Moving from California to Texas? Remember to update your car insurance.
If you are plotting a move from California to Texas, you are probably focusing on the major expenses and concerns: contracting a reliable long-haul moving service, getting a new apartment or house in your new state, and setting your move-in schedule.
With all of this going on, it can be easy to forget the details. Auto insurance is often treated as a detail, but it’s critical. To find a cheap rate and stay street legal, plan to update your policy — or find a new policy altogether — when you move between states.
Read our guide to car insurance in California versus Texas and ensure your move is pain-free. We'll cover the following topics:
Expect to pay more for auto insurance once you move. The average annual auto insurance rate in Texas is $418 more expensive than the cost in California. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of insurance company.
| State | Average Annual Rate |
| California | $1,707 |
| Texas | $2,125 |
The amount you pay for an auto insurance policy depends on how you use your vehicle and what level of coverage you desire.
If you go with your state's minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you will get bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in some states.
| State | Time Period | Premium |
| California | Annual | $573 |
| Texas | Annual | $782 |
| California | 6-Month | $286 |
| Texas | 6-Month | $391 |
| California | Monthly | $48 |
| Texas | Monthly | $65 |
Electing full-coverage car insurance will raise your premiums, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverage levels, plus such perks as rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The main benefit of full coverage is that it protects you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does basic coverage. If you want to do everything possible to protect your investment, consider bumping up your policy to full coverage.
| Location | Duration | Cost |
| California | Annual | $1,626 |
| Texas | Annual | $2,120 |
| California | 6-Month | $813 |
| Texas | 6-Month | $1,060 |
| California | Monthly | $135 |
| Texas | Monthly | $177 |
One of the top contributing factors to auto insurance costs is your choice of car insurance company. Insurance companies assign premiums in a variety of ways, leading to major price variations. Location plays a role, too: some auto insurance companies have limited geographic range, while major insurers' rates change by state.
When moving across state lines, it's crucial to find the best cheap auto insurance company in your new location. Get started below by viewing the five most affordable car insurance companies in California and Texas.
| Company | Average Annual Rate |
| USAA | $1,132 |
| Wawanesa | $1,169 |
| Century National | $1,202 |
| CSAA | $1,210 |
| Nationwide | $1,238 |
See additional cheap auto insurance companies in California.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| Travelers | $1,031 |
| USAA | $1,106 |
| Texas Farm Bureau | $1,223 |
| Germania Mutual | $1,269 |
| Esurance | $1,393 |
View more affordable auto insurance companies in Texas.
While car insurance is regulated on a state-by-state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for unique factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The exact location to which you relocate will play a major role in deciding your auto insurance rates.
The below tables show auto insurance rates in major cities in Texas and California.
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Los Angeles | $2,125 |
| San Diego | $1,354 |
| San Jose | $1,409 |
| San Francisco | $1,728 |
| Fresno | $1,487 |
View a longer list of car insurance rates in California cities here.
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Houston | $1,872 |
| San Antonio | $1,705 |
| Dallas | $1,874 |
| Austin | $1,643 |
| Fort Worth | $1,637 |
Your new city not listed above? View other Texas cities here.
When you relocate from California to Texas, you’ll encounter unfamiliar driving laws, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Ensure your move is as easy as possible with our data on your new state:
