Car insurance is not only an essential part of protecting yourself financially but also it is required for all vehicles operated or parked on California roads. If you are a driver and/or owner of a vehicle in California, you must have car insurance. Car insurance is important – if you are at fault for a collision, you may be held personally liable for the damages to those involved. Damages from a car crash can eclipse a million dollars – if you are uninsured, you could be on the hook for enormous payments. Perhaps most importantly, if you are injured in a collision without active car insurance, you may be restricted from recovering compensation for your damages in a collision where you are not at fault. California law also requires that you must always carry evidence of insurance in your car.
When you are involved in a serious car accident that causes significant damages, it is important to have a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer by your side. Experiencing a car crash is a traumatizing experience and navigating the aftermath can be complex. Other drivers involved will likely claim that you were at fault. Our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers brings over 300 years of combined experience litigating cases like these – we are passionate about the work we do on behalf of our clients. If you have been injured a car crash, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate tendering insurance claims, determining fault, and securing the compensation you deserve.
What is the best car insurance plan to choose in California?
While car insurance is required for all California drivers, drivers may opt for either plans that meet the bare minimum requirements or pay for a more expensive plan that will provide far broader protections. Even if a driver opts for more limited coverage, their plan must carry at least the minimum required coverage and amounts of insurance to be lawfully on the road. California requirements state that all private passenger vehicles must carry insurance for:
- $15,000 for bodily injury liability insurance for one person. Bodily injury liability coverage compensates the other party’s injury-related expenses if the incident is deemed your fault.
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability insurance for more than one person. Bodily injury liability coverage for more than one person compensates multiple other parties if the incident is deemed your fault.
- $5,000 for property damage liability insurance. This coverage compensates the other party for the repairs to their vehicle or property if you are deemed at fault for the incident.
These minimum requirements are set to increase on January 1st, 2025 to:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability insurance for one person.
- $60,000 for bodily injury liability insurance for more than one person.
- $15,000 for property damage liability insurance.
These coverage requirements ensure that those who are victims of car accidents can be compensated even if the at-fault driver may not be able to personally afford to pay for the damages they caused. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers know that when you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve compensation. Insurance requirements help to ensure that you will get the compensation you deserve. If you have been in a car accident, contact our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers today.
Should I get car insurance with maximum coverage in California?
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It can be wise to obtain higher limits than the required state minimum liability coverage for your car insurance. With the continuous increase in the costs of medical care and vehicle repairs, the minimum limits often are insufficient to cover the full medical expenses or repair the damaged vehicle for the claimant. Increasing your limits can provide you with additional coverage for another party’s injury or damage claims against you if you are at fault for a collision. When a car accident does occur, having high limits can make a life-altering difference.
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Regardless of your insurance plan, contacting a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is the best thing you can do after an accident. Numerous parties, from insurance providers to the other driver’s personal injury lawyer, are likely to fight to secure compensation after an accident. Without a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer by your side, you can be left highly vulnerable. Contact us today to take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.
Does California require that drivers use private insurance companies?
Most drivers choose to obtain insurance through a private company. California does permit certain alternatives, however. Drivers may forgo private insurance and instead:
- Leave a cash deposit of $25,000 with DMV.
- Obtain a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate. This option is available only to individuals who own 25 or more vehicles.
- Secure a surety bond for $35,000 from a business licensed in California.
For the vast majority of California drivers, private insurance is the best option. Even with insurance, however, when a car crash occurs, it is crucial to have your own Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to advocate on your behalf. Insurance companies are going to prioritize their bottom lines – you deserve an advocate who will hold both the insurance company and the driver at fault accountable. Contact us today to learn more.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is not required; however, it can be a good idea to add it to your auto insurance policy. A UM/UIM policy provides you with coverage for your damages if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance or does not have insurance. UM/UIM coverage may provide coverage for your damages if you are involved in a collision and the other driver is at fault but does not have active insurance coverage or has insufficient coverage to pay for your damages. The current limits for UM/UIM are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per incident. On January 1, 2025, together with the increase in California’s state minimum liability requirements, these UM/UIM limits will increase, similarly, to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident.
Any California resident knows that the roads are unpredictable. Oftentimes, the most reckless drivers who cause the most severe damages are uninsured. If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you can be left with no recourse for compensation if you do not have UM/UIM coverage. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have helped hundreds of clients secure compensation after being involved in collisions, including those with uninsured drivers. We understand that recovering from a car crash can be overwhelming – our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will advise you and advocate for you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
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