What is the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program(CLCA)?

The primary goal of the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) is to provide an affordable auto insurance option to low-income good drivers.

California Law requires that all drivers be insured. However, too many low-income drivers remain uninsured because the costs of standard insurance premiums are beyond their financial reach.

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program provides affordable liability only auto insurance that meets the state's financial responsibility laws.

The program is administered by the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan and policies are written by California Licensed Insurance Companies.

The CLCA program is not subsidized by taxpayers. Rates are set and adjusted annually in each county so that the premiums collected are sufficient to cover losses and expenses in each county.

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program is now available statewide. The Commissioner has determined that there is a need for this program in the final 16 counties.    All of the counties are now listed below:

All California Counties are Now Eligible and Listed Below:

• Installment plans are available for as little as 15%, with the balance payable in up to six payments.
• Optional Uninsured Motorists and Medical Payments coverage are also available; for more information about these coverages call 1-866-60-Auto-1.
• A 25% Surcharge is added to the base rate for unmarried, male drivers ages 19-24.

Who is eligible for the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program?

To be eligible for the CLCA program: you must meet the following requirements:

• Be able to meet low-income requirements (1 person = $26,000, 2 persons = $35,000, 4 persons = $53,000, 8 persons = $89,000)
• Meet the good driver standard (no more than one at-fault property damage only accident or more than one point for moving violation in the past three years)
• Applicant has not had an at fault accident involving bodily injury or death in the past 3 years.
• Be at least 19 years old
• Have been continuously licensed to drive for the past three years
• Have a vehicle valued at less than the $20,000

Good Drivers Are Defined As (See Chart):

Applicant Income Eligibility Requirement (see chart):

How do I sign up?

This program is administered by the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan.  To receive more information about how to sign up, please call the CLCA hotline at: 1-866-602-8861. 

How do I get more information about the CLCA Program?

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program is brought to you by the California Department of Insurance. Consumer Education and Outreach is conducted by the Department's Community Relations Branch.

Click here for a copy of the CLCA brochure in multiple languages

Click here To request CLCA brochures to be mailed to your organization:

If you would like to invite the Community Relations Branch to your outreach event or meeting, click here!

If you would like to email us a question about the CLCA program, click here!

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program is brought to you by the California Department of Insurance and is administered by the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP).