California’s insurance laws currently do not require drivers to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. However, it is highly recommended that drivers purchase this optional type of insurance so that they are covered in case the other driver doesn’t have any insurance. Unlawfully driving without insurance is more common than most Californians think.
What Are California’s Insurance Requirements?
In January, 2025, California updated its insurance laws and increased the minimum amounts of liability insurance required. Under California Insurance Code §11580.1b, the required amounts are currently:
- $30,000 in bodily injury/death coverage per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury/death coverage per accident
- $15,000 in property damage coverage
Only liability insurance is legally required in California. This type of coverage pays for the losses of others, not the policyholder, after an accident. First-party types of coverage such as uninsured motorist insurance are not mandatory.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance is a type of coverage that a driver purchases on his or her own policy to pay for personal losses in case of an accident involving an uninsured at-fault driver. Since California is a fault-based insurance state, the driver responsible for causing a crash typically must pay for the victim’s medical bills and property damage.
If the at-fault driver is illegally driving without insurance, UM coverage can pay for the victim’s own losses, regardless of fault. Alongside underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, UM insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind by adding an extra layer of security in case of a car accident with an underinsured driver in San Francisco.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Insurance companies are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance at the time that an individual purchases a policy. The purchaser has to reject this coverage in writing if they don’t want to include it on the policy.
If a policy has UM/UIM coverage, the policyholder’s insurance company will pay up to the limits on the policy after an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Without any insurance available from the other driver, UM insurance will provide primary coverage.
If the other driver has some insurance, but not enough, UIM insurance provides supplemental coverage to close the gap. Should you get involved in an accident and discover that the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance, you can file a claim with your own car insurance provider to access UM/UIM coverage.
The Consequences of an Uninsured Driver Accident
Uninsured motorist coverage may not be required in California, but it is highly recommended. Every day, hundreds of drivers travel the roads of California without automobile insurance. If one of these drivers crashes into you, you could be at a loss when it comes to getting compensation for your medical bills, property damage and other expenses.
Without uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance, you may have to pay for your losses out of pocket. While UM/UIM insurance will increase the price of your policy and premiums, you should weigh this against the risk of being unprotected in the event of a collision involving a negligently uninsured driver. If you get involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, contact a San Francisco car accident attorney for a free consultation about your legal options and recovery rights. A lawyer can walk you through the process of filing a first-party claim or a personal injury lawsuit in pursuit of compensation.