flood, vandalism and hitting an animal. Texas hailstorms and Gulf Coast flooding make this coverage especially relevant.

If your car is financed or leased, your lender will almost certainly require both.

Proof of insurance in Texas

You must show proof of insurance when a police officer asks, after a crash, when you register or renew a vehicle's registration, and when you renew your driver's license. Texas accepts a paper insurance card or proof on your phone. Law enforcement and the state also check coverage through TexasSure, the state's electronic insurance verification database, which insurers report to.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Texas

Driving without the required coverage is a misdemeanor under Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code:

Offense	Penalty
First conviction	Fine of $175 to $350
Second or later conviction	Fine of $350 to $1,000
Second or later conviction, if you own the vehicle	The court orders the vehicle impounded for 180 days, and you pay the impound costs
Second or later conviction	Your driver's license and vehicle registration can be suspended

A conviction for failing to maintain financial responsibility can also require you to file an SR-22 before your license is reinstated. If you cause a crash without insurance, you are also personally responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which can far exceed any fine.

SR-22 requirements in Texas

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage. It is not a type of insurance. Texas may require one after:

a conviction for driving without insurance,
a DWI or other serious conviction,
an unpaid judgment from a crash, or
a license suspension that requires proof of financial responsibility to reinstate.

In Texas, you generally must keep an SR-22 on file for two years from the date of your most recent conviction or judgment. If your policy lapses or is canceled during that time, your insurer notifies DPS and your license can be suspended again. If you do not own a car, you can buy a non-owner policy with an SR-22 filing. Learn more in our guide: What is an SR-22 and how long do I need one?

How to lower your car insurance cost in Texas

Compare several companies. Insurers weigh your ZIP code, vehicle, driving record and other factors differently, so the same coverage can be priced very differently.
Ask about discounts for bundling home or renters insurance, safe driving, paying in full, anti-theft devices and good students.
Choose deductibles you can afford. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible lowers your premium, but you pay more after a claim.
Keep your coverage continuous. A lapse in insurance can raise your rates and, in Texas, lead to fines and an SR-22 requirement.

Common questions

Is Texas a no-fault state?

No. 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 paid by their liability insurance up to its limits.

Is 30/60/25 enough coverage in Texas?

It meets the legal minimum, but it may not cover a serious crash. If the damage or injuries you cause cost more than your limits, you can be held personally responsible for the rest. Many drivers choose higher limits, such as 100/300/100.

Do I have to buy PIP in Texas?

Insurers must include at least $2,500 of personal injury protection on every Texas auto liability policy. You can remove it only by rejecting it in writing.

What happens if I get caught driving without insurance in Texas?

A first conviction carries a fine of $175 to $350. Later convictions carry fines of $350 to $1,000, and a second or later conviction can lead to your vehicle being impounded for 180 days and your license being suspended. You may also be required to file an SR-22.

How long do I need an SR-22 in Texas?

Texas generally requires you to maintain an SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction or judgment, not from the date the SR-22 was filed.

Can I show proof of insurance on my phone in Texas?

Yes. Texas accepts proof of insurance shown on a phone or other electronic device, as well as a paper insurance card.