California Minimum Car Insurance in Van Nuys

By Payam Soliemanzadeh, Founder and President

Key takeaways

• California's minimum liability increased to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025, under SB 1107.
• Van Nuys crashes on the 101, 405, and 170 often involve underinsured or uninsured drivers.
• You must report crashes to the DMV within 10 days using form SR-1 (Vehicle Code §16000).
• Injury claims filed at Van Nuys Courthouse East must meet the two-year CCP §335.1 deadline.

Van Nuys sits at the intersection of three of Los Angeles County's busiest freeways: U.S. 101, Interstate 405, and State Route 170. High traffic volumes on these corridors—and on surface streets like Van Nuys Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard—mean collisions are frequent. When another driver causes your injuries, their insurance coverage determines what compensation is available.

Many Van Nuys motorists carry only the state minimum. If your medical bills exceed those limits, understanding your own Van Nuys car accident policy—especially uninsured and underinsured motorist provisions—becomes essential. California is an at-fault state, so the responsible driver's insurer typically pays, but gaps in coverage are common.

The new 30/60/15 minimum and what it means

Before January 1, 2025, California required only 15/30/5 liability coverage. SB 1107 raised the floor to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. The prior limits had not changed since 1985, despite decades of inflation in medical costs. Even the new minimums rarely cover serious injuries treated at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center or other Level II trauma centers.

A single ambulance ride from Van Nuys Boulevard to Northridge Hospital can exceed $2,000. Emergency-room evaluation, imaging, and observation often surpass $20,000. If the at-fault driver carries only the minimum, you may exhaust their policy before your surgeon submits a bill. That shortfall is why underinsured-motorist coverage exists—and why it matters on every car accident claim we handle.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requirements

California law requires every insurer to offer UM/UIM coverage in amounts equal to your liability limits. You may reject it, but only by signing a written waiver. Many drivers skip this step and later discover they have protection they did not know existed. UM covers you when a hit-and-run driver flees down the 405 or an uninsured motorist runs a red light on Victory Boulevard.

UIM applies when the other driver's policy is insufficient. If their $30,000 limit is exhausted and your bills total $80,000, your UIM policy may cover the gap, minus what the other insurer paid. Because one in six California drivers operates without insurance—and many more carry only minimums—UM/UIM coverage is often the difference between full recovery and unpaid medical debt.

Reporting obligations and compliance deadlines

Vehicle Code §16000 requires any driver involved in a crash causing injury, death, or more than $1,000 in damage to file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days. Failure to comply can trigger a license suspension, even if you were not at fault. Vehicle Code §20008 separately mandates a written report to police or the California Highway Patrol within 24 hours if anyone is injured.

At the scene, Vehicle Code §16025 requires exchanging insurance information. Collect the other driver's policy number, carrier name, and contact details. Document the location—whether it is the Ventura Freeway at Sepulveda or Van Nuys Boulevard near the courthouse—and photograph damage, skid marks, and traffic signals. This evidence supports both your DMV filing and any later personal-injury claim under CCP §335.1, which gives you two years to file suit.

Local details

If you file a personal-injury lawsuit after a Van Nuys collision, your case will be heard at Van Nuys Courthouse East, 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401, part of the Los Angeles Superior Court's Northwest District. The two-year statute of limitations under CCP §335.1 applies to most injury claims; if a government vehicle—such as a Metro bus on Sepulveda Boulevard—is involved, Government Code §911.2 shortens the deadline to six months for filing an administrative claim.

Serious injuries from high-speed collisions on the 101, 405, or 170 are often treated at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91325, a Level II trauma center. Medical records from Northridge Hospital document the severity of fractures, internal injuries, and head trauma—evidence that becomes critical when the at-fault driver's minimum-limits policy cannot cover your losses. Preserve every billing statement and treatment note; they anchor your damages calculation and justify a claim against your own UIM carrier when the other driver's $30,000 or $60,000 is exhausted.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the other driver has no insurance?

If an uninsured driver causes your crash on Van Nuys Boulevard or the 405, your own uninsured-motorist coverage steps in, up to your policy limits. You may also sue the at-fault driver personally, but collecting a judgment from an uninsured motorist is often difficult. UM coverage ensures you receive compensation without relying on the other party's assets.

Can I still recover damages if I am partly at fault?

Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence: you may recover even if you are 90 percent responsible, though your award is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 30 percent at fault, you collect $70,000. Disputes over fault percentages are common in multi-vehicle collisions on the 170 or 101.

Does the new 30/60/15 minimum apply to older policies?

Policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2025, must meet the new minimums. If your policy renewed before that date, the prior 15/30/5 limits may still govern until your next renewal. Check your declarations page or call your insurer to confirm your current coverage, especially if you commute daily on congested Van Nuys corridors.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Van Nuys car accident?

CCP §335.1 grants two years from the collision date to file a personal-injury lawsuit at Van Nuys Courthouse East. If a government entity is involved—such as a city-owned vehicle—Government Code §911.2 requires filing an administrative claim within six months. Missing either deadline typically bars recovery, so document the crash date immediately and consult counsel early.

Related reading

• Car Accident Practice Area
• Van Nuys Car Accident Legal Help
• What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Pasadena, CA?
• What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Culver City, CA? - Essential Steps

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