How Does Liability Car Insurance Work in Texas?

To drive legally in Texas, all drivers are required to purchase a minimum amount of liability car insurance to protect themselves and others.

A general liability insurance policy sold by a car insurance agency in Texas offers protection against a variety of liabilities.

Drivers should understand how their personal car insurance policy works to protect them against liability so they can be sure to purchase enough coverage. 

What Is Auto Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is car insurance that protects other people in the event of an accident where a driver is found to be at fault and someone else is injured.

Texas requires all drivers to carry liability car insurance with a minimum coverage of $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident, plus an additional $25,000 for property damage protection.

According to these limitations, the policy of a driver who causes an accident will pay up to $30,000 for each person injured for a maximum of $60,000 for the entire incident, regardless of the extent of people’s injuries or the number of people who are injured. 

Is Basic Liability Coverage Adequate?

While these sums may initially seem like a lot of money, most car insurance agencies recommend that drivers purchase higher coverage due to the rising costs of vehicle repair and replacement, medical care, and other costs.

In fact, car insurance agencies find that many drivers with the bare minimum coverage can end up responsible for the cost of damages that exceed their liability limits, something that can happen very quickly.

Should an at-fault accident result in injuries total injuries that surpass $60,000, the at-fault driver may end up being held responsible for the additional costs that are above and beyond their personal car insurance limitations. 

Family Member Exclusion

Drivers should note that this liability car insurance protects others but not family members who are passengers in the insured vehicle.

Texas car insurance agencies help drivers add Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments Coverage (MPC) to their policies, both of which are no-fault coverages that provide certain benefits for drivers and their passengers who are injured in an accident.

Additionally, drivers should consider purchasing Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, which provides additional benefits when someone is hit by a driver who is not insured or does not have enough insurance to pay for the extent of the damage. 

Go Over Liability Insurance Limits With Experienced Car Insurance Agents

Purchasing the minimum required Texas car insurance can seem like a good idea for controlling insurance costs, but drivers must understand the risks that come with these low minimums.

Instead, drivers seeking a safer yet still affordable option for personal car insurance should talk to an experienced car insurance agent who will determine their risk level, then put together an effective and protective policy for them!