California drivers must have liability insurance coverage in place to comply with state law, but not all drivers are able to afford even a basic policy. Good drivers who can demonstrate financial need can get liability protection through the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA). All insurance companies licensed to write policies in the state are required to take on their fare share of CLCA customers.
Under the CLCA plan, qualified drivers can get the following level of coverage:
- $10,000 in bodily injury liability coverage to pay for injuries of a single accident victim
- $20,000 in bodily injury protection to compensate two or more people injured in the same accident
- $3,000 in property damage liability coverage to pay for repairs to the other driver’s vehicle
Drivers in CA can also get optional coverage under the CLCA plan:
- $10,000 in uninsured motorist coverage to pay for injuries when the at-fault driver in an accident does not have any coverage
- $20,000 in uninsured motorist protection to compensate all victims of the same accident in the same situation
- $1,000 medical payments protection (per person)
To be eligible for coverage under the plan, a driver must be at least 19 years of age and have been licensed for at least three years on a continuous basis. Applicants must meet the income requirements set by the state and be looking for insurance for a vehicle valued at $20,000 or less.
