How To Get Cheap Car Insurance in Houston

Reader’s Question:

Is Houston a high traffic area? I want to know so that I could decide on my car insurance in Houston: whether to get collision or comprehensive, or both. I will be moving there soon.

Tamara

Houston, TX

Tamara, it really depends on where in Houston you would reside. Houston is a large city and has different demographic features within. What you might want to find out is where and when will you be using your car. For example, if you would live in a residential area and had to commute everyday using freeways, then it could give you clues on what type of additional coverage to get. Freeways, we know, have higher speed limits and high traffic densities at any given time of the day. You might want to get collision insurance to protect yourself, as well as personal injury protection, which is an option for Texas drivers. If you have reason to believe that your area in Houston has high auto theft rate and crime rate in general, by all means get comprehensive insurance, too. Check with a provider on this matter for all the coverage available to you in Houston.

Getting car insurance in Houston is really easy. When you first arrive to Houston, check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to register your car and to get a Texas license. The basic liability requirements are bodily injury and property damage liability of $20,000 per person per accident personal injury liability and maximum total of $40,000 and with property damage maximum of $15,000. By January 1, 2011 the coverage requirements will increase by almost half of what it is right now.

Does Inexpensive Car Insurance Equal Low Liability limits?

Before you try to decide what the right amount of coverage should be. You first need to understand what Automobile Liability Insurance covers. There are always two factors that make up liability coverage. There is bodily injury and property damage liability.

Bodily injury liability covers injuries do to a car accident.

1. First Aid at the Accident

2. Doctor bills due to the accident

3. Money for lost wages

4. Final expenses

5. Lawyer Fees

Property Damage Liability covers the damage that is sustained in an accident:

1. Structural damage to homes, storefronts, etc.

2. Repair or replacement costs for other stationary objects

3. Car restoration or replacement expenses

So, what coverage limit are right for you? Every state compiles there minimum guidelines individually. 15,000/30,000/15,000 is the minimal norm but that may vary from state to state so check your state guidelines. You might have noticed that there are three coverage figures and not two. This ..