Distracted Driving Texas: 7 Shocking Insurance Costs Every Driver Should Know
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THE BUNDLEBEE BUZZ
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86,384 crashes. 299 deaths. More than 2,400 serious injuries. According to the BundleBee guide, distracted driving caused all of these on Texas roads in 2025.
However, the consequences do not end at the crash scene. An at-fault distracted-driving accident can also affect your insurance rates, coverage options, deductible costs, and financial exposure.
Put the Phone Down: Distracted Driving Can Cost More Than You Think
Distracted driving is more than a safety issue. It can also become an expensive insurance problem.
The BundleBee guide reports 86,384 distracted-driving crashes in Texas during 2025. Those crashes resulted in 299 deaths and more than 2,437 serious injuries.
Meanwhile, nearly 20% of all Texas crashes highlighted in the guide involve distracted drivers. Therefore, every Texas driver should understand what one distracted-driving accident could mean for their insurance.
Distracted Driving in Texas by the Numbers
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86,384
Distracted-driving crashes in Texas in 2025, according to the guide
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20%
Share of Texas crashes the guide says involve distracted drivers
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23x
Higher crash likelihood while texting versus focused driving, as stated in the guide
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What the BundleBee Guide Says About Texas Distracted-Driving Law
The guide explains that Texas has prohibited reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while driving since September 1, 2017.
It identifies the law as Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251 and notes that texting while driving is a primary offense.
Even so, a legal penalty may be only one cost after distracted driving. An at-fault accident can create much larger insurance and financial consequences.
7 Shocking Insurance Costs of Distracted Driving in Texas
A few seconds of distraction can create consequences that last for years. Here are seven costs Texas drivers should understand.
1. Your Auto Insurance Premium May Increase
According to the BundleBee guide, an at-fault distracted-driving accident may increase auto insurance premiums by 30% to 50% or more at renewal.
The exact change will depend on the insurer, driving history, claim, location, and other rating factors. Still, an accident can remove discounts or place you in a more expensive rating category.
Therefore, the financial impact can continue long after the damaged vehicles leave the repair shop.
2. Higher Rates May Follow You for Years
The BundleBee guide says the insurance impact of an at-fault distracted-driving accident may remain for three to five years, and sometimes longer depending on the situation.
As a result, the real cost is not simply one expensive renewal. Instead, you may pay higher premiums across several policy terms.
A single accident can therefore create a long-term insurance expense.
3. Your Insurance Company May Decide Not to Renew Your Policy
A serious at-fault accident can affect more than your price. The BundleBee guide notes that some carriers may choose not to renew a policy.
If that happens, you may need to shop for coverage with another insurer. Depending on your driving record, the available options may also cost more.
Consequently, distracted driving can affect both your premium and your future insurance choices.
4. Your Liability Limits Can Run Out After a Serious Crash
The BundleBee guide highlights Texas minimum liability limits of $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury.
However, a serious crash involving multiple injuries can create damages that exceed low liability limits. Once available coverage is exhausted, additional financial exposure may remain.
For that reason, BundleBee recommends reviewing higher liability limits rather than assuming state minimum coverage provides enough protection for every accident.
5. You May Still Pay Your Collision Deductible
If you cause an accident and have collision coverage, that coverage may help repair or replace your own covered vehicle subject to the policy terms.
However, your collision deductible generally applies. That means you may face an immediate out-of-pocket expense in addition to the accident’s possible effect on future premiums.
Knowing your deductible before a crash can help you understand how much money you may need to pay yourself.
6. Damages Above Your Limits Can Create Personal Financial Risk
The BundleBee guide warns that a serious distracted-driving accident can create damages beyond the amount available under an auto liability policy.
Therefore, drivers should understand their liability limits before an accident occurs. BundleBee also recommends discussing personal umbrella coverage as an additional layer of liability protection.
The goal is simple: understand where your auto liability protection ends and what additional coverage may be available.
7. Another Distracted Driver Can Cost You Money Too
You can put your own phone away and still get hit by someone who was distracted.
That is why the BundleBee guide emphasizes Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage. UM may help when an at-fault driver has no applicable insurance. Meanwhile, UIM may help when the responsible driver’s available insurance is not enough for a covered loss.
Review your actual limits and policy terms so you know what protection you have before another driver’s mistake affects you.
