Living in Midland means you're at the heart of the Permian Basin—one of the most productive oil regions in the world. With that comes economic opportunity, a growing population, and unique challenges when it comes to protecting yourself and your property. Whether you're navigating hail season, sharing the road with heavy commercial trucks, or wondering if your auto policy is enough, this guide will walk you through what you need to know about insurance in Midland.
Auto Insurance in Midland: More Than Just Meeting Minimums
Texas law requires 30/60/25 liability coverage, which breaks down to $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. That sounds straightforward, but here's the problem: those minimums haven't changed in years, while medical bills and vehicle repair costs have skyrocketed. If you cause a serious accident in Midland, you could easily blow through that $30,000 in a single ER visit.
And let's talk about the roads. The Permian Basin accounts for more than 10% of Texas's fatal traffic accidents despite housing only 2% of the state's population. Crashes here are nearly twice as likely to be deadly compared to the rest of Texas. Why? Narrow highways designed decades ago are now clogged with commercial trucks—some roads hit 80 mph speed limits with heavy oil field traffic. Route 285, known locally as "Death Highway," is particularly notorious. Nearly 50% of serious crashes in this region involve commercial vehicles.
Given these conditions, you'll want to seriously consider boosting your liability limits to at least 100/300/100 and adding uninsured motorist coverage. Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, and if someone without insurance totals your truck on Highway 158, you'll be glad you have that extra protection.
Home Insurance: Preparing for West Texas Weather
If you own a home in Midland, you're sitting in what insurers call the "hail belt." Cities like Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, and Amarillo see significantly higher homeowners premiums than central or south Texas because of severe weather risk. In 2024 alone, Texas experienced 878 major hail events—the most in the nation—with over 180,000 homes damaged by hailstones larger than 2 inches. Wind and hail damage made up 42% of all insured home losses nationwide between 2018 and 2022.
Here's what that means for your policy: you're likely looking at a separate wind and hail deductible, often 1% to 5% of your home's insured value. If your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 2% hail deductible, you're paying $6,000 out of pocket before your insurance kicks in after a storm. That's become standard practice in Midland. Average deductibles jumped 24.5% from 2024 to 2025, and percentage-based deductibles are increasingly common even in areas that used to be low-risk.
Don't just accept the first quote you get. Shop around with local agents who understand West Texas weather patterns and can help you balance coverage with affordability. Ask specifically about your wind and hail deductible, replacement cost coverage versus actual cash value, and whether you need additional endorsements for items like detached structures or expensive personal property.
Other Coverage to Consider
Midland's economy is heavily tied to the energy sector, with a median household income of $91,169—well above the Texas average. That means many families have assets worth protecting beyond basic insurance policies. An umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability coverage, typically starting around $1 million, and it's surprisingly affordable—often $150 to $300 per year. If you're sued after a serious accident, that umbrella policy could save your home and savings.
If you're renting in Midland, don't skip renters insurance. It's cheap—usually $15 to $30 per month—and covers your belongings against theft, fire, and storm damage. More importantly, it includes liability protection if someone is injured in your apartment. Given how common hail and wind damage are here, having that coverage for your personal property is worth every penny.
How to Get Started
Start by reviewing your current policies. Check your auto liability limits, your home insurance deductibles, and whether you have uninsured motorist coverage. Then, get quotes from at least three insurers. Local agents who specialize in West Texas can often find coverage options that big national companies might miss. Ask about bundling discounts—combining your auto and home policies with one carrier can save you 15% to 25%.
Insurance isn't the most exciting topic, but in a place like Midland—where hailstorms can total your roof and highway traffic can turn deadly in seconds—it's one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. Take the time to get it right, and you'll have real peace of mind when the next West Texas storm rolls through.
