Imagine getting into a fender bender and realizing your insurance won’t fully cover the damages. With rising medical costs and repair expenses, California is making its first major update to auto insurance requirements in over 50 years. Starting January 1, 2025, new higher minimum liability limits will better protect drivers from unexpected financial burdens. But what do these changes mean for you? Let’s break it down.
Understanding Liability Coverage
Liability insurance helps cover damages if you cause an accident. It does not cover your own injuries or vehicle damage—that’s where collision and comprehensive coverage come in.
Because accidents can lead to costly damages, liability insurance is required by law in most states to protect victims of accidents. It consists of two parts:
- Bodily Injury Coverage – Pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the other driver and passengers.
- Property Damage Coverage – Pays for repairs or replacement of the other vehicle or damaged property, such as a fence or building.
Why Coverage Limits Matter
When you buy liability insurance, you choose a coverage limit. If the costs of an accident exceed your limit, you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket. For example, if your policy covers $50,000 per person, but the injured driver’s medical bills total $60,000, you would be responsible for the extra $10,000.
The main goal of liability insurance is to protect your assets, and so you may choose a higher limit than the state specifies. You’ll want to take into account the amount of medical expenses that could be incurred in an accident. You could be responsible for lost wages for the driver. If tragically he or she dies, you could be providing lost wages for the driver’s family.
On the other hand, if you’re the victim of an accident and the at-fault driver has higher liability limits, their insurance will be better equipped to cover your medical expenses and property damage. So, that’s good news.
What’s Changing in 2025?
California’s previous minimum coverage limits—set in 1967—were among the lowest in the nation. The costs of medical car and car repairs have increased substantially since that time. The new limits under Senate Bill 1107 (the Protect California Drivers Act) increase the minimum amount of coverage to align more closely with today’s costs. They seek to reduce the financial burden on crash victims.
Effective, January 1, 2025, the new limits are as follows:
- $30,000 for injury or death to one person (previously $15,000)
- $60,000 for injury or death to multiple people (previously $30,000)
- $15,000 for property damage (previously $5,000)
While increasing liability limits provides better financial protection, it can also lead to a slight rise in premiums, especially for those who currently have only the minimum required coverage. However, this added cost is often minimal compared to the potential financial burden of an accident that exceeds your policy limits.
Time to Review Your Auto Policy
With these new requirements, now is the perfect time to review your auto coverage. While many insurance companies will automatically update your policy if you reside in California, you’ll want to make sure the new limits are in place. After all, failing to meet the new minimums could result in:
- Legal penalties, fines, impoundment of your vehicle, or suspension of your driver’s license and/or registration
- Out-of-pocket expenses for medical bills, property damage, and legal fees
How to Save on Coverage
Higher limits don’t always mean higher costs. At California Casualty, we offer package discounts and savings for customers carrying higher coverage levels. Additional discounts may apply if you:
- Install an anti-theft device;
- Are a member of an eligible group (educators, nurses, first responders, firefighters and law enforcement);
- Bundle home and auto insurance;
- Take a driver safety course; and/or
- Maintain a good insurance score known as the Financial Responsibility (FR) Score.
Knowing what affects your car insurance rate can help you make changes to reduce the amount you pay while still getting great coverage. Learn more about your options and get a free quote today.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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