California car insurance minimums, and what happens when they are not enough
Every driver in California must carry at least $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage.
The required minimums
The per-person figure ($30,000) is the most the at-fault driver’s insurer will pay for any one injured person under a minimum policy. The per-accident figure ($60,000) is the most it pays for everyone hurt in the crash combined.
These minimums doubled on January 1, 2025. Before then they were $15,000 / $30,000 / $5,000.
Source: Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.1b; Cal. Veh. Code § 16056 (as amended by SB 1107)
Why the policy limit often sets the ceiling
A hospital stay, surgery or months of therapy can exceed $30,000 quickly. Once a claim is worth more than the at-fault driver’s limit, the insurer will not pay beyond it, and collecting the rest from the driver personally is rarely practical.
That is why finding every policy that applies matters: the at-fault driver’s own policy, an employer’s policy if they were working, a vehicle owner’s policy if they were driving someone else’s car, and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Your own coverage
Insurers must include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto policy unless the policyholder waives it in writing.
Source: Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2
Uninsured drivers lose pain-and-suffering damages
Under Proposition 213, a driver who was uninsured at the time of the crash generally cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, even from a driver who was entirely at fault. Medical bills and lost wages remain recoverable.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.4
Rideshare coverage depends on what the driver was doing
While a Uber or Lyft driver is carrying a passenger or heading to a pickup, California requires at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage. When the app is on but no ride has been accepted, the required coverage drops to $50,000 / $100,000 / $30,000 plus a $200,000 excess policy.
Source: Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 5433
Real California results
Documented California verdicts and settlements from public court records.
| Case | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
Alejandra Gonzalez v. County of Los Angeles Los Angeles County, 2026 · Car accident | Car accident | $1,500,000 settlement |
Jennifer Orta v. Matthew Bogy San Bernardino County, 2026 · Intersection crash | Intersection crash | $659,626 verdict |
Tito Flores v. CDS Equipment Los Angeles County, 2025 · Truck accident | Truck accident | $1,500,000 settlement |
Unger v. Greenberg Los Angeles County, 2023 · Car accident | Car accident | $600,000 settlement |
Cruz Luis v. Estate of Molloy Los Angeles County, 2025 · Rear-end collision | Rear-end collision | $1,425,000 settlement |
Real cases, shown as recorded in public court records. Verdicts are jury awards; settlements are agreed payments. They are other people’s cases and not predictions of what your case is worth. Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in California?
$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage (Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.1b; Cal. Veh. Code § 16056 (as amended by SB 1107)).
What if my injuries cost more than the other driver’s policy?
Look to your own underinsured motorist coverage, and to any other policy that covers the at-fault driver or vehicle. Insurers must include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto policy unless the policyholder waives it in writing.
Compare your crash with real cases
Our AI matches what happened to you against documented California verdicts and settlements. Free, about 60 seconds.
More California guides
California cities
This guide in other states
This page is general information about California law, reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, laws change, and the right answer for your claim depends on its facts. CaseChecker.ai is not a law firm; it connects people with independent attorneys licensed in their state.