Liability-Only Auto Insurance in California

In California, drivers must carry minimum auto liability coverage of 15/30/5. California has low auto minimums but high average rates. Home insurance is heavily impacted by wildfire risk — many carriers have restricted coverage in fire-prone areas. The average auto insurance rate in California runs about $2,291 per year, and where liability-only auto insurance fits into that depends on your coverage level and profile.

Liability-only auto insurance pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to other people in an accident. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle. Every state except New Hampshire requires some form of liability coverage, making it the baseline legal requirement for most drivers.

This type of policy is split into two parts: bodily injury liability (BI) and property damage liability (PD). Bodily injury covers medical bills, lost wages, and legal fees for the other party, while property damage covers repairs to their vehicle or other property you damage.

Liability-only is the most affordable way to stay legal on the road. It's a practical choice for drivers with older vehicles where the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage would exceed the car's value. However, if you're in an at-fault accident, you'll pay for your own vehicle repairs and medical bills out of pocket.

California also faces elevated wildfire and earthquake exposure, which affects how carriers price coverage here. That risk profile is worth weighing when you decide how much liability-only auto insurance to carry in California — comparing carriers through Truvo helps you balance protection against price.