Car Insurance in Odessa, TX

From major crashes on I-20 to fender-benders on Grandview Avenue, even the most careful drivers can sometimes find themselves in accidents. That is why, if you own a vehicle in Odessa, you are required to carry car insurance. A good policy can ensure than an accident will not cause you large financial losses.

Local independent agents are available to help you find the best and most affordable policy to meet all of your coverage needs. When you’re ready to start comparing customized quotes from some of the area’s best car insurance companies, contact an independent insurance agent near you.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Odessa, TX?

Drivers in Texas pay a bit more for car insurance than the national average. Shopping around for the most affordable rate has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars a year.

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

Car insurance costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next. This is because insurance companies calculate premiums on a case-by-case basis according to several factors such as:

• The year, make, and model of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, driving record, and even your credit score
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of liability insurance you are buying
• Which, if any, coverage options you want to include in your policy
• Whether you agree to paperless billing and payments

If you are buying your car insurance from the same insurance company that provides some of your other policies, like your home insurance or renters insurance, you can buy them in what is referred to as a bundle. This often results in significant discounts on all your policies.

You may also be entitled to other discounts such as a military discount, a safe driver discount, or a good student discount. Good insurance agents will make sure that you are receiving any potential discounts for which you qualify.

What Does Odessa, TX Car Insurance Cover?

Car insurance policies are a mixture of required and optional coverage. As a vehicle owner in Odessa, you are required by law to have a policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum requirements.

In Texas, all car insurance policies must include liability insurance. This can cover injuries and property damage sustained by other people if you are at fault for an accident. By law your liability coverage must meet or exceed the following minimums:

• Bodily-injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
• Bodily-injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
• Property damage liability coverage per accident: $25,000

Some drivers will also need to carry what is known as full coverage. Full coverage is not required by law, but it is typically required by lenders if you are financing your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Full coverage is designed to cover physical damage to your own vehicle. It includes:

• Collision insurance: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive insurance: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or lost due to a a non-collision hazard such as a flood.

Most insurance companies will also offer several coverage options. This lets you build a car insurance policy that is designed to meet your specific coverage needs. Some of the options you are likely to encounter include:

• Uninsured motorist insurance: If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, this can cover the costs associated with damage to your property as well as any medical treatments needed by you and your passengers. All car insurance companies in Texas are required to offer this coverage. If you do not want it, you must opt out in writing.
• Medical coverage: This can cover the cost of the treatment of injuries for you and your passengers for anything not covered by your medical insurance. In Texas, you can choose between:
  • Personal injury protection: This provides a significant amount of coverage for things like medical treatments, ambulance rides, lost wages, prescriptions, prosthetics, and in-home care.
  • Medical payments coverage: This costs less than personal injury protection but it provides more limited coverage and covers expenses related to medical treatments only. It works well in conjunction with health insurance.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This can cover the cost of assistance if your vehicle becomes disabled while you are out on the road, such as if you get a flat tire, blow a head gasket, or run out of gas.
• Gap insurance: This is a good idea if you owe more for your car than it is worth, which is common in the first year or two of new car ownership. It can pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event.
• Rental reimbursement coverage: This can cover the cost of renting a vehicle while your own car is being repaired following a covered event.

If you cause an accident and your liability limits are too low to fully cover your financial obligations, you will need to make up the difference yourself. A serious collision that involves multiple injures can get very expensive. That is why many vehicle owners in Odessa buy more liability coverage than the state requires.

If you want even more liability coverage than your car insurance provider can offer, you can also purchase an umbrella insurance policy. This is an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage.

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

Driving without insurance in Texas is illegal. If caught, uninsured drivers will not be arrested or sentenced to time in jail, but they can be penalized with:

• A misdemeanor conviction on their permanent record
• Fines ranging from $175 to $300 for a first conviction and up to $1,000 for repeat offenses
• A surcharge fee of $250 a year for three years ($750 total)
• The possible impoundment of their car for 180 days as well as a $15 a day impoundment fee
• The suspension of their license and registration for two years if they cause a collision while uninsured
• Higher car insurance rates

Despite these penalties, more than one out of ten drivers in this state are operating uninsured vehicles.

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

If your policy includes uninsured motorist insurance, you can rest assured that if an uninsured driver is responsible for a collision with your vehicle, you will have the coverage you need without the need to go through lengthy legal channels to collect it.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Odessa, TX?

The auto theft rate in Texas is higher than the national average, and in Odessa, the risk is even greater. Residents of this small city report around 400 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Texas auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.43
• Odessa auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 4.04

Be aware that you can only be reimbursed for a stolen car if your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. This optional insurance covers a wide range of non-collision hazards.

If you are leasing your car or if you are still paying on your auto loan, chances are good you have this coverage already. If not, you may want to ask about how much it would cost for you to add comprehensive coverage to your Odessa car insurance policy.

Independent Agents Work with Some of the Best Car Insurance Companies in Odessa, TX

Independent agents take the guesswork out of finding suitable, yet affordable, coverage. These agents can explain your various coverage options, answer your insurance-related questions, and help you compare prices from some of the best car insurance companies in the area.

It doesn’t cost anything to talk to one of these experienced insurance professionals. Contact an independent insurance agent near you to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.