California Car Insurance

Did you know that California was once known as the Grizzly Bear State? It is also home to the tallest and oldest tree in the world. With an incredible history, including being a large part of the California Gold Rush, the state is located in the western United States and borders with the Pacific Ocean for over 800 miles. With varied terrain and a ton to see, including the home of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, Hollywood, California, many people make their home here.

There are requirements for driving legally in the state of California; these requirements must be met any time you are in a vehicle and driving in the state. This guide will let you know what the requirements are for car insurance in California, talk about average costs, look at available companies, and help you find the cheapest car insurance in California.

Auto Insurance Requirements In California

Drivers in California are required to carry bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, UIM bodily injury coverage, and uninsured motorist property damage coverage. Each of these has a minimum limit, or minimum amount, that every driver in the state of California is required to carry.

For bodily injury liability insurance, the minimum limits are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Property damage liability coverage also has a minimum limit, which is $5,000. Another type of insurance coverage that is required by the state is uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, in the amounts of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident as the minimum. Lastly, uninsured motorist property damage coverage is also required with the amount of $3,500 as the minimum.

Average Cost Of Coverage In California

Like so many other things, the amounts that people get as far as insurance is concerned, as well as the types of insurance coverage, can have an impact on a person’s rates. Many people choose to get higher amounts than the minimum limits for car insurance, as in more severe accidents the minimum limits may not be enough to protect them financially.

Also, other types of car insurance coverages can be added to auto insurance plans. This includes comprehensive auto insurance coverage, collision car insurance coverage, lease gap insurance, roadside assistance coverage, and a number of others as well.

The average cost of auto insurance in California is around 20% more than the national average, coming in at around $1750 per year. In addition to the other variables listed above, the car insurance company a person is insured with can have an impact on the rates, as can the location the person lives and the model of the car they drive.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In California

Auto insurance providers use a wide variety of variables to determine rates, which can include a person’s driving record, the location their car is garaged, their marital status, the deductible that they have chosen for their policy, as well as the minimum limits and types of insurance policies available that they have purchased.

The top auto insurance companies for finding cheap car insurance in California can vary from one person to the next, but some companies fare better than others on average. Esurance, 21st Century, Nationwide, and Geico come in as some of the cheapest auto insurance companies in the state, with Allstate and Mercury also faring well.

Cheapest Car Insurance In California By City

Some cities in California are considered to be more likely to have drivers filing claims. These cities tend to have higher rates on average for auto insurance. The cheapest places to get car insurance in the state of California include Aliso Viejo, Chula Vista, Cupertino, and there are others as well, like Laguna Niguel and Newbury Park.

Most Expensive Car Insurance In California By City

Some of the more expensive cities to get insurance in the state include San Diego, Simi Valley, and Yucaipa. Car insurance in Los Angeles, California is among the most expensive in the state as well and costs can vary a lot within Los Angeles County significantly. Moving from one ZIP Code to another, and checking rates from many companies, can yield drastically different car insurance quotes.

Laws, Rules And Penalties In California

In addition to carrying the minimum limits for car insurance in California, there are a number of other rules and regulations that drivers should be aware of. Drivers must carry evidence of their insurance policy or other financial responsibility with them whenever they are driving. Car insurance information will need to be presented if requested by law enforcement during a traffic stop, while renewing vehicle registration, or if a driver is involved in an accident. In addition, the DMV must be notified before a driver cancels their insurance.

How To Save Money On Car Insurance In California

The biggest tip for saving money on car insurance policies in California is to shop around. By comparing rates from multiple companies, you can get the top prices for car insurance available. In addition, look for any discounts that you might be able to qualify for. Some people take into consideration what type of car they are purchasing, like the make, year, and the model of the vehicle when getting a new vehicle. This can have a drastic impact on the auto insurance rates a person pays.