California Doubles Motorcycle Liability Insurance Requirements Starting January 2025

California motorcyclists face substantially higher insurance requirements beginning January 1, 2025, under Senate Bill 1107 (SB 1107), which doubles the state's minimum mandatory liability coverage for all motorists. The law mandates coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, with riders required to submit proof of adequate insurance to the DMV during vehicle registration. This legislative change directly impacts the financial protection available in accidents, particularly important as motorcycle accident numbers continue rising in high-traffic areas.

The increased coverage requirements come as lane-splitting remains legal in California, though the California Highway Patrol (CHP) emphasizes specific safety practices to mitigate risks. Officials advise avoiding lane-splitting alongside large vehicles like trucks or buses and consistently considering road, weather, and lighting conditions. The maneuver inherently limits rider visibility to other motorists, contributing to preventable accidents, especially at intersections where conflicts frequently occur.

Personal injury attorney Wayne Cohen, founder of Cohen Injury Law Group, identified three particularly dangerous intersections in Ventura: Main Street and Santa Clara, Los Posas and Hueneme, and Harbor and Gonzalez. Cohen underscores the critical importance of awareness, defensive riding, and proper insurance for motorcyclists, noting that accident risks escalate in areas with high volumes of commuter and commercial traffic. His firm's experience handling motorcycle accident cases highlights the financial and legal consequences when minimum coverage proves insufficient.

For riders, the new insurance minimums mean higher premiums but substantially greater financial protection in accidents. For other motorists and the insurance industry, the changes create a more robust safety net that could reduce uncompensated claims and litigation costs. The law reflects California's attempt to balance motorcycle mobility with realistic financial responsibility, as detailed in the legislative analysis of SB 1107. While lane-splitting remains a contentious practice, the combined approach of maintained legality with enhanced insurance requirements represents a pragmatic response to growing roadway risks.