Updated April 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Texas
Texas requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers with DUI convictions, license suspensions for repeated violations, at-fault accidents while uninsured, or failure to maintain coverage typically receive an SR-22 requirement from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The SR-22 is not insurance itself—it is a certificate your insurer files electronically to verify continuous coverage. Most high-risk drivers need coverage above state minimums to satisfy lender requirements and avoid catastrophic out-of-pocket costs after another incident.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Texas?
High-risk auto insurance premiums in Texas vary dramatically based on violation type, driving history, age, location, and vehicle. A single DUI typically increases rates 80–150%, while multiple violations or a suspended license can triple premiums. Urban drivers in Houston, Dallas, and Austin face higher base rates due to accident frequency and theft rates, compounding the high-risk surcharge.
What Affects Your Rate
- Violation type: DUI increases rates 80–150%, suspended license 100–200%, at-fault accident while uninsured 60–120%
- Years since violation: premiums decrease 10–20% annually after 3 years with clean record
- County and zip code: Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, and Bexar counties average 20–40% higher premiums than rural areas
- Age and gender: drivers under 25 with violations pay 30–50% more than drivers over 30
- Vehicle type: full coverage on newer vehicles adds $80–$200/mo compared to liability-only older vehicles
- Credit score: Texas allows credit-based insurance scoring, and poor credit combined with SR-22 status can add 40–80% to premiums
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Sources
- Texas Department of Public Safety - Driver License Division
- Texas Department of Insurance - Auto Insurance Requirements
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601 - Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Act