Car Insurance in Bellaire, TX

Even the most careful drivers can have accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Bellaire need car insurance. A good auto insurance policy can save you from significant financial losses, whether you are involved in a fender-bender on Bissonnet Street, a multi-car collision on I-610, or anything in between.

Buying the best car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These knowledgeable agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from some of the area’s most highly rated car insurance companies. Find an independent insurance agent in Bellaire to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Bellaire, TX?

In Texas, the average cost of car insurance is higher than the national average.

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

This average rate can only give you a general idea of how much a policy will cost you. Car insurance premiums can vary significantly from one driver to another because insurance companies base costs on several considerations such as:

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, gender, occupation, and driving history
• Information about any other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The auto theft and collision rates in the vicinity of your home
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• The coverage options you want to include in your policy
• Whether you qualify for any potential car insurance discounts
• The size of your deductible

Every insurance company you contact for a quote is likely to offer you a different price for coverage. Comparison shopping lets you choose the policy that is offered at the most competitive. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Bellaire, TX?

Texas law requires all vehicle owners in Bellaire to have a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage requirements, which means that your policy must include:

• Liability insurance: This is designed to cover other people’s property damage and medical bills if you are responsible for a collision. Your liability coverage must consist of 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

A minimum coverage policy may not be sufficient to fully cover your liabilities if you cause a serious accident. That is why many Bellaire drivers opt to purchase car insurance with higher liability limits than the state requires.

If you want even more liability protection than your policy can provide, you can also purchase umbrella insurance, which is an affordable way to significantly boost the limits of all of your personal liability coverage.

Additionally, even though it is not required by law, you may also need to include physical damage coverage in your car insurance policy. This coverage is typically required by dealerships if you are leasing your vehicle and by lenders if you are financing it. Physical damage insurance includes:

• Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

If you own your vehicle outright, physical damage coverage is optional.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Bellaire, TX?

In addition to the liability and physical damage coverage mentioned above, insurance providers typically offer various coverage options. Some of the options you may want to consider for your car insurance policy include:

• Coverage for injuries: In Texas, drivers can sometimes choose between two types of coverage to cover medical treatments for injuries sustained in a collision, regardless of fault. These include:
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance: All car insurance companies in Texas must offer at least $2,500 in PIP coverage. PIP covers medical treatments and 80% of lost wages if you or your passengers are injured in a collision. It can also cover funeral expenses in the event of a fatality.
  • Medical payments insurance: Car insurance companies in Texas have the option to offer this coverage. It supplements your health insurance by covering expenses like copays and deductibles if you or your passengers are injured in a collision. Unlike PIP, this insurance does not cover lost wages.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This covers assistance costs if your car breaks down and you need to call for help.
• Windshield and glass coverage: This covers the cost of replacing your vehicle’s safety glass if it is cracked or shattered.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than it is worth.
• Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of a rental car that you can use while your vehicle is being repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.

Be sure to review the coverage details and costs of each of your insurance options to decide which are a good fit for you and your family.

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

Driving without insurance is illegal in Texas. If caught operating an uninsured vehicle, you can face penalties including:

• Fines ranging from $175 to $1,000
• Possible impoundment of your vehicle for up to 180 days if you are a repeat offender
• A fee of $15 a day if your car is impounded
• Higher car insurance rates

If you cause a collision while driving an uninsured vehicle, the consequences are even more severe. In addition to the penalties listed above, you can also face:

• The automatic suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration for up to two years
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years
• The need to cover all injuries and property damage you may have caused to other people in the collision.

Regardless, many people in this state are driving around in uninsured vehicles.

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

Uninsured motorist insurance ensures that if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsurance driver, you will be able to receive compensation directly from your insurance company instead of needing to sue the at-fault driver to get what is owed to you.

How High Is the Bellaire, TX Auto Theft Rate?

The auto theft rate in Texas is higher than the national rate, but the rate is much lower in Bellaire. This is not to say that the risk does not exist. Residents of this city report around 15 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Texas’ auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.43
• Bellaire’s auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 0.99

In the unlikely event that your vehicle is stolen, your car insurance can only compensate you for your loss if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers more than just car theft. It covers wide-ranging non-collision damage, such as may be caused by hazards like tornadoes or floods.

If you are still paying for your vehicle or you are leasing it, chances are good you have comprehensive coverage already. If not, an independent agent can help you find out how much it would cost to include it in your car insurance policy.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Bellaire, TX?

The best car insurance companies in Texas are the ones that consistently provide their policyholders with responsive customer service, reliable coverage, and affordable rates.

Independent insurance agents in Bellaire have working relationships with many of the area’s most highly rated insurance providers. Therefore, when your agent gathers policies and prices for your review, you can be sure they are from insurance providers you can rely on if you need to file a claim.

How Can an Independent Agent in Bellaire, TX Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance?

If you are looking for ideal auto insurance that meets your coverage and budgetary needs, a local independent agent can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they are free to shop around as they search for the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

Contact an independent insurance agent in Bellaire so you can get more information and start comparing customized car insurance quotes.