Car Insurance in Dallas, TX [Cheap Rates + Best Coverage]

We get it.

Finding car insurance can be stressful. You sit in front of your computer, scouring the internet for the right provider, and end up with an overwhelming list of insurers.

How do you know which ones offer the best coverage at the most affordable rates? What factors affect your car insurance in Dallas, TX?

The list of questions goes on.

The good news is, finding the right car insurance provider to safeguard all the drivers in your household doesn’t have to be complicated.

We did the research, waded through the data, and put together a comprehensive guide to everything from the most affordable car insurance in Dallas, TX to the key factors that affect your rates to fascinating traffic stats you won’t want to miss—and so much more.

Don’t waste another second worrying about the cost of car insurance. Keep reading to discover the cost of car insurance in Dallas, TX so you can determine which insurer best meets your driving needs.

Start saving today by comparison shopping for multiple insurers in one place with our FREE online rate calculator. Enter your zip code above to get started.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in.

The Cost of Car Insurance in Dallas

The cost of car insurance is a critical factor for most people. We know it is for our team, so we’ve broken down rates by factors like zip code, city, record, and more so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

-Male vs. Female vs. Age

The fact of the matter is, that your age and gender are two of the primary factors car insurance companies can and do use to assess your rates.

According to a recent study conducted by Data USA, the median age in Dallas, TX is 32.4 years of age. This means that the vast majority of drivers in the city won’t have to worry about high car insurance rates.

Let’s take a closer look at how your age and gender could affect the rates that carriers charge for car insurance in Dallas, TX. Teen drivers tend to bear the brunt of the highest rates of all, but let’s see how insurers in your city assess policy premiums.

The table above reveals the average annual rates for car insurance in Dallas, TX based on age.

Not surprisingly, 17-year-old drivers are charged the highest rates while 60-year-old drivers are assessed the cheapest premiums. As you can see, there’s a nearly $6,300 difference in rates between the two age groups.

Gender is another factor that can significantly affect the car insurance rates you will have to pay.

In Dallas, female drivers pay an average of $4,420.69 annually while male drivers pay approximately $4,682.06 per year in policy premiums. This means that on average, male drivers in the city are charged nearly $260 more than female drivers are.

Check out the table below, revealing how both age and gender, along with your marital status, impact rates for car insurance in Dallas, TX.

Besides just your age and gender, your marital status can also alter the rates car insurance providers charge. The train of thought is that married drivers are more stable, thereby practicing more responsible habits while behind the wheel, which makes them a lower risk to insure.

However, these factors are just a handful of the components car insurance companies use to assess insureds’ rates. So, if you have one or more teen drivers in your house, no need to despair.

Speaking of which, let’s check out some of the other primary factors insurers will use when deciding what rates to charge consumers for car insurance in Dallas, TX.

-Cheapest Zip Codes in Dallas

The area you live in can also have a major influence on the rates you can expect to pay. The cost of coverage based on your zip code can vary based on how vulnerable your area is to elements like high crime or natural disasters.

The table below reveals the cheapest zip codes for car insurance in Dallas, TX. Use the search bar to find out how much Texas car insurance companies are charging insureds in your area.

As you can see, there’s about a $2,000 difference in rates between the least expensive zip code and the most expensive zip code. That range is definitely significant, so it just goes to show that your zip code can and will modify the rates you might be charged.

-What’s the Best Car Insurance Company in Dallas?

If you’ve been a bit concerned by any of the age, gender, and zip code stats previously noted, take heart.

While these factors can make a significant impact on your rates, not all carriers assess rates the same way. It is 100 percent possible to secure the coverage you want without breaking the bank.

To help you secure the right policy for car insurance in Dallas, TX, we’ve broken down rates in your city by the other primary factors that can either raise or lower your premiums.

Once you know which company offers the most affordable rates for drivers in your particular situation, obtaining the right coverage for your needs can be considerably easier.

From the cheapest car insurance rates by the company to the best car insurance for commute rates to the cheapest auto insurance based on credit history—we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get down to business.

-Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

The table below reveals the cheapest car insurance in Dallas, TX by the insurer. Is your current auto insurance provider on the list?

As the data our researchers gathered shows, USAA charges the cheapest rates across the board for all demographics and Allstate the highest. For instance, Allstate charges 17-year-old male drivers nearly $10,000 more in average annual rates than they do 35-year-old male drivers.

On the other hand, a cheaper carrier like USAA only shows an approximate $4,000 rate difference between these two demographics.

Long story short, you should select your carrier for car insurance in Dallas, TX based on the rates they assess for your particular demographic, rather than just looking at the cheapest overarching average.

-Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

According to the most recent 2016 data from the Federal Highway Administration, Texans drove an average of 17,099,340 miles in the state that year. The table below reveals the average annual premiums carriers charge for car insurance in Dallas, TX based on insureds’ commute rates.

As the table shows, some, but not all carriers will charge you higher rates based on the length of your commute. Take Allstate, for instance. They charge individuals with 25-mile commutes approximately $330 more in average annual rates than drivers with 10-mile commutes.

