Best Garland, TX Auto Insurance in 2024

Statistics Summary - Intro Table - Garland, Texas

In 2013, The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution to nickname Garland the “Cowboy Hat Capital” of the Lone Star State. The city is home to some of the leading headwear manufacturers in Texas.

Some of us spend so much time in our vehicles, we hang our hats there. As you drive through the Garland area, you need car insurance to comply with state law. But it’s not always easy to find the right coverage.

We created this “can’t-miss” guide to put everything you need to know about coverage — from average prices to the factors that set rates, to driving laws, life on the road in Garland and so much more — all in one place.

A little knowledge before you buy is a good thing. It might even save you money. So, if you’re ready to learn more, let’s get started. If you want to start researching car insurance rates right now, just enter your ZIP code in our free tool.

Auto Insurance Rates in Garland

Auto insurance premiums can be pricey, especially in Garland, where the average annual cost of full coverage hovers at around $6,526.66. That’s equal to $543.88 monthly. Depending on your income, you may be wondering how you can afford it.

The good news is, there are ways to save — you may even qualify for a discount. In this section, we’re going to show you how insurers determine their rates so you can see who might give you the best deal based on your specific circumstances. We’ll even include average prices from the top insurers in Garland.

Stick with us to find out more.

Does gender and age affect my car insurance in Garland?

According to DataUSA, the average age in Garland is 35. Drivers in their mid-thirties and older often pay less for car insurance than younger drivers. Insurance companies know that older, more experienced drivers get into fewer accidents.

The chart below shows how much 35-year-olds and drivers in other age groups pay on average for car insurance in Garland.

As shown above, by age 60, “seasoned” drivers get the lowest prices. Here’s how prices differ between the sexes.

• Male Average Premium Price: $4,435
• Female Average Premium Price: $4,189

In Garland and elsewhere, women often pay less for car insurance because insurers consider them a lower risk. This form of gender bias, like it or not, is legal in Texas.

Next, we’ll explore how rates change by age group, gender, and marital status in Garland.

City & Gender & Age - Garland, Texas

The price difference for car insurance customers who are charged the highest rates, 17-year-old males, and those who pay the lowest, married 60-year-old females, amounts to over $7,000.

So, despite our youth-oriented culture, when it comes to car insurance premiums, age and experience can work in your favor.

What are the cheapest ZIP codes in Garland?

In addition to age and gender, car insurers will want to know where exactly you live. People who live in high-crime neighborhoods or areas known for natural disasters often pay more for car insurance.

Here’s how rates vary among Garland neighborhoods.

Cheapest ZIP Codes - Garland, Texas

Drivers who live in the 75044 ZIP code pay over $500 less for their car insurance than those who reside in 75042. How your location affects your car insurance rates is something to keep in mind, especially if you’re thinking about moving soon.

What’s the best car insurance company in Garland?

While you research car insurance companies, several questions may come to mind. First of all, how do you find out which company is the best for your needs? Trying to figure this out can get a little overwhelming.

We’re going to break it all down for you. We’ll look at more car insurance rate factors, including mileage, credit and driving records, and more.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company in Garland

Which companies offer the lowest rates overall in the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas? We’ll answer that question below.

Car Insurance Rates by Company - Garland, Texas

For the most part, State Farm and USAA — which is a niche provider for members of the military, their families, and veterans — offer the lowest rates.

However, there are a few exceptions. For example, 17-year-old males may get a better deal from Geico and married 60-year-old females should look into Nationwide. This is why it’s important to go over all the different factors that determine the rates.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates in Garland

The number of miles you drive regularly could also be significant. If you’re like most Texans, you average 15,533 miles annually. Generally, the longer your commute, the more you’ll pay for your premiums. Let’s see how much they vary for 10- and 25-mile drives in Garland:

Car Insurance Rates by Commute - Garland, Texas

Many of the insurers listed — State Farm, American Family, Nationwide, and Progressive — don’t raise their rates for longer commutes. Among those who do, USAA and Geico had the lowest price increases from 10- to 25-miles.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates in Garland

The amount of car insurance you buy also affects how much you pay in premiums. If you purchase just the state-required minimum insurance, though, you might not be able to cover all the costs for bodily injury or property damage resulting from an accident.

