Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Texas
Established officially in 1856, Stephenville, Texas, is a city on the North Bosque River in Erath County with about 22,000 residents. As home to many rodeo champions and ranchers, Stephenville is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” With its abundance of live music performances at venues such as Melody Mountain Ranch, the Birdsong Amphitheater, and Twisted J, the city also holds the nickname “The Other Live Music Capital of the World.” About 14,000 college students attend Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
The Lone Star State requires its residents to carry liability auto coverage to drive legally. The consequences of getting caught driving without car insurance in Texas are no joke. These penalties include fines (up to $350 for a first offense plus a $250 driver’s license surcharge for three years), a revoked license, and possible jail time. Keep reading to learn valuable tips, including how to save money on your car insurance premiums.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Stephenville, Texas?
Stephenville residents can expect to pay about $38 a month for liability car insurance and about $146 for full coverage. This compares to the national monthly average of $48 for liability and $147 for full coverage.
What Does It Mean If Texas Is an At-Fault State?
If you accidentally run a red light on West Washington Street where Alexander Road turns into Ollie Avenue and crash into another car, whose insurance pays for the damage?
Since Texas is an at-fault state — and you were at fault — if you have the state-mandated minimum liability coverage, it will take care of the other driver’s vehicle damage and medical expenses up to the policy’s limits. You’ll need collision coverage, though, to have your own vehicle damage expenses covered. And your personal injury protection (PIP), which is add-on coverage, will pay for your own medical expenses.
So even if you’re anticipating those fried deviled eggs you’re about to eat at a popular local café, be sure to pay attention when you’re behind the wheel.
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Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Texas
The chart below compares what Stephenville residents pay for their average monthly premiums to Texas residents in other cities:
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Stephenville | $146 | $38 |
Austin | $167 | $53 |
Fort Worth | $169 | $52 |
Houston | $201 | $63 |
San Antonio | $165 | $53 |
Affordable Stephenville Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
Underwriters review auto theft and accident rates in your zip code when coming up with your premiums. If you live in a zip code where the risks are higher, chances are your premiums will also be higher.
Here is what you can expect to pay for coverage in the only zip code in Stephenville:
Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
76401 | $146 | $38 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Stephenville
Age is another factor underwriters consider when figuring out your rate. Statistics show that teenage drivers tend to have more accidents, which means premiums for 16-year-olds can cost as much as 314% more than for drivers in their 30s and 40s. If you keep a good driving record, though, your rates can decrease in your teens by about 17% each year. Drivers in their 60s may see an increase in rates as diminished vision and reaction time come into play. Stephenville residents can expect to pay the following rates for a policy during each age range:
Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Teenagers | $506 | $141 |
20s | $176 | $43 |
30s | $146 | $38 |
40s | $140 | $34 |
50s | $128 | $32 |
60s | $135 | $36 |
70s | $161 | $47 |
* Methodology: We used the following demographic to determine the average monthly premiums for Stephenville residents: a 30-year-old male carrying the state’s minimum liability requirements and the state’s full coverage requirements. Premiums vary due to factors such as age, deductible amount, liability limits, discount program eligibility, type of car, and more.
Driving Conditions in Stephenville
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Stephenville?
There were four fatal accidents in Stephenville in 2022.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Stephenville?
The Stephenville Street Department maintains the city’s streets by completing such services as patching and cleaning streets and replacing street signs. Citizens can report a problem with streetlights online.
The Texas Department of Transportation maintains the highways that intersect in Stephenville — U.S. Highway 67/Texas State Highway 377 and Texas State Highway 281/Highway 108.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Stephenville
Just like residents in the rest of Texas, Stephenville residents are required to have the following minimum liability insurance to drive legally:
- Bodily injury per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
- Property damage: $25,000
If you cause a car crash, this coverage reimburses the other party’s property damage and medical expenses. You’ll need collision insurance to cover your own property damage and PIP to cover your medical expenses.
Full coverage that includes comprehensive is a good idea to cover situations like auto theft, vandalism, and damage from natural events, such as unexpected golf ball-size hailstones.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Stephenville, Texas?
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles claims that about 20% of Texas drivers — or about 10% of Erath County’s drivers — would fail insurance verification because they are uninsured and have unmatched vehicle registrations. Texas law enforcement can easily learn if your car is registered through the TexasSure Vehicle Insurance Verification program.
A Stephenville resident who gets caught driving uninsured can be subject to any of the following:
- Suspended license
- Suspended vehicle registration
- Impounded vehicle (and associated fees)
- Possible jail time when an accident has occurred
- SR-22 requirement
Getting caught driving uninsured can place you in the high-risk category, which means more costly insurance for a specific period, often two years.
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Factors Allowed in Stephenville Car Insurance Rates
Your Stephenville insurance agent will ask you for some information when figuring out your policy’s premium, including:
- Your age
- Motor vehicle type and age
- Your residence zip code
- Claims history
- Driving record
- Credit score
Another factor is the number of miles you drive. If you work from home and drive fewer miles, you may earn a discount.
You can also choose a higher deductible, which will lower your monthly payments. However, be sure you have funds ready to cover this deductible should you have a fender bender.
What Happens If I Damage Property?
When some people think about car accidents, they might imagine just crashing into another car. But what about if you crash into public property in Texas, like a stop sign, and it’s your fault? You are just as liable for the expenses as you are in a car accident that’s your fault.
Your $25,000 liability coverage should take care of the expenses, considering they are within the policy’s limits.
Public property prices vary, but the cost of a new stop sign, for instance, including the sign, additional parts, and labor to replace it, can be somewhere around $500. A streetlight is on the higher side — replacement of the light pole, including the foundation and labor expenses (which can cost more if the installation takes place during off-hours), can add up to somewhere around $5,000.
The same is true of crashing into someone’s home, shed, fence, or mailbox. Your liability coverage should handle the costs (up to the policy’s limits).
Take photos of the damage. Contact the state if it’s public property or the homeowner, and provide your contact and policy information. Let your insurance company know right away about the accident.
What Are the Best Discounts for Car Insurance in Stephenville, Texas?
Discounts are a great way to save a little money on your premiums. Here are some for which you might qualify:
If you have multiple cars, insuring them with one agent may earn you a multi-policy discount.
Do you own or rent a home? Bundling your homeowners or renters policy with your auto insurance may earn you a discount.
Get an Online Quote for Car Insurance in Stephenville Today!
Stephenville residents know what it means, thanks to sudden thunder and hailstorms, to have something happen in an instant. Isn’t it time you protect yourself from those unexpected traffic or vehicle events?
Expert Freeway Insurance agents are standing by to find you the cheapest car insurance in Stephenville. We make it easy. Just visit us online for a quick quote, stop by to talk in person with a friendly agent at our Stephenville office, or give us a phone call at (800) 777-5620.