Southern California Car Insurance - What You Now Need and Savings Proposed

As with most states, California state auto insurance law requires all drivers to carry three fundamental liability components.

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

Total Bodily Injury Liability of $ 30,000 / accident

Property Damage Liability (PDL) of $ 15,000 per accident

In insurance industry jargon, this is known as 15/30/15.

But please understand that to rely on this coverage alone, would be asking for trouble. Multi-car collisions & legal fees commonly boost the cost of an automobile accident into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you’re to blame and you’ve opted for the minimums, you personally, are now liable for the shortfall. So, you’ll have to sell your property, deplete your bank balance and maybe even more…how do you feel about that?

From experience, I recommend no less than 100k/300k/100k and more, if you are on the road frequently…particularly in the abundant elite communities of Californ-i-a. Spending a few extra bucks here is money well spent.

So far, only liability coverage has been discussed…and that does not apply to damages to your vehicle or injuries to you. The remainder of what we will discuss is not mandatory under California law.

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

Next, your vehicle. To most of us, full coverage means having both collision and comprehensive.

The purpose of collision insurance is two-fold; to cover the cost of the repair to your damaged vehicle or if “totaled” to make a cash settlement. You will pay for a pre-specified deductible amount and your insurer will pay for the balance.

Comprehensive covers your car for theft and vandalism and damages caused by fire, animal impact and acts of God.

Another valuable coverage — protection from uninsured drivers. You are not at fault, but he can’t or won’t pay. Your uninsured motorist coverage steps in.

Auto insurance in Southern California may allow “pay by the mile” plan.

CA’s Insurance Commissioners have tabled a plan allowing insurance companies to charge 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 monitor fixed to the vehicle will allow insurers to observe car usage & charge accordingly.

Consumer advocate groups are backing the plan because paying for miles traveled, instead of an insurer’s estimate, will provide savings for low mileage drivers.

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

The plan looks good to me.