There’s also collision coverage, which will pay for damage if you hit something. Comprehensive insurance covers vandalism, theft, and “acts of God,” such as hailstorms, hurricanes, and other incidents you can’t control. Full coverage combines all three types of insurance into one.

Here’s how prices vary for different coverage levels among the top insurers in Garland.

Car Insurance Rates by Coverage Level - Garland, Texas

Allstate and USAA have the lowest average price differences from low to high coverage, which amount to roughly $300. Depending on the carrier you choose and any discounts you may qualify for, full coverage may suit your budget.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates in Garland

Your credit score is another aspect of car insurance pricing. Often, drivers with poor credit pay more than those with good credit. Let’s see how credit history affects prices for drivers in Garland.

Car Insurance for Credit History Rates - Garland, Texas

With many of the insurers listed above, average cost increases from poor to good credit range from $2,000 to $4,000, which makes credit history one of the most significant factors when it comes to your insurance rate.

Progressive had the lowest price difference from poor to good credit, at about $1,200.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates in Garland

Your driving record also affects your rates, which probably doesn’t surprise you. Insurance companies believe that if you’ve had an accident or traffic violation before, you may have another. That makes you a risk to insure.

Below are the rates for common driving infractions in Garland.

Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates - Garland, Texas

For one speeding violation, Allstate, American Family, and State Farm didn’t raise their prices. USAA, Progressive, and Nationwide, however, increased them by an average of $300.

What are some car insurance factors in Garland?

On a local level, other car insurance pricing factors play into the mix — some of which you can control, and others you can’t. They include the economy, cost of living, poverty levels, and your wages and education level. Let’s see how these may influence your rates.

Garland Metro Report

The unemployment rate in Garland is 3.4 percent, according to Sperling’s Best Places, which is lower than the national average of 3.7 percent. Though its job growth was only 3.3 percent (more than double the U.S. average of 1.6 percent), it has a projected future increase of 40.5 percent, which exceeds expectations of 33.5 percent nationwide.

PayScale reports that the cost of living in Garland is 2 percent higher than the national median. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, the average local salary, and the real estate market.

The Brookings Institution’s Metro Monitor shows that the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area ranks 27th out of 100 cities nationwide for economic growth and 86th out of 100 for prosperity. The economy there is strong, but on average, productivity, wages, and the standard of living rank below the national average, which means that prosperity is stagnant.

Median Household Income in Garland

DataUSA’s 2017 figures show that the median household income in Garland is $55,637, which is about $5,000 less than the U.S. and Texas average yearly earnings. Annual incomes rose by nearly five percent in Garland from the previous year.

How does this relate to car insurance? Well, based on a yearly premium of $6,526.66, the average Garland resident is spending 11.73 percent of their income on car insurance. But, that’s just an average; your experience may vary.

Homeownership in Garland

Homeownership shows that a driver may be more reliable and able to pay car insurance premiums. If you own a home, you could pay less for car insurance than if you rent. To save more, homeowners can also bundle their car and home insurance.

DataUSA reports that in 2017, 62 percent of Garland residents owned a home, which is 2 percent lower than the national average for homeownership.

The median home value in Garland is $132,600, which is lower than in other areas in Texas. However, the average value of Garland homes has risen from $121,400 in 2016.

Education in Garland

DataUSA found that in 2016, universities in Garland awarded 910 degrees.

The largest universities in Garland by the number of degrees awarded are Remington College-Dallas Campus (477 degrees, 52 percent of total degrees awarded), Amberton University (410 degrees and 45 percent of total degrees awarded), and International Beauty College (23 degrees awarded, three percent of total degrees awarded).

The most popular majors in Garland are medical assisting (212 students, 23 percent of the student population), general business administration and management (147 students, 16 percent of the student population), and counseling psychology (129 students, 14 percent of the student population).

Community colleges, which offer degrees and certificates in a broad range of fields, are also a lower-cost alternative to traditional schools. Richland College has a campus in Garland and offers several certificates and degree programs for popular occupations in Garland.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs in Garland

In 2017, Asians were the highest paid race/ethnicity in Texas. DataUSA reports that they earned 1.25 times more than white workers.

The table below highlights the highest-paid races/ethnicities in Texas and how much of their incomes in miscellaneous management positions go to car insurance based on the cost of an average annual premium in Garland ($6,526.66).

