Delaney Simchuk, Car Insurance Writer
@delaney_simchuk
Collision insurance is not required by law in California. Even though collision insurance is optional under the law in California, your lender or lessor may require you to carry collision coverage to pay to repair or replace your vehicle after collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects.
Collision insurance will pay up to the actual cash value of your vehicle, minus any deductible. Coverage costs around $382 per year, on average.
Types of Car Insurance Required in California
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability
When to Get Collision Insurance
You should get collision insurance if it is required by your lender or lessor, or if you cannot afford to replace your car in the event that it gets totaled in an accident. Similarly, you should get this coverage if you drive in heavy-traffic areas where your car is likely to get damaged or you're frequently at fault for accidents.
Keep in mind that most insurers will also require you to get comprehensive insurance if you purchase collision insurance. The combination of collision, comprehensive and a state's minimum car insurance coverage is generally what people mean when they talk about full coverage.
To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to collision insurance.
People also ask
How much does collision insurance cost?
Collision insurance costs about $377 per year on average. This is added on top of your state’s required liability coverage, but collision insurance is a good investment for many drivers, since it covers damage to their vehicle after a collision. The cost of collision insurance varies widely, however, based on vehicle value, deductible, driving history and ZIP code, among other factors.
Collision coverage is often bundled with comprehensive insurance, which covers expenses that are not...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyHow much car insurance do I need in California?
California law requires you to have $ 30,000 in coverage for one person’s bodily injury or death, up to $ 60,000 total per accident. California also requires you to carry at least $ 15,000 in coverage for other people’s property damage when you are at fault.
How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in California
| Coverage Type | Minimum Coverage Limit |
| Bodily Injury Liability Coverage (per person) | $ 30,000 |
What is full coverage insurance in California?
Full coverage insurance in California includes comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance. California drivers need at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, up to $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. Full coverage insurance costs an average of $2,567 per year in California, while a state minimum policy costs $717 per year.
If you can’t afford to repair or replace your car after an accident, collision and comprehensive are important coverage types—even if they’re...
read full answer by Anamarie Waite, Car Insurance WriterDid we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.