Personal Insurance  /  Auto

Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance for
Every Driver in
Your Household.

Texas requires every driver to carry auto insurance — but the legal minimum is rarely enough to protect what you’ve built. We shop across every major carrier to find the right coverage for your vehicles and your family, and you’ll have one agent to call when something happens.

What Auto Insurance Covers

Coverage for what you’re legally required to carry — and the protection you actually need.

Texas requires every driver to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance — 30/60/25 — which covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. That’s the floor. What it doesn’t cover is your own vehicle, your own medical bills, or any amount that exceeds those limits in a serious accident. And in Texas, where a multi-vehicle accident on a busy highway can generate six figures in damages quickly, the minimums were set in a different era.

A complete auto insurance program layers coverage to protect you on both sides of an accident — what you owe others if you’re at fault, and what your own vehicle and family are protected by if someone hits you without enough coverage. Getting that balance right — and finding the best rate across the carriers that write Texas auto — is what we do.

“The legal minimum gets you on the road. The right coverage keeps you there — and protects everything you’ve worked for when something goes wrong.”

Every household is different. A teen driver, a new car loan, a vehicle you’ve owned outright for years — each changes the right coverage mix. We look at your full situation and build a program that fits, then shop it across 100+ carriers to find the best rate for what you actually need.

The six types of auto coverage — what each one does:

Liability — Bodily Injury
Pays for other people’s medical bills when you cause an accident. Required by Texas law. Minimum is $30K per person / $60K per accident — often not enough for a serious crash.
Liability — Property Damage
Pays to repair or replace another person’s vehicle or property when you’re at fault. Texas minimum is $25K — a newer vehicle or multi-car accident can easily exceed this.
Collision Coverage
Pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. Required by most lenders if you have a loan or lease on the vehicle.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers damage from non-collision events — theft, hail, weather, fire, hitting an animal. Also required by most lenders. Texas hail alone makes this worth carrying.
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist
Protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages. About 1 in 5 Texas drivers is uninsured — this coverage is more important here than most states.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Covers your own medical bills and lost wages after an accident regardless of fault. Automatically included in Texas policies — you have to reject it in writing to remove it.

Texas-Specific Considerations

What every Texas driver needs to know before choosing their coverage.

The minimum is rarely enough

Texas requires 30/60/25 liability — limits set decades ago. A serious accident on a Texas highway involving multiple vehicles, injuries, and a newer car can easily exceed $30K per person. If your liability limits run out, you’re personally responsible for the rest. Most experts recommend 100/300/100 or higher, especially if you have assets worth protecting.

About 1 in 5 Texas drivers is uninsured

Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers — roughly 20%. If an uninsured driver hits you, their insurance doesn’t pay your bills — because they don’t have any. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is what protects you in that situation, and it’s one of the most underutilized coverages in Texas auto policies.

Texas is a fault state — and that matters

Texas operates under a fault-based system, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for damages. If you’re found at fault, your liability coverage pays the other party. If someone else is at fault, their insurance pays — but if they’re underinsured or uninsured, your UM/UIM coverage becomes your safety net. Understanding fault matters when building the right program.

Real Risks. Real Scenarios.

The auto situations Texas drivers actually face — and what coverage handles them.

These are real scenarios. The coverage details — and the limits you carry — determine how they turn out.

01
You cause an accident and the other driver is seriously injured
Your bodily injury liability pays the other driver’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering — up to your policy limit. If the bills exceed your limit, you’re personally responsible for the difference. This is why carrying only the Texas minimum of $30K per person is a real financial risk for anyone with assets. We help you set limits that reflect your actual exposure.

03
A hailstorm totals your car in a parking lot
Texas hail is severe and happens fast. If you only carry liability, hail damage to your own vehicle isn’t covered — liability only covers other people’s property. Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after hail, storm damage, or other non-collision events. For any vehicle worth more than a few thousand dollars, comprehensive is worth carrying.

05
Your teen driver gets in their first accident
Teen drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, and they need to be properly added to your policy. Some parents forget to notify their insurer when a teen starts driving — which can result in a claim dispute or a coverage denial. Adding a teen driver changes your rate, but it also ensures they’re covered. We walk through this with every client when their household situation changes.

