Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage 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 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage fits into that depends on your coverage level and profile.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes vehicle damage when you're in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or whose coverage isn't sufficient to pay your expenses. About 1 in 8 drivers on U.S. roads is uninsured, making this coverage more important than many people realize.

UM/UIM is split into two components: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) protects you and your passengers, while uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) covers your vehicle. Some states require one or both, while others make it optional but strongly recommended.

This coverage also typically applies to hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver flees the scene. Without UM/UIM, you'd be left paying your own medical bills and repair costs out of pocket — even though the accident wasn't your fault.

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 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to carry in California — comparing carriers through Truvo helps you balance protection against price.