California is a state with an ever-growing population.  California is also a state that enjoys a lot of out of state tourists because of its great weather, sandy beaches, wonderful tourist attractions,  and superior universities.  California has it all, and it also has heavy congestion on it various roads and highways.  It is absolutely essential that Californians carry sufficient auto insurance in case they are involved in any traffic accidents.

California Auto Insurance Requirements

California State requirements for auto insurance is set at $15,000 – $30,000 for personal bodily injury sustained by the other driver, and $5,00 for property and damages claimed by the other party involved.  The 15/30/5 breaks down as follows.

• Personal Bodily Injury – California auto insurance minimum requirement is designed to protect Californians who hit another car, and insure that they will have a basic amount of insurance to cover the medical expenses of an injured person traveling in the other car.  California car insurance basic coverage pays up to $15,000.
• Personal Bodily Injury sustained by more than one passenger in the other car is capped at $30,000.
• Property Damage Liability – California auto insurance coverage for property damage liability in which the at fault driver would pay the victim, or pay for any damage to the other car or public property in the collision is set at the low basic amount of $5,000.

Following the national trend to reduce the expense of insurance, California auto insurance rates dropped by 4% in 2006/07, which represented on average a drop of $71.00 (down from $1842 to $1771). Since this is the state average, of course, each driver will pay insurance according to data unique to each California auto insurance holder.

These insurance benefit amounts are very low, yet not all Californians have any or sufficient liability insurance, furthermore accidents can occur because of collisions with drivers out of state, or foreigners driving car rentals. It is very important that Californians carry uninsured/underinsured in case the driver of the other vehicle does not have sufficient insurance to cover costs if they are at fault or if any Californian becomes a victim of a hit and run.

The state of California also recommends that Californians obtain Comprehensive and Collision insurance coverage to protect them against any damage they may have caused to their own vehicle should they be involved in an accident. This would include damages like hitting wildlife on the highways, including wildlife damaging their cars in various campsites or rural terrain.  It also includes damage sustained by natural forces such as windstorms.