The Five Seconds That Can Change Everything
The BundleBee guide gives drivers a simple way to understand the danger. At 55 mph, looking away from the road for five seconds is compared with traveling the length of a football field without watching the road.
On I-10, Loop 375, Montana Avenue, or a neighborhood street in El Paso, traffic conditions can change quickly.
Therefore, a text message or notification can wait. A few seconds of attention may prevent an accident that creates years of consequences.
What Every El Paso Driver Should Review Now
Review Your Liability Limits
First, check the liability limits shown on your declarations page. The BundleBee guide recommends considering 100/300/100 coverage for stronger protection than Texas minimum limits.
Ask About Personal Umbrella Coverage
Next, ask whether an umbrella policy makes sense for your household. Umbrella insurance may provide additional liability protection above qualifying underlying policies, subject to its terms and requirements.
Check Your UM/UIM Limits
In addition, review your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This protection may become important when another driver causes the crash but lacks adequate insurance.
Know Your Collision Deductible
Your deductible determines how much you may need to pay toward a covered collision claim. Therefore, choose a deductible you could reasonably handle after an unexpected accident.
Ask About Medical Payments Coverage
Finally, the BundleBee guide recommends considering Medical Payments coverage. Ask your agent how MedPay works, what limits are available, and how it fits with your other coverage.
The Safest Choice: Put the Phone Away Completely
The BundleBee guide warns that distraction is not limited to typing a text. Phone use can take attention away from driving even when your eyes return to the road.
Therefore, the safest choice is to avoid using the phone while the vehicle is moving. If something needs your attention, pull over somewhere safe first.
No call, text, or notification is worth a crash.
What to Do if a Distracted Driver Hits You in El Paso
Document the Accident
When it is safe, take photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and surrounding area. Also, gather witness information when available.
Report the Crash
Contact law enforcement when appropriate and preserve the accident report information for your insurance claim.
Get Medical Attention
If you may be injured, seek appropriate medical attention. Some injuries may not feel severe immediately after a crash.
Review the Insurance Coverage That May Apply
Finally, report the accident to the appropriate insurer and review your available coverage. If the at-fault driver lacks enough insurance, ask whether your UM/UIM coverage may apply.
Distracted Driving Texas Insurance FAQs
How Can a Distracted-Driving Accident Affect My Insurance Rate?
The BundleBee guide says an at-fault distracted-driving accident may result in a premium increase of 30% to 50% or more. However, actual insurance changes vary by carrier, claim history, driving record, location, and other rating factors.
How Long Can an At-Fault Accident Affect My Insurance?
According to the guide, the effect may continue for three to five years and sometimes longer depending on severity and carrier practices.
What Is the Difference Between UM and UIM?
UM generally addresses covered losses caused by an at-fault driver without applicable insurance. UIM may apply when the responsible driver has insurance, but the available amount is not enough for the covered damages. Policy terms and limits control coverage.
Is Texting While Driving Illegal in Texas?
The BundleBee guide states that Texas has prohibited reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while driving since September 1, 2017, under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251.
Does Collision Coverage Pay for My Vehicle if I Cause the Accident?
If you carry collision coverage, it may help repair or replace your covered vehicle after a collision, subject to your deductible, policy limits, exclusions, and other terms.
What Coverage Should I Review Before an Accident Happens?
Review your liability limits, collision deductible, UM/UIM coverage, and available medical-payment protection. In addition, ask whether an umbrella policy is appropriate for your household.
The BundleBee Buzz Bottom Line — Your Phone Can Wait. Your Coverage Cannot.
Distracted driving can change lives in seconds. It can also create insurance and financial consequences that continue for years.
You cannot control whether another driver looks at their phone. However, you can control your own driving habits and review the insurance protection you carry.
Put the phone away, know your liability limits, understand your deductible, and review your UM/UIM and additional liability protection before you need them.
Do You Know Your Auto Insurance Limits?
BundleBee can review your liability limits, UM/UIM coverage, deductibles, and other available protection before the next accident happens.
Important Information
This article provides general insurance and driving-safety information only and is not legal, claims, or financial advice. Insurance rates, underwriting decisions, claim outcomes, coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and eligibility vary by insurer, policy, driver, and circumstances. Laws may also change. Review your declarations page, policy forms, endorsements, and applicable Texas requirements with a licensed insurance professional or appropriate state authority.