Texas Auto Insurance Requirements and Terms Explained

When you are renewing or updating your Texas auto insurance, you may be confused by all of the terms and words coming your way. It’s easy for Amarillo, TX drivers to be confused no matter how many times you’ve purchased insurance.

At Nest Insurance Agency, we want you to be clear on what you need before you purchase your auto insurance. We can help you to get the best policy for your needs.

Learn what you need and what those terms mean here.

Liability Coverage

The minimum insurance that you need in Texas is liability insurance.  Liability insurance refers to coverage that pays for damages for which you are found to be liable. So it won’t pay for your own medical bills after an accident.

You must have that to drive. You will need to have bodily injury liability per person coverage, and bodily injury liability coverage per accident. You must also have some property damage liability.

Medical Payments and Personal Injury Protection

These coverages will cover your medical expenses when there is an accident. Medical payments will cover the medical costs for yourself and any passengers.

Personal injury protection coverage will go beyond that, and also pay for things such as lost wages or other nonmedical bills. All auto insurance policies in Texas have this unless you let the insurance company know in writing that you do not want it.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is coverage for when you are hit by a driver that doesn’t have car insurance. It could also be a driver who doesn’t have a lot of coverage. If you do not want this coverage, let the insurance company know in writing.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Amarillo, TX, understanding these terms will help you to get the coverage that you need. At Nest Insurance Agency, we can help you to create the policy that is best for you. Call us for a quote today.

Can I keep my adult children on my auto insurance

In Amarillo, TX the Nest Insurance Agency is locally owned and operated. We are committed to providing customer service that exceeds your expectations and to making sure that you get the right insurance products to meet your needs whatever they may be. Auto insurance is one of our specialties and our team has the experience you expect when you have questions about coverage.  

Auto insurance is often a family policy, Mom, Dad, and kids. Those teens that got their license and sent their insurance rates through the roof do tend to grow up eventually. Once they are adults can they still stay on your policy? As more and more children spend more time in the family home this is a question that comes up more frequently. 

Children are considered adults when they go off to college. When they are living away for the greater part of the year but come home during the summer and don’t change their permanent address, they are still considered a part of your household. Keeping them on your insurance policy makes sense especially if they are still driving one of the family vehicles.   

If they move back home after college, it usually isn’t an issue to have them remain on the family insurance policy. Check with your particular carrier to be sure. When it becomes a little trickier, is when they move out of the family home but still live nearby. Some companies are very family-friendly and won’t object to this, at least for a while. Again, talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have the correct carrier. 

Making sure that you have the right auto insurance for your particular family situation is important. At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we are here to provide the advice and support that you expect from an independent agency. 

Do I need auto insurance in Amarillo?

Anyone that is in the Amarillo, TX area should spend time thinking about their insurance needs. As most people in this area of Texas own a vehicle, getting auto insurance is something that most people will need to get. There are several reasons why the typical vehicle owner in this area of Texas will need to get an auto insurance plan.

Insurance is Required in the State

A reason that you will need to get an auto insurance plan when you are in Texas is that it is a state requirement. All people in this state have to get the minimum level of liability insurance. If you do not continue to have this coverage the whole time, you could be in violation of state law. Those caught without it could receive a variety of penalties, which is not limited to fines or loss of license.

Insurance Protects Vehicle

You should also get an auto insurance plan because it can protect your vehicle. If you decide to buy a car or other vehicle, it is something that you will want to be able to enjoy for a long time. When you get an auto insurance plan with collision and comprehensive protection, you can be assured that it will give you the coverage needed to repair or replace it. 

When you are looking for an auto insurance plan and you are in the Amarillo, TX area, it would be wise to call the Nest Insurance Agency. If you do work with the Nest Insurance Agency you can get the support that you need to fully understand your options and choose a policy. This can help to ensure that you will be in compliance with state law and that your valuable vehicle is properly covered at all times. 

What Kind of Auto Insurance Should You Have on a Second Car?

If you have a second car in Amarillo, TX, you already know that you need some kind of insurance coverage on it to remain legal. However, you may have wondered what exactly is the best type of insurance to have, especially if you only use the car once in a while. Nest Insurance Agency is here to give you a few tips on how to get proper coverage to give you the peace of mind you crave. 

Nail Down How You Use the Car 

Some cars are actually never really used. A planned nonoperational vehicle (PNO) is one where you promise not to drive the car or use it for any reason. You also agree not to store or park the car on public roads at any time. But most people will use their second cars, even if it’s just to have them serviced once in a while.

