Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in California
California law requires liability insurance coverage -- at or above certain minimum dollar amounts -- for any motor vehicle in operation in the state. This liability insurance is meant to compensate other drivers or passengers for property damage or personal injuries in case an accident occurs. The minimum amounts of coverage required under California law are:
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person (another driver, passenger, pedestrian, etc.).
- $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and
- $5,000 for damage to property.
Remember, this is the minimum amount of liability coverage required under California law. You can (and in some cases probably should) carry more coverage. One justification for carrying more coverage than is required by state law is that if you’re at fault for an accident, your insurance will only cover you up to the maximum of your policy. Once the limits of your policy are exhausted, you’ll be left personally on the hook for the remainder of the damages.