Keeping You On The Road
Auto insurance in California pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others, and can also cover your own vehicle, medical bills, and losses from uninsured drivers. Liability coverage is required to drive legally, with minimum limits of 30/60/15 as of January 1, 2025. California does not allow credit to be used in pricing personal auto.
Your car is part of daily life, and the right auto policy protects you when a drive does not go as planned. We help California drivers build coverage that fits how and where they drive, then stand with you if you ever need to file a claim. Whether you commute across Los Angeles or drive a few miles a week, coverage should match your real situation.
How Auto Insurance Works in California
California requires liability insurance to drive legally. Minimum limits were 15/30/5 for years and rose to 30/60/15 effective January 1, 2025, meaning higher required protection for injuries and property damage.
Minimums are a legal floor, not a measure of what is right for you, and many drivers carry higher limits to protect their savings. California does not allow credit to be used in pricing personal auto, so your credit is not a factor in your rate.
Coverages in a California Auto Policy
Auto insurance is built from separate coverages, each with its own job. Here is what each one does.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
Pays for injuries and damage you cause to others, and is required in California.
Collision Coverage
Repairs your own car after a crash, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers theft, fire, vandalism, weather, and animal strikes.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
Medical Payments Coverage
Covers medical costs for you and your passengers after a crash.
Gap Coverage
Covers the difference between your car’s value and your loan or lease balance if it is totaled.
Rental Reimbursement, Roadside Assistance, and More
Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and towing, new car replacement, and accident forgiveness are optional add-ons that round out a policy. We help you decide which of these you actually need and set limits that fit your situation.
SR-22 Certification
(Financial Responsibility Filing)
An SR-22 is not an insurance policy. It is a certificate a court or the DMV may require to confirm you carry the state minimum liability coverage. This is commonly triggered by a DUI, reckless driving conviction, or a lapse in coverage.
If you have been told you need an SR-22, ask us. We confirm the requirements and duration of your filing and make sure it is handled correctly, often the same day.
Auto Insurance at a Glance
Who Needs It
Every driver who owns or leases a vehicle in California, plus households adding a teen driver, a second car, or financing a vehicle, since lenders typically require collision and comprehensive.
California Minimums
As of January 1, 2025, the minimums are 30/60/15: $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
Credit and Rating
California does not allow credit-based rating for personal auto, so your credit history is not used to set your rate.
Collision Coverage
Repairs your own car after a crash, regardless of fault. Optional under California law, though a lender or lessor typically requires it.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers theft, fire, vandalism, weather, and animal strikes. Optional under California law, though a lender or lessor typically requires it.
SR-22 Filings
If a court or the DMV requires proof of financial responsibility, we can add it to your policy and file it, often the same day.
Start Your Auto Insurance Quote
Schneiderman Insurance Agency takes time to understand your driving, your vehicles, and your budget, then explains your options in plain English so you can choose with confidence. If you have an accident, we act as your advocate and help you move through the claims process without guessing.
Beyond the required coverages, most California auto policies can be shaped with optional protection. Comprehensive coverage answers theft, fire, and weather, while medical payments coverage helps with injury costs regardless of fault. Gap coverage and new car replacement coverage matter most on a financed or leased vehicle. Towing, roadside assistance, and rental reimbursement handle the days a car is out of service. Accident forgiveness and a diminishing deductible are availability-dependent features worth asking about. If the phrase itself is unclear, we walk through what full coverage actually means and what it leaves out.