On the other hand, some companies show no difference in rates whatsoever. For example, insurers like American Family and State Farm charge insureds the exact same rates for both 10 and 25-mile commutes.

-Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

The table above details the cost of car insurance in Dallas, TX based on your chosen policy coverage levels. Purchasing higher coverage levels can often result in a spike in rates, but it really depends on the insurer you pick.

If you take a look at the table we have here, you’ll see that a carrier like American Family charges insureds with high coverage levels over $1,000 more in average annual rates than they do individuals with low coverage levels.

However, an insurer like USAA has a much narrower gap between rates for high vs. low coverage levels, with only about a $120 premium difference.

Pinpoint what your budgetary needs are and examine the different rates carriers assess when determining which coverage levels are best for your driving needs.

While choosing high over low coverage levels with a carrier like Allstate could tack roughly $84 a month onto your car insurance bill, you’ll only have to pay about $10 extra a month with an insurer like USAA.

So, it is completely possible to pick higher coverage levels while still keeping to your budget.

-Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Your credit history is another key factor that companies can and will use when assessing your yearly premiums for car insurance in Dallas, TX. The practice of reviewing your credit score when assessing rates is banned in a handful of states, but Texas is currently not one of them.

Let’s see how your credit score could impact the annual rates you’ll be expected to pay out to your car insurance provider.

You’ll note that some, but not all, car insurance companies will charge you significantly higher rates for a poor vs. good credit history. For instance, a carrier like Allstate charges insureds with poor credit over $3,200 more in annual rates than consumers with good credit.

On the other end of the spectrum, an insurer like Progressive shows an approximate $1,200 gap in rates based on poor vs. good credit. The moral of the story here is that poor credit habits could cost you thousands of dollars more per year in annual car insurance rates alone.

-Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that your driving record is another key component companies use to determine your rates for car insurance in Dallas, TX. Check out the table below to see how your rates could change based on your driving history.

Having a single DUI on your record could make your rates skyrocket. If you examine the table above, you’ll see that some companies charge much steeper rates to drivers with one DUI vs. a clean record than others do.

Case in point, Allstate charges insureds with one DUI approximately $3,200 more in average annual rates than they do drivers with a clean record.

However, some companies take a somewhat less harsh approach. Insurers such as Progressive charge consumers with one DUI only about $800 more in annual rates than they do drivers with a clean record.

It is interesting to note though, that Progressive actually charges higher rates to insureds with one accident on their record than they do to consumers with a DUI. For Progressive, the difference in premiums for insureds with a clean record vs. one accident is approximately $1,300.

-Car Insurance Factors in Dallas

There are many critical factors which ultimately affect the premiums you can expect to pay for car insurance in Dallas, TX.

Keep scrolling for some key reports that will help you assess how much you really should be paying for auto coverage in your city.

-Dallas Metro Report

The tables below reveal data our researchers gathered from the Brookings Institution’s annual Metro Monitor Report. The Metro Monitor indicates the economic performance of the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the U.S.

The Metro Monitor tracks the growth, prosperity, and inclusion of a region, including the rate of change in the previous one, five, and 10-year periods. The data is then broken down into composite scores to reveal a metropolitan area’s overall performance.

“These represent the pillars of successful economic development which should encourage robust long-run growth (growth) by improving the productivity of individuals and firms in order to raise local standards of living (prosperity) for all people (inclusion).”

The Dallas area was ranked among the top 20 best performing metropolitan areas by the change in prosperity. Check out the data in the table below.

The Dallas metro also ranked in the top 20 best performing areas based on the change in job growth.

These stats showing increases in prosperity and job growth are great news for Dallas residents. With Dallas ranking among the top 20 best performing metro areas for prosperity and job growth, residents can rest assured in the excellent economic performance of their city.

-Median Household Income

With so many thousands of dollars going towards the cost of car insurance premiums each year, it’s natural to wonder exactly how much of your annual earnings are being taken up by carrier rates. The graph below reveals the median household income in Dallas based on the most recent 2017 statistics gathered from Data USA.

Dallas residents have a median annual income of approximately $50,627, which is a bit under the median country-wide annual income of $60,336.

However, residents of Dallas saw a 7.16 percent increase in income growth between 2016 and 2017, with individuals in the city previously earning a median income of $47,243.
But, what does this all mean for your car insurance in Dallas, TX?
Well, when you consider the fact that the average cost of car insurance in Dallas is $5,855.07, this means that approximately 11.5 percent of the typical worker’s income is eaten up by car insurance premiums.

This figure is a bit high when compared to the insurance as a percentage of income stats for neighboring cities like Fort Worth. For example, in Fort Worth, the median household income is much more in line with the nationwide average at $60,205.

In additon, the average costs of car insurance premiums in Fort Worth are a bit lower than in Dallas at approximately $5,300 per year, which means that coverage rates are only eating up about 8.7 percent of residents’ income.

