Find Your Perfect Policy: 866-843-5386
Your options for cheap car insurance in the Lone Star State
The average cost of car insurance in Texas, across all cities, ages, sexes, and ZIP codes, was $1,085 in 2020, the last time the National Association of Insurance Commissioners released data. That’s only slightly higher than the national average for the same year, $1,047.
However, for many drivers, finding car insurance they can afford is nearly impossible, especially if they are low-income. While Texas doesn’t provide a state-sponsored affordable insurance option, we can recommend some cheap companies, as well as ways to save money with any insurance provider, no matter which one you end up with.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, Texas doesn’t provide state-sponsored car insurance for low-income drivers specifically, as some other states do. Instead, you’ll have to find Texas car insurance in the private marketplace. In the next section, we’ll provide the cheapest options available so you have an easier time with your search.
Check out the cheapest car insurance in Texas for a number of situations and demographics. All prices are for the average annual cost of car insurance. The cheapest car insurance company for you may be different once your demographics and other information are factored in, as insurance is never one-size-fits-all.
Age | Company | Cheapest average annual cost of car insurance in Texas |
---|---|---|
16 | State Farm | $2,780 |
17 | State Farm | $2,505 |
18 | State Farm | $2,250 |
19 | GEICO | $1,834 |
20s | Texas Farm Bureau | $843 |
30s | GEICO | $379 |
40s | GEICO | $377 |
50s | GEICO | $361 |
60s | GEICO | $351 |
70s | Texas Farm Bureau | $841 |
The best auto insurance in Texas for low-income drivers includes companies like the following:
As of Sept. 30, 2021, there were 116,858 active-duty military members and 55,587 National Guard members living in Texas.1 Additionally, there were over 1.5 million veterans, representing about 8 percent of the adult population.2
Requirements in Texas for car insurance are as follows:
Minimum coverage, which in Texas is only liability insurance, will have the most affordable car insurance rates, but remember that liability coverage pays for injuries and property damages outside of your vehicle only. If you cause an accident, you’ll be responsible for your property damage and the injuries to passengers inside your vehicle out of pocket.
Full coverage car insurance, on the other hand, will mean higher car insurance costs, but it could save you money in the long run if you have any claims.
Thinking of not getting car insurance? Think again. Driving without insurance in Texas is a misdemeanor that could result in fines, vehicle impoundment, a license and registration suspension, and an SR-22 requirement (a form that proves you have minimum coverage).
Penalty by offense number for driving without insurance | 1 | 2 and subsequent |
---|---|---|
Minimum fine | $175 | $350 |
Maximum fine | $350 | $1,000 |
3-year surcharge | $250 | $250 |
Length of impoundment | N/A | 180 days |
Daily fee for impoundment | N/A | $15 |
Minimum charge for impoundment | N/A | $2,700 |
Suspension of license/registration until you file an SR-22 | No | Yes |
Duration of SR-22 | N/A | 2 years |
Fee to reinstate license | N/A | $100 |
All in all, you might end up paying more for driving without insurance than you would for an insurance policy. Perhaps that’s why Texas’ rate of uninsured motorists is so much lower than the U.S. population — only 8 percent compared to a 12 percent national average.4
Aside from getting minimum coverage car insurance, here are some other ways to get cheap car insurance in Texas regardless of your income level:
Based on the VantageScore model, the average credit score in Texas, as of February 2021, was 674 — 4 percent lower than the national average of 698.6 Research shows that bad credit correlates with a higher likelihood of filing a claim, which is why insurance companies in Texas charge people with bad credit more for the exact same coverage as people with good credit.
Insurance companies in Texas base prices on the following factors.
The following Texas cities have the lowest costs for car insurance, on average.
City | Average annual cost of auto insurance |
---|---|
Marfa | $1,368 |
Sheppard Air Force Base | $1,380 |
Troy | $1,380 |
Presidio | $1,392 |
Abbott | $1,404 |
Alpine | $1,404 |
Burkburnett | $1,404 |
Hewitt | $1,404 |
In contrast, you’re more likely to face the highest rates in cities like Dayton, Amarillo, Houston, Corpus Christi, Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
Registering a car in Texas requires car insurance, so it’s not optional. If you’re having trouble finding a company offering rates you can afford, call AutoInsurance.com. We can shop multiple providers at once and match you with an insurer that wants you as a customer at a cost you can afford.
In the meantime, take advantage of discounts to get the lowest rates from the best low-income auto insurance companies.
The only way to avoid paying for car insurance in Texas is not to have a car. If you want to get a car, registering it requires insurance. You’ll have to pay to insure your car or risk facing the consequences of driving without insurance.
San Antonio is one of the cheapest places to buy a car in Texas, according to 2022 data from iSeeCars. That year, you could buy a Nissan Rogue in San Antonio for only $22,372, saving you nearly $11,000 compared to other cities.
Yes, Texas is a no-fault state for car insurance, which means that in an accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for the other party’s property damage, but each party pays for its own medical costs, lost wages, and child care costs under personal injury protection (PIP).
Insurance follows the car in Texas, not the driver. If you insure a car, anyone driving it with permission and a valid license can be covered by your vehicle’s policy.
State Fact Sheets – Texas. United States Department of Defense. (2023).
https://www.repi.mil/Portals/44/Documents/State_Fact_Sheets/Texas_StateFacts.pdf
Veterans in Texas: A Demographic Study. Texas Workforce Investment Council. (2021).
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/twic/Veterans-Summary-2021.pdf
Auto insurance guide. Texas Department of Insurance. (2023).
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html
One in Eight Drivers Uninsured: $13 Billion Spent in 2016 to Protect Against Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers. Insurance Research Council. (2021, Mar 22).
https://www.insurance-research.org/sites/default/files/downloads/UM%20NR%20032221.pdf
Taking a course. Texas.gov. (2023).
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/safety/students/taking-a-course.htm
What Is the Average Credit Score by State? Equifax. (2021).
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/average-credit-score-state/