California Auto Insurance
Tags: california auto insurance, california auto insurance requirements, california auto insurance quotes, auto insurance in california, california automobile insurance, auto insurance quote california, cheap auto insurance california
California Auto Insurance Requirements
With millions of residents and thousands of miles of roads, the driving population in the Golden State of California is among the biggest. And an ever-growing population means that more and more drivers are jockeying for space on its already crowded roadways. With so many drivers, auto insurance is as essential to Californians as water. Before shopping for auto insurance, here’s what you need to know.
Liability insurance is a California requirement
Liability insurance is a California requirement just as it is in many of the other 50 states. Surprisingly though, state minimums are among the lowest at 15/30/5. So if you’re found at-fault in an accident, your insurance provider will cover up to $15,000 of the other driver’s bodily injury-related expenses if the other car involved in the accident has a single occupant. In cases where there are multiple occupants in other car, your insurer will pay a combined total of up to $30,000 towards the occupants’ bodily injury expenses. It will pay just $5,000 towards repair costs associated with property damaged as a result of your at-fault accident.
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
Liability takes care of the expenses you cause the other person(s), other vehicle(s) and property, but it won’t cover any repairs your car needs. Without collision and comprehensive coverage, you’ll have to pay those repair costs out of your own pocket. So even though this type of auto insurance coverage isn’t required, it makes sense to have it. This type of insurance also covers repair costs, minus your deductible, for any damage caused by things like adverse weather and wildlife.
Should you or your vehicle suffer damage caused by hit-and-run driver or a driver that does not have auto insurance or that does not have enough to cover your medical expenses and/or repair costs for damage done to you and/or your vehicle, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage will kick in and pay the incurred costs, up to your coverage limits. This is another type of auto insurance coverage that California does not require, but is good to have.
California Department of Insurance
Keep in mind that medical and car repair bills can be high, so you may want to consider purchasing auto insurance coverage in excess of the minimum state requirements as well as the optional coverage mentioned above. If you have more questions regarding California auto insurance requirements, please call the California Department of Insurance toll-free at 800-927-HELP (4357) or visit the website at www.insurance.ca.gov.