Launched in 2000, the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) has attracted only a handful of customers, despite rates well below the national average and an aggressive $1.4 million outreach campaign targeting the roughly three million uninsured California drivers.

In March, CLCA officials reported that approximately 567,500 Californians expressed interest in the program in 2013, but only 51,755, or 9%, were eligible. Of those, 28% visited a producer to apply—14,251 individuals, of whom 10,153 actually purchased a policy.

CLCA officials suggest that the program's “good driver” requirements are too stringent. But you can qualify if you're at least 19 years old, have been continuously licensed with no more than one moving violation or at-fault accident during the past three years, are not responsible for an accident that killed or injured someone during the past three years, and haven't been convicted of any driving-related felonies or misdemeanors.

And CLCA's income eligibility requirements seem generous: household income must be less than 250% of the federal poverty level and the vehicle worth less than $20,000. A single L.A. County resident with an annual income under $28,725 pays a yearly premium of $338 for CLCA liability coverage. A driver in a four-person household with annual income of up to $58,875 would pay the same amount.

Low-cost private insurance is available to good drivers. Those with poor driving records will pay more in the private market to compensate for the heightened risk they present. But drivers who fail to carry minimum auto liability insurance should be encouraged to re-examine their spending priorities.