California auto insurance, shopped across 40+ carriers
One licensed broker comparing your options across California - everyday coverage, and the specialty markets for SR-22 filings, tickets, a lapse, or a foreign license.
Who we help
Most California drivers just want a fair price on solid coverage, and that is the bulk of what we do. But standard carriers price for clean records, so when a driving history gets complicated the quotes stop making sense. That is where an independent broker helps most - we know which California carriers write which situations, so you are not guessing.
- Drivers who need an SR-22 (or, in certain circumstances, an SR-1P) filed with the California DMV
- Tickets, at-fault accidents, or multiple violations
- A DUI or DWI on record
- A lapse in coverage or no prior insurance
- A foreign, international, or newly issued license
- Young or newly licensed drivers and high-risk vehicles
- Non-owner policies for drivers without a car
Standard vs non-standard: which market are you in?
Before you shop on price, it helps to know which market fits your record. Standard carriers price for clean profiles, so the moment your history gets complicated they decline or non-renew. Non-standard carriers are built for exactly those situations. Use this as a quick guide, then let us confirm and shop it for you.
| If this describes you | You are likely in the | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record, continuous prior insurance, standard vehicle | Standard market | A standard carrier - or let us shop it for you |
| A ticket, an at-fault accident, or a coverage lapse | Non-standard market | Non-standard auto |
| A DUI, or you have been told to file an SR-22 | Non-standard market with a filing | SR-22 insurance and the DUI guide |
| A suspended license you need to reinstate | Non-standard market with a filing | SR-22 insurance |
| No vehicle, but you still need to stay insured or file | Non-owner market | Non-owner car insurance |
| A foreign, international, or brand-new license | Non-standard market | Foreign-license guide |
Not sure where you land? That is normal - tell us your situation and we will place you with the right market.
California's minimum coverage - and why it is rarely enough
California law requires every driver to carry at least liability coverage. Under Senate Bill 1107, effective January 1, 2025, the state minimum liability limits rose to 30/60/15 - up from the old 15/30/5 - so a policy written before then may no longer meet the requirement.
- 30,000 dollars for bodily injury or death to one person
- 60,000 dollars for bodily injury or death per accident
- 15,000 dollars for property damage
Minimum limits pay for harm you cause to others - not for your own injuries or your own vehicle.
For the full breakdown, see our guide to California minimum car insurance requirements.
Liability-only vs physical-damage coverage
A liability-only policy meets the legal minimum and covers damage you cause to other people and their property. It does nothing for your own car. Physical-damage coverage - collision and comprehensive - pays to repair or replace your vehicle.
- Liability only - required by law; protects others, not your car. Common on older or paid-off vehicles.
- Add collision - pays for your vehicle after a crash regardless of fault.
- Add comprehensive - covers theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, and weather.
- Add uninsured/underinsured motorist - protects you when the at-fault driver has no or too little coverage, a common California problem.
- Add medical payments - helps with medical bills regardless of fault.
- If you have a loan or lease, your lender almost always requires collision and comprehensive.
Whether physical-damage coverage is available, and on what terms, depends on the carrier, the vehicle, and your record. We will tell you what each market will and will not write.
What we need to quote you
A fast, accurate quote comes from a few straightforward details. Having these ready speeds things up:
- Drivers - name, date of birth, and license number and status for everyone who will drive
- Driving history - tickets, accidents, a DUI, or any SR-22 requirement, with rough dates
- Vehicles - year, make, model, and VIN, plus whether each is owned, financed, or leased
- Garaging - the California address where each vehicle is parked overnight, which affects your rate
- Prior insurance - your current or most recent carrier, your limits, and whether coverage is continuous or lapsed
- Coverage goals - liability only, or full coverage with collision and comprehensive
Documents you may be asked for
- Your California driver license, or a foreign or international license
- Vehicle registration, or the VIN for each vehicle
- Proof of prior insurance or a declarations page, if you have it
- Any DMV or court paperwork stating an SR-22 or reinstatement requirement
- Lienholder or leasing-company details if a vehicle is financed
Do you need proof of insurance today?
If the DMV, a court, or a new-vehicle purchase means you need proof of insurance right away, tell us up front. In many cases we can bind a policy and provide proof - including filing an SR-22 - the same day. Same-day is not guaranteed: it depends on the carrier, the accuracy of your information, and any underwriting the market requires. We will tell you honestly what is realistic for your situation before you commit.
Owner vs non-owner coverage
Most drivers buy an owner policy tied to a specific vehicle. If you do not own a car but still need liability coverage or an SR-22 - to reinstate a license, or because you regularly borrow a vehicle - a non-owner policy provides liability and can carry the filing without a vehicle on it. See our non-owner car insurance guide for how it works and its limits.
What happens after a ticket, accident, DUI, lapse, or suspension
A rough patch on your record does not make you uninsurable - it changes which market fits and, usually, the price. Here is what each situation typically means and where to read more.
| Your situation | What it usually means | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket or minor violation | A surcharge for a few years; standard carriers may non-renew, non-standard markets will write it | Non-standard auto |
| At-fault accident | Higher rates for about three years; shopping non-standard markets limits the increase | Non-standard auto |
| DUI or DWI | Often an SR-22 requirement and a significant surcharge; specialty markets handle it | DUI guide and SR-22 |
| Lapse or no prior insurance | A rate penalty and fewer standard options; a non-standard market rebuilds continuity | Driving without insurance |
| License suspension | Usually a filing (SR-22) and proof of coverage to reinstate | After a suspension and SR-22 |
How SR-22 works in California
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the DMV to prove you carry the required liability coverage. You typically need one after a DUI, driving without insurance, an at-fault accident while uninsured, or too many points. Not every carrier files them, and the ones that do price very differently - so shopping matters. We handle the filing and place the underlying policy in one step.
See our full SR-22 insurance guide for the details, timelines, and costs.
Why go through a broker instead of a direct insurer
A captive agent can only sell you one company's product. When that company says no, you are out of options with them. As an independent broker we represent you, not a single carrier - so a single conversation gets your risk shopped across many markets at once, including surplus lines and specialty non-standard insurers most consumers cannot reach directly. It costs you nothing; carriers pay our commission.
Official California sources
Verify the rules for yourself with the state's own resources:
Frequently asked questions
Can you insure me if I was denied or non-renewed?
Yes. Declined and non-renewed drivers are our specialty. We shop non-standard and specialty California carriers that write the exact situations the big-name insurers decline, including SR-22, DUI, tickets, and lapses.
How fast can I get an SR-22 filed?
In many cases we can bind a policy and file the SR-22 the same day, so you can get back on the road and satisfy the DMV quickly. Timelines depend on the carrier and your situation.
Do you write non-owner and foreign-license policies?
Yes. We place non-owner policies for drivers without a vehicle who still need liability or an SR-22, and we work with carriers that accept foreign and international licenses.
How much does it cost to use InsuranceMonster?
There is no fee to request a quote. As a broker we are paid by the insurance carriers, so our shopping service costs you nothing. Your final cost may include the insurance premium, carrier or policy fees, taxes, surplus-lines taxes, stamping fees, installment charges, or other amounts shown in the quote and policy documents.
What areas of California do you cover?
We write auto insurance across the entire state of California, from Los Angeles and San Diego to the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and the far north.
Get your free quote
Tell us what you need and a licensed California broker will reach out with real options. Simple situation or complicated one, we shop it the same way.
Prefer to talk? Call (916) 469-5253.