California has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country. The right auto policy doesn't just meet the legal minimum — it protects everything you've built when someone else doesn't carry coverage.
Coverage Components
California's legal minimum is far below what most drivers actually need. Here's what each coverage does and why it matters here.
Pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. California minimum is 30/60/15 — but this is easily exceeded in any serious accident involving medical bills or a newer vehicle.
Protects you when you're hit by a driver with no insurance (UM) or insufficient insurance (UIM). With 17% of California drivers uninsured, this isn't optional protection — it's essential.
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object — regardless of who was at fault. Required by lenders and lessors on financed or leased vehicles.
Covers theft, fire, flooding, hail, vandalism, and animal strikes. Required alongside collision for financed/leased vehicles. California's wildfire smoke and flooding create specific comprehensive claims.
Pays medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident — regardless of fault. Activates immediately without waiting for fault determination or health insurance claims processing.
Fills the coverage gap for Uber, Lyft, and other TNC drivers. Personal auto policies exclude coverage during the app-on period. A rideshare endorsement closes this gap.
California has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country. If an uninsured driver hits you, your only protection is your own UM coverage.
You suffer $60,000 in medical bills and 6 weeks of lost wages. The at-fault driver has no insurance and no assets.
At-fault driver has 30/60 minimum. Your medical bills are $80,000. Their limit pays $30,000. Gap: $50,000.
Driver strikes your vehicle and leaves. No identity, no insurance to pursue. $25,000 in vehicle and medical damage.
Coverage Deep Dive
The legal minimum protects others from you. Adequate limits protect you from the financial reality of a serious California accident.
$30K per person, $60K per accident, $15K property damage. Meets the legal requirement but falls far short of actual accident costs in California.
$100K per person, $300K per accident, $100K property damage. The standard recommendation for California drivers who own a home or have assets.
$250K/$500K auto liability plus a personal umbrella for $1M-$5M additional coverage. For homeowners and anyone with significant assets to protect.
California Auto Insurance Law
California has stronger auto insurance consumer protections than virtually any other state. These matter when you're shopping for coverage.
What They CAN Use
Under Prop 103, rates must primarily reflect your actual driving behavior — not demographic or financial factors.
At-fault accidents, DUIs, and moving violations are the biggest rate drivers. A clean record earns preferred pricing.
More years of experience = lower rates. New drivers and younger drivers pay significantly more.
How much you drive matters. Low-mileage drivers may qualify for discounts. Telematics programs can verify and reward safe driving.
The make, model, year, safety ratings, and use of your vehicle affect collision and comprehensive premiums.
Serving All of California
We serve California drivers statewide — comparing 350+ carriers to find the best combination of coverage and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
California requires 30/60/15 — $30K bodily injury per person, $60K per accident, $15K property damage. These minimums are far too low for most situations. Medical bills in a serious accident easily exceed $30K, and $15K barely covers a fender bender on a new car. We recommend at least 100/300/100.
Approximately 17% of California drivers — roughly 1 in 6 — carry no auto insurance. California consistently ranks among the states with the highest uninsured driver rates. This is why UM/UIM coverage is arguably the most important coverage on your California auto policy.
No. Proposition 103 (passed 1988, expanded since) prohibits California auto insurers from using credit scores as a rating factor. California auto rates are based on driving record, years of experience, annual mileage, and vehicle type. This protects California drivers from credit-based pricing that affects drivers in most other states.
UM coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when an uninsured driver hits you. UIM covers the gap when the at-fault driver's limits aren't enough. With 17% of California drivers uninsured, this isn't optional — it's essential. Match your UM/UIM limits to your liability limits. The additional annual cost is typically $30-$60.
Rideshare (TNC) insurance fills the gap between your personal auto policy and the rideshare platform's commercial coverage. During Period 1 (app on, waiting for a ride request), your personal auto policy excludes coverage and Uber/Lyft's coverage is limited. A rideshare endorsement closes this gap for California TNC drivers.
Collision pays to repair your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object — regardless of fault. Comprehensive covers non-collision losses: theft, fire, flood, hail, vandalism, and animal strikes. Both are required on financed or leased vehicles. For older paid-off vehicles, weigh annual premium against vehicle value — when premium exceeds ~10% of value, dropping these coverages may make sense.
Most effective strategies: maintain a clean driving record (most impactful), bundle with homeowners or renters insurance, increase deductibles, reduce annual mileage or report accurately, participate in telematics/safe driving programs, and compare rates across multiple carriers through an independent broker like Bollinsure. We compare 350+ carriers to find the best rate for your driving profile.
We compare your current coverage against the market, identify gaps — especially UM/UIM — and find the best combination of protection and price across 350+ carriers.