By Sami Sedghani, Pharm.D., J.D. · Synergist Law, P.C. · San Rafael, California · Updated October 30, 2026
This article provides general information only about California’s auto insurance requirements and what they mean after a crash. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every policy and every case is different. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.
California car insurance requirements in 2026 call for liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injury or death, plus $15,000 for property damage. That is the minimum car insurance California requires for any policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, often written as 30/60/15. The limits rise to 50/100/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035 (Vehicle Code § 16056).
Minimum liability insurance pays other people when the insured driver causes a crash. It does not pay for the insured driver’s own injuries. This guide covers the current limits, proof of insurance, penalties, and the low-cost program, and explains why the minimum often runs out after a serious injury.
What are the California car insurance requirements in 2026?
The California minimum car insurance requirements for a standard policy are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, plus $15,000 for damage to other people’s property. Those limits apply to every policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, under Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2). Insurance Code § 11580.1(b) requires every auto liability policy to meet them.
Each number is a separate cap on what the at-fault driver’s insurer pays for one accident.
- $30,000 per person is the most the policy pays for any one person’s injury or death.
- $60,000 per accident is the most it pays for everyone hurt in the same accident, still capped at $30,000 each. As the California Department of Insurance auto guide puts it, “The injured people share the money.”
- $15,000 property damage is the most it pays for damage to other people’s vehicles and property.
| Liability coverage | Before 2025 | 2025–2034 (current) | From 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury or death, one person | $15,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| Injury or death, all persons, one accident | $30,000 | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| Property damage, one accident | $5,000 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Shorthand | 15/30/5 | 30/60/15 | 50/100/25 |
| Applies to policies issued or renewed | Before January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2034 | On or after January 1, 2035 |
When did California’s minimum auto insurance limits change?
California minimum auto insurance limits doubled for bodily injury and tripled for property damage starting January 1, 2025. Senate Bill 1107 (Chapter 717, Statutes of 2022) made the change. It applied to each policy as the policy was issued or renewed on or after that date. Before then, the general minimum was 15/30/5.
Because the change followed renewal dates, a policy renewed in late 2024 kept the old limits until its next renewal. The Department of Insurance’s January 2025 consumer alert said the new limits would apply “as auto insurance policies come up for renewal throughout the year.” The same law schedules a second increase: § 16056(d) adds $20,000, $40,000, and $10,000 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035.
What does minimum liability insurance cover, and what does it not cover?
Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage the insured driver causes to other people, up to the policy limits. It does not pay for the insured driver’s own injuries or own car. The Department of Insurance auto guide states that liability coverage “does not pay for injuries to you or the people in your household.”
Protection for your own injuries comes from optional coverages such as UM, UIM, and MedPay. A driver who causes losses above the limits is personally responsible for the difference. In the Department’s words: “You will be responsible for any damage you cause beyond the limits purchased.”
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in California?
California does not force drivers to buy uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but insurers must include it in every auto bodily injury liability policy unless the named insured rejects it in writing. Under Insurance Code § 11580.2, UM coverage can be deleted, or reduced to no less than the § 16056 minimums, only by a signed agreement in the form the statute sets.
UM coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is included in policies that carry UM coverage (§ 11580.2(p)(7)). Three rules shape how it works:
- Offered limits. UM coverage must be offered at your bodily injury liability limits, but insurers need not offer more than $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (§ 11580.2(m)).
- “Underinsured” compares your limits to theirs. A vehicle is underinsured only if its liability limits are lower than your UM limits (§ 11580.2(p)(2)). If both of you carry 30/60, the other driver is not underinsured, however serious your injuries.
- Damage to your car. Without collision coverage, you must be offered uninsured motorist property damage coverage (Insurance Code § 11580.26). It pays the lesser of your car’s actual cash value or $3,500, and only if there was direct contact with the uninsured vehicle and the uninsured driver or vehicle is identified.
UIM coverage generally applies only after the at-fault driver’s limits are paid, and it is reduced by that payment (§ 11580.2(p)(3)–(4)). For how these claims work, see our guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in California.
Are medical payments and collision coverage required in California?
No. Medical payments (MedPay) coverage and collision coverage are optional under California law, although lenders and leasing companies usually require physical damage coverage on a financed or leased car. The Department of Insurance describes MedPay as paying limited medical expenses for people injured in your car regardless of fault, with a minimum available limit of $1,000 per person.
How do you prove you have car insurance in California?
Under Vehicle Code § 16020, every California driver and vehicle owner must be able to establish financial responsibility at all times and carry evidence of it in the vehicle. For most drivers, that evidence is the insurance card from their insurer. Vehicle Code § 16028 allows drivers to show it on a phone.
The DMV accepts four forms of financial responsibility:
- A liability insurance policy from an insurer licensed in California.
