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

Choosing the right car insurance can be a difficult task. Even if you spend hours reviewing and comparing providers online, you may still find yourself with an overwhelming list of choices.

Once you’ve reviewed your choices, you’re left to choose which one has the best rates for you while providing the most robust coverage. How do you know which factors affect your insurance rates in Richardson?

With our help, finding the right car insurance for you doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Below you’ll find all the necessary research and data to help guide your purchase, along with some other interesting information about insuring your vehicle in Richardson, Texas.

You can start your journey toward effective, affordable insurance today. Enter your ZIP code above to get started.

The Cost of Car Insurance in Richardson, Texas

To make sure you know and understand all the details regarding your car insurance in Richardson, we’ve broken down insurance premiums by age, gender, ZIP code, and much more.

Below you’ll find all the information you need to help you choose the right insurance plan for you.

Male vs. Female vs. Age

While your insurance rates are determined by a wide variety of factors and statistics, two of the biggest factors insurance companies use when determining your premiums are your age and your gender.

According to City Data, the average age in Richardson is 37, which is slightly higher than the Texas state average of 34.7 years. This means that most drivers won’t have to worry about the higher rates that most insurance companies charge their youngest customers.

The table above provides the average annual rates for car insurance in Richardson based on age, gender, and marital status.

Typically, 17-year-old drivers are charged the highest rates, with men being rated higher than women, while 60-year-old drivers of both genders are charged the lowest rates. Based on age difference alone, there’s a $6,357.93 difference in rates between 17-year-old males and 60-year-old males.

As you can see from the information above, your marital status can and does affect the rates car insurance providers charge for your premium.

Insurance companies do this because, statistically, married drivers are more likely to be emotionally and financially stable, making them more responsible behind the wheel and a lower insurance risk.

These aren’t the only factors that go into your rate, however. Continue reading below to find out what other information insurance companies use to calculate your premium.

Cheapest ZIP Codes in Richardson

While the city you live in plays a part in your rates at the state level, your ZIP code within the city of Richardson can also influence your rates as well.

The cost of coverage in your ZIP code varies based on things such as crime levels, street parking, and weather patterns, so moving from one neighborhood to another can significantly change your insurance premiums if it puts you in a different ZIP code, even if you stay within the same city.

Richardson has three ZIP codes, one of which costs almost $500 a year more for your average insurance policy, so it’s good to understand how your ZIP code affects your rates.

What’s the best car insurance company in Richardson?

If you’re concerned about the way drivers are rated by age, gender, and ZIP code, don’t panic. While these factors can and do affect your rates, every insurance carrier has its own unique process for determining how much to charge for insurance.

To help you find the best insurance available to you, we’ve broken down rates in Richardson by some of the many other factors that can affect your premiums. A little bit of patience and a fair amount of research can help you find the company offering the best rates for you.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

While your insurance rates are determined by your age, marital status, and ZIP code, there can still be a significant cost difference, sometimes upwards of thousands of dollars, between companies.

For example, in the table above you can see that rates for a 17-year-old male can be anywhere from $5,015 to $11,837, which is proof that just because you’re in a higher rating bracket doesn’t mean there is no way to save money on your insurance.

Based on this information, you should choose your insurance carrier based on the rates they charge for your particular demographic instead of choosing a company because they are generally cheaper than their competition.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2016 Texans drove an average of 17,099,340 miles across the state. The table below shows the rate for drivers in Richardson based on their commute.

As you can see in the table above, not every carrier charges higher rates based on the length of your commute, but many do. Depending on which insurance company you choose, you could save hundreds of dollars with a shorter commute.

So if you already have a short commute or you can reduce your weekly commute by working from home or making other schedule changes, it could be to your financial benefit to do so.

If you have a longer commute than average, you might be able to save money on your insurance by choosing a company that doesn’t rate by distance.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

The table above shows the average rates for car insurance in Richardson based on your coverage levels. If you’re concerned about insurance prices, choosing lower levels of coverage can keep your premiums affordable.

However, you could be missing out on vital insurance coverage you need to keep yourself financially secure, so choose your coverage levels wisely.

The difference in premiums between the highest and lowest levels of coverage is sometimes a very small amount, often as little as $300 or $400 a year, which means that choosing full coverage might not cost as much as you would think.

