Waco, TX Statistics | Details |
---|---|
Population | 134,422 |
Population Density | 1,596 people per square mile |
Average Cost of Insurance | $4,822.77 |
Cheapest Providers | USAA and Nationwide |
Waco was founded in the 1850s on the site of an Indian village, but you may know Waco better as the hometown of Chip and Joanna, the stars of the show Fixer Upper.
So if you are looking for a unique, fixed-up house, Waco may be the place for you. Less exciting than a new home, though, is car insurance in Waco.
Car insurance can be confusing, especially when you are moving to a new state or city. Not only do you have to deal with new city laws, but you may even have to switch providers.
To help you navigate car insurance in Waco, we are going to go through everything you need to know. So keep reading to learn about everything from the cost of car insurance in Waco to unique city laws.
Enter your zip code in our FREE online tool above to start comparison shopping today.
Table of Contents
The Cost of Car Insurance in Waco
Car insurance is expensive but is a requirement in Texas if you want to drive a car. To help you save money on car insurance, we are going to go through rates in Waco.
By looking at what influences rates, from gender to driving record, you can pick a provider in Waco that is kinder on your wallet.
So let’s begin.
– Male vs. Female vs. Age
You probably already knew that age is an important factor for insurers. Teen drivers are inexperienced, and elderly drivers can sometimes suffer from decreased reaction time and other common aging issues.
Data USA lists the median age in Waco as 28.6 years.
This is a fairly young median age, and it means that most drivers will be paying higher rates for 20-year-olds. Below, you can see how Waco’s rates change based on age.
Age | 17 | 25 | 35 | 60 | Cheapest Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Annual Rate | $6,596.18 | $2,697.32 | $2,176.22 | $2,061.27 | 60 |
25-year-old drivers pay the second-highest rate, although their rate is significantly lower than teenagers’ rates.
Now that we know how age changes rates, let’s look at a less commonly known factor — gender.
Typically, males pay more than females for car insurance, as insurers view males as riskier drivers based on accident data.
The rates below show the averages for female versus male drivers.
- Male Average Premium: $3,382
- Female Average Premium: $3,202
Now that we know the different rates for age and gender, let’s see how they combine to form average rates in Waco.
Demographic | Rate (Cheapest) |
---|---|
Married 60-year old female | $2,013.84 |
Married 60-year old male | $2,108.70 |
Married 35-year old female | $2,150.02 |
Married 35-year old male | $2,202.41 |
Single 25-year old female | $2,622.68 |
Single 25-year old male | $2,771.96 |
Single 17-year old female | $6,024.27 |
Single 17-year old male | $7,168.08 |
Females consistently have cheaper rates than males, even if the difference is only $50. As well, the older you get, the cheaper your rates will become, which is something to look forward to about aging.
– Cheapest Zip Codes in Waco
Have you ever felt a little nervous walking down a street? Every city has its good and not so good areas. Because of this, an insurer’s rates will vary by zip code.
For instance, if you live in an area with little crime, you’ll have better rates.
The table below shows rates by zip codes in Waco.
Zip Code | Average Annual Premium |
---|---|
76798 | $4,822.77 |
76712 | $4,836.19 |
76706 | $4,900.58 |
76710 | $4,925.51 |
76711 | $4,943.24 |
76707 | $5,037.56 |
76701 | $5,086.32 |
76708 | $5,118.83 |
76704 | $5,158.14 |
76705 | $5,319.14 |
There is only about a $500 difference between the most expensive and the cheapest zip codes, which isn’t terrible. It also tells us that there isn’t an area in Waco that’s terrible enough that its insurance is over a thousand more than other areas.
– What’s the Best Car Insurance Company in Waco?
Since providers’ rates can change just from city to city, we want to give you an idea of what provider has the best rates for YOU in Waco.
We will go through which company has the cheapest rates to which company has the best rates based on driving record and other important factors.
This way, you can pick a provider whose rates fit your needs. So let’s take a closer look at providers in Waco.
– Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company
Companies all claim to have the best rates, but rates vary significantly among providers in Texas. Below, you can see providers’ rates in Waco.
