Car insurance · California
Car insurance requirements in California
Liability minimum 30/60/15. Claims system: fault-based claims.
Verified summaryAll California insurance topics
Requirements
Minimum car insurance requirements in California
| Coverage | Requirement in California |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 per accident |
| Injury protection | Not listed as required |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Not listed as required |
What the law requires you to carry
- Injury or death to one person: at least $30,000
- Injury or death to more than one person: at least $60,000
- Property damage: at least $15,000
Uninsured drivers
Uninsured motorist coverage in California
Not listed as required.
Optional coverage
Coverage you can add in California
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
Penalties
Penalties for driving without insurance in California
The DMV requires evidence of insurance at registration renewal, when law enforcement asks, and after a collision. If the DMV does not receive proof of insurance for a vehicle, its registration will be suspended.
Good to know
Other things to know in California
- The California DMV states that collision or comprehensive insurance alone does not meet the financial responsibility requirement. Liability coverage is required.
- Minimum limits increased on January 1, 2025. Older materials showing 15/30/5 are out of date.
- If you cannot afford liability insurance, you may be eligible for the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program: mylowcostauto.com or 1-866-602-8861 (listed by the DMV).
- Notify the DMV before you cancel your insurance to avoid a registration suspension.
General information only. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the official sources listed below.
Contacts
Who to contact in California
- California Department of Insurance
- Website: insurance.ca.gov
- Phone: 1-800-927-4357 (Department of Insurance consumer line listed by the DMV)
- NAIC directory of state insurance departments
Sources
Where this summary comes from
Reviewed 2026-10. Check each source for the current rule.
- California DMV: Auto insurance requirementsdmv.ca.gov
- California FAIR Plan: Home pagecfpnet.com
- California FAIR Plan: Earthquakecfpnet.com
Keep reading
Guides that explain these coverages
- Minimum car insurance requirements by state
- Which States Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
- No-Fault vs. At-Fault Car Insurance: Which States Use Which
- States That Raised Minimum Car Insurance Limits Since 2018
- Liability coverage explained
- Collision vs. comprehensive coverage
- What affects your car insurance rate
- After an accident: what to do and what to expect
More about California.
Home insurance resources and the health marketplace for California are on its overview page.