All About the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program
The California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program provides cheap car insurance policies to drivers below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Written by Brady Klopfer
Edited by Pat Roache
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) is a government aid program that helps provide access to cheap
car insurance
for California drivers who make less than 250% of the federal poverty level.- Insurance premiums through the CLCA program are fixed in the low-$200s to the mid-$300s, depending on where you live in California.
- CLCA insurance policies include less coverage than standard policies, but they still count as fulfilling the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
- In addition to the maximum income requirement, drivers must be at least 19 years of age and meet a few other requirements to qualify for CLCA.
- Insurance premiums through the CLCA program are fixed in the low-$200s to the mid-$300s, depending on where you live in California.
- CLCA insurance policies include less coverage than standard policies, but they still count as fulfilling the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
- In addition to the maximum income requirement, drivers must be at least 19 years of age and meet a few other requirements to qualify for CLCA.
California Low Cost Auto Insurance costs
The base annual rate of insurance through the CLCA Program: Low to mid-$200s.
Each county has its own fixed rate. Here are a few examples:
- San Diego county: $225
- San Francisco county: $261
- Los Angeles County/Orange County: $363 (The one exception to the $200 price range)
There are two personal factors that can increase your CLCA car insurance rates:
- Single male drivers between the ages of 19 and 24: Charged an additional 25% of the base rate.
- Drivers with fewer than three years behind the wheel: Charged an additional 30%.
- Drivers that fit both of these categories: Only charged an additional 30%.
You’ll also pay extra if you choose to add any additional insurance coverage options to your policy:
CLCA drivers must be at least 19 years old with few at-fault accidents and violations
Age requirement: All CLCA Program drivers must be at least 19 years of age.
Income eligibility requirement: Drivers cannot make more than 250% of the federal poverty level to qualify for the CLCA program. Here are some examples of eligible drivers:
- Single-person household: Less than $29,425
- Family of four: Less than $60,625.
Driving record requirement: CLCA drivers don’t need a
clean driving record
, but they must avoid the following for at least three years to qualify:- Two or more moving violations
- Two or more at-fault accidents
- A single at-fault accident causing injury or death
Additional requirements:
- Drivers cannot be listed as anyone’s dependent.
- All cars in the driver’s household must be insured through the CLCA Program.
CLCA coverage limits
Coverage limits from the CLCA Program are technically lower than the minimum requirements in California. However they still cover financial responsibility to fulfill the state’s insurance laws.
California drivers may also choose to add the following types of insurance to their CLCA policy for an additional fee:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $10,000 per person, $20,000 per accident
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: $1,000 per person
How to apply for the CLCA program
Eligible drivers can apply for the CLCA Program by contacting them directly:
- Online:www.mylowcostauto.com
- Phone: 1 (866) 602-8861
More information about the California Low Cost Auto Insurance program
The CLCA Program is sponsored by the California Department of Insurance and administered by the
California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP)
. The program works to make sure that all California drivers are able to meet California’s minimum liability insurance requirements
, regardless of their socioeconomic status.Keep in mind: The CLCA isn’t actually an insurance provider. The program works with car insurance companies to offer lower auto insurance rates to income-eligible residents who otherwise might not be able to afford the required minimum coverage.
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