Consider your budget carefully, of course, but it’s possible to get higher coverage levels without going broke.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Though it may be surprising to think about, your credit history can play an important role in determining your insurance premium.

Some states prevent insurance companies from using your credit history to determine your rates, but Texas isn’t one of them. This could change in the future, though, so be sure to stay abreast of any changes in the law when it comes to insurance.

The table below shows how your credit history can affect your insurance rates.

All the insurance companies above charge at least $715 difference between a good credit rating and a poor credit rating, with more than a $2,000 difference in rates for some companies.

While this can seem expensive and overwhelming, this means that improving your credit score is a simple way to help reduce your insurance premiums in the future.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

While some people may be surprised that your credit rate can affect your insurance rates, nobody should be surprised to hear that your driving record is one of the determining factors for your annual premium.

Each company is different, so some companies won’t change your rates at all for a single speeding ticket, while others will increase your rates by a few hundred dollars a year.

On the other side of the equation, many companies may significantly increase your rates if you have a DUI, but others may only raise your rates by a few hundred dollars.

Choosing the right company could save you thousands of dollars a year, which is why it’s so important to shop around when getting quotes for your car insurance.

Car Insurance Factors in Richardson

There are a number of vital factors that affect your insurance coverage and rates in Richardson. Below are some of the most recent reports to help you determine just how much money you should be spending on your car insurance.

Metro Report — Growth and Prosperity

The data our researchers gathered from the Brookings Institution’s annual Metro Monitor Report is below. The Metro Monitor breaks down the economic performance of the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the country, giving you an idea of how your major metropolitan area is doing economically.

The Metro Monitor tracks several factors by region, including growth and prosperity, and charts the rate of change over the previous one, five, and 10 years, breaking the data down into composite scores. Because of the size of the city, Richardson is included in the rankings for the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington metropolitan area.

• Percentage change in jobs at young firms: +4.6 percent
• Percentage change in jobs: +2.6 percent
• Percentage change in Gross Metropolitan Product: +1.9 percent
• Percentage change in standard of living: -0.2 percent
• Percentage change in productivity: -0.7 percent
• Percentage change in average annual wage: +0.8 percent

These statistics show an increase in job growth and a decrease in the standard of living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. While the city still ranks among the top 40 best performing metro areas for prosperity and job growth, Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington and the surrounding cities, including Richardson, are fighting inflation and other issues, just like the rest of the country.

Median Household Income

When you consider how much money drivers spend on their insurance each year, it’s a good idea to know exactly how much of your income is devoted to your insurance premiums. The income information below is based on statistics from Data USA.

Richardson residents have an average annual income of about $76,719, which is significantly higher than the average nationwide income of $60,336.

People in Richardson saw a 2.46 percent increase in income growth between 2016 and 2017, but what does that mean for your car insurance premiums? The average cost of car insurance in Richardson is $6,004.28, which means that about 7.83 percent of the typical driver’s income is devoted to their car insurance premiums.

To determine the percentage of your income spent on your car insurance, take the amount of your premium divided by your income (either gross or net) then multiply by 100.

For example, if a driver is earning $40,000 and paying $2,000 for insurance annually, they spend 5 percent of their gross income on their car insurance each year.

As a driver gets older their insurance rates will change, but other factors such as their ZIP code and marital status will also affect their rates, which means they may not be able to predict with any certainty whether their rates will increase or decrease over time.

Use our calculator to determine the percentage of income you’re spending on your car insurance.

Homeownership in Richardson

Owning a home can significantly reduce your car insurance rates.

While these two things may not initially seem like they should be connected, the concept behind this rating factor is that someone who’s responsible enough (and financially stable enough) to own a home is more likely to be able to pay their insurance premiums than someone who isn’t.

Additionally, many insurance companies offer a multi-line discount to their customers, so owning a home and signing up for homeowner’s insurance through the same company you use to insure your vehicle can bring your insurance rates down even further.

There is also the thought that having commitments like a mortgage or a spouse makes people more likely to drive safely than they otherwise might, which is another factor insurance companies consider when determining your rates.

