Drivers in California are required to carry state minimum auto insurance — including property damage and bodily injury liability coverage — each time they get behind the wheel. Most insurance companies sell policies that can go into effect the same day if you need coverage fast, although there can sometimes be delays in processing.
What are California’s insurance requirements?
Before you begin shopping around for auto insurance coverage, take a look at the coverages that California drivers are required to carry. That way you understand the minimum amount you need to buy and while might be the best fit for you.
California requires auto policies to have at least 15/30/5 coverage, which includes:
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $60,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
This might not be enough coverage to adequately protect yourself and others, so you may want to increase your liability limits, add other types of coverage or both. Insurance experts generally recommend purchasing liability limits of at least 100/300/100.
You might also consider adding physical damage protection — such as comprehensive and collision insurance — to cover damage to your own car and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance in case you’re hit by a driver without adequate liability coverage. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage (MedPay) can each help cover any injuries you might sustain, regardless of which driver is at fault.
How to buy car insurance in California the same day
There are many reasons you might want to buy same-day auto insurance coverage in California. For example, if you’ve just purchased a new car (and didn’t already have a policy) or realized your existing coverage has lapsed, you may find yourself needing coverage fast.
As long as you have everything in order, many auto insurers in California will allow you shop for and purchase a policy that goes into effect the same day.
1. Gather your personal information
To streamline and speed up your quote-shopping process, have any relevant documents and information on hand. You may be asked to provide your:
- Name and date of birth
- Phone number and email address
- Driver’s license number
- Address (where your vehicle is primarily parked)
- Vehicle’s make, model and license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Average daily mileage
- Date of any traffic violations or insurance claims from the past five years
- How many years you’ve had your current insurance policy (if you have one)
NEED TO KNOW:
If you’re shopping for same-day insurance because you’re planning to buy a new car, you can request quotes using the make and model of the vehicle(s) you’re considering. Once you decide for sure that you want to buy that car, add the VIN to finish purchasing your insurance policy.
2. Choose your coverage levels
Before you start shopping for a new policy, take some time to research and decide what type of insurance coverage you want (and need). You can choose anywhere from state-minimum liability-only coverage — which could leave you under-protected in the event of a serious accident — all the way up to full coverage insurance with all the extras.
| Coverage | Definition |
|---|---|
| Collision insurance | An optional coverage type that pays to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged in a collision with another vehicle. You can only file an accident-related claim for your vehicle’s repairs if your policy has collision coverage. |
| Comprehensive insurance | An optional coverage type that covers damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision hazards, such as car theft, falling tree branches, hail and other unexpected events. |
| Bodily injury liability (BI) | Pays others’ medical costs in an accident you cause, up to your policy limits. It’s mandatory in most states. |
| Property damage liability (PD) | Pays for repairs or replacements of any vehicles or objects you damage in a crash, up to your policy limits. It’s mandatory in most states. |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident, regardless of who caused it. This is required in some states. |
| Medical payments | Additional coverage outside of PIP that pays for medical care for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This is optional in most states. |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) | Covers you, your passengers and any property damage in a case where the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have insurance, or carries insufficient coverage to pay for your costs. This is required in some states. |
3. Compare quotes to save on your car insurance
Drivers who shop around before buying car insurance save an average of $600 a year on their policies. Even if you’re in a hurry to buy a policy, it’s still worth taking the time to compare quotes.
The fastest way to shop for quotes is on the Jerry mobile app, which is available through both the App Store and Google Play. Jerry helps you quickly compare rates from dozens of insurance companies and get the best offers sent straight to your phone. You can even see how different coverages and limits would change your premiums, allowing you to build the right policy at the right price.
4. Finalize your policy
Once you’ve found the right policy and insurer for you, it’s time to lock in coverage.
At this point, your insurer may request additional information, including:
- Proof of your current insurance policy (like an insurance ID card)
- Details of your car’s equipment, such as safety features and anti-theft devices
- Lien holder information (if your car is financed)
- Proof of address and/or home ownership (mortgage documents)
- Student report card or driver safety course completion certificate (to qualify for discounts)
If you haven’t already provided certain personal information, like your vehicle’s VIN or your driver’s license number, you may be asked to do so at this time.
Then, provide your payment information and choose a payment plan. Most insurers will let you choose between paying your premium in full or making quarterly or monthly installments, though you may qualify for additional discounts if you pay your premiums faster.
Roadblocks to same-day insurance
While you can often buy same-day auto insurance in California, a few things could slow down the process.
- When you buy the policy matters. If you’re finalizing your policy during off hours — like late at night or on a holiday — you may have to wait until the next business day for your policy to be finalized.
- Uploaded documents need to be verified. If there’s an issue with verifying the information in your uploaded documents, your new policy’s effective date might be delayed until it’s resolved.
- Incomplete or incorrect information will slow things down. Failing to disclose previous tickets or insurance claims could slow down the start of your policy. This could lead to a increase in your quoted rates or your new policy could even be cancelled, so be sure to disclose everything at the start.
- Unique vehicles require a unique process. Rare, unique or classic cars may not qualify for same-day insurance. Insurance companies may need an underwriter to review your application before determining your coverage levels and premium, and an additional appraisal may sometimes be required.
FAQs
-
Is it possible to get same-day insurance in California?
-
How quickly can you get car insurance in California?
-
How many days do you have to insure a used car after purchase in California?
-
Can you get temporary car insurance in California?
-
How much does car insurance cost in California?
-
What are the requirements for auto insurance in California?
-
Is there a way to get a quote for car insurance without having a car?
-
Can I buy car insurance then register my car the same day in California?
-
Can I get insurance the same day as an accident?
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
