California, like almost every other state in the US, requires all registered vehicles to carry auto insurance coverage. This is designed to protect you in the event of a collision. Understanding car insurance minimums is crucial if you have been involved in a car accident and are unsure of how to recover the compensation you deserve. You might believe the insurance company will be required to compensate you for all losses, but the truth may surprise you.
California Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
According to California’s auto insurance requirements outlined by the California Department of Insurance, there are several different types of auto insurance coverage that may meet the minimum requirements. These include:
A $35,000 surety bond from a company licensed to do business in the state of California
A California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issueda self-insurance certificate
A cash deposit of $35,000 paid to the DMV
Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage
Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage is the most common type of auto insurance coverage California motorists carry. The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage requirements are as follow,s effective January 1, 2025, under Senate Bill 1107, as California is a fault insurance state per California Insurance Code – INS § 11580.1:
$15,000 in property damage liability coverage
$30,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
What is Not Required
The insurance company will also offer many other types of coverage. The type of insurance coverage you carry will determine how much the insurance company will pay out if you are ever responsible for causing an accident. For this reason, it may be in your best interest to look into some additional coverage types, such as:
You may know that you have to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company, but you may not have much information about what to expect next. After you file your claim, the insurance adjuster will be responsible for investigating it. They will likely ask you to give them a statement at this time.
You should not say anything to the insurance adjuster, as it could be misconstrued and used to reduce your settlement. Instead, direct them to our California motorcycle accident lawyer who can provide them with the information they need to continue processing your claim. Once it is processed, the insurance company should make you a settlement offer or deny your claim.
Connect With a Top-Rated California Car Accident Lawyer Today
If the driver who hit you did not have enough auto insurance coverage or was uninsured, your car insurance settlement may not compensate you for the total value of your economic and non-economic damages. Since most insurance settlements do not provide compensation for non-economic damages at all, you should not lose hope.
With the help of a reputable California personal injury attorney from JSM Injury Firm APC, you may be able to move forward with a civil lawsuit against the liable party and demand compensation for your suffering and damages. Explore every opportunity for financial relief when you hire a car accident lawyer on contingency. Fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule your free case evaluation as soon as today.
