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Texas Department of Insurance
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Insurance 101: How to buy insurance for the first time

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Insurance can be complicated. We pulled together some of our best tips to help you understand how it works. You can also call us from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday to Friday: 800-252-3439.

Auto insurance

Texas law says you must show proof that you can pay for any accidents you cause. Most people do this by buying liability insurance. Liability insurance pay for the other driver’s repairs and medical bills. And if you owe money on your car, your lender will require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage to pay for damage to your car. Here are some more tips.

Renters insurance

Renters insurance pays to repair or replace your clothes, furniture, and other things you own if they’re stolen or damaged by fire, burst pipes, or other causes. Your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your items, only the building. A Texas renters policy typically costs about $20 a month. Here’s more information.

Homeowners insurance

Homeowners insurance pays for damages from fire, tornadoes, hailstorms, theft, and other causes. State law doesn’t require you to have homeowners insurance. But if you owe money on your home loan, your lender will require you to have it. Here’s what you need to know.

Health insurance

Many people get health coverage through their employer. If yours doesn’t offer it, you can buy it from an insurance company or through Healthcare.gov. Here are more tips.

Life insurance

Not everyone needs life insurance, but it’s worth considering if you have family or others who rely on you. To decide if it’s right for you, think about your age, your financial situation, and if you have people depending on your income. We’ve got more help here.

General

There’s a lot to know about insurance. If you have a question, call TDI at 800-252-3439. Here are some shopping tips.

Others

You might have different insurance needs depending on your situation. Here are some life events that may require changing your insurance.