The point here is that the best way to save on car insurance is to do some shopping around before you land on a carrier. Also, by practicing safe and responsible driving habits, you increase the likelihood that you can secure lower, more affordable rates while still obtaining the coverages you require.

-Homeownership in Dallas

While it might seem like the two would be completely unrelated, being a homeowner can significantly reduce the car insurance rates carriers assess for your policy.

The train of thought being, that homeowners are responsible and stable, which could translate to safer, more cognizant driving habits that make them less of a risk to insure.

Also, since homeowners must make monthly house payments, it follows that car insurance companies will conclude that this demographic will be more likely to follow through on their monthly auto insurance premium payments.

However, as of 2017, only about 39.4 percent of Dallas residents were homeowners. This figure actually went down from 2016, at which point approximately 40.8 percent of Dallas residents were homeowners.

The homeowner stats for Dallas are also slightly under the national average for owner-occupation, which rests squarely at 63.9 percent. The chart below details the percentage of homeowners in Dallas, TX in comparison with neighboring and parent regions. 

As you can see, approximately 64 percent of residents in neighboring Denton County, TX are homeowners while the owner-occupant stats in Collin County are well over 65 percent. This means that Dallas currently has the lowest rate of homeowners out of the surrounding region.

Next, check out the chart below, revealing the median property value of homes in Dallas, TX.

As of 2017, the median property value in Dallas, TX rose to $190,600 from the prior year’s median value of $157,100. This figure is considerably higher than the median property value in the state of Texas of $151,500.

-Education in Dallas

Dallas sports a number of colleges and universities. In 2016 alone, universities across Dallas awarded over 13,244 degrees to graduates. The student populace of the city is largely comprised of women, with approximately 38,613 female students and 26,715 male students.

As of 2016, the largest universities in the city in terms of the number of degrees awarded were El Centro College, Dallas Baptist University, and Richland College.

Below are Dallas’s other higher education institutions, along with the percentage of degrees they awarded in 2016. 

In the same year, the top majors in Dallas in terms of popularity were Medical Assistant, General Studies, and General Business Administration and Management. The graph below reveals the percentage of students awarded their Associates Degree from Dallas, TX institutions, based on their chosen major. 

Dallas’s Community College District includes seven colleges, making up one of the most extensive systems of community colleges in the entire state. The colleges within the district are:

• Brookhaven College
• Cedar Valley College
• El Centro College
• Mountain View College
• Eastfield College
• Richland College
• North Lake College

Courses include a wide range of subjects both for college credit and continuing education/noncredit courses, so students have an array of options to choose from.

The Dallas Community College District offers both career/technical certificates and Associates Degrees in over 100 areas of concentration.

-Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

If you’ve been wondering how factors like race and ethnicity impact wages, you’ve come to the right place. The table below reveals the most recent stats from Data USA regarding wages for common jobs in Dallas along with the percentage of income going to car insurance for workers in each of those roles.

It’s astounding to see how much wages can change in the exact same job role. Depending on your position, car insurance in Dallas, TX as a percentage of income could comprise more than half of the average resident’s annual earnings for entry-level roles like a cashier.

The highest earning demographic (American Indians) in managerial roles still pay out over five percent of their income towards auto insurance.

-Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While the gender wage gap continues to be a controversial topic, the stats don’t lie. Data USA’s statistics just confirm the fact that the wage gap between genders is alive and well.

It is important to note, that the chart below reflects wage by gender in common jobs for the entire state, as data is not available at the local level.

As of 2017, full-time male workers in Dallas earned approximately 1.4 times more than female workers. The chart above reveals the five most common job roles in Dallas, based on the number of full-time workers.

• Dallas Female Average Salary — $47,183
• Dallas Male Average Salary — $65,834

These numbers show an approximate $18,700 wage gap between the genders. So, even if male and female employees have the exact same job role, the data shows that males will still bring home more.

Remember, the average annual rate for car insurance in Dallas, TX is $5855.07. What this means, is that female workers are paying out approximately 12.4 percent of their income in annual premiums while just 8.9 percent of male workers’ annual salary is eaten up by yearly rates.

-Poverty by Age and Gender

Gender and age also reveal distinct trends with regards to poverty rates.

As you can see from the chart above, more females suffer from poverty in Dallas than males, with the highest rates of poverty shown in females between the ages of 25 to 34.

According to Data USA, 21.8 percent of the population in Dallas live below the poverty line, which is considerably higher than the nationwide average of 13.4 percent.

The second largest female age demographic with the highest poverty rates are children between the ages of 6 and 11.

-Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Now that we’ve looked at poverty and gender rates, let’s see how poverty rates can alter in Dallas based on race and ethnicity.

Data USA’s statistics reveal that White ethnic groups are the most common demographic living below the poverty line, followed by Hispanics second, and Black racial groups third.

Over 146,455 White individuals are estimated to be living in poverty in Dallas, followed by a projected 139,318 Hispanics living below the poverty line.

The third highest number of individuals living below the poverty threshold totals 93,206 people.

-Employment by Occupations

In spite of Dallas’s poverty rates and sometimes steep insurance costs, the city’s employment rates experienced growth in the healthy range between 2016 and 2017.