Group | Married 35-year old female | Married 35-year old male | Married 60-year old female | Married 60-year old male | Single 17-year old female | Single 17-year old male | Single 25-year old female | Single 25-year old male | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,358.67 | $3,387.30 | $3,316.65 | $3,316.65 | $8,864.99 | $10,693.18 | $4,149.10 | $4,320.32 | $5,175.86 |
American Family | $2,348.64 | $2,609.00 | $2,206.50 | $2,519.86 | $6,213.46 | $8,148.13 | $3,363.29 | $3,836.58 | $3,905.68 |
GEICO | $2,036.19 | $2,189.94 | $1,959.07 | $2,206.92 | $4,405.18 | $4,579.78 | $2,199.63 | $2,200.85 | $2,722.20 |
Nationwide | $1,729.10 | $1,756.20 | $1,537.96 | $1,622.64 | $4,765.55 | $6,091.08 | $2,018.51 | $2,176.22 | $2,712.16 |
Progressive | $2,111.71 | $2,003.70 | $1,886.01 | $1,919.34 | $8,889.54 | $9,912.29 | $2,497.78 | $2,538.13 | $3,969.81 |
State Farm | $1,977.75 | $1,977.75 | $1,767.71 | $1,767.71 | $4,863.76 | $6,223.38 | $2,158.82 | $2,225.88 | $2,870.35 |
USAA | $1,488.07 | $1,493.00 | $1,422.95 | $1,407.76 | $4,167.44 | $4,528.71 | $1,971.66 | $2,105.74 | $2,323.17 |
Don’t be fooled by providers’ claims that they have the cheapest rates — always look at what rates they have based on your demographic. A provider may charge more for your gender and age than you initially thought.
– Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates
Commutes are never fun, even if you jam along to the radio the entire time, as they quickly grow tiresome. Even worse is that providers charge drivers more if they have a longer commute.
Since the average driver in Texas drives 15,533 miles a year, most insurers charge the majority of drivers for a long commute.
Below, you can see which providers in Waco charge for long commutes, as well as the amount charged.
Group | 10 Miles Commute. 6,000 Annual Mileage. | 25 Miles Commute. 12,000 Annual Mileage. | Average |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $5,053.01 | $5,298.70 | $5,175.86 |
American Family | $3,905.68 | $3,905.68 | $3,905.68 |
GEICO | $2,672.68 | $2,771.71 | $2,722.20 |
Nationwide | $2,712.16 | $2,712.16 | $2,712.16 |
Progressive | $3,969.81 | $3,969.81 | $3,969.81 |
State Farm | $2,870.35 | $2,870.35 | $2,870.35 |
USAA | $2,293.79 | $2,352.54 | $2,323.17 |
Good news. American Family, Nationwide, Progressive, and State Farm do NOT charge for longer commutes. Allstate charges the most for a long commute (over $200).
– Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates
While high coverage provides the most protection in an accident, it can also be expensive. By shopping around, you can find a provider who has economical high coverage rates.
Group | Low | Medium | High | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $5,049.68 | $5,128.71 | $5,349.18 | $5,175.86 |
American Family | $3,655.21 | $3,777.98 | $4,283.85 | $3,905.68 |
GEICO | $2,588.94 | $2,692.93 | $2,884.72 | $2,722.20 |
Nationwide | $2,600.81 | $2,617.83 | $2,917.84 | $2,712.16 |
Progressive | $3,801.09 | $3,951.71 | $4,156.64 | $3,969.81 |
State Farm | $2,725.14 | $2,864.89 | $3,021.00 | $2,870.34 |
USAA | $2,244.15 | $2,314.66 | $2,410.69 | $2,323.17 |
The simple truth is that it pays to shop around. Some providers only charge a few hundred to upgrade from low to high coverage, which is incredibly low.
By finding a company whose lower price fits your needs, you could save a significant amount each year.
– Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates
Do you know just how important your credit history is to insurers? If you have a poor or fair credit score, you may end up paying hundreds (or even thousands) more for car insurance.
Group | Good | Fair | Poor | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $4,126.73 | $4,821.17 | $6,579.67 | $5,175.86 |
American Family | $2,962.59 | $3,379.92 | $5,374.53 | $3,905.68 |
GEICO | $1,602.00 | $2,383.32 | $4,181.26 | $2,722.19 |
Nationwide | $2,283.64 | $2,616.26 | $3,236.57 | $2,712.16 |
Progressive | $3,586.06 | $3,864.81 | $4,458.57 | $3,969.81 |
State Farm | $2,017.82 | $2,530.81 | $4,062.41 | $2,870.35 |
USAA | $1,586.92 | $1,972.04 | $3,410.54 | $2,323.17 |
At companies like Allstate, going from good to poor credit will cost over $2,000. This is typical of most companies on the table, although Nationwide charges less than $1,000 for poor credit.
Bottom line? If you have poor credit, make sure to check out providers with the lowest rates for bad credit scores.
– Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates
Driving record is another important factor. If you have DUIs, accidents, or speeding tickets on your record, your insurance will go up significantly.
