Harrison County
Driving in Harrison County
The total number of registered vehicles in Harrison County is estimated at 52,184. This figure represents roughly 0.22% of all vehicles registered in the state of Texas. Transportation to and from work is the most popular use of vehicles in the county. Individuals who drive alone to work in Harrison County account for approximately 85% of the total, with almost one-third of those commuting daily for 30 minutes or more.
It is estimated that 20% of Texas drivers are uninsured, with possibly over 10,000 vehicles uninsured in Harrison County alone.
Auto Insurance Analysis:
Liability insurance is required for over 52,000 vehicles registered in Harrison County. In addition to the state-mandated coverage, the vehicles may need supplementary insurance based on their intended purpose. Consider Private Auto, Commercial Auto, Comprehensive Coverage, Commercial Transportation, Inland Marine, and other types of vehicle insurance.
Because the majority of Harrison County roadways are rural, there is less traffic, which reduces the risk of a vehicle crash. However, animals are more likely to go out on the road and get in the way of moving cars in rural areas. The majority of animal-related crashes in Texas occur twice a day, from 5-8 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. to midnight. In November, there is the greatest chance of colliding with a deer. Residents of Harrison County are generally advised to carry Comprehensive Auto coverage in addition to the state-mandated Liability policy. If you hit a deer caught in the headlights, comprehensive auto insurance will cover the cost of damage repair or a full replacement of your vehicle.
When a vehicle spends more time on the road, the cost of auto insurance increases. This is because increasing the amount of time spent driving raises the possibility of an accident occurring.
The fact that one out of every five Texas drivers is uninsured emphasizes the importance of having Uninsured Driver Coverage in place. Every year, Texas residents pay more than $900 million for Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage. By driving uninsured, such high-risk drivers shift the burden of damage liability on other drivers on the road, increasing the likelihood of an accident. If you are caught driving without insurance, you will be fined and your vehicle will most likely be impounded. You may also have your driving privileges revoked.
Speak to a knowledgeable Texas Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent to get consultation and guidance on Auto insurance matters.
Harrison County Housing
Similarly to the rest of Texas, where most homes (62%) are owner-occupied, Harrison County’s approximately 29,438 housing units are split between homeowners and renters 72% to 28%. The neighboring counties all consist of homes occupied by owners, with Upshur County leading by an almost 79% owner-occupied rate and Gregg County trailing behind with more than 59% homeownership.
Unlike the Texas state average of around 17%, nearly 14% of Harrison County households face severe housing issues, such as:
- The cost of housing is becoming increasingly expensive.
- Due to a lack of readily available plumbing facilities.
- Overcrowding, and
- The absence of adequate cooking facilities.
Housing Insurance Analysis:
In Harrison County, there are more than 29 thousand housing units that need insurance coverage. This property's owners are advised to have at the very least the bare minimum of Homeowner insurance (which may include Homeowners, Condo Insurance, and/or Business Property Insurance). In the event that an incident and damage covered by this insurance occurs, this insurance will aid the owners in replacing or repairing the structure of the building or any of its contents.
Landlord insurance is strongly advised for the over 8,000 Harrison County housing units occupied by renters. Landlord insurance protects the property owner from loss of rental income and damages. If a tenant files a liability claim against the landlord, the insurance will cover both the property and the landlord.
Tenants can also protect themselves by getting Renters Insurance, which is far less expensive than Homeowners Insurance. Renters insurance covers losses due to theft or loss of property, as well as vandalism, smoke, sewage backup damage, flood, or fire. The agreement also shields the renter from liability in the event that someone is hurt on the property. Landlords in Harrison County may occasionally ask renters to obtain Renters insurance before finalizing a lease agreement.
Contact a Texas-licensed Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent to get advice on the kind of housing insurance coverage you may need.
