Updated Apr 6, 2026
Skyrocketing Texas Car Insurance Premiums Force Many to Go Uninsured
Since 2022, average car insurance premiums in Texas have surged over 50%, creating a growing affordability crisis for many low-to-middle income drivers. According to a recent study from Texas Appleseed and United Way of Greater Houston, approximately 12% of car owners statewide go uninsured, with the figure rising above 14% in Harris County. This significant increase in rates has pushed some drivers to drop their coverage, despite the legal risks, as the higher costs make insurance unattainable for a sizable portion of the population.Houston Public Media
The report highlights that disparities in premiums are heavily influenced by factors such as credit score and zip code. Drivers with poor credit may pay three to 3.5 times more than those with excellent credit, severely impacting affordability. Personal accounts, like Monica Cabrera’s, illustrate this challenge: after her divorce, her monthly insurance costs rose by over $150 despite a clean driving record. Cabrera, a Black resident of unincorporated Harris County, described the difficulty of going uninsured while relying on a car for essential activities amid limited public transit options. The affordability issue has gained political attention, with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows directing legislative committees to explore regulatory oversight improvements and consumer protections to address escalating car insurance costs.Houston Public Media
Personal Strain Illustrated by Texans Forced to Drive Uninsured
Many Texans face a tough dilemma as soaring car insurance premiums leave them uninsured despite relying on cars for daily life. Monica Cabrera, a Harris County resident, had to drop her insurance after a divorce triggered a premium increase of more than $150 per month, even though her driving history remained unchanged. With limited public transit options in her area, she felt anxious driving uninsured to meet her son’s school needs. Approximately 12% of Texas car owners lack insurance statewide, with rates exceeding 14% in Harris County, illustrating the growing affordability crisis.Houston Public Media
Advocates emphasize that the current insurance system often imposes penalties on drivers like Cabrera without considering their actual risk. Factors such as credit scores and marital status disproportionately increase costs, undermining fairness. According to Texas Appleseed’s Fair Financial Services Project director Ann Baddour, these policies create a cycle difficult to break for low- and middle-income Texans.Houston Public Media
Boynton Beach Man Arrested Over Intentional Auto Crash and Insurance Fraud
Van Staeven Ceron, 31, was accused by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office of deliberately causing a collision on February 22 at the intersection of Woolbright Road and El Clair Ranch Road in Boynton Beach. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Ceron intentionally steering his vehicle into another car, whose driver suffered neck and back injuries and whose vehicle sustained over $12,000 in damage. The crash occurred while both vehicles had green traffic lights, indicating it was not accidental.
Following an investigation, Ceron was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, criminal mischief, insurance fraud, and filing a false and fraudulent insurance claim. State Farm disclosed to authorities that Ceron had submitted an insurance claim asserting the crash was unintentional, conflicting with the evidence gathered in the probe.WPEC
Federal Indictment Charges Eric Adams Associate in Multi-Million Dollar Auto Insurance Fraud
Zhan “Johnny” Petrosyants, a longtime associate of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, was federally indicted for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that submitted tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent no-fault auto insurance claims. Petrosyants, who co-ran Osteria la Baia—a Manhattan hotspot favored by Adams—was arrested after prosecutors accused him of operating medical clinics controlled by unlicensed individuals that billed insurance companies for unnecessary or nonexistent treatments between 2018 and 2023. Petrosyants is no stranger to legal troubles, having pleaded guilty in 2014 to a check cashing scheme and receiving probation.THE CITY - NYC News
The indictment alleges Petrosyants funneled these fake claims through a funding company with assistance from an unnamed co-conspirator. Meanwhile, a civil lawsuit filed by insurance giant Geico names a funding company established by Frank Carone, Adams’ former chief of staff and top lobbyist, accusing it of knowingly facilitating the fraudulent scheme. Despite the lawsuit, no criminal charges have yet been filed against Carone or others linked to the case. Petrosyants’ indictment adds to a series of legal challenges involving associates of Adams without implicating the former mayor himself in these specific charges.THE CITY - NYC News
Comparing States: Nebraska and Maryland’s Cheapest Car Insurance Options in 2026
In Nebraska, FMNE Insurance offers the lowest-cost car insurance with an average monthly rate of $111 for a good driver maintaining full coverage. The company also provides competitive pricing for other profiles: young drivers pay about $160 per month, drivers with poor credit see rates around $170, and popular vehicles like the Ford F-150 and Honda CR-V are insured for roughly $112 and $102 monthly, respectively.WSJ Buyside
By contrast, Maryland’s cheapest insurer is Geico, which charges an average of $101 monthly for good drivers with full coverage. Young drivers pay $183 on average while drivers with poor credit face rates near $130 per month. Geico also leads with low rates for popular vehicles such as the Ford F-150 at $100 and the Honda CR-V at $97 monthly. Maryland ranks as the 13th most expensive state overall for car insurance.WSJ Buyside