During that one-year period, employment in Dallas, TX increased by 1.86 percent from 668,000 workers to a workforce of 680,000 strong.

The chart below reveals the primary job roles held by individuals residing in the city of Dallas.

The three most common job groups are as follows:

• Other Management Occupations (Except Farmers, Ranchers, and other Agricultural Managers) — 34,514 individuals
• Building Cleaning and Pest Control Workers — 24,658 individuals
• Construction Trades Workers (Except Carpenters, Electricians, Painters, Plumbers, and Construction Laborers) — 20,006 individuals

Driving in Dallas

Driving in a big city can be a challenge. From detours to traffic jams, finding the best driving routes for your commute can be incredibly frustrating.

Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to to the best driving routes in Dallas.

-Roads in Dallas

Driving in Dallas doesn’t have to be a challenge. Find out everything Dallas drivers need to know about driving in the city, including major highways, popular road trip sites, and more.

-Major Highways

Texas has an astounding 25 active interstates running through its cities. These 25 interstates comprise 3,501.15 miles of roadway in the state of Texas. The active interstates are as follows:

• I-2
• I-10
• I-14
• I-20
• I-27
• I-30
• I-35
• I-35E
• I-35W
• I-37
• I-40
• I-44
• I45
• I-69
• I-110
• I-410
• I-610
• I-820
• I-635
• I-345
• I-69C
• I-69E
• I-69W
• I-169
• I-369

Of these interstates, six of them run directly through Dallas: Interstate 20, Interstate 30, Interstate 35E, Interstate 635, Interstate 45, and Interstate 345. 

Did you know that Interstate 35 is the ninth longest interstate in the country?

It stretches approximately 1,568.38 miles across the central U.S, connecting cities from San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth to Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Des Moine, terminating in Duluth, Minnesota to the north. Check out the hyperlapse video below of I-35 through downtown Dallas.

Tolls are an unfortunate reality for drivers all over the country, and a frequent part of Dallas motorists’ daily commute. The North Texas Toll Authority and Dallas-Fort Worth Airport operate toll roads in the city.

There are 10 different toll roads in the Dallas-Forth Area, including:

• Dallas North Tollway
• President George Bush Turnpike
• President George Bush Turnpike (Western Extension)
• President George Bush Turnpike (Eastern Extension)
• Sam Rayburn Tollway
• Chisholm Trail Parkway
• Addison Airport Toll Road Tunnel
• Mountain Creek Lake Toll Bridge
• Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge
• DFW Airport International Parkway

The North Texas Toll Authority that governs Dallas toll roadways utilizes completely electronic toll collection (or cashless tolling). Dallas residents have two options to pay their tolls:

• TollTag — You can purchase a TollTag account for $40 or a Starter TollTag account for $20. With an account, the electronic receptors at each toll gateway scan the vehicle’s Tolltags and automatically withdraw the appropriate sum from the driver’s account.
• ZipCash Pay-by-Mail — The more expensive option, with ZipCash Pay-by-Mail, high-speed cameras at the toll gantry take photos of the vehicle license plate. The North Texas Toll Authority then sends the bill via mail to the owner of the car. ZipCash drivers will pay a minimum of 50 percent more than individuals who opt for a TollTag account.

-Popular Road Trips/Sites

Check out the video above for the 6 best day trips from Dallas, TX! One thing’s for sure—there’s no shortage of things to see and do in and around Dallas for long-time residents and visitors alike.

The video above reveals the top 10 fun, awesome things to do in your city. If that’s not enough to get you excited for your next jaunt around Dallas, here are some of the most popular road trip and adventure sites both in the city and throughout the state you won’t want to miss.

• Nature Trip — While Texans might not experience the same variety of seasons as in other parts of the country, the state’s changing autumn foliage is a beautiful wonder to behold. From the Lost Maples in Vanderpool to the foliage surrounding the Medina River, this 11-hour drive is the perfect opportunity to stop at your favorite campsites along the way and explore. Jacob’s Well in Wimberley and Gorman Falls in Bend, Texas are also two must-sees for nature lovers.
• Head Off the Beaten Path — If you’re reading for an adventure a bit off the beaten path, why not make a visit to the tiny town of Alpine in West Texas? The lovely oasis reported a population of just beyond 6,000 in 2013, but the beautiful shops and quaint atmosphere of this small town make it a hidden gem in the desert.
• Desert Trip – The Caprock Canyons in Quitaque are a mindblowing example of desert beauty, with stunning red rock formations and greenery. If you’ve been contemplating a jaunt to the Grand Canyon but don’t quite want to make the drive, this desert trip could be for you.
• Foodie Trip — If steakhouses are your jam, check out one or more of these 11 small town steakhouses on your next road trip!
• Bargain-Hunter Road Trip — If you love thrifting, you won’t want to miss this road trip to the top 10 thrift stores in the state. You can turn the Nine-hour-and-20-minute road trip into a longer day excursion or make a pit stop for the night along the way for a fun weekend adventure.
• Country Road Trip — If you don’t have time for a lengthy road trip but still want to make some amazing memories in all the beauty of nature that the Lone Start State offers, you’ll love this four-hour country road trip. Hitting the top sites from Hamilton Pool to Enchanted Rock to the Natural Bridge Caverns, this country road trip is a perfect adventure when warmer weather hits.

