• Texas has severe penalties for drivers without car insurance.Crash on the street. German auto model 2007. image by Dariusz Kopestynski from Fotolia.com
  
  Like most U.S. states, Texas has its own requirements concerning automobile insurance coverage. While some states do not require vehicle insurance, Texas does have minimums, as well as stiff penalties for driving without car insurance. Before driving or getting a driver's license in Texas, you should understand Texas' car insurance rules.
  
  

Insurance for Car Owners

• Car owners are required to show proof of having automobile liability insurance before they can register their vehicle in Texas. Auto insurance may be obtained from any agent authorized to write auto insurance in the state. Some drivers may need to obtain a SR-22 insurance policy, which is a type of insurance that requires insurance companies to notify the Texas Department of Public Safety in the event coverage is terminated, canceled or lapses.
  
  

Non-Owner Insurance

• Drivers who do not own a car can either obtain liability insurance or a non-owner SR-22. Both of these can only be obtained from an insurance company licensed to write automobile insurance in the State of Texas. Even if someone doesn't own a car, they need to have liability insurance if they will be doing any driving.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Auto liability insurance is required for all Texas drivers. Each driver must carry the following insurance minimums: $25,000 to cover property damage resulting from any one accident; $25,000 for the injury or death of any one person related to any one accident; $50,000 for all persons involved in any one accident.
  
  

Penalties

• Penalties for Texas drivers caught operating a vehicle without the required insurance minimums include the following: a first conviction fine between $175 and $350; subsequent conviction fines ranging between $350 and $1,000; driver license suspension; vehicle impoundment.
  
  

TexasSure

• Texas law enforcement officers have access to a system called TexasSure, which enables them to automatically see whether a vehicle has the required auto insurance by searching for a license plate or vehicle identification number--this system is accessible even if the officer is in a patrol car. TexasSure makes it very easy for Texas law enforcement and county tax officials to tell if someone does not have car insurance.