In California if you drive an automobile state law dictates that you must be financially responsible for your actions. All drivers must show their ability to pay for damages or injury to others resulting from the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle.

California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law requires every driver and owner of a motor vehicle to be financially responsible for their actions. The statutory minimum limits of liability auto insurance in California are 15/30/5 which breaks down as follows:

Bodily Injury for $15,000 for death or injury of any one person, any one accident and $30,000 for all persons in any one accident.

Property Damage of $5,000 for any one accident.

When your car is in an accident for which you are found legally liable, bodily injury (BI) liability covers your liability to others for injuries to them. Property damage (PD) liability covers your liability for damage to someone else’s property.

All California drivers and owners must have at least the statutory limits of minimum liability insurance or an approved alternative way to pay for injury or property damage they may cause. Penalties are very severe for non-compliance with this section of the vehicle code.

For a quote for the minimum required car insurance for California or for the minimum plus optional coverages of collision and comprehensive, click here.