Group | Clean record | With 1 speeding violation | With 1 accident | With 1 DUI | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $4,019.37 | $4,019.37 | $6,196.81 | $6,467.88 | $5,561.35 |
American Family | $3,562.56 | $3,562.56 | $4,525.48 | $3,972.13 | $4,020.06 |
GEICO | $2,315.79 | $2,971.03 | $3,046.51 | $2,555.45 | $2,639.25 |
Nationwide | $2,364.22 | $2,659.05 | $2,364.22 | $3,461.14 | $2,729.86 |
Progressive | $3,466.80 | $3,894.71 | $4,478.40 | $4,039.33 | $3,994.84 |
State Farm | $2,538.15 | $2,538.15 | $2,927.51 | $3,477.56 | $2,981.07 |
USAA | $1,733.37 | $1,988.78 | $2,558.52 | $3,012.00 | $2,434.63 |
Companies vary in what they charge for driving record offenses. For instance, an accident will cost you more than a DUI at American Family, Geico, and Progressive, while the other companies charge more for a DUI.
Based on what offenses you may have on your driving record, it is helpful to see what providers charge based on your driving record. This way, you can pick the provider with the best rates for your personal record.
– Car Insurance Factors in Waco
There are more factors influencing rates than just credit history and driving record. An insurer’s rates vary from area to area based on numerous factors, such as income and poverty rates.
Why?
Because cities with high poverty rates mean more uninsured drivers on the road, putting insurers at risk of paying out more in accidents.
So let’s jump right into everything you need to know about the economic situation in Waco by looking at information from Data USA.
– Median Household Income
Naturally, a percentage of your income goes to car insurance each month. We want to see how much the average Waco resident is paying towards car insurance each year, so let’s start by looking at the median household income.
The average household in Waco earns $36,004 a year, which is less than both Texas and U.S. average incomes.
Because Waco residents pay an average of $4,822 a year for car insurance, 13.4 percent of their income is going to car insurance.
This percentage is fairly high, as over 10 percent of most Waco resident’s income is spent on car insurance. Of course, this percentage could be higher or lower for you, depending on how much you make a year.
If you want to calculate your percentage, take a look at our FREE online tool below.
– Homeownership in Waco
Owning your own home comes with many perks, but one unexpected perk may be that you save on car insurance as a homeowner. Insurers view homeowners as more responsible, and companies often offer home and auto bundling discounts to qualifying customers.
In Waco, only 45.2 percent of residents owned homes in 2017.
This is a fairly low percentage, so let’s take a quick look at the median property values of homes to see how expensive they are.
In 2017, the median cost of a home was $107,700, a marked increase from $98,800 in 2016. The good news is that this median is still below Texas and U.S. averages, so homes are cheaper in Waco.
– Education in Waco
If you are hoping to continue your higher education in Waco or send your kids to college, then you need to be aware of what education opportunities Waco offers.
Below, you can see what Waco offers to residents who want to continue their education.
While there are only three schools in Waco, they awarded a total of 8,973 degrees in 2016. Two of the schools, Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College, are public, two-year schools.
McLennan Community College offers a variety of one or two-year associates degrees, as well as transfer programs. There are also online courses for busy individuals.
So if you find yourself too busy to attend classes, you can still get your education for a reasonable price and in a way that fits your schedule.
– Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs
We want to dig a little deeper into incomes by looking at how wages vary in Texas based on race and ethnicity, as well as what percentage of income is going to car insurance.
Below, you can see wages for miscellaneous managers in Texas.
Race or Ethnicity | Average Salary | Percentage of Income Going to Car Insurance |
---|---|---|
Asian | $107,939 | 4.47% |
White | $103,767 | 4.65% |
Two or More Races | $89,714 | 5.37% |
American Indian | $74,900 | 6.44% |
Black | $73,311 | 6.58% |
Other | $64,955 | 7.42% |
Other Native American | $60,677 | 7.95% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders | $46,959 | 10.27% |
Asians are the highest-paid race or ethnicity, paying less than five percent of their income towards car insurance. As wages go down, though, the percentage that races and ethnicities pay towards car insurance goes up significantly, over 10 percent.
– Wage by Gender in Common Jobs
It’s a simple fact — there is a gender wage gap. That’s why the other factor in incomes we want to look at is wages by gender.
In Texas, females earn 1.41 times LESS than male employees, even if they have the same job.
- Female Average Salary: $45,959
- Male Average Salary: $64,953
This means that females pay over 10 percent of their income towards car insurance, while males only pay about seven percent.
– Poverty by Age and Gender
With such a marked difference in incomes between genders, it makes sense that there are also differences in poverty between genders.