These are just a few of the fun and fabulous drives you can take around Texas to explore more of your state. Whether you’re itching for a weekend trip or a longer getaway, there’s no shortage of things to see and explore in The Lone Star State.

-Road Conditions

A study by the National Transportation Research Group recorded the pavement conditions and extra vehicle operating costs in a variety of urban areas with populations of 500,000 individuals or more. The Dallas Area was included in this study, with the following stats revealed:

• Poor Share — 21 percent
• Mediocre Share — 31 percent
• Fair Share — 20 percent
• Good Share — 28 percent
• Vehicle Operating Costs — $609

The Keep It Moving Dallas division of the Texas Department of Transportation provides frequent updates on any roadway projects both in and around the Dallas Area to improve road conditions for drivers.

A hearing is set for June 3, 2019, for proposed improvements stretching from FM 2933 to Business State Highway 78 for a complete distance of just over nine miles. Here’s a quick overview of the proposed project:

• Total construction length is around 7.40 miles
• The proposed project would transition the current FM 545 roadway from a two-lane undivided road with 11-foot wide travel lanes and one-foot shoulders to two, 12-foot travel lanes with 10-foot shoulders
• The project would improve four curves by altering the center line of each curve for enhanced driver safety
• The existing roadway of FM 545 would be resurfaced from Pecan Street to BS-78D in Blue Ridge

Keep an eye out on the Interstate Highway Projects page for further developments.

-Does Your City Use Speeding or Red Light Cameras?

Dallas currently employs the use of red light cameras all over the city, with a maximum $75 civil or administrative penalty for violations. Speeding cameras are prohibited by state law.

-Vehicles in Dallas

Every city sports its own unique trends for the most popular vehicles and vehicle ownership. It’s interesting to know about these trends, but also important to understand the potential speed traps and vehicle theft rates in your city.

Let’s dive right in.

-Most Popular Vehicles Owned

A study by YourMechanic showed that the most unusually popular vehicle owned by residents in Dallas is the Dodge Challenger. With a fantastic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive performance available, it’s no wonder that the Challenger is favored by drivers all over the city.

The V-8 and V-6 in particular offer exceptional fuel efficiency, with 5.7 and 6.4-liter V-8s heightening economy by automatically switching off the four cylinders when not in use, such as for stable rates of speed on the highway.

-How Many Cars Per Household?

A study by Data USA revealed that the majority of households in Dallas have two cars apiece, with the smaller share of households having just one car each.

-Households Without a Car

While most residents in the city own at least two vehicles, there are also households that do not own a car at all. The data below is from 2015 and 2016, revealing the percentage of households that depend on transportation methods apart from vehicles.

You’ll note that car ownership went up slightly in 2016, with the percentage of households without vehicles going down, which is right in line with Data USA’s stats.

-Speedtraps in Your City

If you’ve ever been speeding along and drove by some trees or an enclave, only for a police officer to appear seemingly out of nowhere and start a pursuit, you’ve encountered a speed trap.

Speed traps are where a police officer conceals their car, tracking drivers’ speeds through the use of radar guns.

Speed traps are designed to inhibit speeding and promote safer driving habits, but they also have the potential to bring in substantial revenue for a city.

Dallas currently ranks number seven among the top 10 worst speed traps in the state. There are currently eight noted speed traps in the city, with a 57 percent acknowledgment rate affirming these are indeed speed traps.

-Vehicle Theft in Dallas

Have you ever wondered how safe your vehicle is in Dallas? Well, the FBI’s 2013 Crime in the U.S. Report revealed that there were 7,384 motor vehicle thefts in Dallas in that year alone.

As of 2017, Neighborhood Scout revealed that the FBI reported 7,938 motor vehicle thefts, which was slightly higher than the figure from a few years before.

According to Neighborhood Scout, the safest neighborhoods in Dallas are as follows:

• Cox Lane/Northhaven Road
• Hillcrest Road/Spring Valley Road
• Skillman Street/Kinsley Road
• Northhaven Road/Hillcrest Road
• Park Lane/Inwood Road
• Northhaven Road/Inwood Road
• Rawlins
• Royal Lane/Lennox Lane
• Cromwell Drive/Royal Lane
• Abrams Road/Royal Lane

The map above reveals regions of the city ranked from safest to most dangerous. According to Neighborhood Scout, your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are approximately one out of 7.75 per 1,000 residents.

Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Dallas is a bit lower than in Texas, which is a one out of 4.39 chance.

Currently, Dallas is only safer than just nine percent of U.S. cities, ranking number nine in the crime index listed on Neighborhood Scout (with 100 being the safest).

Check out the data regarding incidents of violent crime in Dallas in 2017 below:

Below are Dallas’s annual number of crimes as of 2017.

