Liability insurance, also known as financial responsibility, is required on every vehicle that is operated or even just parked on a California roadway. A driver needs to keep proof of such insurance coverage in any vehicle that has insurance at all times. It operates as proof that you or somebody using your car with your permission have the ability to pay for any personal injuries or property damage that you might cause to another person as a result of an accident.
Minimum Liability Policy Coverage in California
The amount of minimum liability policy limit coverage that a driver must show in California is disappointingly low. In fact, it’s the lowest in the United States. Here are the minimum legal requirements pursuant to section11580.2 of the California Insurance Code:
- $15,000 of bodily injury liability per person with $30,000 per occurrence.
- $5,000 of property damage coverage.
The Alternative to Insurance Coverage
California does allow an alternative to compulsory liability insurance, but few people can afford it. Here’s what they need to do:
- Make a cash deposit of $35,000 with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Purchase a California surety bond in the amount of $35,000 along with a certificate of self-insurance.
Penalties for Driving Without Proof of Insurance in California
If a driver pleads guilty or the jury finds him guilty of driving without insurance in California, he or she is subject to the following penalties:
- For a first offense, minimum fine of $100 with a maximum of $200.
- For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of $200 with a maximum of $500. Filing of an SR-22 certificate with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Likely suspension of the vehicle’s registration or plates.
- Charges for reinstatement.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
According to the Insurance Information Institute, California rank 10th in the United States for uninsured drivers with 16.6% of all drivers having no insurance at all. In reality, the percentage is likely significantly higher than that. Take a look around you next time you’re on the freeway. Probably one out of every five drivers around you is uninsured or underinsured. That’s why you want uninsured motorist insurance coverage with your California liability insurance policy. It even includes underinsured motorist insurance coverage.
Although uninsured motorist insurance isn’t mandatory, it’s required to be offered with your application for liability insurance. If you didn’t initially get it, the California car accident lawyer at Maison Law recommends that you contact your insurance agent and get it right away. Not only does it cover you in the event that you’re injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, but it probably also covers you if you were injured in a hit-and-run or as a pedestrian or bicyclist by an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver. Even your family members who live with you might be covered under uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance.
California car accident lawyer
Our California car accident lawyer at Maison Law strongly recommends that if you own a car, get as much insurance coverage as you can afford. Therefore, with the high percentage of uninsured or underinsured motorists in California, you’re likely going to need it in the future. If you or a family member got injuries in a car accident anywhere in California as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, don’t speak with the opposing insurance company.
For example, California law doesn’t require you to speak with it. And it will only try to use any information that it obtains from you against you in the future. Instead of doing that, contact us at Maison Law right away for a free and confidential consultation and case review. You don’t need to spend a penny to retain us. Once you do that, our objective will be to obtain the highest settlement or award that you deserve.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
After an accident involving a serious injury in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
