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California Automobile Insurance Guide

This Guide Covers:

What is Automobile Insurance?

Automobile insurance is simply a contract that helps pay for certain types of financial losses or obligations resulting from the use or ownership of an automobile. To obtain this contract (insurance policy), you pay a specified amount of money called a premium. In return for the premium paid, the insurance company agrees to pay certain expenses and legal liabilities depending on the terms of the insurance policy. Having the right insurance coverage may prevent you from suffering a large financial loss in the event of an automobile accident.

The responsibilities of owning and driving an automobile include following the financial responsibility laws under the Vehicle Code. The most common way to satisfy the financial responsibility for operating an automobile in California is by purchasing automobile liability insurance.

If you choose to meet your financial responsibility by purchasing liability insurance, the DMV outlines minimum limits that you must purchase under Section 16451 of the Vehicle Code.

Financial Responsibility Laws

The statutory minimum limits of liability insurance in California are as follows:

Bodily Injury Liability

$15,000 for death or injury of any one person, any one accident. $30,000 for all persons in any one accident.

Property Damage Liability

$5,000 for any one accident.

Financial responsibility

All California drivers and owners must have at least the statutory limits of minimum liability insurance to pay for injury or property damage they may cause. Penalties are very severe for non-compliance with this section of the vehicle code.

When your car is in an accident for which you are found legally liable, bodily injury (BI) liability covers your liability to others for injuries to them. Property damage (PD) liability covers your liability for damage to someone else's property.

A policy with BI of $15,000/$30,000 and PD of $5,000 will pay out as follows:

The maximum limit for one person's injuries, medical expenses, etc. is $15,000 under the bodily injury portion; If two or more people are injured, the maximum limit for the accident will be $30,000; The maximum limit for damage to other people's property (their car, their fence, etc.) is $5,000. Comprehensive coverage (other than collision), uninsured motorist, medical payments and collision insurance are not required by law.

What Could Happen if I Ignore This Law?

The most common way drivers choose to comply with the financial responsibility requirement is by purchasing an automobile liability insurance policy. If you have an accident not covered by insurance, then your license may be suspended. It is your responsibility to provide liability insurance for any vehicle you own regardless of who is operating the vehicle. It is illegal for vehicles to be operated without meeting the requirements of this law.

Discounts

Inquire about discounts (such as multi-car, airbags, anti-theft device, etc.) and/or surcharges the company applies. All companies will not offer the same type of plans, nor have the same underwriting rules (eligibility/acceptability guidelines). Therefore, it is critical to ask for this information.

Policy Terms

Make sure you know the length of the policy term. This can be one month, six months (semi-annual) or one year (annual), depending on the insurance company.

Installment Plans

Many companies have their own payment (installment) plans which allow you to pay the premium over a period of time for a service fee. If you decide to buy a policy on an installment plan, find out the applicable finance or service charges. If you use a premium finance company to pay for your insurance, the monthly payments may be easier, but the total of payments will be larger. Moreover, if the policy is cancelled, the insurance company must remit all return premiums to the finance company, who will apply them to your account.

Policy Fees

Check to see if you are responsible for paying any up front fees. Most insurance companies charge policy issuance fees. Once the policy is issued, this fee is generally fully earned. If the policy is canceled later, the fee will not be returned.

Deductibles

Ask about higher deductibles. By requesting higher deductibles on comprehensive and collision coverage, you can lower your costs. However, remember that the deductible you choose is what you are responsible for paying up front in the event you file a claim against your automobile insurance policy.

Comprehensive & Collision Coverage

Should you drop comprehensive and/or collision coverage on an older car? It may not be cost-effective to have comprehensive or collision coverage on cars worth less than $1,000 because any claim you make would not substantially exceed the annual premium cost and deductible amounts.

Drivers on a Policy

Most automobile insurance policies provide coverage for other licensed drivers to drive your vehicle on an occasional basis. As coverage can extend differently to you as compared with an occasional driver, it is critical to read and understand your policy terms and provisions before allowing others to drive your vehicle. Check with your agent/broker or company for the details. It is a common practice for insurance companies to exclude a driver from your policy for a variety of legitimate reasons under the law. Such driver exclusions must be stated in the policy or by endorsement. Your coverage is not valid while a specifically excluded driver is allowed to drive your vehicle. Be aware of all policy driver restrictions.

Purchasing or replacing a Vehicle

If you anticipate acquiring a new, replacement, or additional vehicle, contact your agent/broker or company prior to taking possession. It is necessary to determine what coverage will be extended and what coverage will have to be added to your existing policy. If the new vehicle is financed, also check with the lender for their insurance requirements.