In 2017, 59.2 percent of housing units in Richardson were owner-occupied, which was a slight increase from 2016, but lower than the national average of 63.9 percent.

The average property value in Richardson was $226,100 in 2017, with more than $3,000 in annual property taxes.

Education in Richardson

While North Texas is home to a number of universities, Richardson has comparatively few colleges and universities in the city. There are still a few places to pursue higher education in the city, though, including the University of Texas at Dallas and the Utah College of Massage Therapy — Dallas.

The student population of Richardson has more men than women, with 15,988 male students and 12,660 female students.

The most popular majors in Richardson, Texas are information science, general computer science, and accounting.

When thinking about college, consider that many insurance companies give discounts to students who maintain a certain grade point average. If you or your child are in college, it might be worth it for you to ask your insurance company about good student discounts.

There is no private university average tuition listed for Richardson, but the average tuition is $11,528 for public four-year colleges for in-state students and $29,656 for out-of-state students at public four-year colleges, so saving money on your car insurance is a great way to free up funds to pay for pricey tuition fees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Have you ever wondered about how factors such as race and ethnicity affect wages? Most people wonder about how their race or ethnicity affects their paycheck from time to time, whether they’re concerned about being underpaid or afraid that they might be earning more than they’re worth.

The table below reveals the most recent stats from Data USA regarding wages for common jobs in Texas, along with the percentage of income going to car insurance for those individuals.

There is no specific information for drivers in Richardson, so the information below applies to the entire state of Texas.

Wages for the same job vary widely based on race and ethnicity, with some people earning 50 percent less than others for the same exact job.

Depending on your wages, the percentage of income you spend on insurance could be more than half of your annual earnings for entry-level positions.

Unfortunately, the highest-earning demographic in managerial roles still spend more than 5 percent of their income on their auto insurance.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While there are some people who might consider the concept controversial, the gender wage gap is real, and there are plenty of statistics to prove it. While there are no statistics specific to Richardson, the information below is for the state of Texas.

In 2017, full-time male workers in Texas earned approximately 1.4 times more than female workers, with the highest discrepancy in higher-paid, managerial positions.

• Female average salary — $47,183
• Male average salary — $65,834

These numbers indicate an average wage gap of $18,700 between the genders.

This is an average across multiple positions and industries, but there’s a clear difference in salaries between the genders for the same position, so even if male and female employees are doing the exact same job, the data shows that men are still the higher earners.

Because of this, women are likely to spend a higher portion of their income on car insurance, even if they have a lower rate based on gender.

Poverty by Age and Gender

As you can see from the chart above, there are more women than men living in poverty in Richardson, with the highest rates of poverty shown in women between the ages of 18 and 24.

Following the information above, the difference in poverty levels between the genders is highest during the ages when women are most likely to have children, narrowing considerably in their late 40s and early 50s, and expanding again as people age into their 70s.

According to Data USA, 10.2 percent of people in Richardson live below the poverty line, which is considerably lower than the nationwide average of 13.4 percent. Given what we saw in the previous section on salary, and given that women are paid less than men, it makes sense that more women would be in poverty than men.

People living in poverty are likely to spend much more of their income on car insurance, making it more likely that they don’t carry collision and comprehensive coverage or other types of insurance that could protect them financially.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Poverty statistics can be broken down in a number of ways, including by race and ethnic group. In Richardson, the number of people in poverty by ethnic group was:

• White/Caucasian — 6,672 people
• Hispanic — 3,193 people
• Asian — 2,774 people
• African American — 1,256 people

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

Employment by Occupations

The lower-than-average poverty rates in Richardson are easy to understand when you see that the city’s employment rate grew 2.74 percent between 2016 and 2017.

The most common occupations in Richardson are management occupations, employing 7,516 people, office/administrative support occupations, employing 6,909 people, and sales and related occupations, which employs 6,206 people.

In comparison to other areas, Richardson has a higher than expected number of people employed in computer and mathematical occupations.

Driving in Richardson

Just because Richardson isn’t a big city doesn’t mean driving there isn’t a challenge sometimes. Being located in North Texas means there are a lot of people commuting through the city, often translating to more traffic and more accidents.

Below is a comprehensive guide to getting around in Richardson.

