MoneyInJapan

How to build car insurance coverage

Liability, personal injury, vehicle damage, driver scope, deductibles, legal, and roadside.

Direct answers

A robust voluntary auto design normally sets third-party bodily-injury and property liability to unlimited, adds personal-injury protection and legal expense, then chooses vehicle-damage cover and driver scope to fit the car and household.

Public coverage first · 2026 edition

Benefits may vary by: insurer · employment status · municipality · household

Get professional or administrator help: Confirm the compulsory policy is valid before driving; disclose commercial use to the insurer.

Review due: 2026-10-30

Key points

  • CALI alone is not adequate — it covers only limited victim bodily injury.
  • Set third-party liability unlimited; severe liability can exceed any cap.
  • Choose vehicle-damage cover by car value and ability to replace it.
  • Driver scope, age conditions, and commercial use must match reality.

Build from the gaps, not the price

Start with liability above CALI limits, then add personal injury for occupants, choose vehicle damage by value and deductible, add legal expense because fault disputes can exceed insurer negotiation, and confirm who will drive and any commuting or delivery use.

Who this is for

  • Residents mapping protection before shopping for private insurance

What this is not

  • A quote, policy ranking, or individualized recommendation
Important cautions
  • Eligibility, contributions, waiting periods, exclusions, and benefit amounts can vary. Confirm your case with the administering insurer or authority before acting.

Sources