Texas requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of personal car insurance coverage to reasonably protect themselves and others on the road; however, the minimum required by the state is not considered full coverage, although many people may think that.
When it comes to personal auto insurance, drivers can pay for minimum coverage so they can legally drive or they can pay more for full coverage, which adds various degrees of additional protection.
When shopping for insurance from a personal automobile insurance agency, it is important to understand the definition of the two terms, how they differ, and what is considered full auto coverage.
What Is The Minimum Limits Required for Auto Insurance Coverage in Texas?
Before understanding what full coverage is, it is good to first know what minimum coverage in Texas is.
By Texas law, the minimum personal car insurance coverage that each driver must have to legally be on the road includes liability insurance of $30,000 per injury per person and up to $60,000 per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage.
This is commonly referred to as $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 or 30/60/25 to satisfy the state personal auto insurance minimum.
In reality, although this may sound like a lot of money, it may prove very inadequate even with a minor fender-bender.
Uninsured Motorist and Personal Injury Protection/Medical Payments coverage are considered required and can only not be selected if it is done in writing.
Liability Limits Can Be Expanded Upwards
Full coverage expands from this basic minimum coverage to include more and other types of protection.
Firstly, a full personal auto insurance policy usually includes liability amounts of $100,000/$300,00 up to $1M for a car to be considered well protected.
Damage amounts can vary as well, also generally starting at around $100,000 per accident.
Other Coverages Can Be Added
While each personal automobile insurance agency may have a different definition of what is included in their “full coverage,” it generally includes the addition of collision and comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage protects the vehicles involved in an accident so that a driver can get their car fixed.
Comprehensive or other-than-collision coverage is another add-on to personal car insurance that pays for no-fault damage to the vehicle like a cracked windshield, being dinged by a shopping cart while no one was looking, or even hail damage.
Referring to the above paragraph, be sure to add back in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist and Personal Injury Protection/Medical Payments coverage.
Any other ala-carte add-ons like rental and towing insurance as well as death benefit coverages are extra as desired by each driver and do not weigh into the full coverage package.
Get Full Coverage If Possible!
Having full personal car insurance coverage in Texas is the best way for any driver to protect themselves, their vehicle, and everyone they share the road with.
Contact a local personal automobile insurance agency for a full coverage quote and drive with peace of mind!