Southern California Auto Insurance - Consumer Info and Insurance Requirements

Do you know the top ten cars that are stolen in California? Do you own one? You should become aware of which ones are on the list. It is quite possible that it could affect your insurance rates if you own such a vehicle. Below you will find a record of the ten most stolen cars. Let's hope yours is not one of them.Southern California Auto Insurance Data - California's Ten Most Stolen Cars

Acura Integra (1990)

Chevrolet 1500 Pickup - C/K Full Size (1992)

Ford Mustang (2000)

Honda Accord (1991)

Honda Civic (1995)

Nissan Sentra (1991)

Saturn SL (1993)

Toyota Camry (1989)

Toyota Corolla (1987)

Toyota Pickup (1988)
In just Los Angeles alone with a population consisting of 3,870,487 people, in 2007 there were:

19,629 cases of burglary

58,304 cases of theft

23,524 cars stolen
Something else to keep in mind is that Los Angeles is also known for expensive auto insurance compared to other areas across the state. The average yearly premium is approximately $3,000, while the state itself averages slightly under $1,800.Southern California Auto Insurance - Liability RequirementsAs with every state, insurance levels vary depending on location but no matter what, there are three fundamental components of liability coverage.1. Bodily Injury Liability or BILThis is what your insurance company pays per person injured in a vehicle accident when you are at fault. Nationally minimums vary anywhere from $10,000 - $50,000. Note: California's BIL is $15,000.  2. Total Bodily Injury Liability or Total BILThis is the total of what will be paid out for all persons injured in the auto accident. National minimums are $20,000 - $100,000. Note: The minimum for California's total BIL is $30,000. 3. Property Damage Liability or PDLThis insurance covers property damage that was sustained by the car accident. Physical damage includes:

Vehicle damage

Non-medical expenses

Telephone poles

Road sign damage, etc. 
National minimums go from $5,000 - $25,000.  Note: Here the minimum for California's PDL is $15,000.Nowadays there are plenty of vehicles costing $50,000 and up so when an automobile accident does occur, the damage is sizeable. While Southern California auto insurance only requires a ratio of 15/30/15 do you really think that it is wise to carry the bare minimum? Absolutely not! I suggest you pay a few dollars more (it won't be substantial) to boost your liability coverage up to 100/300/100. In today's environment where ambulance attorneys file law suits at the drop of a hat, the extra coverage could mean the difference between adequate coverage and financial ruin. I urge you to not take it lightly. Tidbit for thought: Based on the most recent information available - California ranks 7th on the country's most uninsured drivers list at 18%. Break that down and it is 1 in 5 drivers. Not only does this mean that CA state liability limits are grossly inadequate, but also that you need coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists.