Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California?

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in California?

It is not required by law, but it is coverage most drivers are wise to keep. California requires insurers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and it is added to your policy automatically unless you reject it in writing. If you have never made that choice, you may already have it, and it is worth confirming.

The reason it matters is simple math on the road. State and industry estimates put the share of California drivers with no insurance at roughly one in five. If one of them causes a crash that injures you, there may be no liability policy on the other side to pay your medical bills, lost income, or other costs, and this is the coverage that steps in.

Uninsured motorist coverage sits on your own policy and follows you, not just your car. It generally protects you as a driver, as a passenger, and often as a pedestrian or cyclist if a car hits you, subject to the terms of your policy.

What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the harm they caused. The two are usually bundled together and written as UM and UIM.

California handles underinsured claims on a difference basis. Your UIM benefit is your UIM limit minus what the at fault driver's policy pays, not the two limits added together. If the other driver carries a 30,000 dollar limit and you carry 30,000, there is nothing left to draw, but if you carry 100,000, up to 70,000 dollars of your coverage can still respond.

That detail is the reason many drivers set their UM and UIM limits higher than the state minimum. With the new California minimums at 30,000 dollars per person, a lot of at fault drivers now carry exactly that, so your own limit has to be larger than theirs for underinsured coverage to add anything.

Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for my car repairs too?

Mostly it is about injuries, not the car. The main part, uninsured motorist bodily injury, pays for medical treatment, lost wages, and similar losses for you and your passengers when an uninsured driver is at fault. It does not repair your vehicle.

California does offer uninsured motorist property damage for the car, but it is capped, currently up to about 3,500 dollars, and comes with conditions, so it rarely covers a serious repair on its own. For that reason many drivers rely on their collision coverage to fix the car after a crash with an uninsured driver.

Hit and run is a common question here. Uninsured motorist bodily injury can apply to a hit and run when there is physical contact between the vehicles, which is why reporting the crash and documenting the contact matters. A broker can walk you through how your specific policy treats these situations.

How much uninsured motorist coverage should I carry?

A common approach is to match your uninsured and underinsured limits to your own liability limits, so you are protected to the same level you protect others. Since January 2025, the California minimum liability limits rose to 30,000 dollars per person and 60,000 dollars per accident, and many drivers choose to carry more.

Higher limits often cost less than people expect, because this coverage is usually a small part of the total premium. Moving from the minimum to 100,000 dollars or more typically adds a modest amount per year, which is small next to the medical bills a serious crash can bring.

The right number depends on your assets, your household, and your budget, so there is no single answer for everyone. Reviewing your limits every year or two, especially after the recent minimum limit change, keeps your coverage in step with the drivers around you.

Get a free auto policy review, in English or Vietnamese

A quick review of your auto policy can confirm whether you carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, what your limits are, and whether they still fit your situation after the 2025 minimum limit change. There is no cost to have your current policy looked over.

As an independent brokerage in Fountain Valley, we work with many carriers, so we can compare how different companies price these limits and help you understand your options in plain language before you decide.

We help drivers and families across Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Westminster, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and all of Orange County. Send us your current policy and ask for a free auto coverage review, in English or Vietnamese.

Frequently asked questions

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in California?

No. It is not required by law, but insurers must offer it, and it is added to your policy unless you reject it in writing. Many drivers keep it because roughly one in five California drivers has no insurance, and it pays your medical costs when an uninsured driver is at fault.

How does underinsured motorist coverage work in California?

It pays when the at fault driver has insurance but not enough. California uses a difference basis, so your benefit is your UIM limit minus what the other driver's policy pays. Your limit has to be higher than theirs for underinsured coverage to add anything, which is why many drivers carry more than the minimum.

Does uninsured motorist coverage cover a hit and run?

Uninsured motorist bodily injury can apply to a hit and run in California when there is physical contact between the vehicles. Reporting the crash promptly and documenting the contact helps support the claim. Coverage details depend on your specific policy.

Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for car repairs?

The main coverage pays for injuries, not the vehicle. California offers uninsured motorist property damage for the car, but it is capped at about 3,500 dollars with conditions, so many drivers rely on their collision coverage to repair the car after a crash with an uninsured driver.

How much does uninsured motorist coverage cost?

It is usually a small part of the total auto premium, and raising your limits often adds only a modest amount per year. The exact cost depends on your limits, your vehicle, and your driving record, so a quick quote is the best way to see the difference.