The largest demographic living in poverty is females ages 18-24, followed by males ages 18-24 and females ages 25-34.
26.8 percent of the Waco population living in poverty live below the poverty line. This is much higher than the national average of 13.4 percent.
Waco does have a higher than average amount of poverty, which could account for the lower number of homeowners.
– Poverty by Race and Ethnicity
Let’s go beyond gender and age to look at poverty rates by race and ethnicity.
The largest demographic living in poverty is whites, 20,112 people. The second-highest demographic, Hispanics, is only 12,933 people, while Blacks make up 8,751 people living in poverty.
– Employment by Occupations
Now that we’ve looked at wages and poverty rates, let’s see what the most common occupations are in Waco.
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations (7,817 people)
- Sales and Related Occupations (6,147 people)
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations (4,814 people)
Employment in Waco grew from 2016 to 2017 at a rate of 2.83 percent. In that time period, Waco went from 56,300 employees to 57,900 employees.
This employment growth is a great sign and hopefully will help lower the poverty rates in Waco.
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Driving in Waco
If you aren’t used to city driving, it can be a rude awakening. Confusing intersections and exits, long lines of honking traffic, and red light cameras can make for a frustrating experience.
If you prepare yourself for what to expect beforehand, though, it can lessen the frustration.
So keep reading to learn about everything from roads to parking in Waco.
– Roads in Waco
One of the first aspects we want to look at for driving in Waco is the roads. A city that has maintained roads and easy access to highways is much more pleasant to drive around than a city riddled with potholes and confusing routes.
To see what Waco’s roads are like, we are going to go through everything from major highways to the use of red-light cameras in Texas.
Let’s dive in.
– Major Highways
The state of Texas has 25 active routes, making up 3,501 miles of roadway. One of these active routes, I-35, runs right through Waco.
Below, you can see what it is like to drive on I-35 to Waco.
If you drive on I-35, there will eventually be toll roads on the highway (though not right near Waco). To help expedite the toll road process, you can purchase a TxTag.
TxTag users will have to pay an initial fee to buy the device. Once users have the device though, they can set up autopay to make the toll process easy and hassle-free.
TxTag users also pay the cheapest toll (up to 50 percent less), so users will save money in the long run if they go through tolls frequently.
– Popular Road Trips and Sites
Cities are rarely boring, but sometimes you can exhaust the entertainment they have to offer.
Waco has a few major attractions that you can visit, though, which we’ve listed below.
- Jacob’s Ladder Hike — This hike is great for those who love nature and will provide some fantastic views.
- Suspended Bridge Walkway — If you walk across this bridge, hopefully, you have a head for heights. There are also special events that take place on the bridge, such as July 4th firework viewing.
- River Safari — If you want to get away from the chaos of the city and into nature, this wildlife river trip is perfect.
Waco is also home to attractions like the Dr. Pepper Musuem or the mammoth exhibition. Once you’ve seen everything Waco has to offer, you can venture out on other popular road trips and sites in Texas.
- Haunted Cemetery Road Trip — If you enjoy spooky sites, then this road trip is for you.
- Small Town Road Trip — If you want to escape the city life for a bit, this trip will take you to the best small towns in Texas.
- Christmas Lights Road Trip — Can’t get enough of the Christmas season? Take this road trip to see the best light displays in Texas.
As you can see, there is plenty to do in and around Waco, giving residents little opportunity to be bored.
– Waco Speeding and Red Light Cameras
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that Texas does not use speeding cameras. While Texas has used red-light cameras, they were recently banned just this year.
So when you are driving around Waco, you don’t need to worry about speeding or red light cameras. Of course, please don’t run red lights or speed, but you won’t be ticketed for inching over the white line at a red light.
– Vehicles in Waco
Car ownership is exciting but can also be a bit of a headache. If you own a vehicle, you have to deal with problems like repairs, speeding tickets, and vehicle theft.
To see what owning a car is like in Waco, we are going to go through everything from car ownership to the rate of vehicle theft in the city.
This way, you can be prepared for whatever the city may throw at you and your car.
– Waco Cars Per Household
In Waco, the majority of households (23,800) own two cars.
One car is the next most popular number in households, with 14,800 households owning one car. A small percentage (3.18 percent) of households in Waco own more than five cars.
– Households Without a Car
A few households in Waco depend on alternate transportation methods to reach destinations, such as taking a bus or ridesharing. Let’s take a look at the number of households in Waco without cars.
