Edinburg Car Insurance
For such a big state like Texas, it's hard to think of a day-to-day commonality among all residents. Though, getting around for any Texan requires covering a lot of ground.
Read through this review to discover more about car insurance requirements and then be sure to enter your zip code into our FREE quote tool to receive car insurance quotes from multiple companies in your area!
South and North of the Border
A lot of drivers throughout the United States think because a road leads to Mexico that they are covered with their Texas liability insurance. What you may not know is that Mexico does not recognize auto liability policies from the United States.
It means if you need to drive in Mexico, you must first purchase Mexican car insurance.
If you do not, it is a pretty serious offense that has steep consequences in Mexico. Mexican authorities hold drivers criminally and even financially responsible if they cause accidents.
If you are injured in a car accident, did you know that the police may keep you until they determine who is at fault? Having Mexican-accepted car insurance is key to demonstrating that you would be able to pay a judgment against you resulting from an accident.
Ask Your Insurer
You have three options to buying coverage to go over into Mexico:
- Free Policy Endorsement on present insurance
- Tourist Endorsements
- Mexican liability insurance from authorized Texas agents
Do contact your insurer first. Your present insurance carrier may provide a free policy endorsement to cover short-term, low-distance trips up to 10 days and less than 25 miles into Mexico. Though, Mexico may not recognize the endorsements.
The best bet is to purchase Mexico tourist endorsement instead, which is added to your policy.
The issue at hand is ensuring that the coverage exceeds Mexican liability limits. Tourist endorsements are good for any distance and any length of time. Mexican liability insurance is available from Texas-licensed Mexican insurance agents.
Comparing Quotes for Young Drivers
Another area of car insurance coverage that carries a lot of confusion for drivers is teen insurance. Once a teenager turns 16, you need to add them to your policy. A great guide on what to do when you add your teen as a driver is from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Usually the best way to demonstrate financial responsibility is to add your teen to your auto insurance policy. In rare instances, parents will find that buying a separate policy is a better deal than putting their teen on the family policy. Compare both options to discover the most financially beneficial plan for your teen.
Another way to save a bit of money is how you name your teen to the policy. The default is that the insurance company hedges its bets. The carriers assume your child will be driving the most expensive car in the household if they get into an accident, and insure accordingly.
Otherwise, if your teen will have their own car, such as the family beater, you can name them specifically to that car in the household.
It could save money. Though, your best bet is always honesty. If your teen is caught driving the big-ticket luxury car in an accident, then you might have to come up with additional insurance money.
Lying has long-term effects as well. Depending upon the severity of the accident and the policy agreement, you may face cancellation or nonrenewal of your policy.
Another tossup, insurance-wise is for parents of college-aged adults. When it is time for them to go off to campus, parents wonder whether to drop them from the policy or not. The best bet is to assume they will drive a car and if anything happens to them you might feel responsible.
Otherwise, you could save money by dropping your college kid off the policy. Though, again, just because they do not have a car does not mean they will not drive. It is probably better to protect them.
One popular discount is for high school students who get good grades, as determined by individual insurance carriers. Another way to save is through driving classes. Insurance carriers provide a discount to Texas teens who take The Texas Department of Public Safety-approved driver education courses.
Even if parents are their teachers guiding their teen through the driver education courses, the discount applies.
Comparing Auto Insurance Policies
Every time your policy comes up for renewal, stop and take the time to review your coverage. Significant life events come fast and impact car insurance rates.
For instance, if you know your teen is a good student with an A or B average, has completed the DPL-approved driver's education, and now has their license, it is time to add them to your policy.
In addition, you might want to take it a step further and compare quotes because teen drivers are expensive. The biggest reasons for the rate increases are that teens are just not experienced drivers and do cause a lot of accidents, big and small.
They are still a bit younger and may be distracted more easily behind the wheel than an adult.
Check out the Texas Department of Insurance rate quote sheet to help you navigate the auto insurance comparison process. A great way to start is by filling out your wishlist of coverage.
For instance, if you are fine with paying more in premiums up front to carry lower deductibles, note that. For instance, maybe anything higher than a $500 deductible is too much for you to pay down the road. Then aim for that $500 deductible.
In addition, you probably want more than the legal minimum insurance coverage, which is also delineated on the worksheet.
It is $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage minimum state-required coverage. That's for bodily injury liability, or what harm to others and property damage you might cause.
The only deductible, $250, that is mandated by law is under the uninsured, or underinsured motorist coverage. Otherwise, the minimum coverage for uninsured, or underinsured is $25,000 per injured, $50,000 per person, and $25,000 in property damage.
The purpose of this line of coverage is to pay out to you and your passengers if you are injured or have property damage by an underinsured or uninsured driver.
Deciding on the limits of coverage and deductibles are two big decisions. Cover your assets but also include what you might need if you are injured. You want to avoid making your assets the temptation of a lawsuit by someone you may have injured. That's why you buy sufficient bodily injury liability coverage.
Comprehensive is anything about your vehicle that is not involving the collision of your car. Collision is only for damage from impact of your car. Basically, it is optional coverage, unless you are financing or leasing your vehicles.
Though, even many consumers who have older cars continue with the coverage. The basic idea is that a lot of damages are not big enough to total the car. Otherwise, the opposition argue that if a vehicle is worthless then it makes more sense to go out and buy another one.
If you have older cars that are paid off, then it is up to you to weigh the deductibles against what coverage limits you could buy. People can argue for and against keeping collision and comprehensive continually. Just do what is best for you.
Now that you know a bit more about car insurance, find the best auto insurance rates in your area today!