California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program
A low-cost auto policy from National General, an Allstate company. It's cheap car insurance in California at the state's minimum liability limits, and you can add full coverage if you want it. Any licensed California driver can get a quote, and there's no income test.
Start a quote online in a few minutes, or call (888) 269-0088 and we'll walk you through your options. Most drivers have a price the same day.

Bad Driving Record or Good Driving Record, We Have Your Back
Tickets, an at-fault accident, a lapse in coverage, or a spotless record: we quote all of them. BadDrivingRecord.com is a licensed California agency. We compare National General's program with the other carriers we're appointed with, so you see the lowest price your record can get.
Liability only at California's minimum limits, or full coverage with comprehensive and collision. Good or bad driving record.
Get My Quote →Liability only at California's minimum limits, or full coverage with comprehensive and collision. Good or bad driving record.
Get My Quote →What Is the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program?
The California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program on this page is a National General policy for drivers who want cheap auto insurance at the lowest legal price. It covers California's minimum liability limits, and you can add comprehensive and collision if your car is financed or you want it protected.
It's affordable car insurance for drivers on a tight budget, and your driving record doesn't have to be clean to get one.
It works like any other monthly car insurance policy. You get an ID card when it starts, and it counts as proof of insurance with the DMV.
How Much Is Low Cost Auto Insurance in California?
$58 a month is the starting rate for liability only car insurance at the state minimum. A quote on your own record is the only way to know your number.
Get My PriceAbout National General Insurance
National General is the insurance company behind this program. Its roots go back to 1939, and much of its business is non-standard auto insurance for drivers that standard companies often turn away.
BadDrivingRecord.com is an independent agency appointed with National General. We quote affordable auto insurance on the program, help you pick limits, and answer questions after the policy starts. We also check other California carriers on the same quote, so you're never stuck with one price.
How to Get Low Cost Auto Insurance
Most drivers get their cheap car insurance quotes in one sitting. Have your driver's license and your vehicle details ready.
California Minimum Insurance Requirements
The program's liability coverage meets California's minimum limits, which went up for policies starting or renewing on or after January 1, 2025:
If your car has a loan or lease, the lender will also require comprehensive and collision. We can quote both so you can compare.
Liability Only or Full Coverage
Start with cheap liability car insurance and add what fits your car and budget:
Cheap full coverage car insurance California drivers buy starts at $70 a month on the program, so we show you both prices before you buy.
Cheap Car Insurance Across California
Looking for cheap car insurance California wide? We quote National General's low cost program in every part of the state. Here's what drivers ask us about most.
Searching for cheap car insurance Los Angeles or cheap car insurance San Diego? ZIP code is one of the biggest price factors, so your quote is priced for your own neighborhood on the same program.
Drivers looking for cheap car insurance Sacramento, Fresno, or Bakersfield get quotes the same way, online or by phone, with no office visit.
Need SR-22 insurance in California? We quote cheap SR-22 insurance for owners, plus non owner car insurance California drivers use when they don't have a car. A DUI insurance California quote works the same way.
Need same day car insurance? Once you pick a policy and make your first payment, your ID card comes by email, so your instant car insurance proof is in your inbox.
You can get cheap car insurance online through our quote form, or call (888) 269-0088 if you'd rather talk to someone. Either way you see National General's price next to other carriers.
Lists of the top 10 cheapest car insurance companies are built on averages. Cheap car insurance companies for one driver can cost more for the next, so the best cheap car insurance California offers you is the one priced on your record.
If the DMV or a court says you need an SR-22, our California SR-22 page covers owner and non-owner options and how the filing works.
What Sets Your Low Cost Auto Rate
Two drivers on the same program can pay very different prices because of:
None of these rule you out. They move the price, so a quote on your own record beats any online average.
Low Income Car Insurance in California: What's Real
Four facts about low income car insurance California drivers often ask about:
For most drivers on a budget, a state minimum liability policy is the cheapest legal way to drive.
Here's What Sets Us Apart
When you look for the cheapest car insurance in California, compare price and coverage together. A low payment only helps if the policy stays active.
California Low Cost Auto Insurance FAQs
FAQRates start at $58 a month for liability at California's minimum limits, and full coverage starts at $70 a month. Your price depends on your driving record, ZIP code, age, and vehicle.
For most drivers, the cheapest auto insurance in California is a liability only policy at the state minimum of 30/60/15. On National General's program that starts at $58 a month, and we compare it with other carriers on the same quote.
No. California does not offer free car insurance. The lowest-cost option for most drivers is a liability only policy at the state minimum.
Yes. National General writes policies for drivers that standard companies often decline. A DUI or several tickets will raise the price, so we compare carriers for your record.
True no down payment car insurance is rare, because carriers collect a first payment before the policy starts. What you can usually get is low down payment car insurance with the rest spread over monthly payments.
Yes. Age and years licensed affect the price for every driver. Whether you want cheap car insurance for new drivers, cheap car insurance for seniors, or cheap car insurance for teens, National General quotes all ages, and we compare it with other carriers.
No. Any licensed California driver can get a quote. Tickets, accidents, a lapse in coverage, or a DUI change the price, and we shop carriers that accept your record.
Yes. You can begin with liability only car insurance and ask us to add comprehensive and collision when you're ready. We'll quote the new price before anything changes.
If you're looking for cheap car insurance near me or cheap auto insurance near me anywhere in California, you don't need a local office. We quote and service policies online and by phone at (888) 269-0088.
Get Low Cost Auto Insurance in California
Good record or bad record, get a quote on National General's low cost program and compare it with other California carriers.
This is a private insurance program from National General. It is not the state-run California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA). For the state program, visit mylowcostauto.com.