Roads in Richardson

Driving in Richardson doesn’t have to be a hassle. A little knowledge of the city, including major highways, local traffic laws, and weather conditions, can go a long way to improving your commute. Take advantage of your local resources and find out more about driving in Richardson below.

Major Highways in Richardson

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but size isn’t the only impressive thing in the Lone Star State. Texas tends to have more of everything, too, including highways, with an astonishing 25 interstates running across the state. These 25 interstates make up 3,501.15 miles of roadway in Texas. The active interstates are as follows:

No major highways go through Richardson, but I-35 is not far away. If you need a major roadway in the city, you can hop on US-75 or TX-190.

Interstate 35 is the ninth longest interstate in the United States, stretching 1,568.38 miles across the central United States, connecting North Texas to other major cities such as San Antonio and Austin, expanding beyond the state into Oklahoma and all the way up to Duluth, Minn. at the end of the line.

Popular Road Trips/Sites

Must-See Texas Monuments and Institutions — Everything from the Marfa lights to the infamous bat bridge in Austin made the list of iconic places to visit in the state, so fill up your tank and head out on the road to check out these amazing sights.

Best Spring Road Trip Ideas — Nearby Texas Hill Country made this list of best spring road trips in the United States, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly beautiful scenic area, with delicious wine tours and bluebonnets as far as the eye can see.

Texas BBQ — A short trip will take you to any number of fantastic barbecue restaurants, some of which have won the distinction of being named the best in the state.

Best Ice Cream in Texas — Looking for a sweet road trip? Start your ice cream trek right here in Richardson at Sweet Firefly before heading out to see what other frozen delights the state has to offer.

Waterfalls of Dallas-Ft. Worth — Niagara Falls might be too far to drive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see some pretty waterfalls today. Start at Prairie Creek Park in Richardson, then head out to see the rest of the gorgeous waterfalls in North Texas.

State Park Road Trip — If you want to get out into nature, check out some of these less well-known state parks in Texas.

These are just a few of the attractions you can visit in and around Richardson. Texas is practically bursting with places to go, so there is no shortage of things to do with your time in the Lone Star State.

Road Conditions in Richardson

A study by the National Transportation Research Group recorded the pavement conditions and extra vehicle operating costs in urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more.

While Richardson was not big enough to be part of their study, Dallas was included, reflecting the following road conditions:

• Poor share — 21 percent
• Mediocre share — 31 percent
• Fair share — 20 percent
• Good share — 28 percent
• Vehicle operating costs — $608

The Texas Department of Transportation provides frequent updates on any roadway projects both in and around Dallas and Richardson to improve road conditions for drivers. Watching the local news or checking their websites often are both excellent ways of keeping yourself informed about road work in the area.

Does Richardson, Texas use speeding or red-light cameras?

Each year, hundreds of people die and tens of thousands of people are injured by drivers running red lights across the nation.

In 2017, 890 people in the country were killed in a crash where at least one of the drivers ran a red light. More than 50 percent of those killed were victims, people who were hit by the red-light runner, including pedestrians as well as drivers and passengers in the other vehicle. Nationwide, an estimated 132,000 people were injured in accidents involving a red-light violation.

Many states, including Texas until very recently, have installed cameras to catch people running a red light, but just how helpful are red-light cameras, actually?

A recent IIHS study comparing large cities with red-light cameras to those without red-light cameras found that cities who use the devices reduced the fatal red-light running crash rate by 21 percent and the rate of all other types of crashes at intersections by 14 percent.

Texas recently passed a law banning red-light cameras due to a fear of violation of privacy, but this means that the state will lose out on this source of revenue and the accident rate due to red-light violations is likely to increase by 30 percent or more.

Vehicles in Richardson

Every city has its own unique trends when it comes to vehicle ownership, and Richardson is no different. These trends are interesting, but it is also important to understand speed traps, vehicle theft rates, and other car-related statistics in your city.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

Richardson was not large enough to make the list, but according to yourmechanic.com, 47 percent of the cars owned by drivers in nearby Dallas are American cars, and people in Texas are more likely than people in northern states to choose a vehicle with a V-8 engine.

The Dodge Charger is the most unusually popular vehicle owned by city residents, so don’t be surprised if you see a few of those roaming the streets of Richardson.

