El Paso, TX Car Insurance

Even the most experienced drivers can find themselves in collisions. That is why vehicle owners in El Paso, TX, are required to carry car insurance. From fender-benders on North Mesa Street to multicar collisions on I-10, a good auto insurance policy can save you from facing large financial losses as a result.

Finding an ideal car insurance policy is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These experienced agents can help you obtain and compare customized quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in El Paso. Find an independent insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in El Paso, TX?

The average cost of car insurance in Texas is higher than the national average.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Texas average annual car insurance cost: $1,449

Of course, an average rate can only give you a general idea of what you might be expected to pay. Car insurance premiums can vary significantly from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as the following.

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, and driving history
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• Which, if any, coverage options you want to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

You can usually earn rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies like home insurance or renters insurance, you have a long, safe driving record, or you qualify for any other offered car insurance discounts.

Comparing customized car insurance quotes lets you choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the lowest price. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Texas?

As a vehicle owner in El Paso, you must have a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds Texas’s state-mandated minimum coverage requirements. In this state, all car insurance policies must include the following amounts of coverage.

• Liability insurance: This is designed to cover other people’s property damage and medical bills if you are responsible for a collision. Texas has a 30/60/25 liability coverage requirement. This means that your policy must have at least:
  • $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person
  • $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability per accident

All other car insurance coverage is optional.

Keep in mind that although the required liability coverage amounts may seem rather high, the cost of a serious accident can easily exceed them. If you cause a collision in which other people’s medical bills or property damage are higher than your coverage limits, you will need to make up the difference out of pocket.

That is why many vehicle owners in El Paso opt to purchase more liability insurance than the state requires. If you want to have even more liability coverage than your policy will allow, umbrella insurance is an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage.

What Else Can El Paso Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory liability coverage mentioned above, your car insurance provider will offer a variety of coverage options, some of which you may want to include in your El Paso car insurance policy.

Commonly available coverage options include the following.

• Full coverage: Though optional by law, this coverage is often required by lenders if you are still paying for your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Full coverage includes:
  • Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if is it damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision hazard such as a windstorm or a fallen tree.
• Medical coverage: This can cover the cost of medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are hurt in a collision, regardless of fault. In Texas, you can choose between:
  • Medical payments coverage (Med-Pay): This provides limited coverage for medical bills that are not covered by your health insurance policy. 
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This is more expensive than Med-Pay but provides much more in the way of coverage including things like lost wages, prescriptions, ambulance rides, and mileage to and from medical appointments.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This covers the cost of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are away from home, such as if your engine overheats or you run out of gas.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event. It is beneficial only if the amount you still owe on your car loan is greater than your vehicle’s current assessed value.
• Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a car while yours is being repaired following a covered event.

Be sure to review each of your insurance options so you can decide which, if any, are a good fit for you.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in El Paso, TX?

If you are caught driving without insurance in Texas, you can be penalized with fines ranging from $175 to $1,000. Repeat offenders can also have their cars impounded for 180 days. Additionally, you can expect your car insurance rates to increase following a conviction for uninsured driving.

If you cause an accident while driving an uninsured vehicle, the consequences are more severe. In addition to penalties shown above, you can have your license and registration suspended for two years, and you may even face jail time. You will also need to cover any property damage or injuries you may have caused.

Despite these penalties, a significant number of motorists in this state are driving without insurance.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Texas drivers who are uninsured: 14.1%

Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, you will be able to receive the compensation you deserve quickly and without the need to take legal action. Your insurance company will take on the burden of collecting from the at-fault driver.

What Is the Auto Theft Rate in El Paso, TX?

The auto theft rate in the state of Texas is a bit higher than the national rate, but in El Paso, the rate is much lower. This is not to say the risk does not exist. Residents of this city report around 800 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Texas auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.43
• El Paso auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.24

It is important to be aware that you can only receive compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you probably have this coverage already. If not, you may want to ask how much it would cost for you to include comprehensive coverage in your El Paso car insurance policy. That way, you can best determine if this optional coverage is of value to you.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent in El Paso, TX, Help Me?

If you are looking for the best auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, a local independent agent can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

Contact an independent insurance agent in El Paso to get more information and to start comparing a selection of customized car insurance quotes.