Salaries by Ethnicity of Income - Miscellaneous Managers - Garland, Texas

As the highest paid race/ethnicity, 6 percent of Asians’ incomes went to car insurance, whereas the individuals of the lowest-paid race/ethnicity, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, paid 13 percent of their income for the same coverage.

This is just another interesting way to look at the wage gap and the cost of car insurance in Texas. Keep in mind that the cost of the premium listed is an average and might not reflect your experience.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs in Garland

On average, DataUSA has found, males in Texas earn about 1.5 percent more than females. Here’s how much they earn, together with the percentage of their salaries that pay for car insurance in common jobs, based on the average annual cost of premiums in Garland ($6,526.66):

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs - Texas

Though women are usually issued lower rates for car insurance than men (because data indicates they get in fewer accidents), the wage gap between the sexes is large enough to negate this minor discount. Also, note the percentages paid by cashiers, the demographic with the lowest salaries.

Undoubtedly, many people working in the service industry find it a challenge to pay their car insurance premiums, along with all their other bills.

Poverty by Age and Gender in Garland

DataUSA numbers reveal that Garland has more adult females than males living in poverty. The demographic experiencing the highest rates of poverty are females age 25-34. Sixteen percent of Garland residents live below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 13 percent.

The Census Bureau uses a set of income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine poverty rates. If a family’s total income falls below their limits, the Census Bureau classifies that family and everyone in it as living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity in Garland

DataUSA figures show that the race or ethnicity most affected by poverty in Garland are Hispanics (20,967 people living in poverty), followed by whites (18,744 people living in poverty). This is not too surprising, as Hispanics are the largest racial demographic in Garland (at 41.3 percent), and whites make up the second-largest (at 31.3 percent).

Employment by Occupations in Garland

Certain jobs are more common in Garland than others. Though the city is known for its hat making, according to DataUSA, the most common jobs there are in office and administrative support (16,392 people), sales and related occupations (12,516 people), and construction and extraction jobs (9,704 people).

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Driving in Garland

Just like most other cities across the country, driving in the Cowboy Hat Capital can bring some challenges, like traffic congestion, accidents, potholes, and other road dilemmas.

In this section, we’ll go over major routes in Garland, pavement conditions, popular road trips, and traffic laws to help keep you informed about what you may face.

Read on to become a true “road scholar.”

What are the major roads in Garland?

We’ll answer that question by exploring major routes in the area below.

Major Highways in Garland

The state of Texas has 25 active routes that span 3,500 miles of roadway.

• I-635 (LBJ Freeway) provides access to Dallas and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport to the southwest.
• I-30 stretches through the south side of Garland and connects with Mesquite and Dallas to the west and Rockwall to the east.
• SH-66 runs east-west and ends at a Highway 78 junction in downtown Garland.
• SH-78 (Garland Road, Lavon Drive) cuts through the city and into the downtown area.
• President George Bush Turnpike is a toll road that loops around Dallas County and runs through northern Garland to connect with Richardson and Plano to the west and Rowlett to the east.
• Belt Line Loop Some parts are known as First Street and Broadway Blvd — leads around the Dallas suburbs.

Texas has considered adding more toll lanes to I-635 on the section of the highway near Garland.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to get the North Texas Tollway Authority’s TollTag. The TollTag toll rate is an average of 19 cents per mile, effective July 1, 2019. The ZipCash, pay-by-mail, price is 50 percent more than the TollTag rate.

The TollTag pays for tolls electronically from a prepaid account through a convenient transponder sticker mounted on your vehicle’s windshield. Each time you pass through a toll lane, the toll is deducted directly from your prepaid account (paid with cash or a credit or debit card).

If you have a cash-backed account, when the amount you owe reaches $10, you’ll receive a notice; otherwise, $40 will be deducted from your credit or debit card account. Customers can monitor their account usage and add funds at any time via the Tollmate mobile app or through the online account management site.

