How many times each week do you get in your car? Twenty? Thirty? Or maybe you're driving to work and to run errands, and you're shuttling your kids from activity to activity. Forty times? Fifty? With gas costs rising, you're probably paying more attention to your driving habits. But how long has it been since you thought about your car insurance?

Every state in the United States requires that licensed drivers carry auto insurance, and California is no difference. California auto insurance laws are similar to laws in other states. The minimum level of auto insurance in CA is called "liability insurance."

There are statutory minimum requirements for California auto liability insurance. This requires at least $15,000 minimum coverage for bodily injury for one person in one accident. Additionally, coverage must insure for bodily injuries of every person in one accident up to $30,000. There are also requirements for insuring property damage: $5,000 for any single accident. You may choose to insure for higher amounts, but these are the minimums that are legally required.

All drivers are required to possess proof of adequate insurance coverage at all times. This requirement increases safety for you, your family, and other drivers. If the unfortunate incident of an accident should occur, this requirement helps to ensure that all parties involved have the necessary information to efficiently resolve the situation.

Failing to carry proof of auto insurance in CA can result in dramatic consequences. If you do not have proof of California auto insurance, you can't legally obtain or renew a vehicle registration. Similarly, if you do not carry proof of insurance, your registration can be suspended - sometimes indefinitely - until you provide proof of insurance. This means that you will not be legally able to drive. Moreover, proof of insurance matters even outside the DMV. If you are stopped by a police officer for any traffic violation, you are legally required to display that proof.

You know now how important it is to have auto insurance in CA. Minimum liability coverage might sound like a lot of money, but many insurance companies currently offer minimum coverage at affordable rates. If you do a little bit of research, you can get insured for a reasonable price - and if you have a good driving record, that price will go down. Ultimately, it's much safer, and much cheaper, to abide by the law and get car insurance. If you get in an accident, you'll save money, and if you drive safely, you'll be a law-abiding citizen.