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Best Car Insurance In Texas

USAA is our pick for the best car insurance in Texas because it offers affordable coverage and has a reputation for reliable customer service.

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Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
02/13/2024 10:02 AM

Key Points:

  • USAA, Texas Farm Bureau, and State Farm are the best options for Texas car insurance.
  • Geico offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance premiums in Texas.
  • State Farm is an affordable option for Texas drivers with DUIs on their record. 

Whether you live in San Antonio or Dallas, car insurance in Texas is required for all drivers. But where can you get the best car insurance in the Lone Star State? We researched the ins and outs of Texas car insurance companies to help you make an informed decision. Whenever you shop, we recommend getting auto insurance quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates.

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The Best Car Insurance Options In Texas

Below are five companies in Texas that stood out against the rest in our analysis. We researched auto insurance companies based on price, overall customer satisfaction, and coverage options available in Texas, and USAA came out on top.

With dozens of car insurance companies in Texas, it can be hard to make a decision. But it’s important to arm yourself with quality information so you can choose the best possible coverage and stay safe on the road.

Best Texas Car InsuranceQuartz RatingAward
#1 USAA Car Insurance4.5Best For Military
#2 Texas Farm Bureau3.8Best Local Service
#3 State Farm Car Insurance4.7Best Overall Provider
#4 Geico Car Insurance4.5Best For Basic Coverage
#5 Progressive Car Insurance4.5Best For HIgh-Risk Drivers

*You may notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our state ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in Texas.

#1 USAA Car Insurance

USAA is an insurance provider for military personnel and their immediate family members. It offers auto insurance in all 50 states, but stands out as the best overall provider of car insurance in Texas.

Our research team found that this company has a strong reputation among auto insurance industry leaders, offers affordable auto insurance rates, and has competitive discount opportunities.

USAA stands for United Services Automobile Association. Founded in 1922, the provider is based out of San Antonio and has more than 13 million members. The company has an AM Best financial strength rating of an A++ and a rating of 900 out of 1,000 on the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠.

With USAA car insurance, you can get standard coverage and add-ons like:

  • Roadside assistance: Including towing, lockout service, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery
  • Rental reimbursement: Coverage for a rental vehicle while yours is in the shop for a covered repair
  • Rideshare insurance: Covers you when driving for rideshare companies
  • Guaranteed asset protection (GAP): Covers the difference between what insurance covers and what a financed car is worth after a total loss (applies to USAA auto loans)

USAA offers various discounts for drivers, including 15 percent off for customers who garage their car on a military base.

Learn more about coverage in our complete USAA insurance review.

Pros Affordable rates and numerous discounts Good option for military members and young drivers Superior financial rating from AM Best Nationwide availability
Cons Only available for military and their families

#2 Texas Farm Bureau

Based in Waco, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance has provided insurance to Texans since 1952. Today the company handles auto, home, property, farm, life, and health insurance for over 500,000 Texas customers. Texas Farm Bureau has 300 offices statewide and employs over 850 multi-line agents.

Texas Farm Bureau is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintains an A+ rating. It also holds an Excellent rating from AM Best for financial strength and performed above average on the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠ for the Texas region.

Texas Farm Bureau offers standard auto insurance coverage plus:

  • Roadside assistance and towing coverage
  • Auto death indemnity coverage
  • Rental car reimbursement

Texas Farm Bureau offers discounts for multiple policies or cars, safe driving, and more. Although Texas Farm Bureau doesn’t offer online quotes, you can obtain a quote over the phone or from the nearest Texas Farm Bureau agent.

Pros Offers some of the lowest rates in the state A+ rating from the BBB Excellent financial standing Discounts available
Cons Must be a Farm Bureau member Mixed customer service reviews

#3 State Farm Car Insurance

With nearly a century of experience, State Farm is the largest provider of Texas car insurance. State Farm has numerous awards and accolades. It has a superior financial strength rating from AM Best. It does, however, have a C- rating from the BBB due to its failure to respond to several customer complaints.

