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California Car Insurance

California is a large state, offering numerous destinations worth exploring. Whether you’re traveling to the beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway, visiting the mountains in the Shasta Cascade, or commuting to work, having the right insurance coverage will help protect you on the road, regardless of your destination.

Amica offers customized California car insurance quotes that allow you to tailor your coverage with comprehensive protection backed by personalized service. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to protecting yourself and your family on the road. Instead, take the time to get a customized quote for insurance that meets your unique coverage needs.

California’s auto insurance requirements

In California, drivers are required to carry the following minimum liability limits for auto insurance:

  • Bodily Injury Liability Coverage:
    • $30,000 per person
    • $60,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability Coverage:
    • $15,000 per accident

Bodily injury liability coverage: Coverage to protect you from the financial consequences for causing bodily harm to others in an auto accident. This extends to coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. It may also cover legal defense costs if you’re sued. This coverage is subject to policy limits and exclusions.

Property damage liability coverage: This coverage helps with damage you cause to someone else’s property in an auto accident where you’re at fault. It includes costs for repairing or replacing the other party’s vehicle and other damaged property, like buildings or fences. It may also cover legal fees if you’re sued for the damages. Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions. 

In addition to the minimum liability coverage requirements, California also mandates coverage for uninsured motorist bodily injury and uninsured motorist property damage, with the following minimum limits:

  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage:
    • $15,000 per person
    • $30,000 per accident

Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: This coverage applies if you’re hurt in a car accident and the responsible party doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries. 

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: This is offered at a limit of $3,500 for vehicles that don’t carry collision coverage. The coverage is available for losses caused by an uninsured motorist that is identified. There’s no coverage for a hit-and-run if the driver of the other vehicle cannot be identified.

Waiver of collision deductible: This coverage waives the collision deductible if the vehicle is struck by an uninsured driver or vehicles which is identified.

It’s important to understand that these are just the minimum requirements, and California drivers may choose higher coverage limits for added protection.

Additional California car insurance coverages

Opting for additional auto insurance coverage beyond state-mandated minimums can provide invaluable protection in various scenarios. It’s not only a wise choice for safeguarding your finances and assets, but may be required coverage if you lease or finance your car. Here are some additional coverages you might consider:

  • Comprehensive (other than collision): Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle caused by things other than collision. Includes damage from falling trees or rocks kicked up by other cars.
  • Collision coverage: No-fault coverage that helps pay for repairs to your car if it’s damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object.
  • Rental reimbursement: Coverage for transportation costs if your vehicle needs repairs after an accident. It covers rental cars, ridesharing or public transportation like trains, taxis and buses.
  • Auto loan/lease coverage: Covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and the current value of your vehicle if it’s totaled in a covered accident. 
  • Roadside assistance coverage: 24/7 roadside assistance for various issues like changing flat tires, jumping dead batteries, towing your car, unlocking car doors and getting your car unstuck from mud.
  • Repairing or replacing auto glass: Coverage for repair or replacement of your windshield, windows and other auto glass, without a deductible.

Key factors impacting California car insurance rates

There are several factors that impact auto insurance in California, including individual circumstances, geographical location, driving history and more. Here are some points to consider:

  • Coverage and option limits: Opting for state-mandated minimum coverage in California tends to be more affordable, whereas adding optional coverages with higher limits may increase premiums.
  • Vehicle type: Factors such as the make and model of your vehicle, its safety rating, and repair costs all influence your car insurance premiums in California.
  • Claims in California: Auto insurance rates may be affected by the claims filed in your state. Higher rates of accidents, theft or other incidents can lead to increased premiums for all drivers in California.
  • Weather patterns in California: Weather-related incidents impact car insurance rates, particularly for comprehensive coverage that includes protection against damage caused by the weather.

It’s important to know that auto rates change for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons, like your driving record and claim history, are within your control, while others, like industry repair rates and claim frequency in your area, are not. If your auto rates increase, you may be able to mitigate the increase by adjusting your coverage or deductible, or qualifying for policy discounts.

Maximize savings with California auto insurance discounts

Amica offers various auto insurance discounts to help California policyholders save money on their premiums.1 Here are some ways you can save:

  • Discounts for family
    • Young driver training: We have discounts for drivers under 21 who complete an accredited driver training program.
    • Good student: Policies with full-time high school or college students, ages 15-25, with a “B” average or higher are eligible for our Good Student Discount.
  • Discounts for how you drive
    • Good driver: Drivers who’ve been licensed for three years or more and haven’t had more than one accident or speeding ticket, are eligible for our Good Driver Discount. 
    • Defense driver training: Taking an approved driver safety course can earn you a discount.
  • Discounts for your car’s systems
    • Forward-collision warning: We’ll reward you for keeping your car safe with forward-collision warning.
    • Adaptive headlights: If your car is equipped with adaptive headlights, you may be eligible for a discount.

If you’re a California driver in need of both auto and home insurance coverage, it’s worth exploring options for bundling policies to maximize your savings. When you bundle auto and home insurance with Amica, you can save up to 20% with a multiline discount.1

Facts and figures about California

Fun facts about California:

  • California, with its large population and car-centric culture, has the highest number of registered vehicles in the U.S., making it the largest auto market in the country.
  • San Francisco’s cable cars were designated as the first moving National Historic Landmark in the U.S. in 1964. They remain the only operational cable cars in a U.S. city to this day.3 
  • The artichoke serves as the official state vegetable of California. It’s honored annually at various festivals throughout the state, including the long-standing Artichoke Festival in Castroville, often referred to as the "Artichoke Capital of the World." This festival has been held every year since 1959.3

Facts about driving in California:

  • California offers a mobile driver’s license (mDL) option, allowing residents to add a driver’s license or state ID card to their Apple or Google wallet on their mobile devices.4
  • California employs DMV kiosks, DMV partners and DMV field offices to efficiently serve its large population.4 
  • New California residents are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days. This process includes a knowledge test, vision exam, photograph and, if applicable, a driving test.4

How to get car insurance in California

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your car insurance in California. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs: 

    An Amica representative can provide guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to California drivers based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative for your personalized quote.

With Amica, California drivers can hit the road with confidence, knowing they’re prepared for any situation that may arise.

Get an auto insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 U.S. Department of Energy
3 100 California Fun Facts: Discover the Golden State
4 State of California Department of Motor Vehicles

 

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