California (CA) Car Insurance Requirements (2026)
The minimum you need
- Bodily injury per person
- $30,000
- Bodily injury per accident
- $60,000
- Property damage
- $15,000
Raised from 15/30/5 on January 1, 2025, the first increase in decades.
At-fault state Whoever caused the crash pays, through their liability coverage.
What else is required
PIP (personal injury protection): Not required
Uninsured motorist: Not required
Insurers have to offer it, and you can only turn it down in writing.
Rating factors
- Insurers can't use your gender to set your price.
- Insurers can't use your credit history to set your price.
More on how credit shapes prices elsewhere: auto insurance scores explained.
Teen and new driver notes
Gender can't be used to price your policy here, and neither can your credit. For teens, the price comes mostly from driving record, miles driven, and years of experience.
- Good student discounts commonly run up to about 20%, depending on the company.
New to all this? Start with the new driver guide.
Penalties for driving uninsured
Driving without insurance can mean fines, a suspended license or registration, and having your car impounded for repeat offenses.
Penalty schedules change and vary by county. Confirm current fines with the California Department of Insurance before relying on this for a specific situation.