Driving Without Car Insurance In Houston Texas?

Reader’s Question:

My friend recently got in a car accident in Texas with a rented vehicle and according to her, it was the other party’s fault. Since neither of the cars (hers and the other driver’s car) are insured, they both decided not to inform the police. What would happen she is caught for not having a car insurance here in Texas?

Ben

Houston TX

Without an insurance for a rented car, your friend will likely have to pay the cost of repairing the vehicle and the rental lost since the car will be out of commission. Since the other party is at fault in the accident, your friend may have to bring the case to court if the person at-fault is not willing
to pay the damages instead of making a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance provider should that driver’s car was insured.

In Texas, the minimum requirement is $25,000.00 for every person injured, $50,000.00 for every accident and $25,000.00 for property damage. This law, which took effect on April 1, 2008, is referred to as 25/50/25.

Failure to comply to this law will result in a penalty ranging from $175 to $350 for the first conviction. The fines for the succeeding convictions ranges from $350 to $1,000. Your driver’s license can also be suspended and your car be impounded. For more information on this matter, you can check the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act in the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601.

Aside from the required reinstatement fees as part of the administrative actions due to this conviction, there are also surcharges, which the Department of Public Safety assess according to the traffic violation. The surcharge for having without a car insurance is $250 a year for three years.

Your friend can seek legal advice if the driver who is at fault does not want to pay the damages.