When Must You Show Proof of Insurance?

The Legislature passed a law requiring motorists to produce proof of insurance before the DMV renews the vehicle registration. The new legislation also requires motorists to display proof of insurance when they are stopped by a police officer for traffic violations. Drivers who can't do so may be subject to fines and other penalties.

Proof of financial responsibility must be shown when you:

  • Are asked for it by a law enforcement officer
  • Have an accident
  • Register your car or renew its registration
  • Get your car inspected

How Do I Prove I Have Insurance?

Your insurance company will send you a proof of insurance card listing the covered automobiles and drivers and showing the policy number and expiration date. Your insurance company is required to provide evidence of insurance to the DMV, usually done electronically within 24-72 hours after the effective date of the policy. The insurance company is also required to notify the DMV when your policy is cancelled or non-renewed by you or the company regardless of the reason for cancellation or non-renewal.

Ask yourself: Do I need higher limits?

Since you may be personally responsible for damages above the policy limits, you should consider purchasing liability insurance with higher limits than the minimum required by law. With the increased cost of hospital stays, medical care, and car repair, it may be well worth considering the extra premium to purchase higher limits of coverage as a way of guarding against personal liability to protect the assets you own and possible garnishment of income and wages in the event of a court ordered judgement against you.

When I Apply for Insurance, What Kind of Information is Obtained?

Your insurance company or agent will require that you disclose certain personal information on the application to determine your eligibility for insurance coverage and establish the price of coverage. If you are applying for automobile insurance, the company will collect information such as your driving record, use of automobile, mileage driven, and years of driving experience.

For automobile insurance, most insurance companies will order a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for all the drivers listed on the insurance application. The MVR is the state's official record of driving information obtained from the DMV. It is used to verify accidents, traffic violations and license suspensions for all potential drivers listed on the application.

Many insurance companies will order a C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss and Underwriting Evaluation) Report to obtain your insurance history and further information regarding insurance claims or losses found on the MVR or not reported on the MVR to determine eligibility and the price of coverage. These show the date of the incident, amount of loss, name of the policyholder, name of the driver involved in the incident, claim number and type of claim reported. The garaging address, VIN and Social Security Numbers are usually necessary to obtain this information.

California SR-22 Filing

A California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR22) filing is required in cases of unsatisfied judgments, major convictions, license suspensions and failure to have liability at the time of an accident. Your insurance company files this form with the DMV. The filing requirement period can be up to three years. Most major convictions of traffic offenses, such as hit and run, reckless driving, and driving under the influence will remain on your record for seven years from the violation date. Most minor convictions will remain on your record for three years.

The SR22 form should not be confused with the SR1 form, which is the California Traffic Accident Report Form. Whenever you are involved in an accident, the DMV requires that you file the SR1 form within ten days of the accident date if there is any bodily injury or property damage that exceeds $750.

What Other Coverages are Available?

Insurance companies must offer the following coverage with every automobile policy:

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist: Provides liability insurance when the party at fault does not have the state required minimum liability coverage, or the minimum liability coverage is insufficient to cover the injuries sustained in the accident. Likewise, uninsured motorist property damage covers possible reimbursement for damages your car sustains (BI and PD).

Most insurance companies will also offer the following optional coverages:

Medical Payments: Provides for the payment of medical and similar expenses without regard for liability.

Physical Damage (collision and comprehensive): Neither of these cover mechanical breakdown or normal wear and tear. Collision covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another vehicle or with any other object, regardless of fault. Collision insurance covers vehicle upset (overturn), but does not cover bodily injury or property damage liability. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your car caused by reason other than collision, such as fire, theft, windstorm, flood, vandalism, etc.

Endorsements/Riders: Special equipment (i.e. after-market additions such as premium stereos, tires, and other misc. equipment), towing, and rental reimbursement.

What Else Should I Keep in Mind?

When renting a vehicle, the automobile rental companies hold the renter responsible under the rental agreement for damage to their vehicle. They normally offer a Damage Waiver at an additional cost. This is not insurance, but a contractual agreement between the renter and rental company. Therefore, if a waiver is not purchased, review your own automobile policy to determine if any extension of coverage applies. Also, determine how the liability coverage afforded by your policy applies in the event you are at fault in an accident with the rented vehicle.

Personal effects and equipment such as cellular telephones, compact discs, tape players, and recorders that are not permanently installed in the vehicle by the manufacturer generally are not covered, unless specifically declared and added to the policy.