State Farm offers the same basic coverage options as other top Texas car insurance providers, and it has a number of discounts that can help offset costs. The provider also has great perks, including:

  • Online quotes and purchase options for most coverage policies
  • A mobile app that provides policy information, roadside assistance, and a place to submit claims
  • Rideshare insurance policies in most states
Pros Comprehensive coverage offerings Extensive selection of discounts Positive customer reviews Easy online quotes process
Cons Not the cheapest car insurance for all drivers

#4 Geico Car Insurance

Geico is one of the largest car insurance companies on the market and offers competitive car insurance in Texas.

In addition to standard coverage, you can get mechanical breakdown insurance, rideshare coverage, and accident forgiveness. Additionally, Geico offers substantial discounts, making its already low rates even more impressive.

One of the biggest appeals of Geico is its state-of-the-art online tools and mobile app. Although many companies offer these now, Geico continues to prove itself as top-of-the-line when it comes to ease of use with both.

Pros A+ rating from the BBB and A++ financial strength rating from AM Best Many choices for coverage High level of customer satisfaction Available in 50 states
Cons Not as many coverage add-ons as some other companies

#5 Progressive Car Insurance

On top of being one of the top auto insurance providers in the nation, Progressive also has thousands of positive reviews from satisfied customers and awards from top names in the auto industry like AM Best and the BBB.

  • AM Best financial strength rating: A+
  • BBB rating: A

Costs for Progressive auto insurance can vary depending on where you’re located. Progressive car insurance in Texas costs less for drivers who live in more rural cities like Memphis or Ballinger compared to more expensive car insurance rates experienced by drivers in Dallas or Houston.

Progressive offers many coverage plans in all 50 states, ranging from standard coverage to more comprehensive add-ons. Plus, Progressive has many money-saving features:

  • Name Your Price® tool: Enter the price you want to pay for car insurance to be matched with policies to fit your budget.
  • Snapshot®: An app on your phone monitors your safe driving habits and could qualify you for savings.
  • Deductibles savings bank: For every six months that you go claim-free, get $50 off your deductible the next time you need to bring your car in for a repair.
Pros One of the top auto insurers in the United States A+ financial strength rating from the AM Best Great choice for high-risk drivers Several money-saving features
Cons Average claims process Mixed customer service reviews

Keep reading: Progressive Insurance Review
Compare: Geico vs. Progressive

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An Overview Of Texas Car Insurance

To legally drive a vehicle in Texas, you must carry auto insurance. In fact, the minimum requirements in Texas are actually more intensive than in many other states, however some types of coverage are optional.

But before we dive into minimum requirements, it’s important to know how car insurance works. Essentially, there are five types of car insurance coverage that most car insurance companies include in their policies. Each one also comes with price ranges that vary by state. Here’s a basic summary of these types of car insurance:

Insurance TypeWho and What It Benefits
Bodily Injury Liability (BI)Another driver’s injuries
Property Damage Liability (PD)Another driver’s car or other property damages
CollisionYour vehicle repairs after an accident with another car
ComprehensiveYour vehicle repairs after environmental damage or an accident with a stationary object
Medical Payments (MedPay)Your medical bills and health insurance deductible
Uninsured Motorist BIYour injuries (if other driver is uninsured)
Uninsured Motorist PDYour car/property (if other driver is uninsured)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical BenefitsYour injuries and your passengers’ injuries no matter who is at fault

What Car Insurance Is Required By Law In Texas?

Each state has individual laws that govern the minimum coverage insurance requirements. A multitude of factors determine why each state sets specific minimum requirements, but often these rules are impacted by accident report history and the demographics of each state’s citizens. This is what you need in Texas:

Insurance TypeRequired Coverage Amount in Texas
Bodily Injury Liability Insurance$30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability Insurance$25,000 per accident
Personal Injury ProtectionOptional; state requires that providers offer coverage
Uninsured Motorist Bodily InjuryOptional; state requires that providers offer coverage
Uninsured Motorist Property DamageOptional; state requires that providers offer at coverage
Collision and ComprehensiveOptional

Texas drivers are required to provide proof of insurance at the following times:

  • When registering a car or renewing vehicle registration
  • When completing a required vehicle inspection
  • When completing certain transactions related to your driver’s license
  • When pulled over by law enforcement

Is It Illegal To Not Have Car Insurance In Texas?

