Find Car Insurance in Longview, TX
What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Longview, Texas
Living in Longview, Texas, offers a small-town vibe with a close-knit community. Originally founded as a railroad town and later booming with oil in the 20th century, it’s now a mix of suburban and rural living with a moderate climate—warm summers and mild winters. The city itself is fairly laid-back, and driving around town is easy, but with major highways like I-20 and I-30 nearby, you can quickly head to larger cities. While traffic in Longview isn’t too heavy, weather can still impact driving, with rainstorms or occasional freezes.
In Texas, having car insurance is a must. The state follows an “at-fault” system, meaning if you cause an accident, you’re responsible for covering the damages. Texas law requires liability insurance, but minimum coverage might not be enough, especially with the state’s busy roads and unpredictable weather. Without proper coverage, the financial burden can be overwhelming. It’s worth investing in comprehensive insurance to protect both yourself and others on the road.
Driving in and around Longview can be challenging due to factors such as weather and traffic, so make you are always protected with the best car insurance in Texas. At InsureOne, we offer top-rated insurance carriers, flexible plans and affordable options.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Longview, Texas?
How much you pay for car insurance depends on multiple factors, including your location. In Longview, a 30-year-old male buying the minimum required coverage typically pays $54 per month. For full coverage, that price increases to $181. Nationwide, the average is $66 for minimum liability and $223 for full coverage.
In Texas, the average costs are $60 for minimum liability and $214 for full coverage, so Longview drivers might find rates that are more affordable compared to other regions.
What Does Full Coverage vs Minimum Liability Mean?
All states require drivers to have liability insurance, which covers the damages you cause if you’re at fault in an accident. This includes bodily injury and property damage liability but doesn’t cover your own vehicle or medical bills. You can opt for the state minimum for the lowest cost, but this may not be enough to cover all expenses if you’re involved in a serious accident. Many drivers choose higher limits to better protect themselves.
Full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, costs more but protects your vehicle in accidents or incidents like theft or damage when you’re not driving. It provides more financial security, as it covers your own vehicle’s repairs and medical expenses.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Texas
There are many factors that go into an insurance quote – location is a major one since some areas have more congestion, which leads to more accidents, which causes more claims. That is why where you live plays a part. Compare some other cities in Texas to the average in Longview to see an illustration of how that works.
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Longview | $181 | $54 |
Austin | $204 | $59 |
Dallas | $184 | $54 |
Garland | $176 | $54 |
Plano | $162 | $52 |
How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Longview
Bundling your car and homeowners insurance in Texas can save you money with discounts from insurers for combining policies. Insurance companies often reward customers who bundle by offering lower rates on both car and home coverage. For example, if you bundle your car and homeowners insurance, you might save up to 20% on each policy. This can lead to significant savings over time. It also simplifies managing your insurance, as you’ll have just one point of contact for claims, payments, and policy updates.
In addition to the savings, bundling your policies can offer better coverage options. Many insurers provide package deals with added benefits that you wouldn’t get with separate policies, like better liability coverage or extra protection for your home. Whether it’s safeguarding your property against weather-related damage or ensuring you’re covered on the road, bundling can make managing your insurance easier and more affordable.
What Types of Car Insurance Discounts are Available in Longview?
Insurers offer a variety of discounts for everyone in Longview. New customers get a discount, and returning clients enjoy loyalty perks. Safe drivers typically receive the biggest discounts, along with those who bundle policies. If you’re a member of local organizations, like the Longview Chamber of Commerce, you may qualify for additional savings. Always ask your agent for more details. Here’s an example:
Discount | What It’s Worth |
---|---|
Good or Safe Driver | 10-30% Off |
Anti-lock brakes | 3% Off |
Auto-pay | 5% |
Military | 15% on base, 90% deployed |
Good Student | 15% |
Notable Car Insurance Laws in Longview
Traffic laws are designed to keep the roads safe and ensure smooth driving. Speeding, even just a few miles over the limit, can lead to fines starting around $146. Stopping at stop signs is crucial—failing to do so can result in fines and even higher penalties if an accident occurs.
Jaywalking is another easy violation, with fines ranging from $20 to $50, so it’s best to cross at crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals. Parking rules are also important, with fines up to $500 for violations like overtime or overnight parking. Following these simple regulations not only helps avoid fines but also contributes to a safer driving experience for everyone in Longview.
