Of course, you need auto insurance when you relocate to Los Angeles, as anywhere else in the US these days. Yes, the roadways and highways are bound to be busy as always here, and maybe busier than you are accustomed to. It is important to make sure you are protected when it comes to getting behind the wheel as a driver in the state of California. Once you narrow it down to the zip code you will be in, you can get a better idea of what your LA auto insurance rates will be like.
Here are some key things you need to know about LA car insurance:
- The state of California does require drivers to have a minimum of liability auto insurance. Keep in mind this not only protects you from financial responsibility but also prevents you from getting into legal trouble with the state.
- At any time if you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer, you may be required to show proof of insurance. Failure to do so can result in a ticket, fine and points on your driving record. Also remember that if you allow your car insurance to lapse for a period of greater than 30 days, you will likely be paying more when you finally get around to trying to get a car insurance policy.
- You must also have proof of LA auto insurance if you are involved in even a minor accident, even if you are not at fault. Also when you need to renew your vehicle registration you will need to show some sort of proof of insurance. If you are registering your vehicle after just moving to Los Angeles, you will need to show this proof of auto coverage as well.
Make sure if you are sticking with the car insurance company you already have that the proper adjustments are made. Simply keeping liability auto coverage but not adjusting it to the state minimum requirement for California could end up getting you in trouble. This is also the perfect time to compare rates for your policy anyway. You also need to make sure you are getting the best rates possible when it comes to your LA auto insurance.
Understanding the State Minimum
Securing LA car insurance may be slightly different than the coverage you had in another state. Even if you are moving from another area within the state of California, you may being paying different rates for the same minimum coverage, based on your zip code. Your zip code is a way for a company to determine statistically how prevalent accidents occur, how traffic flows, if there is road construction and even what the risk is for theft or vandalism.
For California, the state liability minimums for auto insurance coverage are:
- Bodily injury or death per person – $15,000
- Bodily injury or death for all parties involved per accident – $30,000
- Property damage – $5,000
Keep in mind that these are the basic minimums to be a legal driver on the California roads. However, if you are involved in an accident and are the at fault driver and exceed these amounts, you will have to cover these out of pocket. If possible, you should consider carrying more than the state minimum requirements. Liability only covers the damage you cause to another car, driver or property. Your own damages will be your financial responsibility.
Other Types of Insurance Coverage
You may want or need other types of car insurance coverage based on your individual situation. If you have a financed vehicle for example, you will have to carry additional coverage as deemed necessary by the financial lender. In most cases, you will have to carry other insurance such as:
- Collision coverage– This covers you and your car and medical expenses if you are in an accident and are the at fault driver. Unlike liability insurance, though, your own expenses are also covered.
- Comprehensive insurance – This is usually the coverage you want to cover damages from accidents not involving another vehicle or damage, such as those caused by other problems including fire or even theft.
- GAP policy – This stands for Guaranteed Auto Protection, although it does tend to fill in policy gaps. If you finance your car and the amount you owe exceeds the value of the vehicle, GAP insurance covers the difference.
There’s more available, but this should give you an idea of the basics needed for LA auto insurance. Make sure you get the protection you need before getting behind the wheel in California.
