Cheap Full Coverage Auto Insurance Quotes In California
What is full coverage auto insurance in California? There are two types of full motor vehicle coverage in CA – required (basic) and optional (standard). While the legally required basic coverage plan is cut and dry (certain liability minimums), the optional (the so-called standard) coverage can mean anything that covers you in additional ways, in the state of California.
The state-required basic minimum coverage in CA is $15,000 of injury liability per person, $30,000 of injury liability per one accident, and $5,000 property damage liability per one accident. If you injure/damage someone in an at-fault accident and your liability amounts are enough to cover their losses, you are fine – your insurer will just pay these amounts to them. If the victim’s losses are higher, you will have to cover the rest of the amount yourself. By the way, if you have a lower income and a clean driving record, you can buy even less liability: $10,000/$20,000/$3,000. Obviously, this protects you even less though.
So, what does standard/recommended full coverage consist of in California? Usually, it will have higher liability amounts, such as $100,000/$300,000/$50,000. These amounts are much better for one’s protection, as a serious car accident can often result in large losses. The recommended coverage can also include $5,000 of medical payments or PIP, $30,000/$60,000 of bodily injury coverage for you for accidents with uninsured or underinsured motorists, plus a certain amount of comprehensive and collision. The comprehensive/collision amount is usually determined based on the value of your car. Comprehensive and collision have a deductible, with common and recommended deductibles of $250 for comprehensive and $500 for collision.
The more types of auto insurance that you purchase and the larger amounts you set for each, the more you will have to pay for your car insurance policy. At the same time, the more protected you will be in varied car accidents and incidents that you may experience in the future. A driver needs to try and find a balance between their needs and a cost that would fit their budget. You cannot buy less than the state required minimum coverage types and amounts, but you can choose to purchase any amount and type of optional coverage that you find to be right for you.
The discrepancy between the rates on the insurance market is so wide that you will even find that some California auto insurance companies charge less for extended coverage than what others charge for the minimum coverage. This is why it is important to shop for quotes; if you search long enough, you can actually buy more coverage for less.
California has hundreds of insurance companies, including large brands like GEICO, Nationwide, and Progressive, and smaller companies like Amica and Wawanesa. Then, there are auto clubs like AAA also offering car insurance. All you need to do is request a quote from as many carriers as you can, and you will find lower rates. Once you do, ask each company what discounts that a driver in your group may be eligible for. End result – you may be able to buy full coverage auto insurance for less than what others pay for minimum coverage in CA.
