Minimum Car Insurance Required in California
The minimum car insurance required in California, penalties for driving uninsured, and whether the state minimum is enough coverage.
- Cited from NAIC & the California DOI
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Updated August 2026
The California state minimum is 30/60/15 ($30k bodily injury per person, $60k per accident, $15k property damage).
These limits exist to cover damage you cause to other people — they do not repair your own car or cover your own injuries. California is an at-fault (tort) state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting damage.
Driving without at least the required coverage in California can mean fines, license/registration suspension, reinstatement fees and SR-22 filing — and if you cause a crash while uninsured you are personally liable for the damage.
Because the minimum is only a floor, many California drivers step up to 100/300/100 and add collision/comprehensive if their car has value. The average California driver pays about $1,223/yr (NAIC, 2023). Verify the current limits directly with the California Department of Insurance before relying on them — laws change. California Dept. of Insurance →
California minimum car insurance FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?
California requires at least 30/60/15: $30k bodily injury per person, $60k per accident and $15k property damage. Minimums are the legal floor, not necessarily enough coverage.
What happens if I drive without insurance in California?
Penalties can include fines, suspension of your license and registration, reinstatement fees and an SR-22 requirement — plus personal liability for any crash you cause.
Is the state minimum enough coverage in California?
It is the legal minimum, not a recommendation. A single serious accident can exceed these limits, leaving you to pay the difference, so many drivers carry higher liability and add collision/comprehensive.