2015 Households without Vehicles | 2015 Vehicles per Household | 2016 Households without Vehicles | 2016 Vehicles per Household |
---|---|---|---|
8.7% | 1.62 | 8.8% | 1.67 |
The number of households without cars increased slightly between 2015 and 2016, so more families depended on alternate transportation in 2016.
– Speed Traps in Waco
Admit it, you’ve sometimes been too heavy-footed on the gas pedal, especially when there are no cops in sight.
As you may have found out from experience, though, roads notorious for speeding often have cops tucked away in wait for a traffic violation. The good news is that Waco didn’t make it onto the list of the top 10 worst cities for speed traps in Texas.
This doesn’t mean speed traps don’t exist in Waco, or that you should abandon following posted speed limits.
It just means that there won’t be a cop tucked around every corner with a radar gun. So drive carefully and make sure to obey the speed limit.
– Vehicle Theft in Waco
If you’ve ever misremembered your parking spot, then you understand that brief moment of panic, that sinking sensation when you think your car was stolen.
The FBI’s 2013 crime report listed 163 vehicles stolen in Waco. In 2017, Neighborhood Scout reported 202 vehicles stolen.
These numbers only show a slight increase in vehicle theft, though an increase is never great.
If you want to decrease your chances of having your car stolen, Neighborhood Scout lists the safest neighborhood to live in as Speegleville/South Bosque (right by Waco Lake).
Other safe neighborhoods include the following.
- Bosqueville/Bannas Junction
- Atco/Jewell
- Elm Mott
- East Waco/Vemo
- Bishop Dr/Wooded Acres Dr
- Hillcrest Dr/Lake Shore Dr
- Airport Rd/Lake Shore Dr
- Zoo Park Rd/Airport Rd
- S University Parks Dr/Garden Dr
These neighborhoods are the safest place to be in Waco, though there are still crime risks wherever you live.
You have a one in 192 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Waco, which is much higher than the average Texas chance of one in 228.
With such a high chance, let’s take a look at the number of violent crimes in Waco.
Waco Violent Crimes 2017 | Murder | Rape | Robbery | Assault |
---|---|---|---|---|
Report Total | 5 | 128 | 111 | 465 |
Rate Per 1,000 People | 0.04 | 0.94 | 0.81 | 3.41 |
The number of violent crimes, along with annual crimes, has resulted in Waco earning a crime index rating of eight. This isn’t really what you want to see, as it means Waco is only safer than 8 percent of U.S. cities.
Let’s take a look at Waco’s annual crimes.
Waco Annual Crimes 2017 | Violent | Property | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Number of Crimes | 709 | 5,167 | 5,876 |
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) | 5.20 | 37.87 | 43.07 |
There is a fairly high rate of crimes by residents in Waco, over 43 percent. Because Waco is prone to crime, make sure to pick a safer than average neighborhood.
– Traffic
Traffic in cities can be terrible. Not only are you stuck at a near standstill, but you have to leave earlier or risk being late. To see what traffic is like in Waco, we are going to go through all traffic-related information.
From hours spent in traffic to repair shops in case you get in a fender bender, keep reading to learn more about driving in Waco.
– Traffic Congestion in Waco
The good news is that Waco isn’t on traffic scorecards like Inrix or TomTom, meaning Waco’s traffic isn’t the worst in the state. So while you might have to deal with normal city traffic, at least you’re better off than a majority of cities in Texas.
– Transportation
While we know that Waco isn’t on major traffic scorecards, we still want to take a look at the average Waco resident’s commute time.
The average commute time in Waco is 17.1 minutes (or 34.2 minutes a day). This is excellent commute time, seeing as the U.S. average is 25.1 minutes (50.2 minutes a day), and Waco’s commute time shows that Waco’s traffic is light.
Let’s dig a little deeper into transportation and look at how most Waco residents get to work each day.
The majority of residents drive alone to work, although a small percentage (11.8 percent) carpool. There is also a small percentage (3.1 percent) who work from home and don’t use transportation at all to get to work.
– How Safe are Waco’s Streets and Roads?
Do you know how safe the roads are that you drive on? Some roads witness a high number of crash fatalities, due to dangerous conditions like sharp turns or difficult intersections.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collected data on fatal crashes in Waco, which we want to look at to see how safe Waco’s roads are for drivers.
Let’s start by looking at the number of fatalities for all crashes in Waco’s county, McLennan County.
Fatalities (All Crashes) by County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
McLennan County | 35 | 39 | 30 | 28 | 44 |
The number of crashes in Waco increased sharply in 2017. Let’s breakdown the fatalities by looking at the major causes of crash fatalities in McLennan County.
