High-Risk Car Insurance in Texas

The Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) provides minimum liability car insurance to high-risk drivers rejected by standard insurers. If you can't find coverage through traditional insurance companies, TAIPA helps you meet Texas' legal requirement by assigning you to a participating insurer based on their market share.

You qualify for TAIPA if you meet these requirements:

• You've been rejected by at least two Texas-authorized insurance companies in the past 60 days (you need written proof).
• You're a Texas resident or have a vehicle registered in Texas.
• You have a valid driver's license or request an SR-22 to obtain one.

Drivers need TAIPA due to multiple traffic violations, DUI convictions, at-fault accidents or gaps in insurance coverage.

Drivers with DUIs, suspended licenses or multiple serious violations often need SR-22 insurance in Texas, a certificate of financial responsibility filed with the state.

Once your application is accepted, TAIPA places you into a residual pool with all high-risk drivers awaiting coverage. Insurance companies licensed to write auto insurance in Texas must accept drivers from this pool annually based on their market share in the state. For example, if an insurer holds 12% of the Texas auto insurance market, it must accept about 12% of TAIPA pool drivers.

You'll be assigned to a participating insurer for up to three consecutive years. TAIPA offers only annual policies, which must be renewed each year. During the three-year assignment period, you're entitled to continued coverage from the same insurer. However, rates can change based on system-wide rate increases approved by the Texas Department of Insurance and surcharges for new violations or accidents under Rule 9.

TAIPA provides Texas state minimum liability coverage (30/60/25 limits: up to $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage). TAIPA rates run 50% to 100% higher than comparable policies in the voluntary market. For example, if a clean-record driver pays $69 per month for state minimum coverage, a TAIPA-assigned driver might pay $100 to $140 per month for identical coverage.

TAIPA also applies surcharges under Rule 9 for accidents and traffic violations, which can increase premiums further. In 2025, the Texas Department of Insurance approved a 3.9% rate increase for TAIPA private passenger vehicles, effective November 1, 2025. Because TAIPA rates are much higher, continue shopping with standard insurers. Companies like State Farm and GEICO often offer more affordable high-risk policies than TAIPA.

TAIPA offers three payment options: full annual payment upfront (no deposit required), advance premium payment (25% down with balance due within 30 days) or an eight-payment installment plan (20% down followed by eight monthly payments). Only annual policies are available through TAIPA, so your policy must be renewed each year.

To apply for TAIPA:

1. Apply for insurance with at least two standard insurers.
2. Get written proof of rejection from both companies (must be within the past 60 days).
3. Contact TAIPA directly at (866) 321-9154 to connect with a local insurance producer.
4. Submit your application online at taipa.org, by mail or in person through a producer.

Once assigned to an insurer, you're entitled to coverage for up to three consecutive years from the same company, though annual policies must be renewed each year.

For questions about TAIPA eligibility, rates or the application process, call its toll-free number or visit taipa.org for FAQs and resources.

MoneyGeek analyzed full coverage rates from 15 major Texas insurers across four violation types and found State Farm offers the most competitive pricing for high-risk drivers. Learn how Texas rates compare to other states nationwide.

*Rates are for full coverage (100/300/100 liability with comprehensive and collision) based on a 35-year-old male driver in Texas with good credit and the specified violation. Click on any violation to see detailed rate comparisons from multiple insurers.

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Texas drivers with a DUI at $144 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $189. A DUI remains on your record for 10 years, but insurers calculate rates based on the past three to five years.

For information on DUI insurance requirements, SR-22 filings and rate reduction strategies, see our guide to car insurance after a DUI in Texas.

State Farm provides the lowest rates for Texas drivers with a speeding ticket at $95 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $177. Your rate increase depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit and whether it's your first offense. Most speeding violations remain on your driving record for three years.

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Texas drivers with an at-fault accident at $109 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $209. Insurers view at-fault accidents as a sign you're more likely to file future claims, with larger increases if the accident involved injuries or major property damage. Most at-fault accidents remain on your Texas driving record for three years.

State Farm offers the lowest distracted driving rates in Texas at $95 per month for full coverage, while other insurers charge up to $177. Texas law prohibits texting while driving statewide. Distracted driving citations increase your rates, though less than DUI or reckless driving violations.

Texas drivers with violations pay 38% to 46% more for car insurance than those with clean records. A DUI increases full coverage rates by 46% ($72 more per month), while at-fault accidents add 38% ($59 per month).

To see how high-risk rates compare to clean-record rates, check out the average cost of car insurance in Texas.

High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance in Texas. Learn why insurers charge higher rates, where to find affordable coverage and what to do after a denial.

Texas insurers classify you as high risk if you have:

• Traffic violations, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions
• A suspended or revoked license
• Little driving experience (under age 25)
• Poor credit or gaps in coverage
• A sports car or racing history

Senior drivers over age 60 may also see higher rates.

You can find affordable high-risk coverage in Texas and lower your premiums with these strategies.

Our research shows State Farm offers the cheapest high-risk insurance options in Texas across all violation types. Rates vary by violation and coverage needs, with full coverage starting at $95 per month for speeding tickets up to $144 per month for DUIs.  

For drivers rejected by multiple insurers, the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) helps you get coverage.  

After improving your driving record, continue shopping for better rates and see our guide to the cheapest car insurance in Texas.

For strategies on lowering your premiums and finding coverage with violations on your record, see our tips for getting cheap car insurance after a bad driving record.

MoneyGeek calculated average rates using 100/300/100 liability insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage and a $1,000 deductible. We calculated state minimum coverage rates using Texas' required 30/60/25 liability coverage.

All violation-specific profiles use this driver profile:

• 35-year-old driver
• Male
• 12,000 annual mileage
• Good credit
• One violation (DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident or distracted driving)

We analyzed rates from major insurance companies for each violation type. Coverage level filters let users compare full coverage and state minimum options.