If you’ve ever been stuck on a California freeway, you know how bad it can get out on the road. People don’t look where they’re going. Drivers weave in and out of traffic. When you’re stuck on the 10 or 605, you see it all. Now imagine driving in traffic without auto insurance.
All it takes is one wrong turn or one missed blindspot to cause a multiple car pileup on the road. If you’re found to be at fault for even part of the accident, the costs will pile up, too. With the right auto insurance coverage, you can rest easy knowing you’re covered in nearly any driving situation.
What Types of California Auto Insurance Do You Need?
All drivers in California must have specific liability insurance coverage. The state mandates the minimum amount you must purchase, but this is too low to be of any real help after an auto accident. Always purchase more liability coverage than the bare minimum limits, listed below.
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum
- Property Damage Liability: $5,000 minimum
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: $3,500 minimum
Uninsured motorist coverage can be waived, but it’s better to buy as much auto insurance as you can afford. You never know when an accident will strike or if you’ll find yourself hit by a driver with little or no insurance coverage.
What Else Does Auto Insurance Cover in California?
Beyond bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, you can purchase other optional insurance protection.
Collision Coverage: You’ll be covered if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or if you hit an object like a pole or a fence. The damage will be repaired or you’ll receive the payout of the value of your vehicle if it’s considered a total loss.
Comprehensive Coverage: Nearly every other type of accident beyond a rollover or collision is covered under comprehensive coverage. This includes theft and vandalism, hitting an animal, and damage caused by hail, wind, flood, or fire.
Purchasing these two together means that you have full coverage on your vehicle. With that, you may be eligible for other supplemental insurance services when your vehicle is in an accident or breaks down:
- Roadside assistance
- Towing services
- Rental car service
If your vehicle is leased or you financed the purchase, you’ll likely be required to carry full coverage auto insurance, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll have to overpay. At PTL Insurance Brokers, we can provide a free quote and go over all your insurance coverage options to help you find the best California auto insurance policy for your needs and your budget. Contact us today!
