Section 10. Financial Responsibility, Insurance Requirements, and Collisions

Financial Responsibility Proof Requirement

You must have your proof of financial responsibility (insurance) when you drive and for a drive test. You must show proof to the other drivers involved in a collision.

Minimum Insurance Coverage (California)

Your insurance must cover at least: $30,000 for a single death or injury; $60,000 for death or injury to more than one person; $15,000 for property damage.

Financial Responsibility for Drivers Under 18

Parents or guardians take on financial responsibility for drivers younger than 18 years old and pay for damages if the driver is involved in a collision.

Financial Responsibility for Drivers 18 and Older

Drivers who are 18 years old and older take on their own financial responsibility.

Insurance Provider Licensing

Before you buy insurance, make sure that the agent, broker, or insurance provider is licensed by the California Department of Insurance.

Consequence of Driving Without Insurance (Collision)

Your driving privilege will be suspended for up to four years if you are in a collision and do not have proper insurance coverage, regardless of who was at fault.

Re-obtaining Driver's License After No-Insurance Suspension

You can get your driver's license back during the last three years of the suspension if you provide a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22/SR 1P) and maintain it during the three-year period.

California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program

If you cannot afford liability insurance, you may be eligible for this program.

Common Causes of Collisions

Driver distractions, unsafe speed, improper turns, not following right-of-way rules, not following stop signals and signs, driving on the wrong side of the road, and a vehicle traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic.

Actions for Emergency Flashers Ahead

If you see a vehicle's emergency flashers ahead, slow down as there may be a collision or other road emergency. Pass carefully.

Immediate Actions After a Collision

You must stop. Call 911 right away if anyone is hurt. Move your vehicle out of traffic if no one is hurt, then call 911. Show your driver's license, vehicle registration card, insurance information, and current address to the other driver, law enforcement officer, and anyone else involved.

Hit-and-Run

Failing to stop or leaving the scene of an accident. The punishment is severe if you are convicted of a hit-and-run.

Reporting Collisions to Law Enforcement (Injury/Death)

You must make a report to law enforcement within 24 hours of the collision if anyone is injured or killed.

Hitting Parked Car or Property

Try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner, leave a note with your name, phone number, and address securely attached to the vehicle or property.

Hitting an Animal

Call the nearest humane society or law enforcement. Do not try to move an injured animal.

Reporting Collisions to DMV

You must report a collision to DMV within 10 days if the collision caused more than $1,000 in damage to property, or if anyone was injured or killed.

Consequence of Failing to File Collision Report (DMV)

Your driving privilege will be suspended if you fail to file a report. Law enforcement will not make a report for you.

Collisions on Driver's Record

If you are involved in a collision resulting in $1,000 in damage, or where anyone is injured or dies, DMV will add it to your driver's record.