Auto Insurance Requirements - California DMV (2024)

FAQs

What are the minimum requirements for auto insurance in California? ›

California requires drivers to carry at least the following auto insurance coverages: Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum. Property damage liability coverage: $5,000 minimum.

Can you present digital proof of insurance? Yes, you can provide a picture of your vehicle's insurance information. California Vehicle Code 16028 states, “The evidence of financial responsibility may be provided using a mobile electronic device.”

Minimum California Car Insurance Coverage

For bodily injury you need to have coverage for $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident minimum liability. $5,000 for property damage liability. Uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident minimum liability.

You must have your proof of financial responsibility (insurance) when you drive and for a drive test. If you get into a collision, you must show proof to the other drivers involved in the collision.

You can not drive a vehicle in California without insurance, and you or the person you're borrowing from must have insurance to drive legally. Your regular auto insurance policy in Los Angeles tends to follow the car instead of the person who has paid for the insurance. The same applies to when you borrow a car.

Unless you own a fleet of vehicles (usually 25 or more), self-insured car insurance is only allowed in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

A document or identification card from your insurance company. A DMV authorization letter, if you are a cash depositor or are self-insured. California Proof of Insurance Certificate (SR 22) form for broad coverage or owner's policy.

At a DMV NOW Kiosk with your renewal notice, registration card, or letter from the Vehicle Insurance Program with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) located at the top middle portion of the document. By telephone on the automated voice system at 1-800-777-0133.

You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times, which you'll need to provide when law enforcement requests it, when you renew your car registration, and when you're involved in a traffic collision.

Rather than paying for car insurance, in California the DMV allows you to make a $35,000 cash deposit to them. If you are at fault in a car accident the DMV will draw funds from that account for the damages you are responsible for. Going forward, you have to make sure there is always $35,000 in that amount.

What is the best car insurance to get in California? ›

Having Full Coverage means you have a higher scope of protection. This additional coverage on your car insurance policy will come in handy in situations liability does not cover. Collision Coverage is a type of coverage that pays for your car to be repaired after an accident, regardless of who caused it.

Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Limits (in 2025)

For policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2025 the minimum limits for private passenger automobile insurance will increase to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.

Factors like inflation and a greater number of accidents can make taking new business in California less attractive when the rates can't be raised higher. In addition to auto insurance, it is currently harder for Californians to get home insurance because the prevalence of wildfires is growing more common.

Driving without insurance is an infraction and is punishable be a fine between $100 and $200 plus any other state assessments and fees. However, if the driver is ticketed a subsequent time for driving without insurance within 3 years of the first infraction, then the fine will be between $200 and $500.

Minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 mean the insurance company will provide bodily injury liability coverage up to $15,000 per person injured in any one accident, $30,000 for all persons injured in any one accident, and up to $5,000 for property damages in any one accident.

In California, teen drivers are automatically covered under their parent/guardian's insurance once they obtain a learner's permit, so no action is required until a teen gets a driver's license.

At what age car insurance goes down depends on several factors, but you should see your insurance premium start to decline by the time you reach 19, with the decrease becoming less noticeable after you reach 35. In your senior years, you may see your rate begin to increase again.