California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Quick Answer

The minimum in California is 30/60/15

Coverage	Minimum	What it pays for
Bodily injury, per person	$30,000	Medical bills and other injury costs of one person you hurt in an accident you cause.
Bodily injury, per accident	$60,000	The total for everyone you injure in a single accident.
Property damage	$15,000	Damage you cause to other people’s cars and property.

Liability coverage pays other people when you are at fault. It does not pay to fix your own car or cover your own injuries. That is the most common surprise we see after an accident.

What It Leaves Out

What minimum coverage does not pay for

• Your own car. Collision covers damage to your car in an accident; comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, fire, hail and hitting an animal. Neither is required by the state, but if you finance or lease, your lender will require both.
• Your own injuries. Medical payments coverage helps with your and your passengers’ medical bills regardless of fault.
• Drivers with no insurance. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the other driver has no insurance or not enough. Insurers must offer it; you can only decline it in writing.
• Anything above the limits. If you cause $50,000 of injuries to one person and carry $30,000, the remaining $20,000 can come after you personally.

Your Options

Ways to meet the requirement

California calls this the financial responsibility law. Most drivers meet it with an insurance policy, but the law also allows a few alternatives:

• A liability insurance policy with at least 30/60/15 limits. This is how nearly everyone does it.
• A $75,000 cash deposit with the DMV or a surety bond for the same amount from a company licensed in California.
• The California Low Cost Auto Insurance program (CLCA), a state program with lower-cost policies for income-eligible drivers with good driving records. Ask us whether you might qualify; if it is a better fit than a standard policy, we will tell you.

Keep proof of insurance in the car. California accepts an insurance card or electronic proof on your phone. You need to show it if you are pulled over, after an accident, and when you register your car.

Our Advice

How much coverage should you actually carry?

There is no single right answer, but here is how we walk Modesto customers through it:

• Tight budget, older paid-off car, few assets: state minimum liability can make sense. Consider adding uninsured motorist coverage, which is often inexpensive.
• Financed or leased car: your lender requires collision and comprehensive. Liability limits are your choice, but most of our customers choose more than the minimum.
• Homeowners and families: limits such as 100/300/100 protect what you have built. The price difference over the minimum is often smaller than people expect.
• No car, but you still drive: a non-owner policy covers liability when you borrow cars.
• Need an SR-22: the filing proves you carry at least the state minimum. See SR-22 insurance.

Because we are an independent agency, we can show you the minimum and a stronger option side by side from multiple carriers. See what drivers here typically pay in our Modesto car insurance cost guide.

Common Questions

Minimum insurance questions

What is the minimum car insurance in California in 2026?

$30,000 bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage liability, written as 30/60/15. These limits took effect January 1, 2025.

When did California minimum insurance change?

SB 1107 raised the minimums from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025. They are scheduled to increase again to 50/100/25 in 2035.

Does my old 15/30/5 policy still count?

Policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025 must meet the new 30/60/15 minimum. If you are not sure what your policy carries, bring your declarations page and we will review it for free.

Does minimum insurance cover my car?

No. Liability insurance pays for damage and injuries you cause to others. Repairs to your own car require collision coverage, and theft or weather damage requires comprehensive coverage.

Is it illegal to drive without insurance in California?

Yes. Driving without insurance or other financial responsibility can bring fines, possible impound and license suspension after an accident. See our guide to driving without insurance.

Can I get minimum coverage without a driver license?

Many carriers will insure drivers with an AB 60 license, and some can write policies for other situations. Call us and we will tell you which carriers can help.