Find Car Insurance in Bay City, TX

What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Bay City, TX

Bay City is a small, friendly town with less than 20,000 residents. It is located about 80 minutes southwest of Houston and approximately 25 minutes from the Gulf Coast beachside communities of Matagorda and Sargent. The city has its own amenities, including both regional and community parks, like the 100-acre forested Riverside Park, located along the Colorado River. Annual events such as the Matagorda County Rodeo and the yearly Rice Festival help maintain a sense of community in this small city.

You can head out to Bay City as soon as you contact an expert InsureOne agent to ensure you have the best auto insurance at the best price in Texas.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Bay City, Texas?

You will pay reasonable rates for car insurance in Texas. The national average for a full coverage policy is $2,014, and it will cost you a comparable $2,019 per year on average in the Lone Star State. The other states average $622 for a minimum liability policy, and the average in Texas is considerably less at $565.

Why Is Insurance in Texas So Cheap?

While the cost of full coverage in the state is not cheaper than other states, a minimum liability policy is certainly lower than the national average. One reason for this might be that the cost of living in Texas is lower than in most other states. This translates to lower costs per repair, which means insurers have to pay out less for claims and, therefore, will charge their clients less.

Another factor relates to crash rates. Although Texas has more accidents with fatalities than most other states, that does not necessarily mean insurers pay for damages incurred in those incidents. Insurers only pay for drivers who are licensed and insured, and the rate of accidents per licensed driver in Texas is lower than average for the U.S., so it follows that premiums should also be lower.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Texas

Your rate will depend a lot on statistics related to your city. This table shows how Bay City’s rates can be more or less costly than other cities in the vicinity:

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Bay City	$158	$46
Beaumont	$171	$52
Austin	$167	$53
Houston	$201	$63
Brazoria	$159	$47

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Bay City?

Once you are on the topic of bundling, ask your agent about other discounts that also lower your insurance premium. These are some examples of discounts that might be available to you:

• Good driver discount
• Military discount
• Paid-in-full discount
• Safety feature discount
• Paperless billing discount

Notable Car Insurance Laws in Bay City

Insurance laws in Bay City are governed by state statutes. The following are some Texas regulations that affect all municipalities in the Lone Star State.

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Bay City?

To operate a car in Texas legally, you must obtain insurance. State law dictates that you must have a minimum of the following coverage at all times, or your vehicle registration may be revoked:

• $30,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 liability coverage for property damage

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Bay City?

It is never a good idea to drive without the proper coverage. If you cause an accident, there is no telling how much money you will have to pay out of your own funds, but it could easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, if you are caught driving without insurance in Texas, you can potentially be penalized with the following:

• $175 to $350 fine, possibly lower in cases of economic hardship
• $350 to $1,000 fine for a second offense
• A yearly insurance surcharge of $250 for three years
• Possible license suspension
• Possible vehicle impoundment

Do Bay City–Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?

Texas is fairly easygoing with its insurers and allows them to use many factors to help them figure out how much to charge you for coverage. Here are some examples of details they may use:

• Accident Rates: Your insurer will review the number of crashes in your area to determine your likelihood of being in an accident.
• Mileage: The more you are on the road, the higher the chance of getting into an accident and the more your carrier will charge you.
• Driving experience: When you start driving, you are considered high risk. As you gain experience, your risk level and premiums drop.
• Driving record: If you have a clean history with no accidents or moving violations, you will be eligible for the best rates.
• Vehicle type: Each make and model of a car costs a different amount to repair and replace. Insurers look at these numbers before issuing a quote.

Here Is What You Need to Know When Driving in Texas

The Lone Star State may have the highest number of fatalities caused by car accidents in the U.S. But that does not mean you cannot drive safely within the state. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (DTI), more than 10% of crashes in Texas are due to weather conditions, such as rain, wind, fog, sleet, ice, and snow. Other events, such as flooding, electrical storms, hurricanes, and tornados, exacerbate the issue. Here are some recommendations from the DTI that will lower your risk of getting into an accident or injured:

• Maintain your vehicle, including wipers, tires, headlights, and brakes.
• Always keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.
• Listen to the forecast and avoid driving during poor conditions.
• Let other drivers know what you are doing by signaling early and avoiding quick lane changes or sudden braking.
• Pull over to the side of the road if driving conditions are dangerous.

Hopefully, you will never get into an accident while driving in Texas, but just in case, our InsureOne expert agents will help you find the best auto insurance with customizable options that best meet your needs.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Bay City Per Year?

The Texas Department of Transportation reports the following total crashes in Austin and several nearby cities in 2023:

City	Total Crashes
Bay City	329
Beaumont	3,624
Austin	12,138
Houston	67,644
Brazoria	50

 

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Bay City?

Approximately 13.8% of Texas drivers were uninsured in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But that number may be as high as 20%, based on estimates by TexasSure, a database managed by the Texas DMV.