Car insurance in California
California is an at-fault state with a minimum liability requirement of 30/60/15. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what to check before you buy.
What the minimums actually mean
$30,000 per injured person, $60,000 total per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. Effective January 1, 2025 - California's first minimum increase since 1967 (previously 15/30/5); existing policies transition at their next renewal after that date, so by mid-2026 nearly all policies should reflect the new limits. Scheduled to rise again to 50/100/25 in 2035.
Not required by law; insurers must offer UM/UIM matching your liability limits, and you can decline via a signed rejection form. California is frequently cited as having one of the nation's highest uninsured-driver rates (commonly reported around 15-17%).
Estimated cost
$916 a year for minimum coverage, $3,119 for full coverage2
Average annual premiums in California for a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry. Full coverage here means 100/300/50 liability plus collision and comprehensive.
Why this is an average, not a quote
SR-22 & high-risk filings
Typically required after a DUI/DWI conviction, driving without insurance, an at-fault accident while uninsured, reckless driving, or to reinstate a suspended/revoked license; usually held about 3 years.
Local conditions worth knowing
California is repeatedly cited among the states with the highest uninsured-motorist rates in the country, alongside dense urban traffic and wildfire-adjacent claims exposure in many regions.
Frequently asked
- What is the minimum car insurance requirement in California?
- California requires liability limits of at least 30/60/15. $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 total per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. Effective January 1, 2025 - California's first minimum increase since 1967 (previously 15/30/5); existing policies transition at their next renewal after that date, so by mid-2026 nearly all policies should reflect the new limits. Scheduled to rise again to 50/100/25 in 2035.
- Is California an at-fault or no-fault state?
- California is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.
- Do I need an SR-22 in California?
- Typically required after a DUI/DWI conviction, driving without insurance, an at-fault accident while uninsured, reckless driving, or to reinstate a suspended/revoked license; usually held about 3 years.
- Is uninsured motorist coverage required in California?
- Not required by law; insurers must offer UM/UIM matching your liability limits, and you can decline via a signed rejection form. California is frequently cited as having one of the nation's highest uninsured-driver rates (commonly reported around 15-17%).
Sources
- California Department of Insurance, Automobile insurance guides.
- Bankrate, using Quadrant Information Services rates (November 2025), Average cost of car insurance, updated June 5, 2026.
Figures checked against these sources on October 2, 2026.
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