Introduction: The Harsh Reality of Minimum Coverage

California requires drivers to carry just $15,000 in liability insurance for bodily injury per person. On paper, this may sound like protection, but in practice, it is dangerously outdated. Imagine being hit by a negligent or drunk driver, rushed to the ER, and facing hospital bills that quickly exceed $100,000. The other driver’s minimum policy would only cover $15,000, leaving you responsible for the rest. That’s not protection, that’s a financial trap.

The Problem With California’s Insurance Minimums

The current requirements in California are:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person
• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
• $5,000 for property damage

These numbers were set decades ago when medical bills were dramatically lower. Today, a single night in a California hospital can exceed $20,000. Add in surgery, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term care, and the costs skyrocket. The $15,000 minimum isn’t even close to covering what most victims need.

How Insurance Companies Benefit While Victims Pay

The truth is that low minimum coverage benefits insurance companies, not injured people. With such low limits, insurers pay less out of pocket, while victims are left scrambling to cover the rest. Families often end up draining their savings, going into debt, or even declaring bankruptcy after an accident, all because California’s laws haven’t kept up with reality. Meanwhile, insurance companies continue to collect billions in premiums.

A recent report highlights how medical costs from car crashes can exceed $60,000 on average for severe injuries: CDC – Motor Vehicle Crash Costs.

Why Other States Do Better

California isn’t keeping up with the times. For example:

• Maine requires $50,000 per person in bodily injury coverage more than three times California’s minimum.
• Alaska also mandates $50,000 per person.
• Many states are beginning to raise their requirements to reflect modern medical expenses.

California drivers pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, yet the minimum coverage required is among the lowest. It’s a mismatch that hurts the people the law is supposed to protect. For comparison, see this state-by-state breakdown: Insurance Information Institute.

What Needs to Change

California lawmakers must raise the minimum auto insurance requirements. Victims deserve to have their medical expenses and damages actually covered, not to be left bankrupt after an accident caused by someone else. The current $15,000 limit is outdated, unfair, and dangerous.

The system should be protecting people, not protecting insurance company profits. Raising the minimums to at least $50,000 per person would bring California in line with other states and provide real security for drivers.

What You Can Do Right Now

While waiting for lawmakers to catch up, drivers can take steps to protect themselves:

• Review your current auto policy and consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
• After any accident, document everything, photos, witness info, medical visits, and expenses.
• Don’t accept the first settlement an insurance company offers. They are trained to pay as little as possible.
• If you or a loved one is injured, call Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. We fight for victims to make sure insurance companies pay what is fair.

Conclusion: California Drivers Deserve Better

California’s $15,000 minimum insurance coverage is not enough. It leaves hardworking families paying the price for someone else’s negligence. Until lawmakers raise these outdated limits, your best defense is protecting yourself with adequate coverage and knowing your legal options. At Hillstone Law, we believe every accident victim deserves full compensation and a fair shot at recovery. Call us today to get help when you need it most.