Back to Blog
Legal Requirements 10 min readBy Sean — A-LA Auto InsuranceApr 14, 2026

Texas Car Insurance Requirements 2026

30/60/25 explained. Tex. Transp. Code §601.051. SR-22 vs FR-44. Penalties for no insurance. Everything you need to know.

Quick Answer

Texas requires minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25 under Tex. Transp. Code §601.051: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Driving without insurance is a Class C misdemeanor with fines of $175–$1,000, possible license suspension, and SR-22 filing requirements. Texas does not use FR-44 (that's Florida/Virginia only). Minimum liability costs $47–$150/month. A-LA Auto Insurance offers Texas-compliant coverage from $47/month at 13 DFW offices.

Texas 30/60/25 Minimum: What It Means

Under Tex. Transp. Code §601.051, every registered vehicle in Texas must carry minimum liability insurance. The numbers 30/60/25 represent your coverage limits:

30

$30,000

Bodily Injury per Person

Maximum your insurance pays for injuries to ONE person in an accident you cause. If injuries exceed $30K, you are personally liable for the difference.

60

$60,000

Bodily Injury per Accident

Total maximum for ALL bodily injuries in a single accident you cause. With multiple injured parties, this cap is shared among them.

25

$25,000

Property Damage per Accident

Maximum for damage to another person’s vehicle, fence, building, or other property. Average new car repair: $5,500–$10,000+.

Is 30/60/25 enough?The Texas minimum has not increased since 2008. With average hospital stays costing $15,000–$50,000+ and new car values often exceeding $25,000, the minimum may leave you personally liable in a serious accident. Many experts recommend 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Texas

Driving without insurance in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor under Tex. Transp. Code §601.191. Penalties escalate with each offense:

First Offense

Fine: $175–$350

Fine only; vehicle may be impounded if stopped for another violation.

Second Offense

Fine: Up to $1,000

Driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, possible vehicle impoundment.

Third+ Offense

Fine: Up to $1,000

Mandatory license suspension, SR-22 filing requirement for 2 years, $250 reinstatement fee, possible jail time (up to 180 days if operating without ever having insurance).

Accident While Uninsured

Fine: Varies

Personal liability for all damages, possible lawsuit, potential criminal charges if injuries result, and SR-22 requirement upon reinstatement.

SR-22 vs. FR-44 in Texas

SR-22 (Used in Texas)

  • Certificate of financial responsibility
  • Filed by your insurer with Texas DPS
  • Proves you carry at least 30/60/25 minimum
  • Required after: DUI/DWI, driving without insurance, multiple violations, or license suspension
  • Required for 2 years in Texas
  • Filing fee: typically $15–$50 one-time
  • A-LA files SR-22 same-day at all 13 offices

FR-44 (NOT Used in Texas)

  • Only used in Florida and Virginia
  • Requires higher liability limits than SR-22
  • Florida FR-44: $100K/$300K/$50K minimum
  • Virginia FR-44: $50K/$100K/$40K minimum
  • Texas does NOT use FR-44 at all
  • If you see FR-44 mentioned for Texas, it is incorrect
  • Texas uses SR-22 with standard 30/60/25 minimums

Required vs. Optional Coverage in Texas

Coverage TypeRequired?What It Covers
Bodily Injury LiabilityYesInjuries to others in an accident you cause (30/60 minimum)
Property Damage LiabilityYesDamage to others' property in an accident you cause ($25K minimum)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)Offered*Your own medical expenses regardless of fault ($2,500–$10,000)
Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM)Offered*Protection if an uninsured/underinsured driver hits you
ComprehensiveNo**Non-collision damage: hail, theft, vandalism, animal strikes
CollisionNo**Damage to your own vehicle in a collision
Medical Payments (MedPay)NoMedical bills for you and passengers regardless of fault

*PIP and UM/UIM must be offered by insurers. You can reject in writing. **Comprehensive and collision are required by lenders for financed/leased vehicles.

Proof of Insurance in Texas

Texas law requires you to carry proof of financial responsibility at all times while operating a vehicle. Acceptable forms include:

  • Physical insurance ID card from your carrier
  • Digital proof on your phone (screenshot or insurer app)
  • Valid insurance binder (temporary proof for new policies)
  • TexasSure electronic verification (law enforcement can check this system)

Failure to show proof: fine of $175–$350 (first offense). You may dismiss the ticket by showing valid insurance to the court within 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Texas requires 30/60/25 liability: $30K bodily injury/person, $60K/accident, $25K property damage. Per Tex. Transp. Code §601.051. Unchanged for 2026.
$30,000 max for one person’s injuries, $60,000 max for all injuries in one accident, $25,000 max for property damage. These are your liability limits — what your insurance pays for damage you cause.
Class C misdemeanor. First offense: $175–$350 fine. Second: up to $1,000, license/registration suspension, possible impoundment. SR-22 required for 2 years upon reinstatement.
No. FR-44 is only used in Florida and Virginia. Texas uses SR-22 filings with standard 30/60/25 minimums. A-LA files SR-22 same-day.
Not by law. Texas only requires liability (30/60/25). But lenders require full coverage for financed/leased vehicles. If you own your car outright, liability-only is legal.
Insurers must offer it; you can reject in writing. With ~14% of TX drivers uninsured, most experts recommend keeping it to protect yourself if an uninsured driver hits you.
Physical ID card, digital proof on phone, valid binder, or TexasSure electronic verification. Texas accepts all of these. Failure to show proof: $175–$350 fine.
Texas 30/60/25 liability costs $47–$150/month depending on ZIP, age, record, and vehicle. A-LA offers minimum liability from $47/month with no credit check at 13 DFW offices.

Get Texas-Compliant Coverage Today

30/60/25 minimum from $47/month. SR-22 filed same-day. No credit check. 35+ carriers compared at 13 DFW offices.

(866) 252-6116
S

Sean — A-LA Auto Insurance

Licensed Insurance Agent — A-LA Auto Insurance, Dallas-Fort Worth

Sean is a licensed insurance agent at A-LA Auto Insurance, a TDI-licensed independent agency with 13 offices across Dallas-Fort Worth. He specializes in helping Texas drivers find affordable coverage — including SR-22 filings, non-standard auto, no-credit-check options, and coverage for drivers without a US license. Call (866) 252-6116 to speak with the team directly.

A-LA Auto Insurance is a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) licensed agency. For personalized advice, call (866) 252-6116.

QuoteCALLNear You