Harrison County Health
In Harrison County, 1 out of 5 adults and nearly 12% of all children do not have health insurance. Gregg County has the highest adult uninsured rate among neighboring counties, at roughly 22%. Upshur County has the lowest adult uninsured rate in the area, at 19%. Gaines County has the highest uninsured adult rate in Texas, at nearly 36 percent, while Loving County has the lowest rate, at 11.4%. The average adult uninsured rate in Texas was roughly 20.7% in 2021
More than 1 in 5 adults in Harrison County has a health concern. That is nearly 11,000 people.
34% of Harrison County residents do not engage in any form of physical activity.
Obesity affects approximately 45% of Harrison County residents (with a BMI of 30 or above), which is higher than the Texas average of 31.4%. Marion County has the same rate as Harrison County, which is both the highest among the neighboring counties. Upshur County, on the other hand, has the lowest obesity rate (30%).
At least 2 health insurers in Harrison County offer affordable and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance, on and off the state marketplace.
Health Insurance Analysis:
Health insurance is the most important type of insurance, and almost 11,000 individuals of Harrison County lack this essential coverage.
Texas offers a diverse choice of health insurance options, making it easier for customers to obtain coverage. Marketplace ACA health insurance, Short-term insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Accident & Health insurance, and other choices are available.
If health insurance is not obtained due to high cost, low-income individuals should apply for government subsidies, which can significantly reduce the cost of coverage.
If you do not have pre-existing conditions, Short term insurance may provide an alternative saving path. (* Some Texas multi-year short term health insurance plans may cover certain pre-existing conditions after a year or more of coverage)
To get consultation, information, and help in acquiring health insurance in Harrison County, discuss your needs and goals with a licensed and knowledgeable Texas health insurance agent.
Harrison County Mortality and the End of Life Statistics
Harrison County residents have a life expectancy of roughly 76.5 years, which is lower than the Texas average of 79.2. Rusk County has the longest life expectancy among its peer counties at 77 years old, adding a year on top of Harrison County, whereas Marion County has the shortest at 74.5. Presidio County has the highest life expectancy in the state of Texas, at 88.8, while Donley County has the lowest, at 72.8 years old.
Nearly 12,000 seniors (age 65 and over) resided in Harrison County as of 2022.
Life Insurance Facts:
According to 2021 research, more than 48% of Americans did not have any type of life insurance coverage.
The cost of life insurance premiums is determined by the insured's age when the policy is initiated. The younger and healthier you are when you start coverage, the less money you will have to pay in premiums over the term of the policy.
Basic life insurance is relatively inexpensive and ensures that the individual's beneficiaries receive the death benefits agreed upon by the parties.
Motor Vehicle Fatalities in Harrison County
In Harrison County, motor vehicle fatalities occur at a rate of 23.53 per 100,000 vehicles on the road, resulting in around 12-13 fatal crashes per year.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT) reported 1,296 crashes in Harrison County in 2020, with 26 fatalities as a result. In Harrison County, alcohol is confirmed to be the primary cause of fatal collisions in more than 31% of all driving deaths.
Final Expenses – Harrison County Funeral Home Cost
Funeral costs in and around Harrison County vary greatly. The average cost of a funeral in Harrison County is over $6,400. Among Harrison County's neighbors, Gregg County and Upshur County have the same average funeral cost as Harrison County, while Rusk County funeral homes may have the lowest average funeral cost, closer to $5,900.
Life Insurance Analysis:
With 46% of Americans dying with savings of less than $10,000, over 5,000 senior residents could be placing the unnecessary and frequently unbearable financial burden on family and friends. Instead of grieving their loss, the family must concentrate on finding a way to pay. (Note: If using life insurance as payment for the funeral services, most funeral homes require the policy to be “assignable”)
Aside from funeral costs, the deceased generally leave behind taxes and other bills that must be paid by the family.
Term life insurance and Final Expense insurance are the two most often utilized types of life insurance plans to cover "final expenses" up to $50,000 in coverage.
When it comes to leaving a larger sum of money to the family, the most generally utilized types of life insurance are versions of: Term Life Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance, and Final Expense.
Speak with a licensed and experienced Texas life insurance professional about life insurance options in Harrison County.
