Vehicles: insurance.

Existing law requires an owner or operator of a motor vehicle to maintain liability insurance coverage for the named insured and any other person using the vehicle with permission in the amount of $15,000 for the bodily injury or death of any one person, $30,000 for the bodily injury or death of all persons, and $5,000 for damage to the property of others resulting from any one accident. Existing law defines "proof of financial responsibility" for purposes of provisions requiring an owner or operator of a motor vehicle to maintain proof of financial responsibility in these amounts, as specified. Under existing law, a violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime. This bill would increase the amount of liability insurance coverage an owner or operator of a motor vehicle is required to maintain to $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons, and $25,000 for damage to the property of others as a result of any one accident. This bill would make conforming changes to the definition of "proof of financial responsibility" for purposes of the provisions described above. This bill would, beginning on January 1, 2026, and every 5 years thereafter, adjust the amount of required liability insurance coverage by any increase in the California Consumer Price Index, as specified. Because this bill would expand the application of an existing crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.