Whether you’re fighting through traffic on the 405 or taking a scenic cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway, living in California can lead to a lot of time spent behind the wheel. This means that in the nation’s most populated state, it’s important to have quality auto insurance coverage.

Direct Auto Insurance is proud to offer cheap car insurance in California, the “Golden State,” and in this guide, we’re teaching you which coverages are mandatory, which ones are optional, and how Direct Auto can help you find cheap California car insurance. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save with Direct.

California Car Insurance Laws

Do you have to have car insurance in California?

California law requires drivers to show proof they can pay for damages after an at-fault crash. This is almost always satisfied by purchasing at least minimum liability coverage from an auto insurer. California auto insurance policies must at least meet the minimum liability limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in California are 15/30/5, as shown below under California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.

California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Wondering what your insurance policy needs to meet California’s coverage requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.

Coverages	Is It Required by Law?
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary).	Yes. $15,000 bodily injury per person/$30,000 bodily injury per accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more.	Yes. $5,000 property damage per accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage.	Not required but will be added unless rejected in writing.
Medical Payments Coverage helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault.	Not required.
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault.	Not required.¹
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal.	Not required.¹

IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing liability-only coverage ensures you follow California’s insurance laws, it doesn’t necessarily protect you and your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like UM/UIM, comprehensive, and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.

¹Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Are there additional coverage options?

For added peace of mind, Direct Auto offers add-on services and other insurance products for California drivers:

California Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties

What if I don't meet California’s minimum car insurance requirements?

If you’re considering driving without coverage in California, think again! The state requires insurers to report changes in any vehicle’s insurance status directly to the DMV. In other words, if you let your coverage lapse, you’ll face consequences even if you’re not actually caught driving without coverage.

If you do get caught driving without insurance, the penalties can be severe, according to the

Consumer Federation of America. You can expect a fine and potential vehicle impoundment for a first offense.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in California

It’s against the law to operate a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in California. The exact penalties for driving while suspended, revoked, or unlicensed depend on a few factors, but California drivers in this situation can expect to face serious fines and potential jail time that increase for subsequent offenses.

SR-22 Insurance in California

Some states require high-risk drivers to keep an SR-22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. A driver might be required to file an SR-22 if:

They have committed serious driving violations.
They have failed to maintain proper liability coverage or have broken state insurance laws.
They were convicted of a DUI/DWI.

If you have any questions about SR-22 filings, we’d be happy to help. Our agents specialize in helping people find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their history.

High-Risk Auto Insurance in California

Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. While some companies try to steer clear of these individuals, other insurance companies offer non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) to provide financial protection for these drivers.

We believe your driving history shouldn't define you forever, and we work hard to find quality, affordable coverage for every driver, regardless of their past.

Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in California?

Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The amount & type of coverage you choose
The year, make, and model of the vehicle you drive
How much you drive, where you drive, and where you live
Your demographics
Your driving record

Other California Auto Insurance Resources

Find Cheap Car Insurance in California with Direct Auto!

Looking for affordable car insurance in California? Get a free auto quote that meets your state’s requirements, fits your needs, and includes any discounts you’re entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible.

*Emergency Protection Plans (EPP) and Roadside Assistance are not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.

** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc

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