- California car insurance laws
- California car insurance requirements
- California car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits
- Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in California?
- What does minimum car insurance cover in California?
- How much car insurance is enough in California?
- California penalties for driving without car insurance
- California minimum coverage cost by age group
- California minimum coverage cost by city
- Optional car insurance coverage in California
- Methodology
- California car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs
- Compare state minimum requirements with other states
California car insurance laws
California requires that drivers carry at least 30/60/15.
These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.
However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, California drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.
California car insurance requirements
California requires the following coverage:
Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.
California liability minimums are 30/60/15.
GEICO has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $455.
The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in California.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $455 | $38 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $486 | $41 |
| Progressive | $601 | $50 |
| State Farm | $626 | $52 |
| Kemper | $672 | $56 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $684 | $57 |
| Mercury Insurance | $753 | $63 |
| Farmers | $1,010 | $84 |
| Travelers | $1,035 | $86 |
| Nationwide | $1,118 | $93 |
| Allstate | $1,124 | $94 |
| USAA | $499 | $42 |
California car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits
On average, state minimum car insurance costs $751. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average annual rates for the old minimum liability limits in California. We will soon revise the rates to align with the updated limits.
The cheapest company for minimum coverage in California is GEICO at an average rate of $455 annually.
| State minimum coverage limit | 30/60/15 |
| Average annual premium | $751 |
| Average monthly premium | $63 |
Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in California?
California car insurance requirements will not change in 2026. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.
Why do limits change?
"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."
What does minimum car insurance cover in California?
California requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.
California drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.
PEOPLE ASK:
Is California minimum car insurance enough?
It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 30/60/15, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.
How much car insurance is enough in California?
Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.
For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.
Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.
Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.
California penalties for driving without car insurance
Since California requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.
Failing to carry California car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.
| Fines | $100-$500 |
| Other penalties | License and registration suspension |
| Jail time | No |
California minimum coverage cost by age group
Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.
The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. State Farm has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $1,274. GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $461.
| Company | Male annual premium | Male monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,530 | $127 |
| GEICO | $1,655 | $138 |
| Progressive | $1,869 | $156 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,275 | $190 |
| Travelers | $2,334 | $195 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,376 | $198 |
| Farmers | $2,582 | $215 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,595 | $216 |
| Kemper | $2,832 | $236 |
| Allstate | $3,346 | $279 |
| Nationwide | $4,796 | $400 |
| USAA | $1,503 | $125 |
| Company | Female annual premium | Female monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,530 | $127 |
| GEICO | $1,655 | $138 |
| Progressive | $1,869 | $156 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,275 | $190 |
| Travelers | $2,334 | $195 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,376 | $198 |
| Farmers | $2,582 | $215 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,595 | $216 |
| Kemper | $2,832 | $236 |
| Allstate | $3,346 | $279 |
| Nationwide | $4,796 | $400 |
| USAA | $1,503 | $125 |
California minimum coverage cost by city
San Jose drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in California at $734. On the other hand, drivers in Los Angeles pay the most at $1,118.
Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.
The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in California.
| City | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | $839 | $70 |
| Bakersfield | $765 | $64 |
| Fresno | $750 | $62 |
| Long Beach | $870 | $73 |
| Los Angeles | $1,118 | $93 |
| Oakland | $794 | $66 |
| Sacramento | $843 | $70 |
| San Diego | $737 | $61 |
| San Francisco | $832 | $69 |
| San Jose | $734 | $61 |
Optional car insurance coverage in California
California requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.
Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:
- Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
- Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
- Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
- Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
- Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.
Why do limits change?
"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."
Methodology
Insurance.com partners with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. National and state average rates are based on state minimum coverage and on the following parameters:
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.
Learn more about our data and methodology.
California car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs
Is it mandatory to have car insurance in California?
Yes, California requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 30/60/15.
Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?
Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.
What happens if I drive without car insurance in California?
If you're caught driving without car insurance in California, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.
Compare state minimum requirements with other states
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