With the high incidence of crime in the city, you may want to consider looking at Dallas’s safer neighborhoods previously noted above.

-Traffic

You’ve made it this far! Keep scrolling for a detailed look at traffic congestion in Dallas, transportation, the busiest highways, and more.

Let’s get started.

-Traffic Congestion

It’s not surprising to learn that Dallas ranks fairly high in terms of traffic congestion in the state. The table below reveals data from INRIX’s Annual Traffic Scorecard Study, indicating the hours lost in congestion, cost of congestion per driver, inner city travel time, and speed.

-Transportation

Did you know that the average Dallas resident spends 26.6 minutes in average commute time? This figure is slightly higher than the average U.S. worker, who spends approximately 25.5 minutes in commute time.

Furthermore, approximately 2.01 percent of workers in Dallas have what are known as super commutes exceeding 90 minutes.

So, what transportation methods do Dallas residents use to get to work?

Data USA’s recent 2017 study for the city showed that approximately 75.9 percent of workers drove alone while 11.7 percent carpooled. A much smaller number of individuals worked at home, making up just 4.64 percent of the commuter stats.

-Busiest Highways

According to a report published by Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute, the eight roadways below are the most congested in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:

• Woodall Rodgers Freeway from U.S. 75/North Central Expressway to North Beckley Avenue
• Stemmons Freeway/I-35 East from John Carpenter Freeway to Interstate 30
• U.S. 75 from LBJ Freeway to Woodall Rodgers
• U.S. 75 from President George Bush Turnpike to LBJ
• I-35 East from Texas 121 to LBJ
• LBJ from U.S. 75 to Texas 78
• I-345/U.S. 75 from U.S. 75 to U.S. 175
• I-35 West from Texas 183 to I-30

Check out the Institute’s annual list of Texas’ Most Congested Roadways 2018 for additional details.

-How Safe Are Dallas Streets and Roads?

Now that you’ve learned about crime rates in Dallas it’s essential to understand the traffic risks posed by streets and roads in the city. There are a wide range of factors that can maximize road risks, such as the type of crash or alcohol-impaired driving.

Dallas stands as the county seat of Dallas County, with sections of the city reaching into nearby Rockwall, Collin, Denton, and Kaufman Counties. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) recently published data on Texas’ crash statistics by county for 2017.

To start, let’s take a look at total fatal crashes by county in the Dallas area as of 2017.

Next up, take a look at fatalities in crashes in the Dallas area in 2017, involving alcohol-impaired drivers with BAC levels of .08 and above.

Fatalities are a tragic reality of irresponsible motorist actions like drunk driving. The following table reveals the crash fatalities for single vehicles by county in the Dallas area in 2017.

Below are the 2017 fatalities in crashes involving speeding by county in the Dallas area.

Here we have 2017 fatalities involving a roadway departure by counties in the Dallas metro.

Below are 2017 fatalities in the Dallas area by county involving an intersection (or intersection related).

Here are the passenger car occupant fatalities by Dallas county in 2017.

Below are the pedestrian fatalities by county in the Dallas metro as of 2017.

These are the cyclist fatalities by county in the Dallas area for 2017.

Next, we have data from the NHTSA regarding highways in the state of Texas with the most fatal crashes. Pay close attention to the table below to see how fatalities in the state vary based on the road type.

An arterial road is simply a high-capacity urban road. Based on the level of traffic filtering through a specific region, the arterial road may be categorized either as a highway or a minor arterial road.

Collector roads collect traffic from local roadways and direct drivers to arterial roads. As you can see from the data above, a significant number of Texas’s fatal crashes take place on minor arterial and collector roads, with the most fatalities occurring on miscellaneous or “other” roads.

In addition to road type fatalities, it is also key to understand the level of railroad and highway crash incidents as they contribute to current road dangers in your city.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) collected data regarding fatalities and injuries in Dallas due to highway and railroad crashes in recent years, which are listed out in the table below.

The most crashes appear to take place on Westmoreland Road in pickup trucks. Exercise additional caution when driving through any of the areas noted above.

-Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Another key point to consider when hunting for car insurance in Dallas, TX is how drivers in the city compare to motorists in the rest of the country. According to Allstate’s Best Drivers in America Report, Dallas is the 178th safest city to drive in as of 2018.

In Dallas, the relative likelihood of a claim being made as juxtaposed against the national average is 54.40 percent.

The average time between claims in Dallas is 6.5 years. This good news all around, because it reveals that Dallas residents aren’t having accidents every year.

-Ridesharing

If you want to utilize ridesharing services in Dallas, it’s key to know what options are available to you and the rates you can expect. The following rideshare providers are available in Dallas, listing from least to most expensive.

• Uber X
• Lyft
• Taxi
• Curb
• Uber Select
• Lyft Premier
• Uber Black
• Lyft Lux

-EStar Repair Shops

If you’ve been in a collision in Dallas and need to have repairs done, an EStar repair shop could be the answer. EStar is a program sponsored by Esurance to help motorists find the best repair shop in their area.

