California auto insurance requirements changed recently, and many drivers have not caught up. If you drive in Los Angeles, San Diego, or anywhere across the state, here is what California now mandates and where that minimum still leaves you exposed.
California’s New Minimum Limits
California raised its minimum liability limits on January 1, 2025. The new minimum is 30/60/15.
That means $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person. It means $60,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident. And it means $15,000 in property damage coverage.
The old limits were 15/30/5, set back in 1967. If your policy renewed after the change, your insurer updated it automatically, often with a higher premium.
What the Minimum Does Not Cover
Liability pays the people you hurt and the property you damage. It does not pay for your side of the wreck.
Your own car is not covered by liability. Your own injuries are not covered. Those need separate coverages beyond the state minimum.
Higher limits help, but even 30/60/15 is a floor. One serious hospital stay can pass $30,000 quickly.
Where the Numbers Run Out
Picture a crash on a crowded freeway near downtown. You rear-end a newer vehicle, and two people are hurt.
One injury is serious. The bill passes $30,000. Your per-person limit caps first, even with room left on the per-accident total.
And the car you hit comes out of the $15,000 property number. A newer vehicle can pass that on its own, leaving the rest on you.
UM Coverage Matters in California
California has a high share of uninsured drivers. Estimates put it near one in seven on the road.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. California does not require it, but your insurer must offer it, and you must sign a written waiver to decline. If you never signed one, you may already have it.
How much liability should you carry? It depends on your assets. Insurance guidance generally recommends carrying limits well above any state minimum if you have savings, property, or income to protect.
Check Your Limits After the Change
The 2025 update is a good reason to pull your declarations page. Confirm your limits and ask whether they fit your situation.
For a full walkthrough of how these limits work, read our complete guide to auto insurance requirements. The coverage mechanics are the same across every state we serve.
Want a coverage review? Get a California quote or learn more about our California coverage. As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find the best fit for you.