Cameron McLennan Crash Type | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver (BAC 0.8+) | 10 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 17 |
Single Vehicle Crash | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 27 |
Involving Speeding | 12 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 14 |
Involving a Roadway Departure | 18 | 23 | 11 | 14 | 18 |
Involving an Intersection or Intersection-Related | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
The major causes of crashes in Waco are roadway departures, speeding, and drunk driving. Quite a few crashes are also single-vehicle crashes.
Unfortunately, pedestrians and cyclists are also victims of car crashes. Below, you can see fatalities by person type.
Person Type Fatalities | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Car Occupant | 8 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 12 |
Pedestrian | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
Pedalcyclist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The number of pedestrian fatalities in Waco is slowly rising. Whenever you walk near a roadway, pay attention and stay visible, as drivers may not be paying attention to you.
Since a number of crashes occur due to speeding, we want to take a look at Texas highways with the most fatal crashes (information from NHTSA).
Rural Interstate | Urban Interstate | Freeway and Expressway | Other | Minor Arterial | Collector Arterial | Local | Unknown |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
176 | 402 | 260 | 982 | 652 | 600 | 261 | 10 |
A number of crashes in Texas occur on arterial roads.
- Arterial Road — Roads designed for heavy traffic, such as highways. The road may be arterial or minor arterial depending on traffic flow.
- Collector Arterial — Collects local traffic to take to arterial roads.
The higher speeds and heavier traffic on arterial roads can definitely lead to a high number of crashes. As always, drive carefully and keep an eye on your surroundings.
– Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report
The other drivers around you are important in your ability to keep a clean record. You may be a fantastic driver, but you can’t control the other drivers on the road.
To see how safe Waco is to drive around, let’s take a look at Allstate’s report on the best drivers in the nation.
2018 Best Drivers Report Rank | Average Years Between Claims | Relative Claim Likelihood (Compared to National Average) | 2018 Drivewise® Hard-Braking Events Per 1/1,000 Miles | Suburban Metro Area | Average Years Between Claims (Suburban Metro Area) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
84 | 8.5 | 17.3% | N/A | Waco, TX | 10.6 |
Waco ranked 84th in 2018, which isn’t bad at all. An average of eight years passes between claims in Waco, which means the majority of Waco residents aren’t getting into accidents frequently.
– Ridesharing
Ridesharing is an important service for those times that your car breaks down or you need a ride from the airport. Below are rideshare options in Waco.
- Uber — Uber has cheap rates compared to traditional taxis.
- Lyft — Lyft is another option in Waco, and it is priced the same as Uber.
You can also shop around on ridesharing sites to compare prices and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Keep in mind that Uber and Lyft’s luxury ride options will cost more than traditional rides.
– EStar Repair Shops
Need repairs on your vehicle? It can be hard to find a repair shop that has economical prices and does good work in a timely manner. That’s why Esurance rates shops in its EStar program.
Let’s see what EStar shops are available in Waco.
Name of EStar Repair Facility | Address | Contact Information |
---|---|---|
Service King North Waco | 2900 South 1-35 Waco, TX 76706 | email: [email protected] P: (254) 662-4140 F: (254) 662-6028 |
Autoczech | 309 E Oak St. West TX 76691 | email: [email protected] P: (254) 826-3762 F: (254) 826-4269 |
There are only two repair shops in Waco that are rated by EStar. While this limits options a bit, the one shop is conveniently located directly Waco.
– Weather
Some states are heavily populated for a reason, such as beautiful weather or breathtaking views. Let’s take a look at what Waco’s weather is like according to U.S. Climate Data.
Waco Weather Averages | Details |
---|---|
Annual High Temperature | 77.7°F |
Annual Low Temperature | 55.3°F |
Average Temperature | 66.5°F |
Average Annual Precipitation - Rainfall | 36.38 inches |
U.S. Climate Data didn’t record annual snowfall for Waco, but this is because snowfall is fairly rare in Texas. Now that we’ve taken a look at the weather, let’s look at what natural disasters Waco has experienced.
McLennan County has had 19 natural disasters, which is higher than the U.S. average of 13 natural disasters.
These natural disasters include the following: floods, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, explosions, and strong winds.
Since Waco has had more natural disasters than the average, comprehensive coverage should be a consideration when purchasing car insurance in Waco.
Comprehensive coverage covers accident costs in collisions that aren’t with another vehicle. This provides a wide range of protection, from natural disasters to animal collisions.
Comprehensive coverage also protects your interests when your car is vandalized or stolen.
– Public Transit
Public transit is a great bonus of living in a city, making it easy to skip driving if needed. Waco has buses and shuttles, which make it easy to get around Waco.