To save you time and trouble, check out the top 10 repair shops in Dallas according to Estar.

-Weather

Dallas residents enjoy mostly mild weather in the cooler months and downright balmy temperatures during the spring and summer. The following table reveals the U.S. Climate Data’s stats regarding average temperatures in Dallas.

Another primary component to consider when hunting for car insurance in Dallas, TX is the presence of any natural disasters that could affect your coverages.

Dallas has had a total of 19 natural disasters in the area, which is higher than the national average of 13. The causes of these natural disasters include storms, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes among the top contributing factors.

Your best option to protect your vehicle in the event of a natural disaster is to purchase comprehensive coverage for your policy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KMVKTr8FZc

Comprehensive coverage will help to cover the cost of damage to your vehicle caused by something other than an accident or rollover. This type of coverage comes into play for car damages incurred by mitigating factors such as floods, hail, fires, or vandalism.

-Public Transit

The city of Dallas’s public transit system is known as the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). With a DART pass, you have instant access to 64 rail stations, 10 Trinity Railway Express stations, and 14 bus transfer facilities. Buses and trains run every day from 5 A.M. to midnight.

DART Fares are as follows:

• Day Passes — Local: $6.00. Regional: $12.00. Reduced: $3.00
• Single Ride — Local: $2.50. Reduced: $1.25.
• AM/PM Passes — Local: $3.00. Reduced: $1.50.
• Midday Passes — Local: $2.00.
• Monthly Passes — Local: $96.00. Regional: $192.00. Reduced: $48.00. Mesquite: $100.00.

Visit the Where to Buy Passes page of DART’s website to find out more about your options for purchasing passes and fares on the go.

-Alternate Transportation

If you’d rather use an alternative form of transit other than a train or bus, a scooter or bike rental might be something to consider. Whether you are planning a weekend jaunt to Dallas or want to get in your exercise for the day, here are some popular options for scooter or bike rentals in the Dallas area.

• Bird — The company offers scooter rentals for fixed rates per each minute that vary depending on your location.
• Lime — This provider offers both scooter and bike rentals. You can rent from Lime for a fixed rate per minute, but you will need to take a look at the app for costs, as these fluctuate based on the time of day, day of the week, and exact location.

-Parking in Metro Areas

One of the most frustrating aspects of living and traveling through any metro area is trying to find a good parking spot! The good news is, there are plenty of parking options in Dallas. Of course, during peak hours, it could be more difficult to find a spot.

There are plenty of free parking options available as well as paid parking spots both on the street and in garages.

In the city of Dallas alone, there are 262 public charging stations for electric vehicles (both Level 2 and Level 3) within a 9.3-mile radius. Approximately 94 percent of the charging ports are Level 2 ports, while 28 percent allow free charging.

With the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport just 20+ minutes from downtown, there are plenty of satellite parking options available in and around the airport.

-Air Quality in Dallas

Have you ever wondered how your vehicle contributes to the air quality in Dallas? In the early days of cars, engines frequently emitted toxic, unpleasant fumes. Nowadays, cars are governed by much more stringent air-quality regulations.

Even so, air pollution is still an issue that many major cities grapple with, and Dallas is no different.

The following table reveals the air quality in the Dallas Area, based on data drawn from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016, 2017, and 2018 reports.

You’ll notice that the good days for air quality far outweighed the moderate or unhealthy days. However, the number of good days did reduce slightly, but steadily, during the period between 2016 and 2018.

Military/Veterans

If you previously served in the U.S. military or are currently actively serving, you may qualify for discounts for car insurance in Dallas, TX.

Keep reading for the lowdown on Dallas service periods, military bases, and discounts.

-Veterans by Service Period

The graph below reveals Data USA’s stats regarding the number of veterans currently residing in Dallas.

As of 2017, approximately 13,490 of the veterans living in Dallas served in the Vietnam war, with 9,673 individuals serving in the second Gulf War, and just 5,832 in the first.

The population of former service members residing in Dallas who fought in Vietnam is 1.39 times more than the population of personnel who served in any other conflict.

-Military Bases Within an Hour

Texas has a number of military bases, but the one located closest to Dallas is the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve at Carswell. The NAS JRB Fort Worth is approximately a one-hour drive from the city of Dallas.

The base was commissioned in 1994 as the country’s very first joint reserve base, situated on the grounds of what was formerly the Carswell Air Force Base which was decommissioned back in 1993.

NAS JRB Fort Worth is responsible for training surface reserve, air, and naval recruits. The base also houses the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing, along with the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 301st Fighter Wing.

-Military Discounts by Provider

If you previously served in the military or are on active duty, the vast majority of car insurance providers will offer discounts as a way to say “thank you” for your service.

The table below indicates the top known providers who offer discounts to former and active military personnel.

USAA also currently offers a military garage discount for vehicles on a military base. Not every company lists the percentage saved via their discounts, which is why several of the providers have “N/A” listed in the percentage box. However, they do still offer military discounts.

