Esurance. Online Auto Insurance.
 California Index
> Liability
> Vehicle
> Discounts
> Auto Theft
> Liability Requirements
> Make Insurance Easy
> Vehicle Coverage
> Compare & Save
> Research Rates Online
> Policyholder Benefits
> 5 Money-Saving Tips
> About Esurance
> Road Trip Tips
> Save on Auto Insurance
> Understand Your Policy
> Weather & Driving
 State-Specific Index
Home > Learning Center > Insights > Auto Insurance By State > California > Liability
California Auto Insurance Liability Coverages

Mandatory California Auto Insurance Coverage

 

Bodily Injury
If the policyholder or another driver covered by the California policy is found to be at fault in an accident resulting in injuries or fatalities, the following is covered under bodily injury coverage:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Legal defense if the drivers listed on the policy are involved in a lawsuit resulting from a car accident

Bodily injury coverage pays for damages caused to a third party.

How much protection does this coverage provide?
The dual coverage limits you select in your California auto insurance quote refer to the maximum amounts that will be paid per person, per incident, respectively.

Property Damage
If you or another covered driver is found to be at fault in an accident, the following is covered under property damage coverage:

  • Damage to another person's property (e.g., fence, car, or home)
  • Legal costs associated with a damage incident

How much protection does this coverage provide?
The coverage limits you set in your California auto insurance quote refers to the maximum amounts that will be paid per accident.

Optional California Auto Insurance Coverage

 

Medical and Funeral Services Payments
Medical and funeral service payments is an optional auto insurance coverage that pays for medical and dental treatment, hospitalization, professional nursing services, prostheses, and funeral expenses if a covered driver and/or accompanying passengers are injured while in an insured vehicle, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

Medical and funeral service payments may also cover policyholders and their family members when they are injured while riding in someone else's car or if a car hits them while on foot or bicycling.

If you and your regular passengers already have health insurance that covers similar expenses, medical and funeral service payments coverage may be unnecessary. Check your health insurance policy for details.

The coverage limit refers to the maximum amount that will be paid per person, per accident.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
If you choose to have uninsured motorist bodily injury on your California policy and you want it to apply to multiple cars, you must select the same limit for each car. Also, the limits you choose must be less than, or equal to, your bodily injury limits.

If the covered individuals are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no auto insurance or insufficient coverage, compensatory damages that a policyholder is entitled to receive, will be covered.

If you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no auto insurance coverage, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage covers the following expenses:

  • Medical
  • Lost wages
  • Other general damages
  • Injuries sustained in hit-and-run accidents

Uninsured motorist bodily injury provides coverage to the policyholder, authorized policy members, and passengers.

How much protection does this coverage provide?
The dual coverage limits you see in your California auto insurance quote refer to the maximum amount that will be paid per person, per incident, respectively.

If the other driver is uninsured, this coverage can generally pay up to the limit you purchase. If the driver is underinsured, this coverage typically pays the difference between what’s covered by the other driver's insurance and what’s covered by your bodily injury coverage.

If the limits you purchase are lower than an accident's costs, you’ll be responsible for paying the amount over your limits, unless you’re covered by health insurance.

*Drivers who meet certain income requirements may qualify for the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program, which offers discounted rates on basic liability coverage. To learn more, visit the California Department of Insurance or call 1-866-602-8861.

The Esurance Gold Seal of Quality. Secure. Reliable. Superior.