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Low-cost auto insurance proposed for Napa
Monday, June 25, 2007
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2 p.m.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.
7 comment(s)

Really? wrote on Jun 26, 2007 1:18 PM:

" How about he comes to town with low cost health insurance. "

CIN wrote on Jun 26, 2007 1:29 PM:

" I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT LOW INCOME PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD AUTO INSURANCE. HOWEVER, IS THERE A CAP OF THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN SIGN UP FOR THIS AND DO YOU HAVE TO BE A LEGAL CITIZEN. I DO THINK THAT $20,000 IS A PRETTY HIGH VALUE FOR THE CAR VALUE. I THINK IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THAT PRICE OF VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO MAKE INSURANCE PAYMENTS ON AT THE RATE EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO. "

ummmm wrote on Jun 26, 2007 1:53 PM:

" “Many must break the law in order to support their families and we must change that,” said Goodin. Nobody "must" break the law. Ever. "

jeeper16 wrote on Jun 26, 2007 10:24 PM:

" Holy Cow! If you can afford a $20,000 car, you should be able to buy your own insurance. I always thought that driving was a PRIVELEDGE, not a RIGHT!Why should we have to pay for so-called "low income" folks? If you drive, you should be able to afford all of the related costs. What's next? Subsidies for gasoline and car maintenance for the poor? Give me a break! "

your-kidding-me-right? wrote on Jun 27, 2007 9:52 AM:

" You know I read this article yesterday and did not respond. Last night while driving in the car we work hard to provide insurance on because it is a law, I mentioned the article to my husband who was outraged!!! We talked and agreed that we would be much better off if he was unemployed, we could file bankrupty, as thats the think to do. No jobs would actually help us, we would have more time for the family and why should we have to work when we can reep the rewards of not having to. We would then qualify for low income housing, food stamps, Wic, medical through medi-cal, school lunches for our kids, and other various benefits not mentioned and now car insurance, we would be set!!! We were born and raised here, brought up to believe in working for your needs and if you cannot afford something (like insurance, then you don't own a car!), we are citizens who pay our taxes, and yet we get the shaft. Quoting Sandra Kane in your article " “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.),” I guess if I spoke spanish, had 5 families living in one house paying one mortage,(yet all driving nice cars) and was sending all my extra money "home" I would qualify for all these extra programs, we might as well just open the borders and hand them our paychecks, our wallets, and our rights when they come on in, cause they are gonna get it all in the end anyways! I think this proposed program is absurd! Rather than encouraging folks to get ahead this is just another reason for them not to, why should they? Why should they do the "moral and responsible thing" like follow the laws set for all of us when they can just wait around for someone to start some program so they do not have to! "

Put your feet in the shoes wrote on Jun 27, 2007 8:33 PM:

" For the first responder. Go talk to these people and hear their stories. Put your feet in their shoes ... "

benefits wrote on Jul 1, 2007 9:54 AM:

" it's crazy how many ignorant people we have in the valley. nowhere in the article does it say that this will only benefit the latino community, in case everyone has forgotten there are white people who do the exact same thing driving around without insurance because they have to go out and WORK. "

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