Areas of Practice

Lack of Insurance

The main purpose of California auto insurance requirements is to ensure that vehicles driven on California roads have liability insurance that provides financial responsibility for any damage or injury caused by a traffic accident, regardless of fault. California law requires that financial responsibility must be obtained and maintained on any vehicle operated or parked on the state's roadways and must be provided when:

• Requested by law enforcement
• Renewing vehicle registration (if requested)
• The vehicle is involved in an auto accident
• You receive a registration card for a newly acquired vehicle
• You cancel a policy for a currently registered vehicle

You are required to carry evidence of financial responsibility or proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

In lieu of an auto insurance policy, motorists are required to have one of the below:

• A cash deposit of $35,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• A DMV-issued self-insurance certificate or
• A surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in California according to the 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 property damage.

What does liability insurance do? It compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage. Note that comprehensive or collision insurance coverage does not meet the state's vehicle financial responsibility agreements.

If you fail to maintain financial responsibility on your vehicle, your driving privilege may be suspended. If you are involved in an accident and cannot provide evidence of financial responsibility, you may lose your driving privilege for up to one year. Your vehicle registration is also subject to suspension and your vehicle may be impounded. You may also be cited for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility and this could carry penalties of $1,000 or more.

If your driver's license has been suspended because of lack of insurance, please call an experienced California DMV defense attorney at Wallin & Klarich to get your driving privilege reinstated. Call today to schedule your free consultation.

At Wallin & Klarich, we approach every case with the belief that the person we're defending could easily be one of our own family members. We've seen firsthand how stressful legal matters can be for our clients and their loved ones. We are committed to being available to our clients at all times -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you or someone you love is facing a DMV matter in Southern California, you should call Wallin & Klarich today for a free evaluation of your case. Call 1-888-782-5196 or fill out our online consultation form to get in contact with a legal professional today. We will be there when you call.

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