Estimate your auto insurance rates in Texas for 2026
This free Texas car insurance calculator helps you estimate how much you'll pay for auto insurance in the Lone Star State. Texas has some of the fastest-growing car insurance rates in the country.
The average cost of car insurance in Texas is about $1,800 per year ($150/month) for full coverage, and $650 per year for minimum coverage. Rates are about 10% above the national average. Houston and Dallas have the highest rates due to severe weather and accident frequency.
Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance:
This is often called 30/60/25 coverage.
For a 30-year-old driver with a clean record in Austin:
Texas car insurance rates have been rising fast in recent years, about 10% above the national average. There are several reasons for this. First, Texas has a lot of severe weather: hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, and floods. These weather events cause a lot of damage to cars, which increases insurance costs for everyone.
Second, Texas has a high rate of uninsured drivers. About 14% of drivers in Texas don't have insurance, which means insured drivers pay more to cover the costs of accidents caused by uninsured motorists. Texas also has high medical costs, especially in major cities like Houston and Dallas.
Third, Texas is a big state with a lot of driving. People in Texas drive more miles per year than the national average, which means more accidents and more claims. Texas also has a lot of large pickup trucks and SUVs, which are more expensive to repair after an accident.
While Texas overall has high rates, some cities are much more affordable than others. If you live in one of these cities, you can save hundreds of dollars per year:
On the other hand, the most expensive cities in Texas are:
The best way to save money on car insurance in Texas is to maintain a clean driving record. Even one ticket can increase your rates by 20% for 3 years. Shop around every year, as rates can vary by hundreds of dollars between companies.
You should also consider raising your deductible. If you can afford to pay a higher deductible ($1,000 instead of $500), your monthly premiums will be lower. Just make sure you have enough savings to cover the deductible if you need to file a claim.
Bundling your home and auto insurance is another great way to save. Most companies offer a 10-15% discount for bundling. You should also ask about discounts: good student discounts, safe driver discounts, low-mileage discounts, and discounts for cars with anti-theft devices.
In Texas, pickup trucks and large SUVs have some of the highest insurance rates, because they're expensive to repair and cause more damage in accidents. The cars with the highest rates in Texas include:
The cheapest cars to insure in Texas are usually smaller, more affordable vehicles:
Texas has strict car insurance laws. If you get pulled over and can't show proof of insurance, you can get a ticket, have your license suspended, and pay fines up to $1,000. You also have to show proof of insurance every year when you renew your car registration.
Texas also requires insurance companies to offer certain coverages, like uninsured motorist coverage. You can decline this coverage if you want, but it's usually a good idea to keep it, especially in Texas where 14% of drivers are uninsured.
In Texas, insurance companies can use your credit score to calculate your rates. People with good credit usually pay 20-30% less than people with bad credit. If you have bad credit, improving your credit score is one of the best ways to lower your insurance rates over time.
To improve your credit score, pay your bills on time, keep your credit card balances low, and don't open too many new credit accounts at once. It takes time, but it will save you a lot of money on car insurance.
If you're a teen or young driver in Texas, you'll pay a lot more for car insurance than older drivers. The average 16-year-old driver in Texas pays about $4,000 per year for full coverage, compared to $1,800 for a 30-year-old. This is because young drivers are much more likely to get into accidents.
If you're a teen driver, there are ways to save money. You can get a good student discount if you have a B average or better. You can also take a driver's education course, which can save you 10-15% on your insurance. And you should stay on your parents' insurance policy as long as possible, which is much cheaper than getting your own policy.
The average cost is about $1,800 per year for full coverage, and $650 per year for minimum coverage. Rates vary by age, city, driving record, and car type.
Texas requires 30/60/25 liability coverage: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage.
Yes, Texas rates are about 10% above the national average, and have been rising fast in recent years due to weather and accident costs.
Maintain a clean driving record, bundle your home and auto insurance, ask about discounts, and shop around every year.