When you ask your insurance agent how much insurance you should buy, know that vehicle owners in Texas are required to have a minimum of $30,000 for each injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. However, the minimums are often not enough to adequately cover your needs should a car accident occur.
You’ll want to carry enough insurance to meet the minimums and purchase additional coverage accordingly to your needs and budget.
Texas is a fault-based state that means that drivers handle paying for damages for any accidents they cause. Most drivers satisfy this financial responsibility requirement by carrying auto liability insurance.
Liability insurance – the only type that you’re legally required to carry – pays for the other party’s damages if you’re at fault in an accident. It will pay for their property damage and medical expenses, not yours.
The minimum liability policy you can carry consists of the following.
This basic coverage is 30/60/25 coverage. Many cars today have values at far more than $25,000, and medical bills for a serious injury can soar to tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you cause a wreck and your 30/60/25 coverage falls short of the victims’ damages, they can sue you.
Plus, your damages still won’t be covered. If you don’t have substantial savings for just this situation, then you’ll want to consider additional protection.
In addition to purchasing extra liability insurance, you might want to consider the following optional coverage.