What Low Income California Drivers Need to Know About the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program
Rising unemployment rates and the exorbitant cost of gas have left hundreds struggling to come up with the fund they need to keep their car properly insured. That's why over 15% of drivers on the highways today are driving uninsured, 3 million plus in California alone. In an effort to stem the rising tide of uninsured drivers California has implemented an insurance program designed especially for low income drivers known as the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program.
Unlike regular insurance programs, which are designed to work on a fixed rate premium depending on your circumstances, the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA) works on a sliding scale determined by your income. Drivers that meet the definition of financial need established by the governing authority can aply to be admitted into the program and enjoy the benefits of a low cost insurance policy designed especially to meet their needs.
This isn't one of those low cost insurance programs designed to persecute the middle class just because they happen to make enough money to keep food on the table and pay their rent on a semi-regular basis. Instead, the program is designed to accommodate the bottom edge of the middle class, with a family of four being permitted to have a combined income of up to $50,000-considerably higher than the state poverty level.
With an income level this high the hope is that every driver will take the initiative and apply for the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program rather than choosing to continue to drive uninsured.
Because California has a mandatory liability requirement for its drivers the CLCA only offers liability coverage as part of its low cost insurance plan. Included in the plan is:
$10,000 Bodily Injury Liability per person.
$20,000 Bodily Injury per accident.
$3,000 Property Damage per accident.
As you've probably already noticed, this is significantly less than California's minimum liability requirements for drivers. State officials are willing to make a trade off in exchange for dramatically reducing the number of drivers they have out there driving uninsured. Auto insurance companies have no choice about offering this low cost insurance to their clientele, but they reserve the right to keep their coverage levels low to encourage drivers that can afford it to seek regular coverage.
Collision and comprehensive are not included as part of the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program. You can, however, purchase them separately from your insurance carrier without affecting your eligibility for the program. Most companies do offer you the chance to purchase additional medical coverage and uninsured motorist at a low cost through the program to protect yourself from the people out there who weren't as quick to pick up on this great deal as you were.
The California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program is an ideal solution for low income drivers who don't want to have to sacrifice their auto insurance coverage to keep dinner on the table. If you're struggling to pay your premiums but don't want to join the ranks of the uninsured contact the CLCA as soon as possible.
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