Below, you can see the fares for Waco’s bus transit system.
Ride Type | Fare |
---|---|
Full Fare (single ride) | $1.50 |
Student Fare | $1 |
Senior/Disabled Fare | $0.50 |
Children (5 years or younger) | Free |
Day Pass | $3 |
Evening Link Fare (8.30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.) | $3 |
31-Day Pass | $40 |
31-Day Pass (K-12 Students) | $20 |
Student Summer Pass | $30 |
You can also download an app that GPS tracks Waco’s buses so that you’ll never miss a bus again. Waco also has a shuttle bus to the airport.
– Alternate Transportation
Waco doesn’t offer popular bike or scooter rental options like Lime or Bird. If you have your own bike or scooter, though, it may be an option to get around the city.
They are especially useful if you just want to go around the block, as you don’t have to pay for gas or deal with parking.
– Parking in Metro Areas
Waco has plenty of street parking, but it can be confusing. The city is trying to improve parking for its residents by resolving parking issues (such as painting street parking spots so they are easily seen).
If street parking is too much of a hassle, Waco also has multiple parking garages in the city, as well as free public parking garages. If you are heading out of the city, there is also satellite parking for Waco’s airport.
As well, if you are going eco-friendly and have an electric vehicle, there are plenty of electric vehicle charging stations in the city. Out of the 26 charging stations, 24 of these stations are free.
– Air Quality in Waco
While we’ve come a long way in cutting back on the toxic fumes emitted by the first vehicles, our vehicles are still a major cause of air pollution.
Air pollution is harmful to our health, which is why we don’t want to be breathing in highly polluted air in our day to day lives. To see what Waco’s air quality is like for residents, we are going to take a look at the Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality study.
Waco, TX Air Quality | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
---|---|---|---|
Days with AQI | 365 | 192 | 312 |
Days Good | 339 | 171 | 268 |
Days Moderate | 26 | 20 | 44 |
Days Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | - | 1 | - |
Days Unhealthy | - | - | - |
Days Very Unhealthy | - | - | - |
Waco has decent air quality for a city. There was only one day that was unhealthy for sensitive groups over three years, which is great. The number of moderate days has increased, though.
While moderate days are good, in an ideal world all the days would be normal and free of excess pollution.
Military and Veterans
Often, military and veterans are eligible for discounts at car insurance providers. If you are military personnel, you can also purchase USAA car insurance.
To help guide you through where and what you’re eligible for, we are going to go through everything you need to know about military and veterans in Waco.
Keep reading to learn about everything from veterans in Waco to USAA availability in Texas.
– Veterans by Service Period
Waco has a large number of Vietnam veterans in the city. In addition to the 2,245 Vietnam veterans in Waco, there are also over a thousand Gulf War (2001-) veterans.
There is also a small number of WWII (420) veterans and Korea (512) veterans in Waco.
– Military Bases Within an Hour
If you are thinking of working at a major military base, there is a base just about an hour away from Waco in Killeen, Texas. The Fort Hood Military Base trains and deploys heavy forces.
According to Fort Hood, it is the “only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two armored divisions.”
The nickname for Fort Hood is “America’s Hammer,” so if you are interested in joining heavy forces, Fort Hood may be the base for you.
– Military Discounts by Providers
Always ask if a provider offers a discount for the military before you commit. Below is a list of known providers who offer discounts in Texas.
Company | Percentage Saved With Discount |
---|---|
Farmers | N/A |
Geico | 15% |
Liberty Mutual (must be active duty) | 4% |
MetLife | 15% |
Safeco | N/A |
USAA | N/A |
*USAA offers a military garaging discount in addition to a military discount. Since USAA is specifically for military personnel and their families, though, USAA’s rates are already significantly lower compared to other providers’ rates.
If you don’t see a provider you’re considering on the table above, make sure to still ask about military discounts. Local providers who aren’t on our list may have discounts.
– USAA Availability in Texas
USAA is available in Texas, which is good news for the military. Why? Because USAA has some of the best rates in Texas. Take a look at the table below to see how USAA compares to other major Texas providers.
Company | Average | Compared to State Average ($) | Compared to State Average (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate F&C | $5,485.32 | $1,556.98 | 28.38% |
Geico County Mutual Ins Co. | $3,263.39 | -$664.95 | -20.38% |
Nationwide CCMIC | $3,867.57 | -$60.77 | -1.57% |
Progressive Cty Mtl | $4,664.85 | $736.51 | 15.79% |
State Farm Mutual Auto | $2,879.95 | -$1,048.39 | -36.40% |
The Gen Automobile Ins Co Inc | $4,849.18 | $920.84 | 18.99% |
USAA | $2,488.12 | -$1,440.22 | -57.88% |
USAA is over 57 percent cheaper than the Texas average. While companies like State Farm and Geico are also significantly cheaper than the state average, they are still more expensive than USAA.