How Many Cars Per Household

The average household in Richardson has two vehicles, with 27,600 households having two vehicles in 2017. This is far more than the 10,300 households who have three cars and the 11,600 households that have only one vehicle.

There are 4,100 households that have four cars and 1,250 households with five or more, but the number of households that don’t have a vehicle at all is a surprising 766, which means there is a significant number of people who get by with only bikes, walking, and public transportation.

Households Without a Car

While the vast majority of Richardson residents own at least one vehicle, there are plenty of households that don’t have a car at all. The data below (from 2015 and 2016) shows just what percentage of people are getting by with their feet, bicycles, and rideshare apps.

Speed Traps in Richardson

When a driver is speeding and a police officer appears out of a hidden spot, often between buildings or behind trees and foliage, to issue a ticket, that’s considered a speed trap.

Speed traps are where a police officer conceals themselves and their car or motorcycle, using radar guns to track the speed of passing vehicles. Theoretically, speed traps are supposed to encourage drivers to go the speed limit, but they also allow the city to bring in significant amounts of revenue.

While Richardson didn’t make the list of most speed traps in the state, Dallas is ranked third out of the top 10 worst speed traps in the state.

Vehicle Theft in Richardson

If your vehicle is stolen, replacing it would be covered under your comprehensive coverage. It’s great that your vehicle can be replaced, but the possibility of getting another car doesn’t stop all of the sad and angry feelings that go along with having your car stolen.

Surprisingly, vehicle theft isn’t just a concern for people with new, expensive cars — the most commonly stolen vehicles are often older family sedans or minivans.

This means that the people most likely to have their cars stolen are also the most likely to avoid buying comprehensive coverage in the first place.

Choosing not to purchase comprehensive coverage can help keep your insurance costs low, but remember that a liability-only policy won’t protect you in case of car theft.

If your car is one of the ones on the chart of most commonly stolen vehicles above, you may want to think carefully about buying comprehensive coverage.

Below is a chart of the 2017FBI crime statistics in Richardson, population 119,480:

According to Neighborhood Scout, these are the safest neighborhoods in Richardson:

• East Renner Road / Brand Road
• Mimosa Drive / West Campbell Road
• North Collins Boulevard / Fall Creek Drive
• Greenfield Drive / Northstar Road
• Northstar Road / East Renner Road
• Walnut Street / Richland Park Drive
• North Jupiter Road / East Campbell Road
• East Renner Road / North Plano Road
• North Jupiter Road / East Collins Boulevard
• South Plano Road / West Buckingham Road

Below is a table showing the annual crime rate in Richardson:

Traffic in Richardson

Another important factor to consider when thinking about driving and car insurance is the local traffic in Richardson. How many people are on the roads, and at what times of day? Is there a way to avoid traffic congestion?

Below are detailed accounts of traffic congestion, busiest roads, transportation options, and much more.

Traffic Congestion

Because of Richardson’s relatively small size, there isn’t much information regarding traffic congestion in the city. We do, however, have the traffic information for Dallas from TomTom.

Traffic in Richardson is less congested and easier to navigate than Dallas, predominantly because the population of the city is much lower than Dallas, but Richardson still has plenty of traffic.

It’s important to remember that traffic congestion isn’t just a nuisance. It contributes to your overall commute time and increases the number of accidents on the road.

Both commute time and the number of accidents in a ZIP code can raise your insurance premiums, so these are important factors to consider when choosing an insurance policy.

Minor changes, such as leaving for work a little earlier or carpooling, can be a relatively simple way to reduce your time in traffic.

You can also take public transit to work or work from home for part of the week to further reduce your commute time. This can help keep your premiums low.

Transportation

The average commute time in Richardson is 22.9 minutes, which comes in below the national average of 25.5 minutes.

1.11 percent of commuters in Richardson have what is referred to as a super commute, which means they are driving 90 minutes or more each way. The numbers don’t specify if that is a driving commute or if they are including bikes and public transit in their calculations.

At the other end of the spectrum, 2.39 percent of commuters in Richardson are lucky enough to have a commute of fewer than five minutes each way.

