- California liability Insurance: All about liability insurance in California
- What is California Liability Insurance?
- What does California Liability Insurance Cover?
- Understanding Bodily Injury and Property Damage in California Liability Car Insurance
- When The California Liability Insurance Minimum Is NOT Enough
- What are California's Penalties When You Drive With No Insurance?
- Cost for Liability only in California (by city)
- Most Affordable California Liability Car Insurance by Company
- Who has the lowest liability price in California (by city)
- SR22 Insurance and California Liability Car Insurance
- Average SR22 Rates by City in California
- Any Alternative Insurance Plans for California Liability Insurance?
- Should I upgrade to full coverage in California (by city)
- Frequently Asked Questions About California Liability Insurance
- INSURANCE SERVICES WE OFFER
- Need More than California Liability Insurance: Other California Insurance Guides
What is California Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance is a form of financial security in any event when you are involved in an accident and you are responsible for the aftermath whether that be injury, death, or property damage.
The California state minimum liability insurance is as follows:
$15,000 for Bodily Injury Per Person, $30,000 for Bodily Injury Per Accident $5,000 for property damage
What does California Liability Insurance Cover?
In the state of California, liability insurance covers both bodily injury and property damage caused to others in an accident where you are at fault. Bodily injury liability coverage assists in paying for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and even legal fees if you injure someone in an accident. Property damage liability coverage, on the other hand, helps cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property, such as vehicles, buildings, or other structures. It’s important to note that California law mandates specific minimum coverage limits for liability insurance to ensure adequate protection for drivers and other affected parties. Understanding these coverage limits and the potential consequences of being underinsured is essential for California drivers to make informed decisions about their auto insurance policies.
Understanding Bodily Injury and Property Damage in California Liability Car Insurance
Liability insurance is the state minimum coverage needed in your state to drive legally, which includes bodily injury and property damage.
Bodily injury: is needed in any occasion you are at fault in an accident and need to cover medical expenses, loss of income from said injuries, and the expense that comes with pain and suffering.
Property damage: covers the bills to pay for vehicle repairs or any valuables that were destroyed in the incident. Property damage will also help cover any damage done to surrounding vehicles or objects such as fences, homes, or storefronts.
When The California Liability Insurance Minimum Is NOT Enough
Now, there are a few instances where liability insurance won’t cover you.
Remember, liability insurance is also called third party insurance. That means it’s the amount that pays out to the OTHER party if you are at fault. If you are found to be at fault, liability insurance will NOT cover:
- damages to your own vehicle after the incident
- injury sustained by you or any passengers in your vehicle
- any expenses, medical payments, or property damage that would exceed your original liability policy limit.
- If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, and someone hits you and does not have insurance
However, there are many different optional coverages that you could obtain that could benefit you such as:
- uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- personal injury protection,
- collision coverage
- comprehensive coverage
- medical payment coverage
Also, it’s important to remember: California’s liability coverage requirement for property damage is ONLY $5000. It is VERY likely that $5000 is not going to be sufficient to cover vehicle damages.
It’s in your best interest to weigh out all your options and decide if you are only wanting the state minimum requirement or if you are wanting to have a higher liability limit.
What are California’s Penalties When You Drive With No Insurance?
When driving in California it is necessary to either carry liability insurance with the state minimum requirements or a legal alternative. Nonetheless getting pulled over and not having insurance will result in hefty consequences. Those consequences will vary depending on if you’re a first time offender or a frequent offender.
First time offender: If you are caught driving without insurance you can expect to be fined an amount close to $360 (around 100 for the fine and 260 for the penalty assessment.)
Second offense: When you are caught for a second time, the penalty gets more severe with a total ranging between 1,000 to 2,000 dollars.
Moreover, there are also further consequences when you drive without insurance and you happen to get into a car accident. Some of those punishments are listed below:
First offense after collision: a fine up to 300-700 dollars and a required one year suspension of your license with a SR22 attached to your insurance policy for three years.
Second offense after collision: a fine up to 700-2000 dollars and a required four year suspension of your license with a SR22 attached to your insurance policy and to keep that form on your policy.
It is also important to note that when you go to court for said offenses they can impound your vehicle. Bottom line: It’s always best to not drive when you don’t have insurance.
