Texas state

Traffic accidents are unfortunately a regular occurrence, and it is for this reason that people typically purchase an automobile protection plan. In an effort to keep residents adequately insured and responsible for at-fault damages, Texas law requires that all motorists maintain a minimal amount of coverage. Drivers must obey financial responsibility laws stating that all vehicle owners carry liability coverage with limits of at least $30,000 for bodily injury to one person and $60,000 per accident, as well as $25,000 for property damage. Although residents are encouraged to pursue protection plans with higher limits and greater varieties of coverage, choosing to simply ignore these laws is ill-advised. In an effort to crack down on uninsured motorists, multiple state departments have created a program designed to keep state records up-to-date and invoke a series of fines and punishments for those who are caught.

In the event that a driver is found without the required amount of Texas auto insurance they may experience a fine that can range between $175 and $350 for first time offenders. For subsequent offenses this amount gets progressively higher, with up to $1,000 in fines, a possible license suspension, and the driver’s car may be impounded. If convicted of driving while uninsured a motorist may even have to pay the TX Department of Public Safety (DPS) an annual surcharge of $250 in order to maintain a state driver’s license. Avoiding these consequences can be done simply by remaining adequately insured. Automobile owners are strongly discouraged from attempting to forgo these requirements not only because it is against the law, but because a strict and comprehensive program mandated by the 79th Texas Legislature was created to ensure that uninsured drivers are brought to justice.

Proof of Texas Auto Insurance

The Insurance Research Council speculated that in 2009 15% of motorists in the Lone Star State were uninsured, while the state Department of Transportation places this number at nearly 20% in 2011. Deciding that these numbers were unacceptable, four state departments including the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), DPS, and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) created the TexasSure Vehicle Insurance Verification program designed to greatly reduce the number of motorists ignoring the automobile financial responsibility laws. With this system TX law enforcement officers, as well as other certified users, are given immediate access to coverage information that is accurate and regularly updated. But even with this system in place, uninsured motorists still exist and residents are encouraged to take precautions.

Remaining adequately insured and always carrying proof of coverage are important parts about being a motorist in the Lone Star State. To avoid any of the potential fines or consequences that are previously mentioned, drivers are urged to be able to present insurance verification if questioned by an officer of the law. Typically when a person purchases a policy they are given a card that usually features the name of the insured, the name of the policy provider, as well as basic policy and vehicle information. Most importantly, however, residents should ensure that the listed information is correct, and that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed on the card matches both the one listed on the policy, as well as the VIN on the insured automobile.