Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Texas
Temple was founded in 1881 and named for the area’s chief railroad engineer, Bernard M. Temple. Today, about 93,000 people call the city home and enjoy its activities for almost every interest, including a children’s museum, a symphony orchestra and other live music, numerous parks and trails with playgrounds, and sporting events. Temple is part of Bell County with easy access to Austin and Waco.
If you’re one of the locals who drives about 20 minutes each day to work, make sure you have good car coverage to protect you on your commute. Drivers must have car insurance in Texas to drive legally — the state requires liability coverage to protect other drivers if you crash into them. This coverage also saves you from paying out-of-pocket expenses up to the policy’s limits (30/60/25). Keep reading to learn more about liability coverage and how you can find discounts on car insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Temple, Texas?
Liability car insurance in Temple, Texas, costs about $41 a month, and full coverage costs about $144 a month. The national monthly average is $48 for liability and $147 for full coverage.
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What Does Full vs. Minimum Mean?
Minimum coverage is the state-mandated liability insurance that pays for the damage you cause someone else in an accident that’s your fault. This includes vehicle and non-vehicle property damage — for example, if your foot slips onto the gas pedal and you find your front end against the side of the Wilson Park Recreation Center, your liability policy would take care of the building damage. If you had full coverage in this scenario, the collision portion of your policy would pay for your car repairs — and your medical payments coverage would take care of your medical bills.
Full coverage includes rental reimbursement, towing, labor coverage, and comprehensive, which covers non-vehicle-related expenses, such as tornado damage, fire, or auto theft.
Personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) driver coverage are included in a full policy unless you reject each of these in writing. PIP covers medical bills for you and your passengers, as well as lost wages. UM/UIM insurance pays for medical and car rental costs and property damage when another driver hits you and runs or if a driver with little or no coverage hits you.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Texas
The chart below shows what the average Temple resident pays for monthly premiums as compared to other Texas residents:
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Temple | $144 | $41 |
El Paso | $148 | $42 |
Austin | $167 | $53 |
Houston | $201 | $63 |
Dallas | $192 | $58 |
Affordable Temple Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
If you live in an area with high auto theft and accident rates, you will likely pay more for your auto policy.
The rates are about the same in each of the three Temple, Texas, zip codes, as shown below:
Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
76501 | $144 | $41 |
76502 | $140 | $40 |
76504 | $143 | $40 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Temple
Drivers with more experience are statistically less likely to have an accident and, therefore, may pay less for their insurance premiums. Since teenagers have less driving experience, they can expect to pay higher rates. If you have been driving for under three years, regardless of your age, you may be considered a new driver.
As you reach your 60s, you may see rate increases each year. You can speak to your agent about ways to find a rate you can afford, such as taking a defensive driving course, which may earn you a discount.
The below chart shows how much Temple residents can expect to pay within each age range:
Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Teenagers | $506 | $141 |
20s | $176 | $43 |
30s | $144 | $41 |
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 Temple 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 Temple
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Temple?
There were 12 fatal accidents in Temple in 2022.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Temple?
The Street Services Division of the City of Temple Department of Public Works maintains the city’s streets, alleys, city-owned parking lots, curbs and gutters, and street surfaces. Residents may contact Transportation Services to report local issues, such as potholes, street or traffic light outages, low-hanging tree limbs, missing street signs, or any other issue posing a threat to city drivers and pedestrians at the city’s website.
The city, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), maintains and upgrades the area’s highway infrastructures, such as the 57th Street Bridge rebuild over Interstate Highway 35, to make these roads safer for travelers.
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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Temple
Temple residents are required to carry the following liability insurance to drive legally:
- Bodily injury per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
- Property damage: $25,000
If the damage you cause costs more than these limits, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for the remaining balance. It’s a good idea to purchase more than the minimum in case of a serious accident unless you have ready funds to handle such a situation.
If you still owe money on your car, your lender may require you to purchase collision coverage to cover your own car if you cause an accident. They may also require you to purchase comprehensive coverage for non-car-crash damage, such as if your car is stolen or damaged by a storm or vandalism.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Temple, Texas?
Statistics show about 14% of Texas drivers are uninsured. That means they have no insurance to cover your property damage or medical expenses they cause if they are at fault in an accident.
If you are one of those uninsured drivers, you can expect some or all the following consequences if a police officer catches you:
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Impounded vehicle and fees
- Suspended license
- Suspended vehicle registration
- Cost to reinstate driver’s license
These might seem like minimal consequences, but you could also be subject to high-risk driver coverage. In this case, you’d need to file an SR-22 with the state and pay increased rates for a specific period, usually two years. If you’re involved in an accident, you might even face jail time.
Factors Allowed in Temple Car Insurance Rates
Temple insurance agents look at different factors when coming up with your premium, including:
- Your driving record
- Claims history
- Your occupation
- Where you live
- Car make and model
- Car age
- Your age
- Credit history
The number of miles you drive is also a determining factor. If you work from home and only drive to run an occasional errand, you may have a lower premium than if you commuted to work every day.
Auto Insurance Rates for Young Drivers vs Older People in Temple, Texas
Young drivers generally lack driving experience, and statistics show they tend to engage in more risky behavior, such as texting while driving. This means they are considered at higher risk of having an accident and would benefit from full coverage. You can buy them their own policy, but adding a young driver to an existing policy is usually cheaper.
Statistics show older drivers are more likely to suffer severe injuries in a car accident, so it’s a good idea to have full coverage, including personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage, especially with the increased cost of healthcare. An older person on a budget who is retired and, therefore, driving fewer miles may want to look into usage-based insurance.
What Are the Best Discounts for Car Insurance in Temple, TX?
Be sure to ask your agent about available discounts. Here are a few for which you might qualify:
You may qualify for a discount if you are a member of a professional organization, like a fraternity or sorority, or if you work in a helping profession as a nurse, firefighter, police officer, or teacher.
Certain anti-theft features in your car, like a steering wheel lock or a LoJack, may bring you a discount. You may also qualify for a military discount of between 10% and 15% if you’ve served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Get an Online Quote for Car Insurance in Temple Today!
Before you drive off on I-35 in search of fried brussels sprouts and cheese curds, be sure you’re protected from unexpected road mishaps with a good auto policy.
Helpful Freeway Insurance agents are ready to help you find the cheapest car insurance in Temple. Just fill out a form for a quick quote online, stop by our Temple office, or give us a call at (800) 777-5620.