California community college students can get state-backed car insurance for as little as 199 dollars a year
The state's Low Cost Automobile Insurance program covers income-eligible drivers. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and where to find help on your campus.
Last verified: July 2026
What is the CLCA program?
The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program is a state-run program administered by the California Department of Insurance. It provides liability coverage to income-eligible drivers at rates far below the private market.
The program was established by the California Legislature and is anchored in state law under SB-1107, which sets the coverage floor. A CLCA policy satisfies California's 30/60/15 liability minimum: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. It is liability-only coverage, so it does not include collision, comprehensive, or uninsured motorist protection. Applications are handled directly by the state, not by QuoteMoto.
Annual premium
$199 – $920
Income limit
$39,900/yr
Min. age
16
Coverage
30/60/15
Between 2.76 and 5.78 million Californians are income-eligible for CLCA. Only 66,998 were enrolled at last count, a gap of more than 98 percent. Most people who qualify have never heard of it.
Source: CA Department of Insurance, CLCA program (2026)
San Diego County
17.9% – 39.0% of households are income-eligible for CLCA
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, QuoteMoto analysis
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the CLCA program?
How much does CLCA cost?
How do I apply for CLCA?
Does CLCA cover full insurance or just liability?
Campus resources directory
Basic needs centers at California community colleges. Each link goes directly to the college's own resource page.
71 colleges listed across 7 California regions
San Diego
8 campuses
San Diego CCD
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA
Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD
Cuyamaca College
Rancho San Diego, CA
Palomar CCD
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
Los Angeles
19 campuses
Los Angeles CCD
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
Los Angeles CCD
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles CCD
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles CCD
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA
Mt. SAC CCD
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
Pasadena Area CCD
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
Cerritos CCD
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
Compton CCD
Compton College
Compton, CA
Santa Clarita CCD
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
Orange County
9 campuses
Coast CCD
Coastline College
Fountain Valley, CA
North Orange County CCD
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
Rancho Santiago CCD
Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA
Inland Empire
6 campuses
Riverside CCD
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA
Riverside CCD
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
San Bernardino CCD
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
Chaffey CCD
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Central Valley
6 campuses
Sacramento
4 campuses
Los Rios CCD
American River College
Sacramento, CA
Los Rios CCD
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA
Los Rios CCD
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
Bay Area
15 campuses
Contra Costa CCD
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
Contra Costa CCD
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
San Mateo County CCD
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County CCD
Cañada College
Redwood City, CA
Foothill-De Anza CCD
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
San Jose-Evergreen CCD
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA
San Jose-Evergreen CCD
Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA
San Francisco CCD
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Central Coast
4 campuses
Ventura County CCD
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
Santa Barbara CCD
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
About this page
We run a California insurance comparison site. We built this page because we kept seeing students overpay for coverage they could get through the state for a fraction of the cost. The CLCA program above is free to apply for and we earn nothing from it. If you don't qualify for CLCA, you can compare private rates on our site.
Compare private ratesRun a basic needs center?
We'll add your campus to this directory and link to your resource page. Email us and we'll have it up within a week.
insure@quotemoto.com