Popular Road Trips in Garland

Garland offers plenty of fun for everyone. Here are some links that will help you find ways to spend your free time there:

• Main attractions in Garland — Among the exciting sights to see are the Landmark Museum at Heritage Crossing, the Garland Public Art Walking Tour, and the Hawaiian Falls Waterpark.
• Things to Do in Garland with Kids — Check out these family-friendly activities.
• Fun Places in Garland, TX — From downtown delights to shopping adventures, you’ll find some nifty suggestions here.
• Free and Cheap Things to Do in Garland, TX — You’ll find a whopping 266 ideas on this list.

For more exciting ideas, watch the travel video below:

Now that you know what you can do in your spare time in the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas, you’re ready to take to the streets. But, before you leave, check out the road conditions in the area below.

Road Conditions in Garland

Below you’ll find the road conditions and vehicle operating costs in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area from the national transportation research group TRIP:

Road Conditions - Garland, Texas

Most roads in this region are in mediocre and good shape, which means you may not always experience smooth travels. Vehicle operating costs (VOC) can include repairs from driving over potholes or road debris along the highway.

Does Garland use speeding or red-light cameras?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Garland doesn’t use speeding or red-light cameras. In June 2019, Governor Abbott signed a bill that banned red-light cameras in the Lone Star State.

Even though there are no cameras to worry about, speeding or running a red light can still get you pulled over and ticketed by police. And remember — those road violations will raise your insurance rates.

What type of vehicles are in Garland?

Below, we’ll cover facts about car ownership in the area, plus crime rates (including vehicle thefts).

Most Popular Vehicles Owned in Garland

YourMechanic tracks the types of cars it services nationwide and breaks down the information by each major city to show Americans’ car preferences.

According to their survey, 47 percent of the cars they repair in Dallas-Fort Worth are American-made. Pickup trucks are among the most popular vehicles in Texas, but YourMechanic has found that drivers’ favorite car in Dallas-Fort Worth is actually the Dodge Charger.

U.S. News and World Report editors research major newspapers, magazines, automotive websites, and other data sources to rank vehicles as part of their Best Cars report. The publisher says the 2020 Dodge Charger “has refined handling, a powerful engine lineup, and user-friendly tech features. However, it ranks near the back of the large car class because of its poor predicted reliability rating and mediocre interior quality.”

They gave the car an overall rating of 7.4 (out of 10), with an 8.4 for safety, and 7.8 for performance. They also ranked it number 6 on their list of best large cars.

This CarGurus video features a fun demo of a recent model of the vehicle:

So we know Garland drivers like the Dodge Charger, but how many cars does the average resident have at home?

How Many Cars Per Household in Garland

DataUSA has determined that most households in Garland own two cars, with the second-largest portion of households owning three. This is on par with the national average.

Households Without a Car in Garland

The table below shows the percentage of Garland households that don’t own a vehicle, along with the average number of vehicles per household for the years 2015-2016.

As you can see, the number of households without a car decreased slightly, while the average number of vehicles owned rose slightly.

Speed Traps in Garland

Speedtrap.org collects user-generated information about speed traps all across the U.S. The exact definition of a speed trap can vary among users, but in Garland, the following roads have received the most votes:

• George Bush eastbound as it ends at Highway 78
• State Highway 190 — George W. Bush Highway near Levon and 78 Crossing
• President George Bush Turnpike — top of North Garland Road

Whether or not you’re in those areas, it makes sense to refrain from speeding. As we’ve already noted, the potential penalties can be expensive. And most importantly, you want to keep things safe out there on the road.

Vehicle Theft in Garland

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports that in 2017, 810 vehicle thefts occurred in Garland.

Neighborhood Scout also tracks crime statistics for U.S. cities.

The site gives Garland a Crime Index of 15, which means it’s 15 percent safer than other U.S. cities. In Garland, your chances of being a victim of violent crime are one in 367. Statewide, however, they increase to one in 243. Your chances of becoming a victim of property crime in Garland are one in 37, and in Texas, they decrease to one in 42.

Annually, 27 crimes per square mile occur in Garland, versus 24 both statewide and nationally.

For a closer look at the crimes that occur in Garland, below is a chart showing figures from 2017:

As shown above, property crimes occurred 10 times more often in Garland than violent crimes.

How is traffic in Garland?

Car insurers also explore traffic patterns in an area to see how congested they are — the more cars on the road, the more accidents will happen.

Below, we’ll cover traffic congestion in Garland, the busiest highways, and the safety of its streets and roads.

