What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Texas?
Texas requires drivers to carry at least 30/60/25 liability coverage: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. That is the legal minimum, not necessarily enough to protect your own car or finances.
Minimum liability pays for damage you cause to others; it does nothing for your own vehicle. If you finance or lease, the lender usually requires collision and comprehensive on top of the state minimum. A review looks at what you actually drive, owe, and want protected before settling on limits.
What is an SR-22 and when do I need one in Houston?
An SR-22 is not insurance — it is a form your insurer files with the state to certify you carry at least the required liability coverage. In Texas it is usually required after a serious violation, a DWI, driving without insurance, or certain license reinstatements.
Not every company files SR-22s, and the requirement runs for a set period the state defines. The office can explain how the filing generally works and what is needed, though eligibility and terms depend on underwriting. Bring any court or state notice so the timing is handled before a deadline.
How long do I have to insure a new car in Texas?
Texas does not set one fixed number in law — it depends on your insurer, but most policies extend automatic coverage to a newly bought car for about 14 to 30 days, as long as you already have an active policy. If you have no prior coverage at all, you need a policy in force before you drive off the lot.
Dealerships usually confirm proof of insurance before releasing a financed vehicle, and the lienholder has to be listed. Have the VIN, purchase date, and financing details ready so the car is added correctly and the dealer's deadline is met. Grace-period rules vary by company and policy.
Will my insurance go up if I add a teen driver?
Yes, in almost every case — a new teen driver raises the premium because teen drivers file more claims. How much depends on the car, the teen's record, where you live, and the company, so no single number fits every household.
Some families soften the impact by assigning the teen to a specific car, asking about good-student factors, or revisiting coverage on an older vehicle. A review looks at the drivers, cars, and garaging address together. Pricing is never a promise — it depends on eligibility, the vehicle, and the company.
What happens if my car insurance lapses in Texas?
A lapse means you were driving without the coverage Texas requires, which can lead to fines, fees, and sometimes an SR-22 filing. It can also make your next policy harder to place or more expensive, depending on how long the gap lasted.
If the state sent a notice, bring it — the wording tells us whether you owe a fine, need an SR-22 filing, or just need a new policy placed. A lapse of a few days usually weighs less on the next policy than one that ran for months. Either way, the first step is getting legal coverage back in force before anything else.
I just moved to Houston — how soon do I need Texas auto insurance?
New Texas residents are generally expected to get a Texas auto policy and register the vehicle within a set window after moving — commonly about 30 days. Driving on an out-of-state policy past that point can create coverage and compliance problems.
A move changes your garaging address, which affects the policy, and registration usually requires proof of Texas insurance. Have your current policy, new Houston address, and vehicle details ready. The office can explain how to transition coverage so there is no gap between states.