Low-cost auto insurance proposed for Napa

By NATALIE HOFFMAN
Register Staff Writer

Every day, millions of California drivers illegally hit the road without car insurance coverage. To help alleviate this problem locally, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is proposing to bring a state-run reduced cost car insurance program to Napa County.

Representatives from local organizations such as Community Action Napa Valley, the Calistoga Family Center and Queen of the Valley Medical Center attended a public meeting at the Napa County Health & Human Services Agency on Monday to discuss who will qualify for the program and when it will be implemented.

Sandra Kane, a family services coordinator for the Calistoga Family Center, a health and family services group, attended Monday’s meeting in support of the program, which is also scheduled to launch in nine other California counties.

“It will help the many laborers we have in Napa County. Many are required to work on weekends and there is no public transportation on Sundays or on weekdays after 6 (p.m.),” she said.

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, created in 1999, has already been implemented in nearly two dozen California counties.

Roberta Goodin, executive director of Napa Lit, a literacy support organization, said many Napa residents who cannot afford to purchase auto insurance at regular rates regularly drive to work without automobile insurance. “Many must break the law in order to support their families and we must change that.”

Darcie Chapman, consumer education outreach coordinator for California Department of Insurance, said qualifying applicants must be at least 19 years old, licensed to drive for three continuous years and have a good driving record. In addition, she said, eligible individuals cannot have convictions in violation of the state vehicle code and the value of insured automobiles must be $20,000 or less.

Napa applicants must also meet low-income requirements, not to exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

Chapman said although approximately 83 percent of applicants are uninsured, those who qualify for the program but currently have insurance can also apply. There are about 30,000 state-wide policies under the program so far, she said; some qualified applicants can acquire policies for less than $400 per year.

For more information about the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, visit www.insurance.ca.gov or call (866) 602-8861.

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