Obtain Required Liability Car Insurance In California?

Answer 1

Anyone operating a motor vehicle in the state of California must carry liability insurance. Drivers are responsible for any damage or personal injury they cause. Liability insurance protects drivers causing an accident that involves property damage or bodily injury. The amount of protection drivers should carry is important because severe accidents can mean thousands of dollars in repair costs and medical expenses.

Know The State Minimum Requirements

Each state has laws regarding the minimum amount of liability insurance that must be carried by vehicle operators. In California the minimum coverage amounts are designated as 15/30/5. These figures indicate the amount of insurance required to cover personal injury costs for a non-fault individual, the amount of protection required to cover all personal injuries suffered by innocent victims in a single accident, and lastly the amount of coverage required by law to cover vehicle or property damage belonging to innocent victims per accident. The numbers represent thousands of dollars and the insurance company will pay up to this amount if the insured is carrying liability protection coverage.

Some accidents result in very high costs to the insured. Most insurance experts recommend carrying at least twice the amount of liability insurance required by law. Many accidents involve vehicle damage far in excess of $5,000. If the insured driver causes an accident and his or her liability insurance does not cover the entire cost to repair another individual's car, remaining costs must be paid out-of-pocket.

Factors Affecting Liability Insurance Costs

California drivers are put in a category when applying for liability coverage. The age and gender of the customer can affect the cost of insurance. Males tend to be involved in a greater number of accidents than females. Married individuals tend to be safer drivers, especially if they have children. Persons with a history of moving violations or with a DUI on their record will probably pay more for liability insurance. Those who have had gaps between coverage may also have to pay higher premiums for at least one or two years.

A poor credit score can also mean higher insurance premiums. An insurance company cannot deny coverage solely on the basis of a credit score but can charge more even for the minimum amount of insurance required by California law.

Guaranteed Liability Protection

Individuals who are denied coverage by more than one insurance company because of past driving history, license suspension or DUI can still obtain liability coverage through the State Of California. The state government has a program that guarantees coverage through participating agents and insurance providers. The cost may be excessive but the individual cannot be denied what is required by law.