What are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Longview?
Drivers are required to have at least minimum liability insurance, which typically includes $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage helps pay for the damage you cause to others if you’re at fault in an accident but doesn’t cover your own vehicle or injuries.
Since the state follows an “at-fault” system, it’s important to have this coverage to avoid fines or legal trouble. You’ll also need to show proof of insurance while driving, or you could face penalties. If you want more protection, it’s worth considering additional coverage like collision or comprehensive insurance for your own vehicle.
What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Longview?
The state of Texas does not want to pay for your mistakes on the road. That is why it is illegal to drive without insurance. If you are found to be driving without coverage, the penalties can be severe, especially if you have multiple offenses. Here are some penalties for driving without insurance in Texas:
- Fines:
- First offense: A fine ranging from $175 to $350.
- Subsequent offenses can result in fines up to $1,000 or more.
- Vehicle Impoundment: If you’re caught driving without insurance, the police may impound your vehicle, which can lead to additional fees to get it back.
- License Suspension: Your driver’s license and registration could be suspended. You’ll need to provide proof of insurance (a financial responsibility insurance certificate) to reinstate it, which may involve additional fees.
- SR-22 Requirement: If your license is suspended, you may be required to file an SR-22, which is a certificate of financial responsibility showing you have car insurance. This must be maintained for a period of time (usually two years), and the cost of the insurance will likely increase due to the SR-22 requirement.
- Increased Insurance Costs: If you’re caught driving without insurance, your premiums may rise when you apply for new insurance, and it may be harder to find affordable coverage.
It’s important to have valid auto insurance in Texas to avoid these penalties and stay legal on the road.
What Factors Go into My Car Insurance Cost in Longview?
We discussed how your location and your driving record can play a large part in your insurance quote. No two quotes are the same because there are a wide variety of factors, each specific to you, that insurance underwriters examine before arriving at a policy cost. Here are a few other factors:
- Type of Vehicle: The type of car you insure plays a part in your price. Vehicles that are expensive to repair or lend themselves to theft may be more expensive to cover.
- Age: Young, inexperienced drivers will always have a high insurance bill. This is because as a group, they file more claims, plus there is no driving history to examine. There are ways to reduce auto insurance costs for teen drivers, including choosing the right type of car.
- Other Demographics: Insurers look at a variety of specific demographics, including marital status, level of education completed and job title.
Typical Driving Conditions in Longview
As a family-friendly suburb of Dallas, Longview can still be a challenging place to drive, considering the many major highways in the city, as well as weather conditions that include sporadic rain all year, tornadoes during summer months and ice during winter.
Longview has the dubious honor of having more than the average number of car accidents intersections, with 696 crashes involving 1,399 vehicles and resulting in injuries to 1,601 people in 2023. There is always plenty of construction to make your way past, as well as aggressive drivers and speeders. There is also, unfortunately, a high number of DUI incidents.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Longview Per Year?
Besides a high number of DUI incidents, aggressive drivers and accidents, Longview saw 696 crashes involving 1,399 vehicles and resulting in injuries to 1,601 people in 2023. In 2022, the Texas Department of Transportation reported these numbers:
CRASH CATEGORY | TOTAL |
---|---|
Total Fatal and Injury | 1,733 |
Fatalities | 15 |
Serious Crashes | 48 |
Non-Injury Crashes | 1,037 |
Unknown Severity | 146 |
How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists are in Longview?
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles reports 1 in 5 drivers are driving without insurance. Look around you while driving on Skyline Drive, Big Town Boulevard or Motley Drive. It’s scary to think that out of 5 cars around you, one may be driving with no way to help you pay for repairs and medical bills if they cause an accident and you are injured.
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is not required in Texas, but it is an inexpensive way to protect yourself in the event of a wreck involving someone with no insurance. For a cost that usually amounts to 5% of your annual bill, it is truly a bank balance saving tool to add to your protection package.
Get Covered by the Best Car Insurance in Longview, TX Today
Longview may be a charming city in its own right, with plenty of fun and excitement, but its proximity to Dallas still makes it a challenging place to drive. You need the best insurance you can find at an affordable price to make sure you are protected.
At InsureOne, we specialize in offering white-glove service with flexible options to fit your specific situation. We’ll do the work for you and find you a policy that you approve. Get a quote online, visit us at an office near you, or call us at (800) 836-2240 for a quote.