Reader’s Question:

What will be the legal penalties for driving without car insurance in Dallas Texas?

Josh

Dallas, TX

There are harsh legal penalties for driving without insurance in Dallas Texas. There is a a fine between $175 up to $350 for the first offense. Subsequent violations could result in fines of $350 up to $1,000, driver’s license and registration suspension and impound of your motor vehicle. Driving without insurance in Texas is a misdemeanor, and therefore a criminal violation, but it is considered less serious in nature compared to felony violations such as felony DWI or vehicular homicide.

In addition, if a person was at fault in a car accident and were found to be driving without insurance then the state of Texas do require them to pay for the injuries or damages they caused.

How many points have to be on my MVR in the state of Texas before they will suspend my drivers license in Dallas?

Jim

Dallas, TX

In the state of Texas your drivers license will be suspended if you have what they call as “habitual traffic violator”. This means that a person who receives four or more moving infractions in a period of 12 months or has seven or more moving infractions in a period of months. If you are convicted of this many infractions you may expect that your drivers license will be suspended.

You can verify with Texas Department of Public Safety website at www.txdps.state.tx.us to check if there is also a point limit or just the number of infraction convictions.

Tags: auto insurance, autos

I’m Sandra and I currently live in Dallas, Texas. I’m curious as to how are car insurance rates being determined? Why are insurance rates different for various cars, even if the cars cost the same?

Sandra

Dallas, TX
Thanks for asking Sandra. Insurance rates set in the State of Texas are different than many other states. The rates are determined by the behavior and accident rates of all Texas’ drivers. The cost of insuring drivers in Texas including settlements and legal fees is totaled for the entire state and divide it up between everyone.

There is much information about you that is used to determine your car insurance rates. You are grouped or pooled together with similar drivers of the same background, so that way you are not paying for drivers that have worse driving capability than you. These includes your gender, age, marital status, driving record, usage of vehicle, how many vehicles you have, where you live, what kind of coverage limits you want, how many drivers you have and their ages, your payment history, what color car your drive, your insurance credit score, claims history, occupation and a lot more.

Automobile vehicles are also grouped into categories according to their likelihood of being damaged, vandalized or stolen. Car insurance companies generally consider the size and type of vehicle, as well as the value and the cost of repairs (which can greatly vary, even on cars that cost roughly the same). Safety is a key when buying a vehicle, putting insurance aside. Some cars are considered safer than others vehicles because of their performance record in safety tests and real accidents. That’s why you should research about insurance coverage before you purchase for a car.

Ask for discounts, you never know what you might be able to get and how much you can save by asking.  Some popular discounts can be given for:

1. Military personnel

2. Good grade students

3. Union membership and bank member affiliations

4. Safe drivers with no claims in last 7 years

5. Defensive driving school attendance

6. Clean credit history – used by many carriers to determine payment risk

Can I still obtain auto insurance in Dallas TX if you file bankruptcy?

Gene

Dallas, TX

Yes, it is still possible that an insurance carrier will insure you, even if you have filed bankruptcy in the past.

Insurance providers differ and you will likely have to shop around to check the coverage you need and it is likely your insurance rate will be higher then those without a bankruptcy on their record or those that have a better credit score.

Auto insurance rates are not purely determined based on credit report. There are other factors such as the type of car, where you live, driving record, etc. The goal of acquiring all of this information is to correlate the car insurance rate as closely as possible with the actual cost of potential claims.