Traffic Congestion in Texas

In 2018, six major Lone Star State cities made Inrix’s Traffic Scorecard list of the cities with the highest levels of traffic congestion worldwide. Below are their rankings:

Traffic Congestion in Texas

Houston ranked the highest, at 77th. Drivers there lost 98 hours in traffic congestion that year, and it cost them an average of $1,365 in related expenses (gasoline, car repairs, etc.).

Dallas, the nearest major city to Garland, ranked 122nd worldwide for its levels of traffic congestion and 21st in the U.S. Dallas drivers lost 76 hours in traffic jams that year, which cost each one $1,065 in transportation-related expenses.

In peak morning and evening traffic, drivers’ average speed was 33 mph. Outside of “rush hour” commute times, the speed increased to 50 mph, and in free-flowing traffic, it rose to 55 mph.

So, if you commute to any of these cities, you’ll want to keep this information in mind so you can plan around potential delays.

Transportation in Garland

DataUSA numbers reveal that the average Garland resident has a commute time of 27.6 minutes, which is higher than the U.S. average of 25.1 minutes. Of course, that pales in comparison to some other drivers’ commute times — nearly 2 percent of Garland workers face “super commutes” longer than 90 minutes.

In 2017, most commuters in Garland drove alone to work (79 percent), followed by those who carpooled (13 percent).

Primarily for its longer than average commute times and high percentage of seniors still in the workforce, Garland made Kempler Industries’ list of America’s Top 10 Hardest Working Cities. The Cowboy Hat Capital ranked number six, with an overall score of 81.2.

To determine its ranking, the company reviewed cities with at least 150,000 people and compared them across five key metrics: average commute, average workweek hours, percentages of the age 16-64 and senior workforce population, and unused vacation days. They graded each metric on a 100-point scale.

Busiest Highways in Garland

This map shows current local traffic conditions and which highways are the busiest. Interstate 635, for instance, appears to be one of the most congested roadways in the area. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, State Highways 66 and 78 are also among the busiest in Garland.

I-635 is so busy that a “sound wall” was built to decrease traffic noise between Centerville Road and La Prada Drive. The news report below features the groundbreaking ceremony for it:

Some highways are busier than others in Garland, which means that your risk of getting into an accident in those areas may be higher. How many accidents occur in Garland? Read below for some insights.

How safe are Garland streets and roads?

In this section, you’ll learn how many fatal accidents happened in Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall Counties in 2018 courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We’ll cover everything from the total fatalities by county to vehicle and railroad accidents.

Garland is mostly in Dallas County, with small portions in Collin and Rockwall Counties, so we’ve included data for all three of these.

Below are the total crash deaths by county in 2018:

Fatalities All Crashes by County - Garland, Texas

Dallas County, the most populated of the three counties, had the most accident fatalities.

In the next three tables, we’ll explore some of the major factors for accidents in Collin, Dallas, and Rockwell Counties. First up is Collin County:

Collin County Crash Factors - Garland, Texas

Most of the Collin County crashes involved roadway departures. These are the 2018 accident fatality statistics for Dallas County:

Dallas County - Crash Factors - Garland, Texas

A majority of the accidents there involved single vehicles. Let’s see what Rockwall County accident fatalities reveal:

Rockwall County Crash Factors - Garland, Texas

Like in the other counties, most of the crashes involved single vehicles and/or roadway departures. Now, let’s look at statistics for all three counties by person type.

Among the three counties, most of the crashes involved passenger car occupants. In Dallas County, the second-highest number of fatalities involved pedestrians.

These next figures show the fatalities by road type and function class in Texas.

Most of the crashes occurred on arterial and other roads. An arterial road is a high-capacity urban road. Depending on the amount of traffic, the arterial road may be classified as a highway or a minor arterial road. A collector road gathers traffic from local roads and takes drivers to arterial roads.

Per U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data, the table below shows the number of railroad and highway crash incidents that happened in Garland from 2012-2016:

Railroad and Highway Crash Incidents - Garland, Texas

In those five years, fortunately, few rail/car incidents occurred in Garland.

These statistics highlight the importance of driving safely. Risky behavior on the road can lead to penalties that increase insurance rates, as well as deadly accidents.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report tracks the numbers of accident claims drivers make nationwide. According to Allstate claims data, the average U.S. driver will experience a collision once every 10.57 years.

