Updated: December 10, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
California's minimum car insurance requirements include $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident and $5,000 in property damage liability. Since California is an at-fault state, this minimum coverage is legally required to pay for damage or injuries you cause in an accident.
The average monthly cost of minimum coverage is around $55. While finding the cheapest car insurance in California is important, ensure your policy provides adequate protection.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed Quadrant Information Services and the California Department of Insurance data to get the most accurate cost data for various California drivers.
These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in California as of December 2024.
In California, drivers must carry minimum coverage auto insurance, which includes:
California is a fault state, which means drivers may opt for higher coverage limits to protect against potential financial liability from an accident they may cause. This can affect insurance premiums. In a fault state, financial responsibility for an accident typically falls on the driver who caused it, and their insurance must cover the damage.
California doesn't legally require drivers to have collision and comprehensive insurance. However, when financing or leasing a vehicle, lenders often mandate collision and comprehensive insurance to protect their investment against damage from accidents, theft or natural disasters. Collision and/or comprehensive coverage is essential for California drivers with leased or financed vehicles.
What Liability Insurance Covers | What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover |
|---|---|
Injuries to others if you're at fault in an accident | Your injuries |
Damage to another person’s property if you're at fault in an accident | Damage to your car |
Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy | Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal |
Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, unless additional coverage is purchased |
The table above displays California's minimum car insurance requirements, covering bodily injury and property damage. Your policy's terms and conditions govern specific coverage details.
California drivers between the ages of 22 and 29 have the highest premiums due to their higher risk of accidents and lower driving experience.
The table below shows California's average minimum coverage cost per age group, reflecting how premiums decrease with age.
| 22-29 | $820 | $68 |
| 30-59 | $664 | $55 |
| 60 + | $657 | $55 |
The most affordable options for minimum coverage auto insurance in California are:
Finding affordable minimum coverage insurance is important, but ensure the policy meets your needs and offers adequate protection. Explore your options to get the best car insurance in California.
| CSAA | $139 | $12 |
| AAA | $437 | $36 |
| GEICO | $474 | $40 |
| Progressive | $485 | $40 |
| Kemper | $561 | $47 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $615 | $51 |
| Mercury | $630 | $52 |
| State Farm | $642 | $54 |
| State National | $644 | $54 |
| Hartford | $715 | $60 |
| Nationwide | $722 | $60 |
| Farmers | $731 | $61 |
| National General | $745 | $62 |
| Travelers | $762 | $63 |
| Allstate | $1,054 | $88 |
| Chubb | $1,271 | $106 |
In California, optional add-on coverages include collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments and rental reimbursement. These can protect drivers financially from various scenarios like accidents, theft or personal injury. Determining how much car insurance you need can help tailor a policy beyond the state minimum.
Add-On Coverage | What It Covers | What It Doesn't Cover |
|---|---|---|
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage | Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance | Damage to your vehicle if you are at fault or damage that exceeds policy limits |
Personal injury protection (PIP) | Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers, regardless of who's at fault | Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver |
Roadside assistance | Services like towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts when your car breaks down | Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow |
Gap insurance | Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen | Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments |
Rental car reimbursement | The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event | Fuel, insurance or other rental extras |
Collision coverage | Repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of fault | Damage due to theft, vandalism or natural disasters |
Comprehensive coverage | Repairs to non-collision damage from events like theft, fire or hail | Damage from a collision or personal injuries |
Towing and labor coverage | Towing and basic roadside assistance labor costs at the site of your vehicle's breakdown | More extensive repairs needed at a garage |
Custom parts and equipment coverage | Safeguards aftermarket enhancements like custom wheels or stereo systems | Original parts that came with your vehicle |
Accidental death coverage | Offers a payout if you or a passenger dies or experiences certain injuries in a car accident | Non-accidental death or injuries |
Classic car insurance | Agreed-upon values for your unique vehicle, tailored for vintage or collector cars | Regular use like your daily commute |
The cost of a ticket for driving without insurance in California depends on whether it’s your first violation or a repeat offense. Drivers with a first-time offense can expect to pay a hefty fine, whereas repeat offenders face even steeper penalties. The financial consequences grow more severe with each subsequent violation.
Additional penalties for driving without minimum coverage auto insurance in California may include:
Adhering to California's insurance laws is important to avoid these penalties and have a financial safeguard in case of an accident. Maintaining minimum coverage auto insurance is a legal requirement and essential for everyone's protection on the road.
If your car insurance policy is canceled in California, immediately contact an insurance agent to get a new policy. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in severe penalties. California law requires insurance companies to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when a policy is canceled, ensuring that the DMV can track who has valid insurance.
The DMV will be aware if you're uninsured, potentially leading to suspending your vehicle registration. To avoid this, keep your coverage current and don't drive without at least the state minimum insurance.
California offers the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) for drivers struggling to purchase insurance on the open market. CAARP provides a way to get the necessary coverage and stay legal. Maintaining coverage is vital to complying with California laws and protecting yourself on the road.
If your car insurance policy in California was canceled, it could be due to a few common reasons:
We answered common questions about minimum coverage in California to help you understand the car insurance needed to comply with state laws.
California's minimum coverage for auto insurance requires $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident. This basic coverage meets legal requirements but may not fully protect you in serious accidents.
California mandates minimum auto insurance coverage to ensure drivers can cover their financial responsibilities in case of an accident. This protects victims from out-of-pocket costs for injuries or property damage and helps maintain public safety by providing guaranteed compensation.
In California, comprehensive insurance isn't legally required. However, it offers protection against non-collision events like theft or natural disasters. Consider your vehicle’s value and personal risk to decide if comprehensive coverage suits you.
Driving without insurance in California can result in fines of $100 to $200 for a first offense and higher penalties for repeat violations. Authorities may also impound your vehicle and suspend your license. To legally drive, you must carry minimum coverage auto insurance, including bodily injury and property damage liability. Without this coverage, you face legal penalties and financial risks after an accident.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
