Texas Transportation Code § 601.083 – Admissibility of Insurance in Civil Trials
Table of Contents
Statutory Text:
Sec. 601.083. EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CIVIL SUIT.
Evidence that a motor vehicle liability policy was not in effect at the time of an accident is admissible in a civil suit only if the suit is brought under this chapter.
What Does This Law Mean for Injury Victims?
In Texas, insurance status is usually excluded from personal injury trials to prevent jury bias. However, § 601.083 allows a narrow exception:
If a lawsuit is brought under Chapter 601 of the Transportation Code typically related to proof of insurance compliance then lack of insurance may be admitted as evidence.
In most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits, insurance status is not allowed to be used to prove or disprove fault.
Example Scenario
You sue a driver for medical damages after a rear-end crash. Your attorney cannot mention that the driver was uninsured at trial unless the case includes a claim under Chapter 601 — such as failure to file proof of financial responsibility. Even then, the court must determine whether the evidence is relevant and admissible.
When This Law Applies
Evidence of a driver’s lack of insurance may only be used in:
Cases brought directly under Chapter 601, such as compliance hearings
Certain DPS or administrative actions tied to accident reporting
Cases involving mandatory financial responsibility enforcement
But it generally does not apply in standard personal injury negligence trials.
Related Statutes
§ 601.051 – Insurance Requirement
§ 601.081 – Effect of Insurance Compliance in Civil Trials
§ 601.191 – Driving Without Insurance
Texas Rules of Evidence § 403 – Prejudice vs. Probative Value
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001 – Comparative Fault
Texas Case Law Interpreting § 601.051
Held that insurance status is inadmissible in ordinary negligence cases unless it falls within a statutory exception.
Confirmed that insurance evidence is typically excluded unless a statute like § 601.083 specifically allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions About § 601.083
Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon
Usually not. Texas law bars evidence about insurance to avoid influencing the jury unfairly.
Only in cases brought under Chapter 601, such as administrative compliance or financial responsibility disputes.
No. Unless your lawsuit includes a statutory claim under Chapter 601, that evidence is typically inadmissible.
They won’t. This law helps ensure that the verdict is based on facts, not assumptions about insurance coverage.