In 2019, Garland ranked 175th out of 200 major cities on the report, up from 181st the prior year. The chart below shows residents’ insurance claim statistics.

Drivers in Garland went an average of seven years between accident claims, and they were nearly 50 percent more likely to file a claim compared to the national average. Garland drivers file more claims than drivers in other cities, and that shows in the city’s ranking on the report.

Ridesharing in Garland

Below are the rideshare services available in Garland beyond regular taxi rides.

To show you how much they cost, we’ve included fare prices for a one-way trip from the Garland/DFW Heloplex to ZIP code 75041 in Garland, a 3.2-mile ride that takes an average of 10 minutes:

• Blacklane — Blacklane luxury vehicles seat one to five people. Prices not available; the service does advance booking at fixed rates only.
• Lyft — A 10-minute ride in a standard four-seat Lyft car will cost about $14.
• Lyft Lux — A 10-minute ride in a premium, luxury make or model Lyft car will cost about $48.
• Lyft Plus — This is the best Lyft option for larger groups. A Lyft Plus car can seat six or more passengers. Fare prices tend to run higher than a regular Lyft ride to compensate van and SUV drivers for their higher vehicle running costs. A 10-minute ride will cost about $22.
• Lyft Lux SUV — A premium black SUV service with space for up to six passengers; it will cost about $61 for a 10-minute ride.
• Uber Black — This is Uber’s original luxury service. When you choose an Uber Black car, a top-notch sedan that seats up to four people will arrive to pick you up. It will run you about $46 for a 10-minute ride.
• Uber Select — This service is similar to Uber Black, but the car with four leather seats doesn’t have to be black. It’s a step above Uber X, and costs slightly less than Uber Black at about $30 for a 10-minute ride.
• Uber X — This budget service gives riders a regular-size car that seats four. Like the standard Lyft, this one will cost around $14.
• Uber XL — With Uber’s service for larger groups, you’ll get a car that seats up to six passengers at about $22 for the 10-minute ride.

Lyft and Uber X were among the services with the lowest fares at $14. Passengers who choose Lyft Lux SUV will pay the highest rates, at an average of $61.

These prices are just estimates; the actual fares may differ. For example, Uber has “upfront pricing,” which reflects its guaranteed rate, but it may add extra fees. Lyft reportedly varies its rates based on demand, a system known as “surge pricing.”

RideGuru calculates for each company and every service option different fees and commissions from the total fares customers pay. They include booking fees (taken upfront), commissions (that drivers must pay), and other adjustments and special fees applied due to surge and upfront pricing.

These services can be especially helpful if you decide not to use your car, or if your vehicle happens to need repair. And if you’re in that situation, you’ll definitely want to read this next section.

E-Star® Repair Shops in Garland

A program from Esurance, E-Star® helps drivers find the best mechanics in their area. According to E-Star®, these are the top 10 repair shops in and around Garland:

EStar Repair Shops - Garland, Texas

E-Star® shops have been singled out for their excellent quality of work and customer service, so you know you’ll be in good hands.

What is the weather like in Garland?

U.S. Climate Data reveals that temperatures in the Garland area alternate from hot to cold throughout the year, with average highs of 95 and lows of 35 degrees. The area gets a fair amount of rain and even occasional snowfall.

Weather - Garland, Texas

City-Data shows that Dallas County has seen a total of 19 natural disasters, which is higher than the U.S. average of 13. Here’s a breakdown of those disasters by type.

• Storms: 7
• Hurricane: 6
• Floods: 5
• Fires: 4
• Winds: 2
• Winter Storm: 1
• Flash Flood: 1
• Other: 1

Given the risk of severe weather in Garland, it makes sense to buy comprehensive car insurance for protection from floods, storms, and other hazards that can damage your vehicle. One of the top categories of severe weather in Garland is hurricanes, which are known to cause damage to an unprotected vehicle. They are also known to reduce fatal crashes—assuming you’re not on the road!

Is public transit available in Garland?

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system offers local and express bus service and the Blue Line rail service in the Garland and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

With over 130 routes, DART buses generally run every 30 minutes in peak hours and every 60 minutes at off-peak times. A variety of local and regional passes are available to riders.