If you truly don’t use the car very often, you can consider limiting the car to liability only protection, meaning you won’t have coverage if either you cause an accident or if you’re involved in a hit-and-run of some kind. This can be a dangerous option, but one that many car owners are willing to take if they just don’t get a lot of use out of their vehicle. 

The Right Auto Insurance for You 

Nest Insurance Agency is here to serve the people of Amarillo, TX and ensure they get the auto insurance they’re looking for. Whether you have a seasonal second vehicle or just one that you loan your college-age student when they’re back in town, we want to help you find a policy that fits. Give us a call today to learn more and get the ball rolling. 

Do I need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance

As a vehicle owner in Amarillo, TX you know how important it is to have a vehicle at your disposal. Getting around or just getting to work is very difficult if you aren’t able to drive. In Texas you don’t need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance, you only need to carry liability insurance. This protects other people from you in case you are the responsible party in an accident but it doesn’t help you to get your own car fixed. At Nest Insurance Agency we have our roots in the Texas panhandle and we are committed to making sure we meet the needs of our clients. 

While you may not need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance if you count on your vehicle it is something that you should carry. Imagine having to use Uber to get to work or a cab and having to get groceries delivered. For most people, having a vehicle is a necessity. What you get with collision and comprehensive auto insurance is the money to replace or repair your vehicle and to have a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. 

Collision insurance is what it sounds like, coverage if you are in a collision with another vehicle. If the other driver is responsible their insurance will pay but if you are at fault it is your insurance that pays. Depending on how new your car is, this can be thousands of dollars. 

Comprehensive coverage protects from damage caused by things other than a collision with another vehicle. It covers weather damage, vandalism and even theft. If your car is caught in a flood, hailstorm or high winds, lots of damage can be caused. 

If your vehicle has almost no value then you don’t need collision and comprehensive insurance but for everyone else, it is a very good idea. Our agents at Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX would love to talk to you about your auto insurance needs. Stop by or give our office a call for a no-obligation quote. 

Do I need auto insurance in Texas?

The city of Amarillo, TX is a great community for anyone that wants a safe place to live that also offers many economic benefits. If you are in this area of Texas, you are going to need to own a car in order to get around town. If you are in the market for a new car, you also need to make sure that you get proper insurance. There are many reasons why you need to get auto insurance in Texas. 

Required by State Law

One reason why you need to get auto insurance in Texas is that it is required by state law. When you are driving a car, you are always going to take on some risk that you could cause an accident. If this occurs, you will need to pay restitution to cover damages. The state minimum liability requirements will ensure you can do this.

Protects Asset

While state law will cover you for liability, there is also a chance that you could see your car damaged or stolen. If this occurs, replacing or repairing it can be quite expensive. When you get an auto insurance policy with full collision and comprehensive coverage, you will have the coverage that you need to replace or repair your vehicle. 

If you are shopping for a car in the Amarillo, TX area, it is important that you also consider your auto insurance needs. When you are ready to start shopping for your insurance policy, you should contact Nest Insurance Agency as soon as you can. The team at Nest Insurance Agency will help you to better understand all of your auto insurance needs and requirements. They can also help you to find a policy that gives the right protection for your situation. 

Choosing the Right Auto Insurance Policy

If you are unsure of what type of auto insurance policy you need, the best thing to do is talk to the professionals. The agents at Nest Insurance Agency have the answers that Lubbock and Amarillo, TX residents need when it comes to insuring their vehicles and protecting their family. The agents can evaluate your individual needs and make sure you have the right policy in place.

Know What Type of Policy You Need

There are different types of auto insurance available. Comprehensive, collision, PL/PD, and antique/classic cars are the most common types of policies. While some are self-explanatory, others may be somewhat confusing to understand. Comprehensive covers many different kinds of events, while collision only covers damages received in an accident. PL/PD provides public liability and property damage coverage. Antique/classic car insurance covers vehicles that meet the qualifications that would make them an antique or classic car.

Protect Your Investment

Comprehensive insurance usually is a requirement with most lending institutions, especially if they still hold the title and you are making payments. Once your car is paid off, you can drop your coverage to collision or PL/PD if you want to lower your premiums. This can be a problem if you have an accident, though. Your coverage will not be as extensive as when you had comprehensive coverage.

Residents who live in the Amarillo, TX area, and want to make sure they have the right policy for their needs, can call the agents of Nest Insurance Agency. If you wish to have your existing policy re-evaluated or if you are searching for a new policy, we have the answers you need to make an informed decision.