-USAA Available in Texas

USAA car insurance in Dallas, TX and around the country is reserved exclusively for U.S. military service members and their families.

Check out the table below to see USAA’s rates as compared to competitor carriers and the state average (which is approximately $4,043.28).

As you can see from the data above, USAA has better rates above and beyond its other competitors, costing nearly 63 percent less than the state average.

Unique Dallas Laws

Before you get behind the wheel in Dallas again, here’s what you need to know about driving laws in your city and state.

-Hands-Free Driving Law

As of September 1, 2017, the Governor of Texas signed a bill into law making it illegal to text while behind the wheel. First-time offenders face fines ranging from $25 to $99, while repeat offenders could incur fines from $100 all the way up to $200.

The law pertains specifically to reading, sending, or writing electronic messages. Dallas has not currently passed an ordinance that imposes stricter regulations beyond texting while driving, so while it is technically not illegal to use your device while driving, it is emphatically advised not to do so.

-Food Trucks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d48gQ5wIC9M

If you are considering operating your own food truck in Dallas, here’s a quick overview of what you need to know regarding food truck regulations in the city:

• In order to obtain the proper Food Truck Permitting, someone must be a Registered Food Service Manager
• All other employees must obtain a Dallas Food Handler Registration
• The food truck design must adhere to the Vehicle Design and Equipment Requirements
• Assuming your truck design plan is approved, you must schedule an inspection and fill out the Dallas Commissary Approval Form
• If you will be operating your truck on propane you will require a Low Propane Gase Permit
• If you are selling non-fast food cooked items you will need a food variance (which is valid for two years)

To apply for and receive your Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle Permit, in addition to having your vehicle inspected, you must provide:

• Your driver’s license
• Proof of liability insurance
• Affidavit of Authenticity
• Food Service Manager Registration
• Written agreement from the private property owner
• Commissary Approval Form
• Low Propane Gas Permit
• $315 permit Application Fee plus $50 Inspection Fee

For individuals planning to operate a food truck in the Downtown Arts district, you must:

• Have your driver’s license when you apply
• Pay the $150 license fee
• Renew your Central Business District License every year

For more information about obtaining mobile food permits for food trucks and other units, visit the City of Dallas’s Mobile Food Permits page here.

-Tiny Homes

Technically, there are two different kinds of tiny homes— a house on wheels (RV) or a tiny house with a foundation, knowing as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Dallas only allows tiny homeowners to build ADUs with special exemptions.

Tiny houses on wheels must typically adhere to the same restrictions as a regular RV or trailer.

Visit the City of Dallas’s ADU Code Amendments page for additional information.

-Parking Laws

It’s critical to understand the parking laws governing drivers in your state and city to ensure you don’t needlessly incur tickets and fines. You could be cited for parking in the wrong direction, but it is possible to reserve parking in some certain areas like hotels, garages, and near the airport.

In the state of Texas, drivers may not stand, stop, or park a car in several different locations. For instance, you may not double park or park your car within an intersection, sidewalk, or crosswalk.

You may not park between a safety zone and the nearby curb, and drivers must be a minimum of 30 feet away from the other end of the safety zone when parking their vehicle.

Click here for more information regarding relevant parking laws in your city.

Dallas Car Insurance FAQs

If you still have some burning questions about car insurance in Dallas, TX, you’re in luck. We put together the following rapid-fire FAQ list to ensure you are fully prepared next time you hit rubber to the road in Dallas.

-Dallas Q & A

• What languages should I know? Dallas is a highly diverse city of over 1.34 million individuals. According to Data USA, 80.9 percent of residents are citizens while 23.7 percent were born outside the country. The most common foreign languages spoken in the city are Spanish Creole or Spanish. In fact, there are approximately 464,561 Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers in Dallas alone. Other commonly spoken languages are African dialects (11,922 speaking individuals) and Chinese (5,563 speakers).
• What is the cost of living like in Dallas? According to data collected by Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Dallas is just above the national U.S. Average. Sperling rated Dallas at 107.7, which is higher than the national average of 100. The median price of a home in Dallas is approximately $206,000.
• What are the minimum car insurance requirements? The minimum liability car insurance requirements in Texas are $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 total bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $25,000 property damage coverage per accident.
• What happens if I get into a car accident in Dallas? Texas adheres to the traditional fault system when assessing liability for a collision. This means that the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the costs of damages incurred by another party or parties due to an accident they cause. After a collision, the injured party may opt to file a claim with their insurer and/or the at-fault driver’s carrier. The injured party may also consider filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault individual to secure compensation for things like property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, and additional losses.
• Are there any car insurance options for high-risk drivers? If you have a history of accidents and/or traffic violations on your record and have been unable to secure insurance through the voluntary market, Texas offers a plan for high-risk drivers called the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). Note, that you will not be able to select your own carrier and certain eligibility requirements apply. Visit the TAIPA website for more information.

Now that you are an aficionado regarding all things car insurance in Dallas, TX, don’t wait another minute to find the right provider to cover all the drivers in your household.

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