Fares are available at local, regional, and reduced rates. A single local bus ride costs $2.50. Day, AM/PM, mid-day, and monthly passes are also available. All fare pricing information can be found on the DART website.

Is Alternate Transportation available in Garland?

Major bike and scooter rental companies, such as Lime and Bird, don’t currently operate in Garland. Together withGarland-based VBikes, these companies have expanded into nearby Dallas, so there’s a chance that they will come to the city in the future.

Is parking easy in Garland?

Several parking lots and garages are available throughout Garland, along with street-level parking.

There are 134  electric car charging stations within 10 miles of Garland, according to ChargeHub. Most of them are Level 2; however, some Level 3 charging stations are also available. The main charging networks are ChargePoint and Tesla.

How is the air quality in Garland?

Pollution from vehicle exhaust has been linked to health issues and even climate change. The pollution not only goes directly into the earth’s atmosphere, but it also reacts with other pollutants, which makes the situation worse.

Children and people with chronic illnesses can be most sensitive to the effects.

Below are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality statistics for Dallas County from 2016-2018. The EPA calculates the Air Quality Index (AQI) for four major air pollutants under the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Since most of Garland is in Dallas County, this is where we’ll focus our attention.

Air Quality - Dallas County (Garland, Texas)

The good news is, from 2016-2018, Dallas County experienced mostly good or moderate air quality days. The bad news, though, is that the days unhealthy for sensitive groups increased each year. In 2018, there were even three days in which the air quality was unhealthy for everyone.

The Texas Department of Public Safety requires most vehicles in designated counties (including Dallas, Rockwall, and Collin) to undergo an annual emissions test. Vehicles two through 24 years old or that have an expired initial inspection sticker must have an emissions test.

Diesel-powered vehicles and motorcycles are exempt but must still have an annual safety inspection.

Military & Veterans in Garland

Car insurers offer a variety of discounts, and it’s easy to get lost while you research them. If you’re an active member of the military or a veteran, you may wonder if you qualify for a discount.

The good news is that several of the top insurance companies https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/car-insurance-discounts/military-auto-insurance/. In this section, we’ll walk you through them, and we’ll throw in some facts about local veterans and nearby military bases.

So, read on for more details about the military in Garland and car insurance options available to those who serve.

Veterans by Service Period

According to DataUSA, the majority of Garland veterans served in Vietnam (3,496 veterans). The next most common service period for veterans is the first Gulf War (1,521 veterans). These statistics are slightly higher than the national averages.

Military Bases within an Hour

A joint defense facility, the nearby Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth plays a crucial role in the training and equipping of aircrews and aviation ground support personnel.

The base employs more than 11,000 active, reserve, and civilian personnel and contributes $1.3 billion annually to the North Central Texas economy.

Military Discounts by Providers

If you are or were in the U.S. military, most car insurance companies will want to give back by serving you. Many of them offer military discounts.

Below is a list of known providers who give military discounts. We excluded those who offer military discounts only in certain states.

Military Discounts by Provider

Those marked N/A do not provide a savings percentage on their websites, but you can query these insurers for more information.

*USAA also offers a 15 percent military garage discount for storing cars on a military base.  

USAA in Texas

USAA provides car insurance only to U.S. military personnel and their families. The company’s insurance premiums tend to cost less than those of standard insurers.

Below, you can see how USAA’s average rate stacks up against other providers in Garland.

USAA in Texas

USAA offers the lowest rates to active military and veterans in Texas, at roughly 40 percent less than the state annual average.

Unique City Laws in Garland

Every city enacts its own laws, and citizens are expected to obey them. If they don’t, they may face fines and even jail time.

This section is here to educate you about the many rules on the books in Garland. To accomplish that goal, we’ll go over some local laws, including food truck and parking regulations.

Keep reading to learn more.

Hands-Free Laws in Garland

The City of Garland doesn’t have specific hands-free or cellphone laws, but statewide, texting is banned for all drivers. Texas laws also prohibit drivers younger than 18 from using cellphones.

Drivers generally can use hands-free devices except in school crossing zones and on public school property when the reduced speed limits there apply.