In 2017, a stunning 79.2 percent of people in Richardson commuted to work alone, which unfortunately means the majority of cars on the road during rush hour only have one person in them.

Another 7.54 percent of commuters in Richardson carpooled to work, while another 7.54 percent of people work at home, which means their commute is completely virtual.

Unfortunately, only 2.62 percent of people in the city use public transportation to get to and from work, while another 2.16 percent of people walked to and from work each day.

An increase in the number of people walking and using public transit would go a long way in helping reduce traffic congestion in Richardson.

Busiest Highways

According to Texas A&M ‘s Transportation Institute, Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington has 30 of the most congested highways in the state of Texas. These delays waste 15.1 million gallons of fuel and cost drivers in the city $497.76 million each year.

The busiest roads include I-35 and US-75.

How safe are Richardson streets and roads?

When considering how safe you are driving on the streets of Richardson, you’ll need to think about the number of fatalities on the roads in a given year.

Traffic fatalities can have a number of causes, but a sizable number of them are caused by people driving under the influence.

Additionally, a number of fatalities are caused by drivers going over the speed limit.

It isn’t just speeding and drinking that causes accidents, however. Below is a table of fatalities caused by roadway departures.

A large number of fatalities involve traveling through intersections, so it’s important to be cautious when doing so.

Below are the passenger car occupant fatality statistics for Collin County and the surrounding counties:

There are also a surprisingly high number of pedestrian fatalities in Dallas County,  though Collin County pedestrian fatalities are in the low single digits:

In comparison, the number of pedal cyclist fatalities in all the surrounding counties are in the single digits, except for the recent surge in pedal cyclist fatalities in Dallas County:

Below is a chart of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding highways in the state of Texas with the most fatal crashes, broken down by road type.

An arterial road is a high-capacity urban road. An arterial road may be categorized either as a highway or a minor arterial road based on the level of traffic in the region or county.

Collector roads are true to their name, in that they collect traffic from local roadways and direct it to arterial roads. The table above shows that a significant number of Texas’s fatal crashes take place on minor arterial and collector roads.

Additionally, railroad and highway crash incidents are also contributors to current road dangers in your city.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides data regarding fatalities and injuries in Collin County.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Another important thing to take into consideration when choosing car insurance in Richardson is how drivers in the city compare to the rest of the nation.

According to Allstate’s Best Drivers in America Report, Richardson didn’t make the list, but Dallas is ranked as the 172nd safest city to drive in as of 2018.

The average time between claims in Dallas is 7.2 years, which means Dallas residents are doing an excellent job of avoiding accidents.

Ridesharing

If you want to take advantage of ridesharing services in Richardson, you need to know what options are available to you and the rates you can expect to pay.

At the moment there is only one official rideshare company in Richardson, called Fare. There may be other companies in the area, such as Uber or Lyft, but those are not included on the RideGuru site at this time.

E-Star^® Repair Shops

If you’ve been in an accident and need repairs, an E-Star^® repair shop might be just what you need. EStar is a program sponsored by Esurance to help you find the best repair shops in your area.

Below is a list of the top 10 repair shops in Richardson and the surrounding area, according to EStar:

Weather in Richardson

Richardson residents enjoy mostly mild weather in the cooler months and hot, humid temperatures during the summer months. Though they don’t have statistics specifically for Richardson, the following table reveals the U.S. Climate Data’s stats regarding average temperatures in Dallas.

It may seem odd to read about weather and natural disasters in an article about car insurance, but these things affect your insurance rates and the likelihood that you will file a claim.

Collin County has a higher-than-average number of natural disasters, including fires, hurricanes, floods, storms, tropical storms, and tornadoes. If your car is damaged in a natural disaster, you would file a claim through your comprehensive insurance coverage.

Liability pays for the damages you cause to other people and their vehicles and collision pays for damages to your car if you are in an accident, but comprehensive is the coverage you need to protect yourself from damages caused by issues like weather, vandalism, and theft.

