Imperial, CA – As Imperial County struggles with major
unemployment, many drivers have failed to take advantage of a program
that could help them. So far this year, only two motorists in Imperial
County has qualkified for the state’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program,
an affordable way to comply with the law.

Imperial County residents need an affordable auto insurance option
now more than ever. If you drive without insurance, you face potential
fines, a suspended license and your car could be impounded. Thankfully,
the Low Cost Auto Insurance program can help low-income or recently
unemployed drivers get the insurance they need to avoid trouble with the
law. We urge all drivers to consider the LCA program as another way to
stay on the right side of the law.

The purpose of the CLCA is to provide low-cost automobile liability
insurance to good drivers who demonstrate financial need. The program
was established in 1999 and has been available in every California
county since 2007. 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 program is not subsidized by taxpayer dollars.

In Imperial County, an LCA policy costs $161.00 per year. A list of
rates for all counties is available at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0060-information-guides/0010-automobile/lca/index.cfm.

Poizner reminds motorists that it’s easier to qualify for the program
than they might think. The eligibility requirements for the program
include:

• An applicant must be at least 19 years old, continuously
  licensed for 3 years and must be a "good driver" – no more than one
  at-fault property damage only accident, or one point for a moving
  violation in the past three years.
• No at-fault accident involving bodily injury or death in the
  past three years and no felony or misdemeanor conviction for a violation
  of the Vehicle Code.
• Family meets income eligibility limits of $27,075 for a single
  person, $36,425 for two persons and $55,125 for a family of four. Limits
  continue increase with the size of the family.
• The value of an insured vehicle must not exceed $20,000.
• Payment plans are available.

To learn if you qualify for CLCA, go to www.insurance.ca.gov/lowcost,
or call (866) 60-AUTO-1 (866-602-8861)