Automobile coverage can incorporate a wide variety of damages that may come from any number of sources. For this reason vehicle owners should note that when searching for auto insurance in Texas it is important to understand the various forms of vehicle protection that are available, and to construct a policy that is able to provide an adequate amount of coverage while remaining affordable. Although resident drivers in the Lone Star State are required to meet specific minimum requirements when purchasing a protection plan, there are a series of options available that can help a car owner be better prepared for potential accidents of varying severity, or even vehicle damages that occur outside of a collision.
In order to legally drive, nearly all of Texas’ estimated 15,374,063 licensed motorists must be able to prove that they can be financially responsible if at-fault for an accident. In order verify that this is possible the majority of residents purchase a vehicle protection plan that meets the state minimum liability requirements. Residents are typically required to carry $30,000 of bodily injury liability to cover a single person, and $60,000 for a single accident. Additionally, motorists must also carry $25,000 of property damage liability. Choosing to operate an automobile without first meeting these requirements could result in a fine between $175 and $350, or between $350 and $1,000 for additional offenses. Furthermore, driving while uninsured may even result in a motorist’s license being suspended or car being impounded.
Increasing Texas Car Insurance Protection
It may be important for drivers to note that the previously listed limits only represent the minimum amount of coverage that a resident needs in order to drive within the Lone Star State. Individuals that have leased an automobile may even have Forced Placed Coverage that raises the amount of vehicle protection that is needed. Typically this involves adding comprehensive and collision coverage to one’s policy. Collision protection is designed to cover damages to a motorist’s own vehicle in the event of an accident with another car, up to the limits of the policy. Comprehensive protection, however, covers a wide range of damages that may occur outside of a collision with another vehicle. This could include damages caused by rain, snow, hail, vandalism, or theft.
Vehicle protection doesn’t have to stop at what is required by the state or one’s lender. Many motorists seek additional coverage or higher liability limits, and with an adequate amount of shopping, doing so could help a motorist become better prepared for potential accidents. Raising one’s liability limits, for example, can typically be done for only a few extra premium dollars a year, and oftentimes this can help a vehicle owner avoid being underinsured after a particularly serious accident. Additional protection, such as Medical Payment Coverage, can also be very helpful in a time of need. This policy addition is designed to cover a variety of medical or funeral expenses after an accident, regardless of fault, and may prove particularly useful for people without healthcare. Consulting one’s policy provider is an excellent way to discover the various methods that one can use to construct a comprehensive protection plan.