Public Transit in Richardson

Because of the proximity to Dallas, Richardson is serviced by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, also known as DART. As part of the DART system, Richardson has:

• Four rail stations (10 total rail stations)
• A 20-minute ride from the Spring Valley Station to Downtown Dallas
• Connections to all of the DFW area, including Fort Worth
• Citywide DART bus transportation services

The fare information for DART is below:

Cost of Alternate Transportation in Richardson

If a bus or a car just isn’t what you’re looking for today, a scooter or bike rental might be perfect for you. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip into the city or just want to get some exercise, these are the most popular options for scooter or bike rentals in Dallas and the surrounding areas, including Richardson.

• Bird — The company offers scooter rentals for a per-minute fixed rate, depending on your location. Bird also offers monthly rentals, in case you need a scooter for a while but you don’t want to purchase one of your own.
• Lime — Offers both scooter and bike rentals for a fixed rate. You’ll need to check the app for costs, however, as these fluctuate based on the time of day, day of the week, and specific location.

Parking in Richardson

Richardson has several rules regarding parking in the city, including:

• Residents may not park vehicles on the grass between a front building wall and the street
• Residents may not park vehicles on vacant or unimproved lots

If you’re a resident with an electric car, you can find one of the many charging stations available locally by using the city’s interactive map.

Air Quality in Richardson

The vehicular traffic in Dallas and Richardson contributes significantly to the air quality in the city. While strict government regulations and vast improvements in automobile technology have reduced emissions for vehicles over the years, cars still produce a hefty amount of air pollution.

The table below explains the air quality in the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington area, based on data drawn from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018, 2017, and 2016 reports.

In the table above, AQI stands for air quality index, which focuses on the health effects of breathing in polluted air.

An AQI of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is considered moderate, 101-150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is considered unhealthy, 201-300 is considered very unhealthy, and 301-500 is considered hazardous. All of the columns referencing AQI are based on these measurements.

NO₂ stands for Nitrogen Dioxide, which contributes to smog levels and is primarily created by the burning of fossil fuels. The chart above lists the number of days where NO₂ was present at unhealthy levels in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

O₃ stands for Ozone, which is a highly reactive gas produced by chemical plants, gasoline pumps, and other industries. The chart above lists the number of days where O₃ was present at unhealthy levels in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

PM 2.5 stands for Particulate Matter, which is fine particles in the air, mostly from chemical plants, industry, and automobiles that contribute to hazy days and breathing problems. The chart above lists the number of days where PM 2.5 was present at unhealthy levels in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

Military/Veterans

If you’re serving or have ever served in any branch of the U.S. military, you may be eligible for discounts for car insurance in Richardson.

As of 2017, 599 people in Richardson have served or are serving in the Gulf War (2001 and onward) while 585 people served in the Gulf War of the 1990s. Another 1,816 people served in Vietnam, while 250 people served in the Korean War or World War II.

There are no military bases in or around Richardson, but Texas is full of military bases, so you are never too far from a military base in the state.

Some insurance companies offer discounts for members of the military, though they often have restrictions, such as only being available for active members or only being available in certain cities. Below is a chart of companies that offer a military discount, though they may not all apply to you or your situation.

USAA is an insurance company that offers coverage in Texas and is only available to military members and their families. Their rates tend to be much lower than the rates available through other companies, so if you are or were a member of the military it might be best for you to reach out to USAA for a quote.

Unique City Laws

In 2017, the state of Texas made it illegal to text while driving. First-time offenders could be fined upwards of $99, while repeat offenders could be fined up to $200. The law is specific to reading, sending, or writing messages, so it doesn’t include making phone calls.

When it comes to food trucks in Richardson, all mobile food vendors are required to obtain a solicitors permit as well as a food permit to operate in the City of Richardson. As far as food trucks go, Richardson does not allow trailers, pushcarts, or stand-alone kiosks.

As for tourists and residents, most parking in downtown Richardson is free, but if you’re looking for a parking garage there are a few available, including:

SP+ Parking
2341 Performance Dr.
Richardson, TX 75082

Traffic and parking laws can also affect tiny homes. There are two different kinds of tiny homes: a house on wheels (which is legally categorized with RVs) or a tiny house built on a foundation, often built as a mother-in-law apartment on a larger plot of land.

To find out if your tiny house needs special zoning or if you have other concerns about your tiny home, check with the Richardson Housing Authority.

Richardson Car Insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about living and driving in Richardson, below are some of the most frequently asked questions about car insurance and other important issues in the area.

