The only people who think they do not need auto insurance are those who don’t have a car or never survived a serious accident before. A car accident can leave both drivers and all their passengers with steep hospital bills and large car repairs. Even if the police determine the other driver was responsible, your insurance may need to kick in to cover the amount needed for all your bills. That is why you need to take a look at the minimum amount of coverage required by the state.

Minimum Coverage for Drivers
Bodily injury insurance kicks in and covers hospital bills and other medical expenses. California law requires that drivers have a policy with a minimum coverage amount of $30,000 per accident and $15,000 per person. You’ll also need a policy that includes property damage coverage. This coverage pays out for repairs that other drivers need after you cause an accident. It can also apply to minor property damage that you do such as knocking over a neighbor’s mailbox. California law requires that you have at least $5,000 worth of property damage coverage.

What if You Don’t Have Insurance?
If a police officer pulls you over and determines that you do not have insurance, you face a large fine and a ticket. That fine can range from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000. You may have the chance to obtain auto insurance and go to court to show that policy. While the court may drop your fine, it may require that you pay all court costs. Police officers also have the right to impound your vehicle until you get insurance, which can cost you more than $100 a day.

Other Factors
Before buying online insurance in California, consider signing up for a policy that includes uninsured motorist coverage. When you are in an accident with someone who does not have insurance, you cannot get compensation from the driver’s insurer. Instead of going over that individual in court, which can take months or even years, uninsured motorist coverage will compensate you for your medical bills and property damage. California also offers under insured motorist coverage that kicks in when a responsible driver lacks the necessary amount of coverage. Shopping for insurance online lets you compare rates for major insurers for all the coverage you need in your car insurance policy.