An Intro to Auto Insurance

Nest Insurance Agency wants you to drive with the coverage you really need, so you and your ride remain safer. Texas has auto insurance minimum coverage requirements, but making sure that your vehicle really has the coverage it needs means purchasing more than the minimum. This blog explains the different kinds of coverage, such as collision, comprehensive and PIP, and why you would want to purchase them to drive more safely around Amarillo, TX.

A basic auto insurance policy only covers liability and your damage to another vehicle. There are six types of coverage you need to consider:

  • bodily injury liability,
  • collision,
  • comprehensive,
  • personal injury protection (PIP),
  • property damage liability,
  • uninsured/underinsured motorist.

Your basic or minimum coverage includes bodily injury liability coverage. It covers injuries that the policyholder or designated driver cause to another person.

You may want to purchase medical payments, also known as, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage which pays for the medical bills of injuries to the designated driver and their passengers. Some PIP policies cover medical payments, service replacements and lost earnings, plus funeral costs.

Another basic policy coverage, property damage liability, pays for damage you as a driver cause to another person’s property. It could be their car, fence, garage, etc.

You might want to purchase collision insurance to pay for any damage to your car, truck or motorcycle that stem from colliding with an inanimate object another vehicle, tree, fence, etc. It sometimes covers pothole damage, too. This type typically has a separate deductible.

Another type to add, comprehensive coverage,  reimburses you for damage not from a collision or theft losses. If you hit a deer or other animal, this policy type covers it. It also applies to damages from earthquakes, explosions, falling objects, fires, flood, hail,  missiles, riot damages, vandalism, and windstorm. If your windshield gets cracked or shattered, this policy type covers it. It also typically has a separate deductible.

Finally, think about adding underinsured motorist coverage. This reimburses you or a designated driver if struck by an uninsured driver or under-insured driver. It also protects if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

Contact Nest Insurance Agency of Amarillo, TX to learn more about auto coverage and if full coverage is right for you.

Scheduled maintenance is Important to keep your vehicle running smoothly

An automobile, whether it is brand new or a pre-owned vehicle, is a big investment. The Nest Insurance Agency, serving Lubbock and Amarillo, TX, would like to remind you that you should protect that investment by taking your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance as stipulated in your owner’s manual.

What is the scheduled maintenance?

The definition will depend on your car’s model, make, and year. Generally, a technician will check various parts of your vehicle, such as belts, hoses, and so on, for signs of wear and tear. The technician will also check critical systems, such as your brakes and transmission, to find out if your vehicle is safe to drive. Your fluids, such as the oil, will be changed periodically as recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

If something is about to go amiss, such as worn brakes, the technician will consult with you and give recommendations for repairs. It is a good idea to follow those recommendations so that the repairs can be done in the auto service center and not after a mishap has happened on the road. It is better to address any problem in your vehicle before it becomes a problem.

You should always use a reputable service center to do your scheduled maintenance. Some garages will try to tack on added services that are not on the recommended list in your owner’s manual. Unless there is a good reason for such an addition, find someone else to do your scheduled maintenance.

For scheduled maintenance or any other issue involving auto insurance, feel free to contact the Nest Insurance Agency, serving Lubbock and Amarillo, TX.

Is it EVER Legal To Drive Without Insurance?

You don’t have insurance… so how can you drive to the agency to get insurance?

Well, the good news is that you can buy insurance from companies like Nest Insurance Agency in Lubbock and Amarillo, TX without even leaving your home. But if you’re wondering if there are any exceptions to the law with regards to driving without insurance, the answer is nope. If you’re on the road, you need to be insured in all fifty states.

You’re not going to wind up in jail for driving without insurance. That might be a charge that you get hit with if you cause a serious accident, but generally, you’re going to walk away with a fine if you get caught. If you’re a repeat offender and you can’t pay your tickets, you might spend a few nights behind bars for that, but getting locked up for a first-time offense of driving without coverage is pretty rare. We don’t advise it under any circumstance, but you’re probably not looking at a criminal record even if you do cause a fender bender while behind the wheel without coverage.

More than just being illegal, it’s unwise to drive without insurance. If something happens, you don’t want to have to pay out of pocket for the damages. If you contact Nest Insurance Agency, you’ll find that buying insurance for your auto can be an easy, headache-free affair, and it may be more affordable than you think, so there’s really no reason to drive your vehicle without insurance in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX under any circumstances. Reach out to our agent to learn more about auto insurance.