Insurance Coverage Chart — an Overview

Types of Coverage Pays For Covers Required
Liability
Bodily Injury
Property Damage		 Your responsibility to pay medical, death and hospital expenses including cost of repairs to other party's vehicle or property The insured's legal liability for bodily injury and property damage arising from ownership or use of the insured vehicle  Yes, by California Department of Motor Vehicle code
Uninsured/Underinsured
Motorist Bodily Injury		 Provides coverage for a policyholder involved in a collision with a driver who does not have liability insurance or who does not have sufficient liability limits to pay for damages The other party's legal liability to you for bodily injury arising from the negligent operation of their uninsured vehicle No, but every automobile insurance company must offer uninsured motorist coverage, and they are required to have a signed waiver on file if the coverage is rejected
Unisured Motorist
Property Damage		 Cost or repairs to your vehicle not covered by collision insurance, subject to a limit of $3,500. UMPD coverage pays for the property damage to your car when there is a collision with an identified uninsured driver. The other party's legal liability to you for property damage arising from the negligent operation of their uninsured vehicle No, but every automobile insurance company must offer uninsured motorist coverage, and they are required to have a signed waiver on file if the coverage is rejected
Medical Payments Medical expense incurred without question of legal liability All the occupants of your vehicle No
Comprehensive Cost of repairs or the fair market value of the vehicle The insured vehicle subject to the deductible Yes, by lenders and leasing companies
Collision Cost of repairs or the fair market value of the vehicle The insured vehicle subject to the deductible Yes, by lenders and leasing companies
Rental Reimbursement
Daily Limit and number of days subject to policy terms		 Cost of rental car while your vehicle is being repaired under coverage afforded by the policy Named insured No
Towing Reasonable and necessary towing and labor cost subject to policy terms Named insured No


Terms Commonly Used in Private Passenger Automobile Policies

Actual Cash Value (ACV) - Unless otherwise defined in the policy, actual cash value in California means fair market value. The fair market value of an item is the dollar amount that a knowledgeable buyer (under no unusual pressure) is willing to pay, and a knowledgeable seller (under no unusual pressure) is willing to accept.

Additional Equipment Endorsement - Provides coverage for certain parts and equipment that are not installed by the manufacturer. Coverage is subject to a maximum limit listed on the endorsement.

Adjuster - The person who evaluates the damage caused by an accident or other covered loss and determines the amount to be paid under the policy terms.

Agent - A licensed individual or organization authorized to sell and service insurance policies for an insurance company.

Assigned Risk - A driver who is not acceptable to a standard lines insurance company due to a poor driving record and is assigned to an insurance company participating in the assigned risk pool. All insurance companies licensed to sell auto insurance in California agree to accept a share of high-risk drivers based on the percentage of auto policies they issue in the state.

Automobile Insurance - A type of insurance that protects against losses involving automobiles. Auto policies contain a variety of coverages that can be purchased depending upon the needs and wants of the policyholder. Liability for bodily injury and property damage, medical payments, uninsured motorist, comprehensive, and collision are some of the common coverages offered under an auto insurance policy.

Binder - A short-term agreement that provides temporary insurance coverage until the policy can be issued or delivered.

Broker - A licensed individual or organization who, on your behalf, sells and services insurance policies.

Broker-Agent - A licensed individual who can act as an agent representing one or more insurance companies and also as a broker dealing with one or more insurance companies representing your interests.

Broker Fee - Any fee charged by an insurance broker to provide services that arise out of the transaction of insurance.

Broker Fee Agreement - The contract between the policyholder and the broker which also specifies the charges for the services rendered by the broker.

California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan - This plan is available when a driver is unable to purchase private passenger or commercial liability auto coverage because of a poor driving record. (See Assigned Risk)

Cancellation - The termination of an insurance policy before its normal expiration date.

Claim - Notice to an insurance company that a loss has occurred which may be covered under the terms and conditions of the policy.

Commission - A portion of the policy premium that is paid to an agent by the insurance company as compensation for the agent's work.

Comparative Negligence - The percentage of fault shared by each driver in an accident in which both contribute to causing the collision.

Comprehensive Coverage - Pays for damage to your car caused by reason other than collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm, flood, et cetera.

Collision - Pays for damage to your car caused by physical contact with another vehicle or with another object, such as a tree, boulder, guardrail, structure, or person.