Cost for Liability only in California (by city)
| City | Price |
| Long Beach | $97.00 |
| San Bernardino | $91.00 |
| Santa Ana | $95.00 |
| Huntington Beach | $96.00 |
| Santa Clara | $109.00 |
| Moreno Valley | $90.00 |
| Santa Maria | $96.00 |
| San Diego | $91.00 |
| Riverside | $107.00 |
| El Cajon | $103.00 |
| Chula Vista | $101.00 |
| Temecula | $96.00 |
| Rialto | $88.00 |
| Carlsbad | $87.00 |
| Fairfield | $95.00 |
| Santa Rosa | $102.00 |
| Murrieta | $93.00 |
| Victorville | $90.00 |
| Salinas | $100.00 |
| Daly City | $90.00 |
| Burbank | $91.00 |
| Arden-Arcade | $91.00 |
| Hayward | $96.00 |
| Palmdale | $110.00 |
| Santa Clarita | $98.00 |
| Orange | $87.00 |
| Vallejo | $94.00 |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $90.00 |
| Oceanside | $107.00 |
| Garden Grove | $86.00 |
| Fresno | $96.00 |
| Antioch | $100.00 |
| Pasadena | $97.00 |
| Richmond | $95.00 |
| East Los Angeles | $99.00 |
| Clovis | $91.00 |
| Bakersfield | $88.00 |
| Torrance | $109.00 |
| El Monte | $103.00 |
| Visalia | $95.00 |
| Los Angeles | $100.00 |
| Thousand Oaks | $109.00 |
| Sacramento | $86.00 |
| Modesto | $107.00 |
| San Mateo | $93.00 |
| Pomona | $98.00 |
| Vista | $103.00 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $93.00 |
| Lancaster | $101.00 |
| San Francisco | $110.00 |
| Simi Valley | $104.00 |
| Inglewood | $98.00 |
| Jurupa Valley | $92.00 |
| Concord | $108.00 |
| Fullerton | $99.00 |
| Elk Grove | $109.00 |
| Costa Mesa | $102.00 |
| Escondido | $106.00 |
| Roseville | $104.00 |
| Berkeley | $101.00 |
| Glendale | $87.00 |
| Oakland | $97.00 |
| West Covina | $108.00 |
| Ontario | $102.00 |
| Downey | $100.00 |
| Oxnard | $102.00 |
| Fontana | $87.00 |
| Sunnyvale | $106.00 |
| San Jose | $93.00 |
| Corona | $90.00 |
| Norwalk | $95.00 |
| Irvine | $101.00 |
| Stockton | $102.00 |
Most Affordable California Liability Car Insurance by Company
California liability car insurance: Top 5 Best Rates
| Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $81 |
| The General | $81 |
| National General | $82 |
| Dairyland | $86 |
| Acceptance RTR | $99 |
Who has the lowest liability price in California (by city)
| City | Price |
| Berkeley | Farmers |
| Torrance | Progressive |
| Victorville | National General |
| San Francisco | Progressive |
| Downey | Progressive |
| Clovis | Liberty Mutual |
| Oakland | Progressive |
| Santa Ana | The General |
| Hayward | Geico |
| Temecula | National General |
| Arden-Arcade | Farmers |
| Bakersfield | Geico |
| Elk Grove | The General |
| Sunnyvale | Liberty Mutual |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Progressive |
| Long Beach | Farmers |
| San Bernardino | The General |
| Costa Mesa | Geico |
| West Covina | The General |
| Salinas | The General |
| Santa Maria | Dairyland* |
| Escondido | National General |
| Fullerton | The General |
| Carlsbad | The General |
| Antioch | Dairyland* |
| Richmond | Geico |
| Fremont | Liberty Mutual |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | Progressive |
| El Monte | Geico |
| Chula Vista | Geico |
| Fresno | Geico |
| Lancaster | Geico |
| Oxnard | Bristol West |
| Burbank | The General |
| Pomona | Dairyland* |
| Vista | National General |
| Visalia | Progressive |
| Concord | The General |
| Simi Valley | The General |
| Huntington Beach | Farmers |
| Moreno Valley | Progressive |
| Riverside | The General |
| El Cajon | Progressive |
| Daly City | Geico |
| Garden Grove | Geico |
| East Los Angeles | The General |
| Santa Clara | The General |
| Thousand Oaks | Progressive |
| Murrieta | Progressive |
| Sacramento | The General |
| Anaheim | Liberty Mutual |
| Vallejo | National General |
| Roseville | Progressive |
| Oceanside | Geico |
| Irvine | Geico |
| San Mateo | Progressive |
| Pasadena | Progressive |
| Modesto | Progressive |
| Fontana | Geico |
| San Diego | Liberty Mutual |
| Rialto | Progressive |
| San Jose | Progressive |
| Norwalk | Progressive |
| Corona | The General |
| Jurupa Valley | Progressive |
| Los Angeles | Progressive |
| Palmdale | Progressive |
SR22 Insurance and California Liability Car Insurance
As said before liability insurance contains bodily injury and property damage.
But what’s the difference between California liability insurance and SR22 insurance?
SR22 insurance is a filing mandated by the state, typically targeted at high-risk drivers who are caught failing to pay for charges after an incident, driving under the influence, reckless driving, or if you have multiple traffic violations.
Listed below are the rates we have with different companies.
