California Car Insurance
Looking for cheap California car insurance? The state of California has laws setting the lowest insurance coverage requirements for drivers.
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Minimum Coverage Requirement
While one can and often times should get more coverage, the lowest you are allowed to have is set by law. You can get by with a financial responsibility certificate, but most of us don’t have $35,000 laying around. Instead, having auto insurance is a must for the average driver in the Golden State.
These statutory limits for liability insurance are $15,000 of death or injury to any one person, $30,000 for multiple persons in a single accident, and $5,000 for physical property damages from a single accident.
Special Program for Low Income Drivers
For low income drivers who qualify for the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) the stated limits are modified somewhat. Instead of the 15/30/5 that most motorists must follow, low income drivers with cars valued under $20,000 that have good driver standing can get $10,000 death or injury to a single person, $20,000 to all persons in a single accident, and $3,000 in property damage coverage for a single accident through the state wide CLCA program.
Beyond The State Minimum Requirements
There are various other types of California car insurance you can get that are above and beyond the state required minimum coverage and will make your experience on the road safer.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) – this is often offered in $50,000 coverage units
- Collision insurance – this covers the damage to personal property when the driver is at fault
- Comprehensive car insurance – this will protect you from environmental damage, vandalism, or fire
And of course one may get full coverage that includes all of these as well as the state requirements.
Things to Pay Attention When Comparing Quotes
When comparing prices one should keep in mind that insurance companies will vary what they charge based on the risks that they perceive the driver to pose. The location in which you drive, the car you have, your traffic record, accident reports, your age, and other factors all come into play to determine your cost for coverage.
One should then keep in mind that just like shopping for Christmas gifts for kids, when comparing auto insurance quotes what form of policy they are for. Full and comprehensive coverage are not the same, although one might think they are.
Also some policies cover the car no matter who is driving while others cover the primary driver only no matter what car they are in or even just the primary driver in that specific vehicle. This means that the policy you get may not cover you if you need a rental car, or it may only cover you and not your spouse in your car as a driver. Pay close attention to the terms of your policy.
Keep Your Car Insured
While there are some exceptions, off-road, trailers, or listed as planned non-operation, most cars must have insurance in California to be road legal.
The state of California has severe penalties for those who do not maintain auto insurance for their cars. Implemented in October of 2006, the law links the vehicle’s registration with the insurance. If the policy is allowed to lapse then the car is listed as unregistered.
This notification happens electronically and automatically within 45 days of your policy lapsing. Local law enforcement can impound your car, fine you (this fine is set at a thousand dollars and could be higher) and/or suspend your license to drive if you are caught without insurance.
Additionally, any accident you are involved in without car insurance you will be tagged as at fault and have to shoulder all costs for injury and damages.
Your requirements under law do not end with just buying a policy. The insurance company or your agent will send electronic notification to the DMV but you will also get a printout or card that is your proof of insurance. If you do not have this document in your car and you are involved in an accident or are pulled over by the police the same fines could apply as if you had allowed your insurance to lapse. You may be required to send a copy of this to the DVM directly. Do not send the original because it will not be returned to you.
While a driver needs to meet the state law and stay within their budget, there are tons of options out there to help you find the perfect California car insurance policy. Do some careful comparisons, not relying on a single source for your information where quotes are concerned. Keep in mind the requirements too of any financing party if your car is new or leased, because your obligations for insurance will have to meed their standards as well.
Be sure to browse the rest of this site as there are much more information we have provided to help you get cheap California car insurance with best policy possible.