Car insurance comes into play far too many times a year for a lot of California drivers. The better the coverage, the better off many motorists emerge from the inevitable collisions on busy freeways and boulevards.
But what are the minimum requirements for California motorists as far as insurance coverage goes?
What Is The Minimum Car Insurance I Can Carry in California?
The minimum requirements can change from year to year. However, this year’s insurance coverage requirements are the same as those in 2025.
For policies renewed in 2026, motorists must carry the following coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability covering one person’s injury or death – $30,000
- Bodily Injury Liability covering two or more people injured or killed – $60,000
- Damage to Property – $15,000
If you drive on California roadways, you should be aware of what a minimum policy covers and what it doesn’t. The basic coverage is only for an accident where you are at fault. It’s to help the people you may hurt to pay for medical care and other damages.
The bodily injury liability wouldn’t cover you if you were injured in an accident you caused. You also can’t draw from the property damage coverage in a crash you are to blame for.
What to Know: The California DMV notes that insurance is required on all vehicles operated on California roads or parked on California roads.
Do I Get Uninsured Motorist Protection with the Minimum Car Insurance Coverage in California?
In California, uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is usually included in car insurance policies. It’s a part of most policies unless drivers seek an even cheaper premium by submitting a written request for the coverage to be removed.
UM protection can help pay your medical bills and car repair costs if you are struck by an uninsured driver. It’s a critical protection in California, where the number of uninsured drivers on the road is extremely high. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that in 2023, an estimated 20% of California drivers traveled around without auto insurance.
UIM protection is also important if you are struck by someone carrying the least insurance protection allowed. Your medical bills may go beyond the policy limit of the at-fault driver, leaving you with a big percentage of your recovery expenses to pay yourself. UIM coverage would kick in from your own policy to help you make up for whatever the other driver’s insurance didn’t provide for.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
If someone strikes your car and you suffer a serious injury, like a broken bone or a head injury, turning your claim over to a lawyer may be a financially important choice. It’s a simple case of your medical bills running higher, causing insurance companies to fight harder to avoid accepting the blame for an at-fault driver.
If you aren’t sure if you need the protection of a lawyer, there’s a no-risk way to find out. Maison Law offers a free, no-obligation case consultation with a real lawyer. Our California car accident lawyers can sit down with you and listen to the details of what happened. They can go over your best options for getting the most for your recovery with the shortest wait. We want you to get back to your normal life without financial worries as soon as possible.
If you end up needing our help, you never have to pay anything up front to hire a lawyer. Our lawyers work under a contingency agreement. It means we don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the car insurance settlement you are awarded.
