California Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in California

Modern laws require all vehicle drivers to possess a valid insurance policy, as this type of insurance ensures the best possible protection should an accident occur. Whether your car is used for professional or personal purposes, insurance is a must, no exceptions allowed. Legal consequences can arise from not having an up-to-date policy, such as fines of up to $1,000 and the suspension of both your driver's license and vehicle registration. The suspension can extend up to six months. If you are curious to discover more details on the topic of auto insurance in California, we recommend that you keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in California?

According to the California law, all vehicle owners must present a valid insurance policy. Driving without insurance is illegal and punishable by law. The best way to show responsibility for the owned vehicle is to purchase an insurance policy that will provide coverage, in case you have caused damage to other vehicles or caused injuries to vehicle owners or passengers. The policy should be carried while driving. Repeated failure to get insurance might lead to both jail time and the impounding of your vehicle.

Drivers are required to carry an auto insurance that meets specific requirements. These include: bodily injury liability coverage $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage $5,000 minimum, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident minimum, uninsured motorist property damage coverage $3,500 minimum. Drivers can opt for the minimum liability coverage, but the full coverage insurance has additional benefits to offer. For instance, optional coverages include comprehensive and collision insurance. It is always recommended to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by law. As a result, you will be protected in case of the worst-case scenario.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amount an insurance provider can pay, should an at-fault accident occur, with you as the culprit. If a police officer stops you for a regular check-up, you should be prepared to submit a copy of your insurance policy along other documents. The most important thing is that you keep your policy up-to-date, as expired insurance can have legal consequences as well. A repeated infraction in this department is most likely to lead to time spent in jail as well.

Average cost of auto insurance in California

How much does car insurance cost in CA? The state minimum auto insurance policy in California has a value of $563. Nonetheless, the full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,810 per year. Depending on the insurance company, you might have to pay additionally for comprehensive and collision. Among the factors that influence the overall insurance rates, there are: number of miles driven, presence of prior insurance, vehicle, driving record, location, age, gender, and marital status. The recommendation is to select an auto insurance policy that guarantees the best possible coverage, as a cheap policy is not always effective.

Auto insurance rates vary from one state to the other, that is a known fact. Variations exist for both the minimum and full coverage, especially if the latter includes options, such as comprehensive and collision. The factors influencing the overall values include: accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, at-fault accidents, road conditions, uninsured drivers in the respective location, and number of drivers present versus the general population, etc.

California has a slightly higher rate than the national median for car insurance policies, which is around $1,770. The states with the most affordable policies include: Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, North Dakota, Maine, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Among the states with the most expensive policies, there are: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana. Maine has the most attractive rates for auto insurance, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one imposed by the law. As for New York, it has the most expensive rates, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one.

Within the state of California, there are differences between the rates offered in various cities. The most expensive auto insurance can be found in Los Angeles, while San Diego has lower rates to offer. The overall annual premiums are: San Diego - $1,844. Fresno - $1,900. San Jose - $1,923. San Francisco - $2,295. Los Angeles - $2,688.

The value of auto insurance policies is influenced by several factors, including the age of the driver. Everyone knows that young drivers pay higher premiums, as insurance companies deem them as immature and not as responsible as adults. For example, a teenager driver can expect his/her annual premium to be over $7,000, while a middle-aged driver will be prepared to pay a premium of $2,000 per year. Gender differences are present as well, with better rates being offered to men. Affordable coverages are also enjoyed by married couples, in contrast with those who are widowed, divorced, or single.

The driver's credit history represents another factor with considerable influence over the value of a potential coverage policy. A driver with an exceptional credit history can save important sums on his/her car insurance premium, in contrast to someone who has the misfortune of a poor credit history. A prior driving offense can increase the overall rates to be paid, including at-fault accidents, reckless driving, DUI or DWI. The rates are also influenced by additional factors, such as the type of coverage. You can add options to the state minimum policy, including comprehensive and collision coverages, which can offer superior protection in case of accidents.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in California. Find car insurance in California by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in CA

It can be difficult to find an auto insurance policy that offers adequate coverage and has an affordable price at the same time. Allow us to make the whole decision-making process a lot easier. We are happy to use our knowledge and practical experience, all so that we can match you with the best possible policy for your needs. Of course, we will carefully consider both your needs and the available budget. Just give us a call to discuss more on the subject. This service is free.