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Bodily Injury Liability Coverage — Texas

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Texas Requires Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

Texas requires bodily injury liability coverage as part of its mandatory minimum insurance. Every driver must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage liability. This is the legal floor to register and drive in Texas.

The requirement exists because Texas operates under a fault-based system. When you cause a crash that injures another driver, passenger, or pedestrian, your bodily injury liability coverage pays their medical bills, lost wages, and related injury costs up to your policy limits. Without it, you face personal liability for those costs, license suspension, and reinstatement fees.

“The state minimum protects you from suspension, but it does not protect your assets when injury costs exceed your limits.”

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See What Texas Drivers Pay for the Coverage They Need

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$30,000 / $60,000

Texas Bodily Injury Minimum

The state requires $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability. This is the minimum coverage needed to legally register and drive a vehicle in Texas.

Texas Department of Public Safety

What the 30/60 Split Actually Covers

The $30,000/$60,000 structure means your policy pays up to $30,000 for any single person's injuries and up to $60,000 total for all injuries in one accident. If you injure one person, the maximum payout is $30,000. If you injure three people, the policy pays up to $60,000 combined, distributed among the three claims.

This split creates exposure when injury costs exceed the per-person or per-accident cap. A single serious injury—broken bones, surgery, extended hospital stay—can easily exceed $30,000. Multiple injuries in one crash can exceed $60,000 combined. When injury costs surpass your limits, you are personally liable for the difference.

Bodily injury liability does not cover your own injuries, your passengers' injuries, or damage to your own vehicle. It pays only for injuries you cause to others. Your own medical costs require personal injury protection (not mandatory in Texas), medical payments coverage, or health insurance. Damage to your own car requires collision coverage.

The state minimum protects you from suspension, but it does not protect your assets when injury costs exceed $30,000 per person or $60,000 per accident.

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What Happens When You Drive Without Bodily Injury Coverage

Driving without bodily injury liability coverage in Texas triggers immediate consequences. If stopped, you face a fine, vehicle impoundment, and license suspension.

If you cause a crash while uninsured, you are personally liable for all injury costs with no carrier to negotiate or pay on your behalf. The injured party can sue you directly, and Texas courts can garnish wages, place liens on property, and seize assets to satisfy the judgment. The state also suspends your license until you satisfy the judgment or arrange a payment plan.

Texas tracks insurance status through the TexasSure program, which matches vehicle registrations against carrier-reported policies. A lapse triggers an automatic notice, and failure to respond results in registration suspension. Reinstatement requires proof of continuous coverage for the future and payment of all fees.

14.5%

Texas Uninsured Motorist Rate

Nearly one in seven Texas drivers operates without insurance. This rate is higher than the national average and increases the likelihood you will encounter an uninsured driver in a crash, making uninsured motorist coverage a practical consideration.

Insurance Research Council, 2023

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Bodily Injury Liability Versus Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Bodily injury liability covers injuries you cause to others. Uninsured motorist coverage covers your own injuries when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. Texas does not require uninsured motorist coverage, but carriers must offer it, and you must reject it in writing if you choose not to carry it. Given the 14.5% uninsured rate in Texas, many drivers add uninsured motorist coverage to protect themselves when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient limits to cover their injury costs.

Compare Carriers and Confirm Your Coverage

Every carrier writing in Texas must offer bodily injury liability coverage that meets or exceeds the $30,000/$60,000 state minimum. Premiums vary widely by carrier, driving record, location, vehicle, and the limits you select. Comparing quotes from multiple carriers ensures you meet the state requirement at a rate that fits your budget and risk profile. Higher limits cost more per month but reduce personal exposure when injury costs exceed the minimum. Review your current policy to confirm your bodily injury limits, and compare rates when adding a vehicle, renewing, or adjusting coverage across your household's cars.

How Bodily Injury Liability Works at Claim Time

When you cause a crash that injures another person, your bodily injury liability coverage activates. Here's the sequence and what the coverage actually pays.

The injured party files a claim against your policy. Your carrier investigates liability, reviews medical records, and determines the payout up to your per-person and per-accident limits. The coverage pays medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering when you are found at fault. Your carrier handles the claim and any settlement negotiation within your policy limits.

If the injured party's costs exceed your limits, they can pursue you personally for the difference. Texas does not cap personal liability beyond your policy limits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is bodily injury liability required in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. This is part of the state's mandatory minimum insurance to register and legally drive a vehicle.

What does bodily injury liability cover in Texas?

Bodily injury liability covers medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering for people you injure in a crash you cause. It does not cover your own injuries, your passengers, or damage to your vehicle.

What happens if I cause an accident and the injury costs exceed my bodily injury limits?

You are personally liable for the difference. The injured party can sue you and pursue wage garnishment or asset liens to collect.

Does Texas require uninsured motorist coverage?

No. Texas does not require uninsured motorist coverage, but carriers must offer it and you must reject it in writing. Given the 14.5% uninsured driver rate in Texas, many drivers add it to cover their own injuries when hit by an uninsured driver.

How much does bodily injury liability cost in Texas?

Premiums vary by carrier, driving record, location, vehicle, and the limits you select. The state minimum costs less than higher limits, but higher limits reduce personal exposure when injury costs exceed the minimum. Compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best rate for your household.

Can I drive in Texas with only property damage liability?

No. Texas requires both bodily injury liability ($30,000/$60,000) and property damage liability ($25,000). Carrying only property damage does not meet the state minimum and will result in license suspension if discovered.