- A $75,000 cash deposit with the DMV.
- A $75,000 surety bond from a company licensed in California.
- A DMV self-insurance certificate. Vehicle Code § 16053 limits these to owners with more than 25 registered vehicles.
You must show proof when an officer issues a citation, after a reportable collision, and at registration renewal. An officer may not stop a car only to check for insurance (§ 16028(a)). Insurers report coverage to the DMV electronically, and the DMV suspends a vehicle’s registration if it does not receive proof of insurance.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in California?
Failing to provide proof of insurance when required is an infraction under Vehicle Code § 16029. The fine is $100 to $200 for a first conviction and $200 to $500 for another within three years, plus penalty assessments. The court may also order the vehicle impounded. Being uninsured in a crash can also cost you your license.
- Suspension after a crash. If a driver in a reportable accident cannot show financial responsibility, the DMV must suspend the license (Vehicle Code § 16070). Under § 16072, the suspension lasts at least one year, and the driver must then file and keep proof of insurance for three years. The California Driver’s Handbook calls this a suspension of “up to four years,” regardless of fault.
- Restricted license. Section 16072 lets the DMV restrict the license instead, for example to driving for work. The driver must maintain proof of insurance and pay a $250 penalty fee.
- False proof. Knowingly showing false evidence of insurance, such as a canceled policy, is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code § 16030. It is punishable by up to a $750 fine, 30 days in jail, or both, plus a one-year suspension.
Do you have to report a car accident to the DMV in California?
Yes, for many crashes. Under Vehicle Code § 16000, each driver must file form SR 1 (Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California) with the DMV within 10 days. The duty applies if anyone was injured or killed, even slightly, or if property damage to any one person exceeds $1,000.
The SR 1 is separate from any police report or insurance claim. The DMV must suspend the license of a driver who fails to file a required report (Vehicle Code § 16004).
What is California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program?
The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) sells liability policies to income-eligible drivers. Its limits are lower than a standard policy: $10,000 per person, $20,000 per accident, and $3,000 for property damage (Insurance Code § 11629.71). The Department of Insurance confirmed in January 2025 that “CLCA’s limits will remain unchanged” when standard minimums rose.
Under Insurance Code § 11629.73, eligibility generally requires household income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, an applicant at least 16 years old, and a good driving record. The vehicle must be valued at $25,000 or less. Uninsured motorist coverage (10/20) and $1,000 in medical payments coverage are optional add-ons (§ 11629.75). Details are on the Department of Insurance CLCA page or at 1-866-602-8861.
The notice every CLCA applicant receives says the limits “are very low compared to coverage outside of the low-cost automobile program.” For an injured person, that means a driver with a CLCA policy may carry only $10,000 for any one injured person.
Can an uninsured driver sue for pain and suffering in California?
Usually not. Under Civil Code § 3333.4, added by Proposition 213 in 1996, an uninsured vehicle owner, or a driver who cannot establish financial responsibility, generally cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The statute does not bar economic damages, such as medical bills and lost earnings.
The same bar applies to a driver convicted of DUI for the accident. The statute has one written exception: an uninsured owner injured by a driver convicted of DUI for that crash is not barred (§ 3333.4(c)). Courts have also addressed how the statute applies in particular situations, so whether it limits a specific claim depends on the facts.
Why is minimum car insurance often not enough after a serious crash?
Minimum limits cap what the at-fault driver’s insurer will pay, no matter how serious the injuries are. In California that cap is $30,000 for any one injured person and $60,000 for everyone hurt in the same crash, shared among them. Hospital care, surgery, rehabilitation, lost income, and future care after a serious injury can exceed those amounts.
- The cap does not grow with the injury. A broken wrist and a traumatic brain injury face the same $30,000 limit.
- Several injured people split one pool. If three people are hurt, they share the $60,000 per-accident limit.
- Property damage is capped separately. The $15,000 limit may not cover a newer vehicle, and it cannot be used for injuries.
- Amounts above the limits depend on the driver. The at-fault driver owes the excess personally, but collecting it depends on that driver’s assets and any other insurance.
- Your UIM coverage only helps if your limits are higher. If your UM limits equal the other driver’s liability limits, your UIM coverage adds nothing.
That is why an early step in a serious injury case is finding every source of coverage: the driver’s employer if the driver was working, the vehicle’s owner, rideshare or commercial coverage, other negligent parties, and your own UIM and MedPay. In catastrophic injury cases, treating physicians and credentialed life care planners document future care needs. If an insurer asks for a statement, hold off on recorded statements until you consult with a licensed attorney.
Yes. Under Public Utilities Code § 5433(b), rideshare trips carry at least $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage from the moment a driver accepts a ride request until the ride ends. Federal rules require for-hire interstate trucks of 10,001 pounds or more hauling non-hazardous freight to carry at least $750,000 (49 C.F.R. § 387.9).
