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Do I have to pay for excess damage in California if my $5,000 property damage liability doesn't cover it?
I was at fault in an accident in Sacramento. I have state-minimum insurance, which covers up to $5,000 in property damage. The other person's car was totaled and valued at $10,000. Now the insurance company wants me to pay the additional $5,000. Does this sound right?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yes, that sounds correct. Your insurance company paid the $5,000 out of your
property damage liability coverage
, as it was legally obligated to do so. The rest is on you.If you have the $5,000 to pay for the damage, that’s probably your best move. If you refuse to pay, you’ll likely be sued. In this case, you’ll also have to pay for a defense attorney, court costs, and the final settlement, which will probably be way more than $5,000.
In the future, never settle for
minimum liability insurance in California
. It will only cover minor incidents, and you risk being sued over what your insurer won’t cover. With help from Jerry
, it's possible to find cheap car insurance in California
without settling for a policy with inadequate coverage. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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