Finding the Right Non-Standard Auto Insurance in Texas

If you have less-than-perfect credit or driving history, you may have difficulty qualifying for a standard auto insurance policy from well-known national carriers. Fortunately, Texas has numerous options when it comes to non-standard auto insurance providers.

Non-standard insurers specialize in covering higher-risk drivers. They can provide liability, collision, comprehensive, and other important coverages, often at affordable rates.

Keep reading to learn more about non-standard auto insurance in Texas, top carriers, coverage options, and how to find the best plan for your needs.

What is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?

Non-standard auto insurance is specifically designed for drivers who don’t qualify for policies from standard insurance companies due to:

• Poor credit/FICO scores

• Lack of prior insurance

• Lapses in maintaining continuous coverage

• Too many traffic violations, accidents, or claims

• Major violations like DUI/DWI

• Being considered a high-risk driver overall

Insurers have created non-standard programs to provide affordable coverage options for these drivers. The tradeoff is that premiums are usually higher compared to standard companies. But non-standard insurance beats remaining uninsured.

Top Non-Standard Auto Insurers in Texas

Texas has a very competitive non-standard insurance market with lots of choices. Here are some of the leading carriers:

• Acceptance Insurance – Local insurer offering liability, full coverage, rideshare coverage, and SR-22 filings.

• ACE Auto Insurance – Specializes in minimum liability policies with low down payments.

• Amwins Specialty Auto – Backed by a major national brokerage. Competitive on multi-car policies.

• Bear Auto Insurance – Focuses on rideshare drivers. Offers fast quotes and policy purchase online or via mobile app.

• Direct Auto Insurance – National non-standard insurer with bilingual support and monthly payment plans.

• Freeway Insurance – Local company with 60+ years experience. Rewards safe driving with policy discounts.

• MAPFRE Insurance – Offerings include liability, full coverage, rideshare, and Mexico policies. Highly rated for claims service.

• National General Insurance – Comprehensive coverages and discounts for safe drivers. Get quotes online, via phone, or through independent agents.

• Progressive Insurance – Large national company with non-standard program tailored for higher-risk drivers’ needs.

What Kinds of Coverage Do They Offer?

Non-standard auto insurers offer similar coverage options to standard companies, including:

• Bodily injury liability – Covers injuries to other people that you cause in an at-fault accident.

• Property damage liability – Pays for damage to other vehicles/property when you’re at fault.

• Collision – Repairs damage to your own car from an accident, regardless of fault.

• Comprehensive – Covers non-collision damage to your car from events like theft, vandalism, or severe weather.

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist – Protects you if injured by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver.

• Personal injury protection – Pays medical bills for you and passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.

• Roadside assistance – Provides towing and other help if your car breaks down.

In addition to standard coverages, some non-standard insurers offer options like rideshare insurance, Mexico coverage, gap insurance, and more.

How to Find the Best Non-Standard Insurance

Follow these steps to locate the right high-risk or non-standard policy for your situation:

• Compare multiple insurers – Get quotes from national direct insurers and local agencies to find the best rate for your risk profile.

• Adjust liability limits – Lowering your policy limits cuts costs, but also reduces payouts to others if you’re at fault. Find the right balance.

• Raise deductibles – Choosing higher comprehensive and collision deductibles lowers premiums but increases out-of-pocket costs in a claim.

• Ask about discounts – Many non-standard insurers offer ways to lower premiums for things like bundling policies, paying annually, paperless billing, defensive driver courses, and more.

• Consider usage-based plans – Insurers like Progressive offer programs where premiums are based partly on actual driving behavior tracked by an app or device. Safe driving means savings.

• Improve your driving record – Maintaining a clean record over time can help you eventually qualify for a standard insurer at lower rates.

• Compare coverage to cost – Make sure you’re getting necessary protection for liability, medical bills, and damage to your vehicle – not just the cheapest policy.

Non-Standard Insurance Provides Vital Protection

Drivers who have made mistakes or faced financial setbacks can still get covered through non-standard insurance companies. The key is doing your homework to find the optimal plan at the best available price.

With some effort, Texas drivers can obtain the essential protection of auto insurance, even with poor credit or driving history. Don’t wait until it’s too late – compare your options and get covered.