- Rideshare driver logged on, no ride accepted: at least 50/100/30, plus $200,000 in excess coverage from the company (§ 5433(c)).
- Ride accepted through drop-off: at least $1,000,000 for death, injury, and property damage (§ 5433(b)(1)).
- Passenger UM/UIM coverage: since January 1, 2026, $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident while the passenger is in the car (§ 5433(b)(2)). Senate Bill 371 (Chapter 314, Statutes of 2025) lowered this from $1,000,000.
Under Business and Professions Code § 7455, part of Proposition 22, app-based companies must also give drivers occupational accident insurance covering at least $1,000,000 in medical expenses for injuries suffered while online. The same section requires delivery app companies to carry at least $1,000,000 per occurrence in auto liability coverage for injuries caused during engaged time when the driver’s own policy does not cover the trip. See our pages on rideshare accidents, delivery driver accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents.
Outdated figures you may still see online
These figures still circulate online and in AI-generated answers, but the law has changed.
- “California’s minimum is 15/30/5.” Outdated. Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, must meet 30/60/15.
- “A $35,000 cash deposit or bond can replace insurance.” Outdated. The DMV now lists $75,000 for each.
- “Low-cost program limits rose with everyone else’s.” Inaccurate. CLCA policies remain 10/20/3.
- “Rideshare companies carry $1 million in UM/UIM for passengers.” Outdated since January 1, 2026. The requirement is now $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
- “30/60/15 is permanent.” Incomplete. The minimum rises to 50/100/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035.
- “Every 15/30/5 figure in California law is gone.” Not quite. When an owner is liable only for letting someone else drive, Vehicle Code § 17151 still caps that liability at 15/30/5. That is a separate rule from the insurance minimum.
How we help after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver
When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, we look for every available source of coverage, including your own UM, UIM, and MedPay. We request the policy declarations to confirm the actual limits instead of assuming them. We also coordinate any UIM claim with the claim against the at-fault driver.
Sami Sedghani is a former UCSF clinical pharmacist who spent nine years at large law firms defending companies in complex and product liability litigation. See our Marin County car accident lawyer page, and our guide on what to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Seguro mínimo de auto en California
En California, las pólizas emitidas o renovadas desde el 1 de enero de 2025 deben cubrir al menos $30,000 por persona y $60,000 por accidente por lesiones, y $15,000 por daños a la propiedad. Ese mínimo puede no alcanzar después de un accidente grave, y por eso importa la cobertura de motorista sin seguro o con seguro insuficiente (UM/UIM) de su propia póliza. Sami Sedghani habla español. Puede llamar al (415) 835-4448 para una consulta gratuita. Esta información es general y no constituye asesoría legal.
Frequently asked questions about California car insurance requirements
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?
For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, the minimum is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injury or death, plus $15,000 for property damage (Vehicle Code § 16056). For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035, it rises to 50/100/25.
Is California’s minimum still 15/30/5?
No. The 15/30/5 minimum applied to policies issued or renewed before January 1, 2025. Policies issued or renewed since then must meet 30/60/15. The low-cost program for income-eligible drivers is a separate exception with lower limits.
Is uninsured motorist coverage mandatory in California?
Insurers must include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto bodily injury liability policy. The named insured may delete or reduce it only by signing a written agreement in the form required by Insurance Code § 11580.2. Underinsured motorist coverage comes with uninsured motorist coverage.
What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in California?
Failing to show proof of insurance when an officer asks for it is an infraction under Vehicle Code § 16029. The fine is $100 to $200 for a first conviction and $200 to $500 for a repeat conviction within three years, plus penalty assessments. The court may order the vehicle impounded. Being uninsured in a reportable crash can lead to a license suspension regardless of fault.
Does minimum liability insurance pay for my own injuries?
No. Liability insurance pays for injuries and damage you cause to other people. Your own injuries may be covered by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, or by optional coverages on your policy such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage.
Can I get pain and suffering if I was uninsured in California?
Generally not. Under Civil Code § 3333.4 (Proposition 213), an uninsured vehicle owner, or a driver who cannot establish financial responsibility, generally cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Economic damages such as medical bills are not barred by that statute. An uninsured owner injured by a driver convicted of DUI for that crash is not barred.
Hurt by a driver with minimum or no insurance?
If you were hurt in Marin County or elsewhere in California and the other driver’s insurance looks too small, we can review the policies involved, including your own. Call (415) 835-4448 or request a free consultation. Se habla español. Office: 1299 4th Street, Suite 301, San Rafael, CA 94901. For more answers, see our California personal injury FAQ or our Marin County personal injury lawyer page.
The law described here may change after the date shown above. Every case turns on its own facts, and nothing on this page predicts any outcome, timeline, or value in your matter.
