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10 Drivers must show ability to pay damages (financial responsibility) of a minimum of $15,000 for each person injured or killed in an accident, $30,000 for injury/death of two or more persons in one accident, and a minimum of $5,000 for property damage in any one accident. If you are cited by a peace officer for a moving violation, or are involved in an accident, you may be asked for written proof of financial responsibility. This can be done by recording the name of your insurance company and policy number on the vehicle registration card issued by the DMV. This proof of insurance should be kept in the vehicle or a place where it will always be available when driving. For further information, contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Q. What should be done if you are served with a lawsuit (Summons and Complaint) as a result of an accident? A . Notify your agent and insurance company immediately. Keep a copy for yourself and mail or deliver the original documents to your company. Do not give statements or discuss the accident with anyone except a verified representative of your company. If the lawsuit arises out of a covered loss, your company will provide legal defense. Q. Is a newly acquired vehicle covered? A. Most policies provide automatic coverage for a vehicle that replaces a vehicle already on your policy. The coverage normally is the same coverage you had on your previous vehicle. Notify your broker-agent as soon as possible of any replacement vehicle. If you wish additional coverage, there is usually a requirement that you notify your agent or your company within a designated time period. Most policies also provide automatic coverage for a newly acquired vehicle that is an addition to the vehicles you already have on your policy. There are usually specific conditions that must be met. Most automatic coverage provisions require that the insured notify the insurer within 30 days of acquiring the new vehicle if the insured wants it covered under the existing automobile policy. Be aware that some policy notification periods can be less than 30 days. Some insurance company’s notification periods are 14 days or less. If the insured fails to notify the insurer of the newly acquired vehicle within the specified time, the vehicle will be uninsured. Unless there is a specific notice procedure in the insurance policy, an insured’s verbal notice to his or her insurance agent can be deemed sufficient to trigger the automatic coverage for a newly acquired vehicle.