Drivers in Texas can face some serious fees and penalties if caught driving without car insurance. If law enforcement officials pull you over for any reason and you cannot show proof of insurance, you will face fines. 

Even first-time offenders face rate increases on their insurance coverage as a result of this one infraction. Repeat offenders can face higher fines, potential vehicle impounding, and other legal fees.


Why Are Texas Car Insurance Rates So High?

The cost of car insurance in Texas is higher than the national average. The average rate for a year of full coverage car insurance in Texas is $2,331, while the average cost of minimum coverage is $922. The national average rates are $1,968 annually for full coverage and $798 for minimum coverage. The fact that Texas has such a large population is just one of the reasons why Texas has insurance higher than the national average. Here are two more factors that affect the state’s insurance prices:

  • According to the Insurance Research Council, over eight percent of drivers in Texas were uninsured in 2019.
  • The rural and sprawling metropolitan landscapes of Texas mean that drivers spend a lot of time on the road commuting.

SR-22 Coverage

If you receive a DUI conviction in Texas, state law requires that you provide proof of Texas car insurance with a form known as an SR-22. Your insurance company sends this form directly to the Texas Department of Public Safety so your license can be reinstated. Expect to pay more for Texas car insurance after a DUI conviction.

Rates can change day by day. We recommend getting multiple quotes that are personalized to your location and driving history. Enter your zip code in the tool below to get started.

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What To Consider When Looking For Texas Car Insurance

Here are a few questions to ask when you’re shopping for insurance.

How much coverage do you need?

As we mentioned above, the Texas car insurance minimum requirements may not fit your needs. For example, if you’re driving a vehicle under loan or lease, you will probably need full coverage auto insurance. Also, if you own a luxury vehicle, the minimum Texas auto insurance might not include enough coverage for more costly repairs.

Keep in mind that no car insurance company covers repairs caused by manufacturer defects. If you want protection against breakdowns, you might be looking for an extended car warranty.

What’s your driving record like?

Your driving history will definitely impact your insurance rates, and Texas has a fairly harsh drivers license points system. In fact, it can take years to clear your record of a major violation. If you have an extensive history of infractions, do your homework on which insurance companies are best for people with poor driving records.

What discounts can you get?

Most car insurance companies offer discounts to drivers for a multitude of reasons. See where you can stack them to maximize your savings. Also, if you need multiple types of insurance, consider choosing companies that offer a variety of services so you can get a multi-policy discount.


Car Insurance In Texas: Our Take

You will need at least bodily injury and property damage liability with your Texas car insurance policy. Due to the high average time spent on the road and high number of uninsured motorists, expect to pay more than the national average. However, if you shop around and collect car insurance quotes from a few highly rated providers, you can still get cheap car insurance in Texas with great coverage.

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Best Car Insurance In Texas: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about car insurance in Texas:

What is the most reliable car insurance in Texas?

Our team ranks USAA as the most reliable provider in Texas. USAA has a strong reputation with high ratings from J.D. Power and offers affordable rates to military members and their families.

What insurance company has the best rates in Texas?

According to our rate data, Geico has the best full-coverage rates in Texas of $1,547 per year. Also, State Farm has the best minimum-coverage rates in Texas of $499 per year.

What is the best car insurance coverage to have?

To be fully protected whether you cause an accident or not, you should have liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Also, consider getting higher coverage limits as state minimums can be easily exhausted after a serious wreck.

How can I lower my car insurance in Texas?

You can lower your car insurance in Texas by working on your credit score, driving safely, comparing new companies, and trying usage-based programs for safe driving discounts.


How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
  • Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.