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Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in California?

There are so many different types of optional coverage that you can add on to your insurance policy! Is uninsured motorist coverage something I need to get?

avatar
Jacqulyn Graber · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Coverage options can definitely get confusing—especially since requirements vary state-to-state! In
California
, you are not legally required to have
uninsured motorist coverage
—but investing in it might be a good idea.
California—like most states—has certain
minimum liability insurance laws
, which legally require all drivers to carry:
Uninsured motorist coverage is optional; however, it’s probably a smart investment. Uninsured motorist coverage helps you pay for damages caused by a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Without it, if you happen to be involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could struggle to get those damages covered.
According to information collected by the Insurance Information Institute in 2019, a whopping 16.6% of California drivers are uninsured, despite minimum liability requirements. This means that roughly one-sixth of every driver on the road lacks sufficient coverage.
To best protect yourself, we highly recommend adding uninsured motorist coverage to your plan. If you want to save money while doing so, make sure to shop with
Jerry
, the
car insurance
broker and comparison shopping app.
View full answer 
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