So if you are military personnel, USAA is definitely a provider worth looking into.
Unique City Laws
Much as we stress the importance of following driving laws, we understand they can be confusing. And since cities can vary in their laws, we want to help you navigate Waco’s unique city laws.
This way, you can feel confident when you drive around Waco that you won’t receive a ticket for a new law that didn’t exist in your old city.
So stick with us as we go through everything from hands-free laws to parking laws.
– Hands-Free Law
Drivers in Texas (those over 18 years old) are only allowed to use hand-held devices in certain areas.
Hand-Held Ban | Young Drivers All Cellphone Ban | Texting Ban | Enforcement |
---|---|---|---|
Drivers in school crossing zones/on public school property (during the time the reduced speed limit applies) | Drivers younger than 18 | All drivers | Primary |
All drivers in Texas are prohibited from texting, and this enforcement is primary. An officer can pull you over and ticket you for texting, even if you swear you were just checking directions on your phone.
Bottom line? If a Waco officer sees you too interested in your phone and your attention is off the road, you will get a ticket.
– Food Trucks
Food trucks are a common sight in cities, but if you want to operate a food truck in Waco, you’ll need to carefully follow the city’s regulations.
Food truck owners need to file the proper applications with the city, as well as pass regular food inspections. Some food truck owners have complained about the extensive food safety regulations in Waco, but these rules are necessary to follow in order to stay open.
You will also need to park your food truck in the proper areas, such as not blocking intersections or fire hydrants. If you follow all of Waco’s protocol, though, you’ll be ready to operate your food truck in no time.
– Tiny Homes
Tiny homes have become increasingly popular for those looking for a simpler lifestyle. While you have to follow similar rules to mobile homes about where to park your tiny home, Waco does have laxer rules about mobile homes.
The city is working on enforcing health and safety regulations in Waco for mobile homes, something that hasn’t really been done in the past.
Why is this important?
The last thing you want to do is incorrectly hook up a gas pipe or have no clear exits in case of a fire. Inspections help make sure everything is up to code in your home and helps keep you safer.
So if you have a tiny home in Waco, make sure to be safe and park in regulated areas, such as a mobile home park.
– Parking Laws
City parking can be busy, especially street parking, which is why you’ll sometimes see cars facing the wrong direction in street parking spots.
Don’t give in to the temptation to pull into a spot on the other side of the street — parking on the wrong side of the street in Waco will earn you a $75 fine.
If you are worried about finding a parking space, you can reserve a spot at a local garage. This way, you can feel confident you’ll get to work on time.
Waco Car Insurance FAQs
We know how confusing car insurance can be. Even at the end of this guide, you may still have questions about living or driving in Waco, Texas.
To try and answer any lingering questions you have, we are going to go through the most frequently asked questions about Waco.
Let’s jump in.
– What’s Waco, Texas Known For?
Waco, Texas is known for quite a bit, such as the Branch Davidian Compound raid in 1993 that resulted in multiple deaths within the religious cult.
Waco is also known for experiencing the deadliest tornado in Texas in 1953, which killed hundreds of Waco residents.
On a brighter side, Waco is currently famous for being the home of the TV reality stars Chip and Joanna.
– Is Waco, Texas a good place to live?
Waco, Texas has an affordable living rate compared to other cities. The cost of homes in Waco is considerably lower than the Texas and U.S. averages.
So as long as you make more than the average Waco resident, whose salary is lower than the Texas average, you should find that homes are affordable and living costs low in Waco.
– Is Waco, Texas Safe?
Waco is only safer than 8 percent of U.S. cities, which isn’t a great endorsement. Waco has a fairly high rate of crime per resident, so make sure you live in safer neighborhoods and use common sense when venturing around the city.
– What Cities are Near Waco, Texas?
If you get bored of Waco, you can visit nearby cities for the day like Dallas, Fort Worth, or Austin. While you’ll have to drive over an hour to reach these cities, these cities are fun places to visit.
– What Happens if I get in a car accident in Waco?
If you caused the accident, you’ll be held liable for property damage and injury costs because Texas is an at-fault state. This is why it’s so important to have the proper coverage on your car in Texas.
Having great coverage will make sure you aren’t paying out of pocket for accident costs.
Are there any questions we haven’t answered? We hope that this guide proved useful to you and that you are now prepared to live and drive in Waco.
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