The official Policy Limit Analysis provider for CAALA members.

"Policy limit search" and "policy limit trace" are other names attorneys use for the same service. A policy limit search is a data-driven, pre-litigation analysis of likely liability coverage, built from lawful sources and provided as an informational tool.

California has no general statute requiring an insurer to disclose its insured's liability limits before a lawsuit is filed. Actual limits typically come from the insured's consent, a voluntary disclosure, or discovery once suit is filed, since California Code of Civil Procedure section 2017.210 makes the existence and limits of insurance discoverable. A policy limit analysis gives attorneys a researched view of coverage earlier, at the pre-litigation stage. This is general information, not legal advice.

For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, California's minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage, commonly written as 30/60/15. Senate Bill 1107 schedules a further increase to 50/100/25 in 2035. Minimums are a floor, not a measure of what any defendant actually carries.

No. Policy numbers, declarations pages, endorsements, and coverage as of a date of loss come from the insured, the carrier, or discovery. A policy limit analysis is a high-level assessment of coverage for pre-litigation strategy.

Coastal Research is the official Policy Limit Analysis provider for CAALA members, offered as a CAALA member benefit. Members order reports directly through Coastal.