It’s football season! And for many Texans, that means tailgating is back, complete with fired-up grills, tents pitched, and all your friends and family gathering in a stadium parking lot on a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon.
Like any celebration, though, you want to put in place some protective measures so you and your loved ones can safely continue cheering on your team season after season. Here’s everything you need to know about car insurance coverage and how to minimize accident risks.
Parking Lot Safety
Game-day parking lots are crowded, chaotic zones. Combine that with so many cars parked close together, and small mistakes can easily turn into costly fender benders or thefts. When you’re looking for a place to tailgate, or just somewhere to park your car and hike to the stadium, be sure you’re choosing well-lit areas with plenty of security. Also, keep in mind that it may be daylight when you arrive, but not when you leave. Lock up your valuables — or don’t bring them in the first place — and choose parking lots that have roomy spaces, if possible.
Fire & Grill Safety
Whether you’re serving up breakfast tacos before a Cowboys game, a thick slab of brisket for your friends and family in Aggieland, or grilling burgers before your local high school’s Friday night lights, make sure you take precautions anytime you cook outdoors. Damage caused by a fire or negligence may not be covered under your basic car insurance or liability policies, especially if your setup falls outside your insurance provider’s normal use definitions. With that in mind, here are a few preventive measures you can take while enjoying a meal:
- Keep the grill at a safe distance from your vehicle, canopy, or tent. Sparks, grease flare-ups, or wind shifts can turn a fun cookout into a damage claim.
- Bring a fire extinguisher. In Texas, where dry conditions and windy afternoons are common in fall, even a stray ember can spread quickly.
- Never leave the grill unattended, even if the game starts. Your focus should be on safety first; the tailgate second.
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Auto Insurance Considerations
What’s more attractive to someone looking for valuables than a giant parking lot full of cars? According to the Insurance Information Institute, the state of Texas ranks second in the nation for the number of cars stolen. In 2022–2023 alone, the state had more than 115,000 motor vehicle thefts, ranking 2nd in the U.S. by volume. In addition to full vehicle thefts, Texas also sees thousands of car break-ins each year, with valuables like wallets, electronics, and tools among the most commonly stolen items. Additionally, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles reports an estimated 20% of drivers are on the road without car insurance coverage.
So when you park your car in a lot or lining a road near a university, be aware that there’s a possibility of theft, vandalism, or vehicle damage. When reviewing your auto insurance policy, make sure your coverage aligns with your needs.
- Comprehensive coverage can protect you from theft, fire, and vandalism.
- Liability coverage becomes important if you accidentally damage another vehicle or injure someone in your tailgate zone. In Texas, the law requires you to have at least $30,000 of coverage per person for injuries, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- Collision coverage helps protect your own car if it’s hit while parked or maneuvering in tight tailgate spaces.
Personal Liability
Tailgates involve more than cars. Tents collapse, chairs tip over, or someone burns themselves, and none of these scenarios is unlikely when alcohol, heat, crowds, and weather mix. If you’re hosting a big, Texas-style tailgate, you need to check with your insurance agent to ensure you’re covered. Your homeowners or renters policy, for instance, may provide enough personal liability for injuries or property damage while tailgating.
Before you spread the word about your word-famous coleslaw and brand-new tent, also check your coverage limits. Sometimes raising liability by even a small amount prevents financial disaster.
Tips to Minimize Risks
Coverage aside, there are plenty of proactive, common-sense steps you can take anytime you’re attending a game or pregaming in the parking lot. Here are a few ways to ensure maximum enjoyment with minimal risk:
- Don’t drink and drive. Arrange a sober driver or ride share. Enforcement is tight around stadiums, and DUI or even a fender bender under the influence can balloon into huge liability or criminal conviction.
- Secure your setup. Tents, chairs, and coolers get moved by wind, bumped by cars, and knocked over. Anchor tents, tie down gear, and choose stable ground when setting up your spot.
- Document incidents. Even the most safety-conscious tailgaters may encounter a few snafus, whether a fender bender in the parking lot, a chair that knocks over and damages another car, or a vehicle window left down during a thunderstorm. If at all possible, take photos of your vehicle or tent damage, along with pictures of the scene, witnesses, and license plates. Having all the documentation possible can help move claims along.
Tailgating in Texas should be about community, food, and fun, not about insurance claims or liability nightmares. Given the increased risk of damage, theft, or injury in crowded game-day settings, your winning strategy is to review your insurance and safety practices before heading out to the lot.
Source: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images