02
An uninsured driver rear-ends you at a stoplight
About 20% of Texas drivers are uninsured. If one of them hits you, their liability coverage won’t pay your bills — because they don’t have any. Uninsured motorist coverage steps in to pay for your vehicle repairs and medical bills in that situation. Without it, you’re pursuing a driver who has no coverage and often no assets through civil court.

04
Your car is totaled and you still owe more than it’s worth
If your vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurer pays the current market value — not what you paid, and not what you still owe on your loan. If you financed or leased your vehicle recently, you may owe more than it’s worth. GAP insurance covers the difference between the insurance payout and your remaining loan balance so you’re not paying off a car you can no longer drive.

06
You’re hit by someone with minimum coverage on a serious accident
The other driver has the Texas minimum — $30K per person. Your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage exceed that. Their policy pays out its limit and stops. Underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference between what their policy covers and what your actual damages are. It’s one of the most important — and most overlooked — coverages in Texas.

Common Coverage Gaps

What Texas drivers most often get wrong about their auto coverage.

01
Carrying only the legal minimum
30/60/25 satisfies Texas law but provides limited protection in a serious accident. If you have a home, savings, or other assets worth protecting, minimum coverage is not adequate liability protection. We help you set limits that match your real financial exposure.

03
No comprehensive on a vehicle worth protecting
Liability-only policies don’t cover your own vehicle for hail, theft, fire, or weather. In Texas — where hail events are frequent and severe — comprehensive coverage is worth having for any vehicle that would be a financial hardship to replace out of pocket.

05
No GAP coverage on a financed or leased vehicle
If you financed or leased your vehicle in the last few years, you may owe more than its current market value. If it’s totaled, your insurer pays market value — not your payoff amount. GAP coverage fills that difference. It’s inexpensive and worth carrying for the first several years of any loan or lease.

02
No uninsured motorist coverage
Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If an uninsured driver hits you, UM/UIM coverage is what makes you whole — without it, you’re filing suit against someone with no coverage and often no ability to pay a judgment.

04
Teen drivers not added to the policy
When a teenager in your household starts driving, they need to be formally added to your policy. Failing to do so can result in a claim dispute if they’re in an accident. This is a conversation we have proactively with clients when household situations change.

06
Rejecting PIP without understanding what it does
Personal Injury Protection is automatically included in Texas auto policies and must be rejected in writing to remove it. Many people remove it to lower their premium without realizing it covers their own medical bills and lost wages after an accident regardless of fault — including accidents where the other driver is uninsured.

Why Get Your Auto Insurance Through McKnight

One agent who knows your household — not a different rep every time you call.

Auto insurance is something most people shop once and don’t revisit until something changes — a new car, a new driver, or a rate increase at renewal. The problem is that the coverage you set up three years ago may not fit your household today. A paid-off vehicle might not need the same coverage as a new one on a loan. A teen driver changes the whole equation. A change in your assets changes how much liability you should be carrying.

At McKnight, your account manager knows your vehicles, your drivers, and your household situation — because they set up the coverage and they’ll be the one you call when something changes. We don’t have a different rep for every call. We build a relationship with our personal lines clients over time, and that relationship pays off when you need to make changes quickly or when you have a question at renewal.

As an independent agency we represent 100+ carriers — including all the major names you’ve seen advertised. We shop across them to find the best combination of coverage and rate for your specific situation. And when a rate increases at renewal, we’re able to go back to market on your behalf rather than just accepting what one carrier offers.

One account manager for your household
One person handles your home and auto together. They know every vehicle and every driver — and they’re reachable when something comes up.

Meet our team →

100+ carriers shopping for you
Not tied to one company. When rates change at renewal, we go back to the market on your behalf rather than just accepting the increase.

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Real answers when you call
817.277.6166, weekdays 8:30–5pm. Someone who knows your policy picks up — not a national hold queue or an automated system.

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Bundle home and auto for the best rate
Most carriers offer 10–20% multi-policy discounts. We handle both under one roof and make sure your combined program makes sense as a whole.

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FAQ

Auto insurance questions we hear all the time.

