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As with most states, {California state car insurance} law requires all motorists to carry 3 fundamental liability components.

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) of $ 15,000 per person injured

Total Bodily Injury Liability (Total BIL) of $ 30,000 per accident

Property Damage Liability or PDL of $ 15,000 per accident

Your insurance agent calls this 15k/30k/15k.

But to rely on this coverage alone, would be sheer foolishness. Multiple pile-ups and ambitious lawyers often drive the cost of a vehicular accident to well beyond six figures. If you are at fault and you have gone with the minimums, you personally, must cover the shortfall. So, you must sell your house, empty your bank account and probably alot more…how does that sound?

Based on experience, I recommend a bare minimum of 100/300/100 and more if you’re on the road often…particularly in the numerous elite communities of Southern California. A few extra dollars spent here is money well spent.

Thus far, we have discussed only liability insurance which doesn’t cover your injuries and damages to your car. The rest of what we will talk about is not required by California statute.

First, let’s take care of you. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers injury to you and/or your passengers. I recommend PIP coverage of no less than $ 100,000.

Next, your vehicle. To most people, full coverage means collision and comprehensive.

Collision insurance has a two-fold purpose; to cover the repair cost of your damaged vehicle or, if “totaled”, to make a monetary settlement. You are liable for a nominated “deductible” amount…and the insurance company pays the remainder.

Comprehensive protects your auto for theft and vandalism and damages caused by Mother Nature, animal impact and fire.

Another vital coverage is protection against uninsured drivers. It’s not your fault, but he won’t pay. Here’s where your uninsured/underinsured driver coverage comes to the rescue.

{Auto insurance in Southern California} may offer “Pay-per-mile”.

California’s Insurance Commission has tabled a proposal allowing insurance companies to charge consumers based on actual miles driven. Similar to buying prepaid cell phone minutes…consumers would pay upfront for a specified number of miles to be driven over a limited period of time. A device installed in the automobile will allow the insurance company to monitor a car’s mileage and charge appropriately.

Consumer advocacy groups are supporting the proposal because paying for miles actually driven (instead of an insurance company’s estimate) should provide savings to low mileage drivers.

And some say more importantly, it will incenticize drivers to stay off our roads. Environmentalists predict this type of {auto insurance La Mesa} will encourage consumers to drive less…meaning lower fuel usage, reduced pollution and less road congestion.

The plan looks good to me.