The Transportation Department establishes school zones with signs and/or flashing amber lights to alert drivers to observe a speed limit of 20 mph in these areas. This law is enforced strictly. Speeding in a school zone is penalized with a minimum fine of $164 plus $5 for each mile per hour over the speed limit.

Food Trucks in Garland

If you want to run a food truck in Garland, you’ll need to make sure you have all the right food permits. Garland has different levels of food preparation standards for different types of vendors. Depending on how you handle food, your truck may also need to undergo a health or safety inspection.

So, before you set up shop, make sure you file all the proper permits and follow the rules for your food preparation level.

Tiny Homes in Garland

Small houses appeal to people who want to simplify their lives. Before you abandon standard housing, you should be aware that tiny homes must meet specific guidelines.

A tiny house is usually considered a mobile home and is bound by the same laws. If you have a plot of land, you’ll need access to a septic tank, water, and other utilities before you can be approved to live on the land legally.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, essentially, wherever you can park a travel trailer, you can park a tiny house. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro has many RV parks. You can also lease or buy a parcel of land outside of city incorporated areas. Unincorporated land is often available within an hour’s drive from major business centers.

Parking Laws in Garland

In Garland, drivers should park politely, please. That means you must avoid parking in the following areas or you will get a ticket:

• In front of postal service mailboxes
• On sidewalks
• In intersections
• In crosswalks
• In front of a public/private driveway
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign

The video below goes into more detail about the “Park Politely, Please” program:

These rules may seem strict, but they’re also a means of being courteous to your fellow drivers.

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Garland Car Insurance FAQs

If you’ve read this far, you may still have some questions you need answered.

This is your chance to learn even more. In this section, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about car insurance and living in Garland. So, get ready to enhance your knowledge.

Is Garland, Texas a good place to live?

According to Niche, a site that ranks cities, schools, and neighborhoods based on federal government data, Garland is one of the best places to live in Texas. They note: “Many families and young professionals live in Garland and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Garland are above average.”

What’s the population of Garland, Texas?

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population as of 2018 was 242,507.

Is Garland a suburb of Dallas?

Garland is a suburb of Dallas. Many of its activities center around Dallas, including nearby suburbs Northeast Dallas, Mesquite, Rockwall, and Richardson.

How much car insurance should I buy in Garland?

Drivers in Texas must carry minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage to pay for damages and medical bills from an accident. As part of the Lone Star State’s system of assigning fault to drivers, they’re required to carry insurance as proof of their ability to pay for those losses.

As such, the state has set minimum amounts of liability coverage each driver must buy:

• $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person injured in an accident you cause
• $60,000 for total bodily injury liability when two or more people are injured in an accident you cause
• $25,000 in property damage per accident you cause

Sometimes, despite the minimum requirements, your insurance might not cover all the costs, especially if more than a few vehicles are involved. That’s why we recommend you buy more than the minimum required.

For more information about Texas’s liability car insurance requirements, watch the video below:

Greater protection in case of an accident can give you peace of mind. As you’ll see below, if you drive without insurance coverage, you may suffer some harsh penalties.

What are the penalties for driving without car insurance in Garland?

In Texas, you must show proof of insurance in the following situations:

• Whenever a police officer asks for it
• If you get into a car accident
• When you register or renew your car’s registration
• When you apply for or renew your driver’s license
• When your vehicle undergoes an inspection

Several government agencies, including local police and sheriff departments, use the online TexasSure program to verify whether drivers have car insurance.

If the system shows a driver is uninsured or there is inconsistent information regarding their insurance, they may receive the following notices:

• Unmatched notice — Drivers will get this notice if they’re on record as having car insurance, but the coverage doesn’t match the car registration.
• Uninsured notice — Drivers will get this notice if they’ve registered a vehicle without car insurance.

The table below details the penalties for driving without car insurance:

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Texas

In Texas, the penalties for driving while uninsured are pretty strict, which is why you shouldn’t leave home without car insurance.

How do I get cheap car insurance in Garland, Texas?

If you can keep your driving record clean, have a good credit score, own a home, and live in a relatively safe neighborhood, you’re on your way to getting lower rates. Many discounts are available. For instance, if you’re a student or drive a safe car, you may be able to save even more.

How did you like this guide? Did it answer all of your questions? We hope so. If you’re ready to start comparison shopping for car insurance, enter your ZIP code into our free tool.