Property Insurance · Auto
Understand your coverage before comparing the price.
Review liability limits, protection for your vehicle, deductibles, and coverage for accidents involving uninsured drivers. Choose insurance that fits how you drive and the financial risks you want to address.
Coverage, eligibility, and premiums vary by insurer and policy. Requesting a quote or appointment does not activate insurance.
On this page
An auto policy can include several coverages. Each addresses a different type of expense.
| Coverage | What it can help pay |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Covered injuries to others when you are legally responsible |
| Property damage liability | Covered damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property |
| Collision | Covered damage to your vehicle from a collision with another vehicle or object |
| Comprehensive | Covered non-collision damage, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or certain weather events |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury | Covered injuries involving an at-fault driver with no insurance or insufficient insurance |
| Medical payments | Eligible medical expenses for you or passengers, regardless of fault, subject to policy terms |
| Rental reimbursement | Eligible rental expenses while your vehicle is unavailable because of a covered loss |
| Roadside assistance | Specified services, such as towing, subject to limits |
Covered injuries to others when you are legally responsible
Covered damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property
Covered damage to your vehicle from a collision with another vehicle or object
Covered non-collision damage, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or certain weather events
Covered injuries involving an at-fault driver with no insurance or insufficient insurance
Eligible medical expenses for you or passengers, regardless of fault, subject to policy terms
Eligible rental expenses while your vehicle is unavailable because of a covered loss
Specified services, such as towing, subject to limits
Availability, limits, deductibles, and exclusions vary. Review the actual policy.
"Full coverage" is an informal phrase. It does not identify a single package that covers every accident or expense.
Ask which coverages are included, their limits, and the deductibles you would pay.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners explains the distinctions between liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. NAIC
For standard auto liability policies, California's current minimum limits are:
| Coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death to one person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury or death to multiple people in one accident | $60,000 total |
| Property damage in one accident | $15,000 |
These limits are often written as 30/60/15.
The $60,000 bodily injury limit is the total available per accident, with the $30,000 per-person limit still applying.
The legal minimum may not cover the full cost of an accident.
For example, damage to another vehicle can exceed a $15,000 property damage limit. You may remain responsible for covered liabilities above the limits you purchased.
Discuss higher limits based on your circumstances and budget.
Your liability coverage generally pays others when you are legally responsible. It does not repair your own vehicle.
Collision or comprehensive coverage may address damage to your vehicle, depending on the cause.
California's Department of Motor Vehicles confirms the standard minimum limits. CA.gov
California's Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program offers qualifying drivers a separate way to meet financial responsibility requirements. It has its own eligibility rules and coverage limits.
The state program is intended for income-eligible drivers.
Explore California's Low Cost Auto Insurance ProgramA deductible is the amount you are responsible for under the applicable coverage.
Collision and comprehensive can have different deductibles.
If a covered repair costs $5,000 and the applicable deductible is $1,000, the remaining amount is $4,000 before other policy terms or limitations apply.
This example is illustrative only. Actual amounts depend on the specific policy, loss, and applicable conditions.
A higher deductible may reduce your premium. Choose an amount you could comfortably pay after a loss.
A standard settlement generally reflects the vehicle's value under the policy's settlement terms, less an applicable deductible. It may not equal the price of a new replacement vehicle or your remaining loan balance.
Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance or a GAP waiver may address an eligible difference between the vehicle settlement and the remaining loan or lease obligation.
Review the specific agreement. Limits, exclusions, and treatment of deductibles vary.
Official consumer guidance explains that an ordinary vehicle settlement may leave an outstanding loan balance. content.naic.org
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage can help when an at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage can help in qualifying situations when the other driver's insurance is insufficient.
These coverages have limits and conditions. Underinsured motorist coverage should not be assumed to add its entire limit on top of the other driver's payment.
No. Uninsured motorist property damage and collision deductible waiver provisions have separate rules.
Ask which protection applies to your vehicle and how it works with collision coverage.
California insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Declining it requires a signed waiver.
Understand what you are giving up before signing.
California's Department of Insurance explains these protections and the waiver requirement. insurance.ca.gov
Review your coverage when your household, mileage, or vehicle use changes.
Update your annual mileage estimate accurately. Ask whether your current driving pattern affects pricing or available discounts.
You can also ask about approved mature-driver improvement courses and applicable discount requirements. California provides information about these courses through its insurance and motor vehicle agencies.
Tell the insurer about household members and regular drivers. Do not assume another person is covered simply because you give permission to drive.
Disclose the activity before relying on personal auto coverage. Additional protection may be needed.
Confirm coverage and lender or lease requirements before driving it. Do not assume an automatic coverage provision applies without checking its conditions.
Use the same drivers, vehicles, coverage limits, deductibles, and policy period.
| Compare | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Liability | Per-person, per-accident, and property damage limits |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Included protection and limits |
| Collision and comprehensive | Whether included and each deductible |
| Medical payments | Included limit |
| Rental reimbursement | Daily limit, total limit, and qualifying losses |
| Roadside assistance | Services, restrictions, and possible duplication |
| Driver restrictions | Excluded drivers or other limitations |
| Policy duration | Six-month or annual term |
| Total cost | Premium, payment-plan charges, and applicable fees |
Per-person, per-accident, and property damage limits
Included protection and limits
Whether included and each deductible
Included limit
Daily limit, total limit, and qualifying losses
Services, restrictions, and possible duplication
Excluded drivers or other limitations
Six-month or annual term
Premium, payment-plan charges, and applicable fees
California's primary auto rating factors are driving safety record, annual mileage, and years of driving experience. Other approved factors and your selected coverage can also affect the price.
A discount may be available. Compare the combined price and protection with separate policies.
A quote depends on the information provided. Verification of driving records, mileage, vehicle details, or other application information can affect the final offer.
Your declarations page summarizes important policy information. The full policy explains the coverage terms.
An agent can review the options they are authorized to offer and explain differences.
Discuss the drivers and vehicles in your household, the limits you want, and the deductible you could manage after a loss.
Please do not include driver's license numbers, payment details, or sensitive documents in your appointment message.
No obligation to enroll • Licensed in California • Independent agent
Coverage availability, eligibility, and terms depend on the insurer and policy. This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or guarantee of coverage. Requesting a quote or appointment does not activate insurance. Confirm specific product details with a licensed agent before applying.
Coastal Pacific Insurance Group is a licensed insurance agency in California. License number on file with the California Department of Insurance.
Sources: California Department of Insurance (insurance.ca.gov) · California Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.ca.gov) · National Association of Insurance Commissioners (content.naic.org)
Content reviewed: · Licensed Insurance Agent, Coastal Pacific Insurance Group