California Liability Car Insurance: Top 5 Best Rates for Drivers With an SR-22
| Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| Dairyland | $72 |
| The General | $95 |
| GEICO | $97 |
| Progressive | $97 |
| Mendota | $99 |
Average SR22 Rates by City in California
| City | Price |
| Daly City | $92.00 |
| Garden Grove | $91.00 |
| Carlsbad | $92.00 |
| Santa Maria | $100.00 |
| Clovis | $100.00 |
| San Mateo | $98.00 |
| El Monte | $97.00 |
| Downey | $101.00 |
| Temecula | $97.00 |
| Richmond | $106.00 |
| Santa Rosa | $108.00 |
| Arden-Arcade | $96.00 |
| Concord | $88.00 |
| Oakland | $109.00 |
| Modesto | $97.00 |
| El Cajon | $86.00 |
| Berkeley | $97.00 |
| Burbank | $99.00 |
| Vallejo | $107.00 |
| Bakersfield | $105.00 |
| Inglewood | $108.00 |
| Sunnyvale | $107.00 |
| Vista | $87.00 |
| Fontana | $94.00 |
| Stockton | $102.00 |
| Corona | $101.00 |
| Fresno | $90.00 |
| Los Angeles | $105.00 |
| Jurupa Valley | $109.00 |
| Fullerton | $103.00 |
| Fremont | $91.00 |
| Glendale | $91.00 |
| Oxnard | $104.00 |
| Simi Valley | $90.00 |
| Victorville | $94.00 |
| Murrieta | $105.00 |
| Escondido | $91.00 |
| Antioch | $88.00 |
| Riverside | $105.00 |
| Santa Clarita | $98.00 |
| Long Beach | $91.00 |
| San Francisco | $92.00 |
| Orange | $89.00 |
| West Covina | $93.00 |
| San Diego | $88.00 |
| Oceanside | $108.00 |
| Ontario | $108.00 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $97.00 |
| Hayward | $103.00 |
| East Los Angeles | $90.00 |
| San Jose | $102.00 |
| Rialto | $105.00 |
| Sacramento | $110.00 |
| Roseville | $102.00 |
| Moreno Valley | $100.00 |
| Huntington Beach | $109.00 |
| Salinas | $107.00 |
| Anaheim | $93.00 |
| Chula Vista | $86.00 |
Any Alternative Insurance Plans for California Liability Insurance?
Furthermore, there are specific alternatives where you can get even lower limits for liability insurance and still meet the needs to drive, and the many ways you can are listed below:
California low-cost auto insurance program: This program is targeted at family households who typically fall within poverty requirements and are looking for a more affordable plan.
The minimum coverage requirements that come with this plan are bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, and medical payments.
Cash deposit: The way you would be insured using a cash deposit is by having a deposit of 35,000 dollars into your savings account at your personal bank, then contacting the DMV Financial Responsibility Unit to help you fill out the form, and then submitting the application.
Then the way you would be able to use this is to always have a minimum of 35,000 dollars in your savings account in case of an accident.
A form of self-insurance from the DMV: This alternative is less accessible to use, but the only way you could be eligible to have this certification is to have at least twenty-five cars in your name.
This form states that if you are financially stable enough to pay for medical bills, car repairs, and other property damages by any means you are at fault.
Surety bond: Lastly, you can purchase a 35,000 bond that states you can pay for medical payments, car repairs, and property damage which is quite similar to a minimum liability insurance policy.
Should I upgrade to full coverage in California (by city)
| Richmond | $181 |
| Pomona | $152 |
| Clovis | $177 |
| Vista | $182 |
| Concord | $159 |
| Carlsbad | $158 |
| Oxnard | $146 |
| Sunnyvale | $148 |
| Inglewood | $170 |
| Burbank | $150 |
| San Mateo | $168 |
| Los Angeles | $168 |
| Oakland | $155 |
| Arden-Arcade | $173 |
| Berkeley | $170 |
| Daly City | $178 |
| Visalia | $172 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $182 |
| Long Beach | $173 |
| Thousand Oaks | $177 |
| Fontana | $158 |
| San Jose | $174 |
| San Diego | $181 |
| Hayward | $150 |
| Santa Maria | $181 |
| Palmdale | $152 |
| Fullerton | $179 |
| Lancaster | $150 |
| Pasadena | $166 |
| Simi Valley | $153 |
| Anaheim | $153 |
| Santa Clara | $150 |
| Escondido | $180 |
| Antioch | $172 |
| Santa Rosa | $165 |
| Murrieta | $182 |
| Vallejo | $160 |
| Fresno | $157 |
| Huntington Beach | $182 |
| Temecula | $159 |
| Jurupa Valley | $150 |
| Modesto | $173 |
| Garden Grove | $147 |
| Torrance | $161 |
| Corona | $159 |
| Salinas | $161 |
| Downey | $174 |
Frequently Asked Questions About California Liability Insurance
Q1: What is California liability insurance, and what does it cover?
A1: California liability insurance is a type of auto insurance that provides coverage for injuries and property damage you may cause to others in an accident for which you are at fault. It typically includes two main components: bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
Q2: What are the minimum liability insurance requirements in California?
A2: In California, the minimum liability insurance requirements are often referred to as “15/30/5” coverage. This means you must have at least $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $5,000 for property damage liability.
Q3: Can I purchase additional coverage options beyond the minimum liability insurance in California?
A3: Yes, you can purchase additional coverage options beyond the state’s minimum liability requirements in California. Many drivers choose to add coverages like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and medical payments coverage for enhanced protection.
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