Direct Auto Insurance In California

California drivers have plenty of California direct auto insurance companies to choose from but selecting the right direct auto insurance coverage is a little harder. California residents do not enjoy the protection of no-fault direct auto insurance and any injuries or damages are subject to complex tort law.

Compare California Direct Auto Insurance Quotes

Additionally, while California direct auto insurance is required by law some estimates show up to 30% of California drivers are either uninsured or underinsured which means your odds of getting in a car accident with someone who may not have enough insurance to pay for damages is quite high.

How much California direct auto insurance do I need?

California has two different programs for drivers. The standard minimum direct auto insurance requirements for vehicles registered in California are:

• $15,000 bodily injury liability for accidents with one injured party
• $30,000 combined bodily injury liability for accidents involving 2 or more people
• $5,000 property damage insurance

However California also has lower direct auto insurance requirements for low income families. The purpose of this program “the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan” is to allow those drivers who cannot afford typical direct auto insurance coverage purchase a lower amount to comply with the law. These lower minimum direct auto insurance requirements are:

• $10,000 bodily injury liability for accidents with one injured party
• $20,000 combined bodily injury liability for accidents involving 2 or more people
• $3,000 property damage insurance

Drivers who wish to qualify for the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan must apply to the state and be approved before being allowed to drive with lower limits.

Direct Auto Insurance In California

The upside of this low income direct auto insurance plan is that more drivers can afford some type of insurance however the downfall is you also have greater potential liability in the event of an accident. Remember that California direct auto insurance caps out at your policy limits and any injuries or damage you caused exceeding your policy limits the injured party may sue you personally for.

Regardless of what California direct auto insurance policy you choose purchasing only the minimum required by law is never advisable unless you have no other choice. Even a minor accident involving minor injuries can easily rack up a hefty bill in medical expenses. Its also important to note that California (much like other states) only requires liability insurance which does not provide coverage for damages to your vehicle in an accident where you were at fault.

Although cheap auto insurance quotes can seem attractive all California drivers would be wise to look at a full coverage direct auto insurance policy which contains liability, collision and comprehensive coverage with much greater limits than just the minimum direct auto insurance requirements required by California law.

California DUI Laws

California is extremely strict about enforcing DUI laws and any driver found guilty of driving under the influence will be exposed to great financial pains including higher California direct auto insurance rates, state fines, attorney fees and more. DUI laws in California have 2 basic categories including a basic DUI and an enhanced DUI depending on the blood alcohol content of the drivers.

California direct auto insurance Companies

Nationwide, 21st Century, GEICO, Progressive and almost all the major brand names offer direct auto insurance in California but the trick is to find the best provider for your unique profile. Young drivers, good drivers, high risk drivers, luxury car owners – whatever your profile is the first step to finding the best direct auto insurance rates will be to understand how direct auto insurance works. Once you learn about the different types of coverage, direct auto insurance discounts, deductible options and other basic foundations of direct auto insurance you will be better prepared to compare direct auto insurance quotes and ultimately find the best rates.