Declarations (DEC) Page - Usually the first page of an insurance policy that contains the full legal name of your insurance company, your name and address, the policy number, effective and expiration dates, premium payable, the amount and types of coverage, deductibles, the vehicle(s) insured, and the vehicle identification numbers (VIN).

Deductible - The amount of the loss that the policyholder is responsible to pay up-front before covered benefits from the insurance company are payable. This is applicable to comprehensive or collision coverage only.

Endorsement - A written agreement that changes the terms of an insurance policy by adding or subtracting coverage.

Exclusion - A contractual provision in an insurance policy that denies or restricts coverage for certain perils, persons, property, or locations.

First Party - The policyholder (insured) in an insurance contract. Insured - The policyholder(s) entitled to covered benefits in case of an accident or loss.

Insurer - The insurance company who issues the insurance and agrees to pay for losses and provide covered benefits.

Liability Insurance - Coverage for a policyholder's legal liability resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property.

Limits - The maximum amount of benefits the insurance company agrees to pay in the event of a loss.

Loan Gap Coverage - This coverage pays the difference between the fair market value of your vehicle and the loan balance owed to your lender. This coverage is available on new vehicles only.

Low Cost Auto - A pilot program for the residents of eligible counties only, who meet specific lower income requirements.

Medical Payments Coverage - Covers the medical costs (up to the specified limit) resulting from an auto accident for you, your family, or others in your car. This coverage pays regardless of fault.

Non-Renewal - The termination of an insurance policy at its normal expiration date.

Personal Lines - This term is used to refer to insurance for individuals and families, such as private passenger automobile and homeowner policies.

Policy - A contract that states the rights and duties of the insurance company and the insured.

Premium - The price of insurance paid to the insurance company for a policy.

Premium Finance Company - A lending institution that finances automobile insurance premium for a fee.

Private Passenger Automobile - Four-wheeled motor vehicles of the private passenger, station wagon, or van type. Private passenger automobiles are designed for use on public highways and subject to motor vehicle registration.

Producer - A term used by the insurance industry to refer to agents and brokers.

Quotation - An estimate of the cost of insurance based on the information supplied to the agent, broker, or insurance company.

Recision (Flat Cancellation) - The cancellation of a policy back to its effective date resulting in a return of all premium charged.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage - This coverage pays your expenses to rent an auto if you have a loss covered under Comprehensive or Collision benefits. Coverage is sold based on a daily amount of expense subject to a maximum limit.

Replacement Cost - The amount that it costs to replace lost or damaged property with new property of like kind or quality in the local market.

Salvage - Damaged policyholder property that is legally signed over to an insurer in a loss settlement. Insurance companies sell salvaged property in order to reduce their overall monetary loss.

Second Party - The insurance company in an insurance contract.

Subrogation - The process of recovering the amount of claims damages paid out to a policyholder from the legally liable party. When a company pursues the legally liable third party, they are required to include the policyholder's deductible in the recovery process.

Surcharge - An extra charge applied to the premium by an insurance company, usually applied to an at-fault accident or moving violation.

Third Party - An individual other than the policyholder or the insurance company who has suffered a loss and may be able to collect compensation under the policy due to the negligent acts or omissions of the policyholder.

Total Loss - Damage or destruction to real or personal property to such extent that it cannot be rebuilt or repaired to its condition prior to the loss or when it would be cost prohibitive to repair or rebuild in comparison to the value of the property prior to the loss.

Towing Coverage - Addition to an automobile policy that pays a specified amount for towing and related labor costs.

Underinsured Motorist Endorsement - Addition to a Personal Automobile Policy (PAP) that covers an insured who is involved in a collision with a driver who does not have sufficient liability insurance to pay for the damages.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) - Provides coverage for a policyholder involved in a collision with a driver who does not have liability insurance or who does not have sufficient liability limits to pay for damages. UMC comes in two parts: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). UMBI coverage pays for injuries to you or any person in your car when there is a collision with an uninsured driver. UMPD coverage pays for the property damage to your car when there is a collision with an identified uninsured driver. UMC must be offered when you purchase liability coverage for your auto. If you decline UMC, you must sign a declination waiver.

Disclaimer

This information is for informational purposes only.
The actual terms of an insurance policy and related law prevail over the information provided herein.
In the case of a dispute, the insurance policy is controlling and a court of law will rely on the policy as it is written to resolve the dispute.
The policy is the only document that describes what the insurance company will pay.
The information contained herein does not create rights or obligations on the part of the insured, the insurer, the agent, the broker, or the state.
This information is not intended to be a substitute for the actual insurance policy.

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