What is the minimum auto insurance required in Texas?
Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25 — meaning $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. This is called liability-only coverage and it only covers damages you cause to others. It does not cover your own vehicle, your own medical bills, or any damage that exceeds these limits. Most insurance professionals recommend significantly higher limits, particularly if you have a home, savings, or other assets worth protecting.
What is “full coverage” auto insurance?
“Full coverage” isn’t a specific insurance term — it’s shorthand for a policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Liability covers damages you cause to others. Collision covers damage to your own vehicle from an accident. Comprehensive covers your vehicle from non-collision events like hail, theft, fire, and weather. If you have a loan or lease, your lender almost certainly requires collision and comprehensive. Beyond the lender requirement, full coverage makes sense for any vehicle whose repair or replacement cost would be a financial hardship out of pocket.
How much auto insurance do I actually need?
It depends on your assets and your risk tolerance. A general rule is to carry liability limits at least equal to your net worth — because if your liability exceeds your coverage limits, you’re personally responsible for the difference and your assets are exposed. For most Texas homeowners and families, 100/300/100 is a reasonable starting point for liability — $100K per person, $300K per accident, $100K property damage. We look at your specific situation and help you find the right balance between adequate protection and premium cost.
What is uninsured motorist coverage and do I need it in Texas?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays your damages when you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your full damages. Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country — roughly 20% of drivers on the road carry no insurance. Without UM/UIM coverage, if an uninsured driver hits you, you’re pursuing damages from someone who has no coverage and often no assets through civil court. We strongly recommend carrying this coverage.
What is PIP and do I have to carry it?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers your own medical bills and lost wages after an accident — regardless of who was at fault. In Texas, PIP is automatically included in your auto policy unless you reject it in writing. Many people remove it to lower their premium without fully understanding what it does. If you’re injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver or you’re found partially at fault, PIP is what covers your own costs. Whether to keep it depends on your health insurance situation and your overall coverage goals — it’s worth a conversation with your agent before removing it.
Do I need GAP insurance on my vehicle?
If you financed or leased your vehicle in the last few years, GAP insurance is worth considering. When a vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurer pays the current market value — not what you owe on your loan. If you’re in the early years of a loan or you put little down at purchase, you may owe more than the vehicle is currently worth. GAP coverage pays the difference between your insurance payout and your remaining loan balance so you’re not paying off a vehicle you can no longer drive. It’s typically inexpensive to add through your auto insurer — and worth carrying until your loan balance drops below your vehicle’s market value.
When should I add my teen driver to my policy?
As soon as they start driving — and in Texas, you’re required to notify your insurer when a household member gets their license. Adding a teen driver will increase your premium, but failing to add them can result in a claim dispute or denial if they’re in an accident while driving a covered vehicle. Teen drivers are statistically the highest-risk age group, and their exposure affects your coverage from the first day they’re behind the wheel. We help clients navigate the rate impact and make sure every licensed driver in the household is properly covered.
Does my auto insurance cover rental cars?
In most cases, yes — your auto policy’s liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages typically extend to a rental car used for personal travel. If you have full coverage on your own vehicle, you generally don’t need to buy the rental counter’s coverage. However, your policy may not cover loss of use fees that rental companies charge while the car is being repaired after an accident. It’s worth confirming your specific policy terms before you’re standing at the rental counter — call us and we’ll tell you exactly what applies.
Will my rates go up if I file a claim?
Possibly — it depends on the type of claim, who was at fault, your history, and your carrier. An at-fault accident typically results in a surcharge. A not-at-fault claim or a comprehensive claim (like hail) usually has less impact. Multiple claims in a few years — regardless of fault — can affect your rate significantly and in some cases lead to non-renewal. Before filing a small claim, it’s worth calling us first. We can help you weigh whether filing makes sense versus paying out of pocket, based on your deductible, your history, and the likely long-term rate impact.
Does bundling home and auto really save money?
Usually yes — most carriers offer discounts of 10–20% when you bundle home and auto with the same company. Beyond the savings, bundling means one agency managing both policies, which makes it easier to make sure nothing falls through the cracks when something changes in your household. We always confirm the math on bundling — occasionally separate carriers outperform the bundled discount, and we’ll tell you when that’s the case rather than just defaulting to the bundle.

Get Started

Let’s find the right auto coverage for every driver in your household.

Call us or request a quote and we’ll shop across 100+ carriers to find the right coverage and the best rate for your vehicles and your family. One agent. One phone number. Real answers.

McKnight Insurance Services  ·  Mansfield, TX  ·  Weekdays 8:30am–5pm