What’s the weather like in Richardson?

If you’re considering relocating to Richardson, the weather is no joking matter. While the winter months are relatively mild, the summer weather is much more extreme, with several months of the year where the temperature sometimes reaches triple digits.

Even when you avoid days over 100 degrees, the temperatures rest comfortably in the mid-to-high 90s, making the city uncomfortable for people who aren’t used to the heat.

In fact, Richardson was number 58 on the list of top 101 cities with the hottest summers, so people who aren’t comfortable in the heat should think twice before moving to Richardson.

What’s the cost of living in Richardson?

The cost of living in Richardson is typically higher than average, with a median home price of $316,300 and utilities and transportation costs that, on average, tend to be more expensive than other places.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Richardson?

Your required minimum coverage levels are set by the state, so in Richardson, they are as follows:

• Property damage — $25,000 per accident
• Bodily injury — $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident

Keep in mind that these are minimum levels of coverage, not maximum, and given that the cost of most new vehicles is more than $25,000, most drivers should strongly consider having higher levels of coverage in place.

This is especially true in Richardson, where people tend to have a little more money and more expensive property, so the odds of damaging something expensive are higher than in other places.

Is Texas an at-fault state?

Like the majority of states in the country, Texas is an at-fault state. This means that, in the event of an accident, the person at fault is responsible for the financial costs associated with the accident.

If you’re hit by another driver, you can file a claim with their insurance company or take them to court to cover any damages you’ve suffered. On the other hand, if you hit someone else, they also have the same rights, so make sure you have sufficient liability coverage in place to protect your financial interests.

Because at-fault versus no-fault is determined at a state level, Richardson drivers will be held to the same rules as the rest of the state when it comes to who is responsible for the damages caused in an accident.

How long do I have to transfer my out-of-state license in Richardson?

The law in Texas states that you have 90 days to transfer your license upon moving to the state. However, if you own a vehicle you have only 30 days to transfer the title.

You’ll need to visit a Texas Department of Public Safety office in person to transfer your license. You’ll need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of insurance and registration, and your out-of-state license with you when you go, so make sure you have all your paperwork in order.

Also, make sure you have everything you need to get a REAL ID. They will be required across the nation as of October 2020, so don’t wait to get your ID updated accordingly.

Where is the airport closest to Richardson?

The closest airport to Richardson is the DFW International Airport, made up of five terminals. The airport is quite a sight, with play areas, shopping, dining, and plenty of other entertainment options.

Additionally, there are smaller airports in the area, such as Love Field, that might be helpful to you if DFW doesn’t have the flight you are looking for in one of their many terminals.

What amenities are there for families with young children?

While Richardson does have some things to entertain your family, it’s nearby Dallas that has a ton of attractions to keep your family entertained over the year.

Richardson’s attractions include the Heights Family Aquatic Center, Breckinridge Park, and the Richardson Public Library.

To expand your options, head into Dallas and check out the Dallas Zoo, tour the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Art, the bat bridge, or the Dallas World Aquarium.

Do a lot of people speak Spanish in Richardson?

The answer to this question is more complex than it seems. About 17 percent of the people living in Richardson are Hispanic or Latino, so the odds are good that you’ll find plenty of Spanish speakers in the city.

However, having a university in the city encourages people from all around the world to come to Richardson. Another 16 percent of the population in Richardson is Asian, and approximately 15 percent of people in the city are not U.S. citizens, so you’ll probably hear more than English and Spanish being spoken in Richardson.

Will I need insurance if I don’t have a car?

If you don’t drive, you don’t need to worry about car insurance.

However, if you regularly rent cars, borrow cars, or otherwise find yourself behind the wheel of a car, it might be in your best interest to look into a non-owner’s policy. There are other options, of course — for example, if you rent cars with any regularity, you might be able to sign up for a supplemental policy through the rental agency.

Just remember, not owning a car doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need to be protected financially in case of an accident. Reach out to an insurance agent in Richardson if you have questions about your specific situation.

Finding car insurance can be difficult, but some of the stress of finding a policy can be alleviated with the information we have provided above.

Are you ready to find the most affordable car insurance in Richardson? Enter your ZIP code into our tool below to start your search.