Car insurance is an essential aspect of vehicle ownership, providing financial protection against accidents, theft, and other unforeseen events. In San Diego, as in the rest of California, car insurance laws are designed to ensure that drivers have the necessary coverage to handle potential liabilities. Understanding these laws and requirements is crucial for all drivers in the area.
In California, all drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This requirement ensures that if you are at fault in an accident, you can cover the costs associated with bodily injury or property damage to others. The state-mandated minimum coverage includes $15,000 for injury or death to one person per accident, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. These limits are often referred to as 15/30/5 coverage.
While these are the legal minimums required by the state of California, many experts recommend purchasing higher limits to provide better protection. Accidents can easily result in damages exceeding these amounts; therefore, having additional coverage can help shield your personal assets from costly lawsuits.
auto insurance San Diego residents must also be aware of uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage options. Although not mandatory in California, UM/UIM coverage protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance. Given that a significant percentage of drivers might be uninsured or underinsured despite legal requirements—this type of coverage offers valuable peace of mind.
Another important aspect is collision and comprehensive insurance which covers damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault. Collision insurance pays for repairs after an accident while comprehensive covers non-collision incidents like theft or natural disasters—a pertinent consideration given San Diego’s susceptibility to wildfires.
