Going Without Texas Auto Insurance Could Cost Just as Much as a Policy

HOUSTON--Sept. 7, 2011: A few years into a statewide initiative to cut down on the rate of uninsured cars on Lone Star State roads, a significant proportion of vehicles--about one in five--still lack basic coverage, according to the most recent statistics. The department says the initiative, called TexasSure, will still need some time to show results.

The most recent numbers further highlight the needs for the state's residents to generate Texas auto insurance quotes online and to get covered quickly, according to OnlineAutoInsurance.com. The fines alone for driving without coverage will likely exceed $1,000 for a first offense.

Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the state insurance department, said officials reviewed actions taken by other states to thin their uninsured vehicle rates before launching TexasSure.

"We saw that for most it took several years to see an impact on their uninsured rate," Hagins said in an April email.

TexasSure allows police and county officials to check a statewide database of registered vehicles to see whether a particular vehicle is insured. It also enables officials to send notices to all owners of registered vehicles who do not have policies on record.

Hagins said being able to tack fines to those notifications--which Texas regulators do not currently have the authority to do--would help get the message across.

"Of the states we talked to, most indicated that the largest impact was seen once additional law enforcement tools were in place, specifically fines associated with the uninsured notices," Hagins said.

Texas officials say the program has made it easier for them to check the insurance status of motorists in police traffic stops. And it has helped make the vehicle registration system smoother.

The penalties for driving uninsured include the following:

-- $175 to $350 in base fines for a first offense

-- $350 to $1,000 in fines for subsequent offenses

--Maximum $2,000 fine for drivers with no license and no coverage

--$4,000 maximum fine for uninsured motorists who cause an accident involving serious injury or death

In addition to those fines, convicted offenders also have to pay an annual $250 surcharge for three years.