What is the Protect California Drivers Act?
What is the Protect California Drivers Act?
California insurance minimums have not been changed since 1967. This often leaves victims of car accidents with considerable debt due to insufficient coverage. When the insurance minimums were introduced 55 years ago, the average price of a car was nearly $5,000 and a house was approximately $22,700. The current minimum liability insurance requirements (per California Insurance Code §11580.1b) are $15,000 for injury/death to one person; $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person; and $5,000 for damage to property. The amounts established in 1967 are typically not sufficient enough to cover today’s cost of medical bills, property damage, or loss of life.
The California State Legislature recently passed Protect California Drivers Act, SB1107. This will raise the minimum liability insurance requirements to $30,000 for injury/death to one person, $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage. The changes will commence on January 1, 2025. In 2035, the limits will be raised to $50,000 for injury/death to one person, $100,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage.
“SB 1107 goes a long way towards protecting California drivers, particularly low-income and fixed-income drivers with no financial safety net, from being crushed by debt when they are the victims of a vehicle crash,“ said Craig M. Peters, President of CAOC. “CAOC is grateful to Senator Dodd for carrying this important legislation, to the legislature for its overwhelming support, and to Governor Newsom for correcting a decades-long injustice by signing this bill into law.”
How it Will Affect California Drivers
Unfortunately, with inflation, the timing of this new bill may be seen as stressful to most since it will raise current insurance premiums. However, if injured and involved in an accident, it is necessary to ensure drivers are protected and will be able to recover their losses. It is familiar with the current liability requirements for a victim to file a claim against the guilty party’s insurance – whether it be for damage to their vehicle or medical bills to find out that they purchased a policy with the minimum requirements leaving you with the stress and financial burden of covering the difference. SB1107 will provide the additional coverage needed to help victims. If you are injured in an accident and are worried about getting the compensation you need, contact our experts at the Law Offices of Tim McDonough at 626-974-8883 for a free case evaluation to see how we can help!
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*This article provides only general information and is not intended to be legal advice. Applicable laws, facts, and results vary and you should contact an appropriate personal injury and accident attorney immediately to ensure that your legal rights are protected.