California Car Insurance Requirements
Numbers refreshed
This is the minimum cover that each California driver must carry, along with what it pays for.
- The average monthly cost for liability coverage is $63.
- The minimum liability limits are 30/60/15.
- It ranks 14th of 51 as the most expensive state (1st = highest).
California’s requirements
| Cover | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury, per crash | $60,000 |
| Property damage, per crash | $15,000 |
| Personal injury protection | Not required |
| Uninsured motorist | Not required |
| Underinsured motorist | Not required |
| Fault system | At-fault |
Source: California DMV, Insurance Requirements; Automobile Financial Responsibility Limits by State, rev. 7/2024 (Insurance Information Institute table archive 21211, APCIA data; PDF copy hosted by riskeducation.org).
What the numbers cover
In California, at least 30/60/15 liability is required. The $30,000 limit applies to each person hurt. The $60,000 limit covers everyone hurt in one crash. A separate $15,000 limit covers other people's property damage.
The cost of medical bills and a newer car often goes beyond these limits. Anything above those limits may be claimed from you. For this reason, many drivers buy 100/300/100 instead. The average annual cost for a liability policy in California is $760.
Driving with no insurance
In California, driving uninsured can cost you your license and registration. You may have to submit proof of insurance for several years to recover them.
Send your questions to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
More about car insurance in California
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