California Auto Insurance Quotes

Choosing the right auto insurance provider and coverage in California starts with understanding the law in this state. Once you know what your responsibilities are, you can start considering your individual needs.

After creating an outline of your desired coverage, you can get quotes from companies to find the right provider for your situation. Simply enter your ZIP code into the FREE comparison tool located above to start your search today!

Required by Law

In the State of California, driving is a privilege, and insurance is a requirement for all licensed drivers. California has financial responsibility laws in place to ensure that drivers can pay for damages and medical expenses associated with an accident they cause.

Those who are able to show that they have an alternative way to pay for injury or property damage may not be required to carry insurance.

The requirements for showing financial responsibility may include any one of the following:

• An auto insurance policy with minimum of liability coverage
• Putting a cash deposit of $35,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles
• A DMV-issued self-insurance certificate
• A surety bond of $35,000 from a company that’s licensed to conduct business within the state

Serious Offense with Serious Consequences

Failure to purchase and maintain proper insurance is a violation of state law. The state requires that you notify them before car insurance is canceled. Any car that is driven or parked on a California road must be insured, so you can be ticketed even if your car is simply parked on the street in front of your home.

California law allows your registration to be suspended for the following reasons:

• The DMV receives notification that your insurance was cancelled and replacement policy information is not submitted within the next 45 days
• The DMV doesn’t receive insurance information within 30 days of issuing a new registration card
• False evidence of insurance is submitted in order to get or renew the registration

Once the car is insured again, drivers can renew the registration by going online to, sending in the information by mail or calling an automated system at 800-777-0133.

Drivers who continue operating a vehicle with a suspended registration can face additional citations, having their car impounded, and being held personally liable for any damages resulting from a collision they’re involved in.

Open Communication Between the State of California and Insurance Companies

Starting in January of 2006, the communication between state agencies and insurance companies has been drastically improved. Drivers in the state are required to maintain insurance, and insurance companies are now required to provide the DMV with proof of coverage. The DMV can then follow up with people who haven’t purchased or maintained insurance.

Additionally, the police now have the right to verify that a car is properly insured by checking the DMV records. This entire process may help locate and address uninsured drivers before they cause an accident.

Even though the police can check your insurance status, it’s still better to carry proof of insurance in the car at all time. It’s still required by law, and it will eliminate most problems if there’s some miscommunication between the insurance company and the DMV.

Understanding the Limits

The state sets very low limits for liability coverage. Bodily injury limits are $15,000 per person for one accident, and $30,000 for all people involved in any one accident. The property damage is $5,000 for any one accident.

Insurance rates will be lowest when you choose these minimum levels, but you won’t have the protection you really need. If you hit a brand new car, you could easily cause more than $5,000 in damage.

If the car is totaled, you could be looking at a property damage bill of more than $30,000 in many cases. Medical expenses after an accident can be very high, and they may continue to accrue over the coming years depending on the severity of the accident and injuries. When comparing auto insurance policies online, protect yourself by choosing higher coverage levels.

Accidents and Lawsuits

California is a tort state. Their Civil Code Section 1714 states that individuals are responsible for their willful acts and negligence. In addition to covering their own personal damages, they must also cover the injury or damages they cause to other parties. In short, the state of California expects the person deemed responsible for the accident to cover the damages.

However, the insurance companies will only pay up to the set limits of your policy. If the damage is more extensive than the limits, you may be held personally liable for the difference. The other party can file a suit against you and demand payment. The result can be the loss of valuable assets, wage garnishments and even bankruptcy. This is why it’s vital for people to protect all of their assets by investing in higher limits with the insurance plan.

There are cases where the driver who causes an accident doesn’t have insurance to cover the damages, or they may have state minimum levels that simply aren’t high enough.

You can sue them personally for the other damages and medical bills, but you’re limited by their assets and earning potential. If you’re in an accident with someone who rents an apartment, drives an older car and has low earnings, you may not have any way to recoup your losses. You’ll be forced to pay for the damage to your car and your medical bills yourself. This is why it’s important to have uninsured and underinsured protection.

Some companies include it in their plans, but others require it as a rider. When signing up for any policy, read the fine print closely to see if you need to invest in this protection separately.

Getting Your Car Fixed

If you cause the accident, liability insurance will take care of the damages to the other vehicle and people, but it won’t pay anything towards your own repairs or injuries. This is where collision and comprehensive coverage comes into play.

Even if you cause the accident, you can still get your car fixed with collision coverage. It’s important to note that collision coverage does not cover your losses when someone else is at fault for the accident, so you’ll want to investigate the uninsured/underinsured driver protection. Collision protection should be enough to cover the cost of replacing your car with a similar model.

A nice benefit of comprehensive insurance is that this protection goes beyond accidents on the road to cover accidents in your driveway. If you’re worried about earthquakes, mudslides, falling branches and vandalism, then this coverage should absolutely be part of your insurance plan.

Leased and Financed Considerations

Across the nation, lenders have special requirements of their customers. When a car is leased or financed, most companies require that they have full coverage, including comprehensive.

This is part of the contract you sign when the car is purchased and the financing paperwork is completed. This protection can be dropped once the car is paid for, but consider this step carefully. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, do you have the funds on hand to replace it? Many people choose to carry this protection on older cars.

What to Expect

Policy holders can expect certain questions when they apply for coverage. The company may request personal information, including driving record, auto information, miles driven annually and years of experience on the road.

Consumers will also be given the opportunity to apply for additional coverage, including collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorists. You may choose to add medical payments so that your medical bills can be covered regardless of fault or liability. Other options include rental car coverage and glass breakage.

Check for Discounts

The State of California wants driving on the road to be insured. Companies across the state make the process more affordable by offering valuable discounts. Discounts vary by company, but customers should ask about savings based on:

• Being a good driver
• Working in certain occupations
• Having multiple policies
• Insuring more than one car
• Having a car with better safety ratings or anti-theft systems
• Off-street parking or garaged cars
• Good grades for teen drivers
• Taking safe driving classes

When shopping for auto insurance in California, take the time to look for the right company. Any agency you consider doing business with must be aware of the law requiring them to report your information to the state.

While the state requirements are low, invest in more effective insurance plans that will shield your assets in any lawsuits while providing you with the support you need if someone else causes the accident.

In addition to looking at the final monthly premiums of a plan, consider the customer service record of the company. Finally, compare prices only after taking into account the little extras you want to invest in and any discounts you qualify for. This will give you the most accurate picture for comparison purposes.

Enter your ZIP code below to start comparing car insurance rates for FREE today!