Texas drivers who want to legally drive in the state of Texas are required to carry auto insurance that meets the state minimums. Our team at the Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC is committed to helping Midlothian, TX residents acquire the insurance they need to drive on Texas roads and freeways. Our team of knowledgeable licensed agents can help guide the process. 

Texas State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Texas drivers are required to carry liability insurance that covers both bodily and property damage insurance. Bodily injury coverage must be carried in the amount of $30K per person and $60K per accident. Texas drivers are also required to carry $25K in property damage coverage. These coverage amounts must be carried at these minimums or greater in order to legally drive in Texas. 

Other Considerations

Texas drivers can also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well. However, this coverage is optional and not required. Texas drivers should also note that they may be required to carry more than the state’s minimum coverage if they are leasing or financing a car.

Many lenders require car owners to carry full coverage insurance on a car that hasn’t been completely paid for. This ensures that the lender will be compensated for the loss of the car should something happen to the car before it’s been completely paid for. In situations like this, it’s not the state that will require more insurance, but the finance company or lender. This is how the lender protects their financial investment.

If you have other questions regarding how much insurance Midlothian, TX drivers must carry to legally drive, give us a call. Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC agents are standing by. 

Making sure that you are covered before you hit the road is important. In Texas, you have to prove financial responsibility but aren’t required to do that with auto insurance. Most people, however, find that auto insurance is the easiest way to prove you are responsible. Financial responsibility is making sure others are protected from you. At Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC in Midlothian, TX, we work without customers to make sure that the coverage we recommend meets their needs. 

The type of auto insurance that protects others is liability coverage. The amount you should have is 30/60/25. That covers one person in an accident up to $30,000 in personal injury, with the total for the entire accident of $60,000. Damage to personal property should be covered for $25,000. But even though this is all you must have, it doesn’t mean it’s what you should have. 

Having the bare minimum may not offer you enough protection for your assets in the event of a serious accident with injuries. 

If you have a car loan or lease a vehicle, you will be required by the lender to have insurance that protects the vehicle they have an investment in. Collision insurance protects your vehicle in the event of an accident that you are responsible for or where the other driver has inadequate insurance. It also protects you in the event you are the victim of a hit and run. 

Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle from things other than a collision that damages your car. It can be theft or vandalism, weather-related events like wind, hail, or flooding. Anything other than a collision will most likely be covered. 

To discuss your auto insurance needs, Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC in Midlothian, TX is here to provide the service and products you require.

Auto insurance is one of those monthly expenses that is important and necessary. However, if your vehicle is paid off, you may be wondering whether you still need to pay for full coverage. Removing full coverage from your vehicle and opting for liability coverage only will not be the right choice for everyone.

To determine if this is the right choice for your and your individual situation, it is important to understand the difference between the two auto insurance coverage options and what considerations you should take into account. Here, at Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC, we want to ensure that Midlothian, TX residents are presented with the facts so that they can make informed decisions.

Full Coverage vs. Liability Auto Insurance

A full coverage auto insurance policy will consist of several different types of coverage that helps ensure you are protected in the event of an accident. Some examples of coverage that your policy would have include collision, comprehensive, liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist. If found financially responsible for an accident, this coverage will protect you and cover the repair or replacement of your vehicle. It can also provide cover if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by a policy-covered event.

A liability-only auto insurance policy will consist of coverage that protects you against third-party insurance claims for property damage and bodily injuries when you are found at-fault for an accident. If you sustain any losses in the collision, you will not be covered.

Things to Consider

When determining whether to eliminate your full coverage and switch to liability only, there are a few important factors to consider. Since your vehicle is paid for in full, you won’t have an issue with your lender, since they normally require full coverage to be carried on a leased vehicle.

However, you will want to consider how much you drive. The more often you drive on the road, the higher the risk you will be involved in an accident. In addition, if your vehicle is still worth a considerable amount, or you do not have savings to replace your vehicle if it is wrecked, you may need to stay fully covered.

If you are unsure whether you should stay with your full coverage policy or switch to liability coverage only, contact us at Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC. Proudly serving the residents of Midlothian, TX, we will be happy to sit down with you and discuss your insurance needs.

Making mistakes is a part of human nature; however, some mistakes may lead to points on your driving record and some of these points can remain on your driving record for several years. Points on your driving record can result in an increase in your auto insurance premiums because your insurance provider will view you as a high-risk driver in Midlothian, TX. Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC has put together a list of the three most common things that can hurt your driving record.

Driving Without a License

Whether you haven’t gotten your driver’s license yet, or you have a restricted license, if you get pulled over and don’t have a legal driver’s license, it will lead to serious consequences. Not only will you be faced with fines, but there is a risk of other license restrictions, possibly even prevention of getting your license in the future.

Driving Under the Influence

A DUI (driving under the influence) is one of the most serious driving mistakes you can make. Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can impair your reaction times and your judgment, both of which significantly increase your risk of getting in an accident. Depending on your blood alcohol level and the circumstances of being pulled over, such as being involved in an accident, you may be faced with expensive fines, jail time, and a loss of your driver’s license. Each time you are caught driving under the influence, your sentencing increases, and insurance providers view your driving record as high risk.

Speeding

Each city and county has its own set fines and penalties for a speeding violation. However, regardless of where you get the speeding ticket, it will go on your driving record and insurance providers view this as you being a high-risk driver. Speeding tickets, regardless of how mild or major the difference in miles per hour you were traveling leads to points on your driving record and may lead to an increase in your insurance premiums. Speeding in certain areas such as a school zone can cause you to receive additional points.

Fortunately, there are ways to gradually remove points from your driving record. The first step is to appear at all court hearings relating to the tickets, especially if you feel as though you didn’t deserve the ticket/violations. In this situation, you will need to make sure you have the evidence to prove your case. Another way to reduce the points on your driving record is to take a defensive driving course, which will teach you how to be a safer driver. Eventually, the points on your driving record will fall off; however, it does take time.

Residents of Midlothian, TX interested in learning more information about high-risk insurance or reviewing your current insurance policy should contact Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC.