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California Auto Insurance

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California is a Tort liability state. In California a driver who has caused an accident can be held at fault and sued. The driver will be responsible for the cost of medical care, pain and suffering, and damage to property. A driver who is negligent and lacks adequate insurance coverage can suffer severe financial losses.
Driving Under the Influence

In California driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense. There are two ways that a person can be convicted of a DUI in California. The first count focuses on whether you were able to drive the car with the same degree of prudence that a sober person would have. The second count concentrates on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). If your BAC is .08 or higher, you can be considered drunk.

The Penalties for a first time offense are as follows:

• 48 hours to 6 months in jail.
• A 10 month license suspension.
• Must complete a DUI program.
• A fine of $390 to $1000 plus substantial mandatory penalty assessments.
• If a driver receives additional DUI convictions, they will receive increasingly higher penalties.
• May be ordered to install an ignition interlock device.

If a driver refuses to take a DUI test, they face 48 hours of jail time and a year-long driver’s license suspension.

If a driver receives additional DUI convictions, they will receive increasingly higher penalties.

 

Mandatory Insurance Requirements

In order to operate a motor vehicle in California a driver must meet the minimum financial responsibility requirements. In order to meet the financial requirements a driver must make a $35,000 cash deposit to the DMV , receive a certificate of self insurance from the DMV, secure a $35,000 security bond from an insurance company licensed to do business with the state of California, or have liability insurance coverage that meets the minimum liability requirements.

The minimum liability insurance requirements are as follows:

• $15,000 for death or injury of any one person in any one accident.
• $30,000 for all persons in any one accident.
• $5,000 for damage to property in any one accident.

In the state of California, it is important for drivers to read their insurance policies and to know who has liability coverage. In California, is a common practice to exclude household members from a policy. Such exclusions must be stated in the policy or by endorsement. The primary driver’s coverage is not valid while a specifically excluded driver is allowed to drive the vehicle, so it is important to be aware of all policy driver restrictions.

Proof of Insurance

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles monitors vehicle liability coverage in the following ways.

Electronic Monitoring

Insurance companies in California are required to report insurance information on private vehicles to the DMV. This allows the DMV to monitor insurance coverage and take appropriate actions if the coverage requirements are not met.

Law Enforcements Stops

If a person is driving, they must keep proof of financial responsibility in their vehicle at all times. If they are stopped by a law enforcement officer, they must provide the following:

• A document or identification card from your insurance company.
• A DMV authorization letter, if you are a cash depositor or are self-insured.
• California Proof of Insurance Certificate (SR-22) for broad coverage or owner’s policy.
• Evidence that the vehicle is owned or leased by a public entity defined in Government Code §811.2.
• A Notification of Alternative Forms of Financial Responsibility for vehicle covered by a commercial or business policies and being registered for the first time.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Drivers who allow their insurance to lapse, and cannot provide proof of new insurance within 45 days, automatically receive a one year suspension of their registration. If a motorist is caught driving without insurance, they face a $500 fine plus impediment of their vehicle and suspension of their driver’s license. If the vehicle is impounded, the driver will have to pay for towing expenses and storage fees.

Rental Cars

In the state of California all vehicles must be insured, whether you rent it or own it. If you own a car, you should check to see if your personal auto insurance covers rental cars. If your personal insurance does not cover the rental insurance, check to see if your credit card company covers rental insurance. If neither option applies to your situation, you must purchase the minimum liability coverage from the rental company. A copy of the final agreement outlining the coverage must be carried in the vehicle at all times.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured insurance coverage is not required in the state of California, however, it is highly recommended. Uninsured motorist insurance is coverage driver’s purchase to protect them against losses incurred at the hands of drivers who have no liability insurance, and no means to pay for the damages that they caused. .In California most auto insurance agent will recommend that you purchase at least $50,000 in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage

Who is Liable?

California is a tort liability state with a fault based system for auto liability. In a tort state the driver who is deemed to be at fault, can be sued by those who are injured in the accident, or by the families of those who are killed. The driver could be responsible for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages.

In California, it must be determined who was at fault for the accident. Determining who was at fault is pivotal in determining who is liable. The accident victim’s insurance companies want to know, because they pay claims according to each party’s degree of fault.

Average Annual Cost of Insurance

The average annual premium for California auto insurers is $1,280. That is an 8 percent increase over the 2010 cost.