Getting high risk insurance quotes can prove to be more difficult for those with a less than perfect driving record. Many insurance companies prefer not to accept these drivers but there are some that offer competitive rates even if you've had some bad luck with the traffic laws.

First of all, what is high risk auto insurance? High risk auto insurance is referred to as the "Non Standard Market" in the insurance world. It's basically a person who has two or more points on their driving record over the past three years. Points are counted as one for a minor violations such as speeding or stop sign and two points for major violations such as DUI or racing. An accident is counted as one point if it was at fault with no injuries, two points if it was at fault with injuries and if an accident is not your fault then it doesn't carry any points.

If you happen to have two or more points on your driving record then finding a company could become challenging. Many of the insurance companies prefer not to insure a high risk driver for the obvious reason that it's simply a higher risk for them. However, given the high demand for this market, there are many insurance companies that specialize in high risk auto insurance only. Many of these insurance companies work through auto insurance agencies to cut costs in order to provide affordable rates for high risk drivers. An insurance agency basically enters your information in their rater and instantly gets the rates of multiple companies displayed in order of price. Once you've agreed to the price the agent can write that policy for you and get you set up. Many agencies now offer online auto insurance quotes that displays multiple rates at once.

The easiest way to find low cost High Risk Auto Insurance is to simply shop around. With the Internet, shopping for Car Insurance has never been easier. Most reputable companies these days offer instant online auto insurance quotes and to see if they will take a high risk driver simply enter your violations and their website will let you know. It is recommended to shop at least three to five companies before making a choice. Try to check with at least one insurance agency as you're most likely to find the lowest quotes there. Lastly, before you choose, read their reviews. Make sure the agency you're working with has a good history of service and you'll be happy to have an agent by your side.

It's no secret, California is a big state with millions of drivers puttering around on a daily basis. With such volume comes a certain number of accidents. That is why the State of California has made it mandatory for everyone operating a vehicle to have car insurance.

However, auto insurance can be tricky business. If a potential buyer isn't careful, they could end up paying extremely high premiums for very basic coverage. Nearly 25% of drivers have either inadequate or no car insurance whatsoever.

Enter the CLCAIP

Commonly known as the CLCAIP, the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program was setup to give people who are financially struggling the opportunity to get a decent coverage plan at a very affordable rate. Currently, people can start be covered for as little as $22.00 per month through the CLCAIP.

The numbers are astounding. In 2009, the program received around 7,000 applications, which was 1,000 more than the year before. In 2011, the program received over 25,000 applications which indicates exponential growth.

Why California needed the CLCAIP

When the financial crisis hit in 2008, a lot of people lost the ability to afford their current premiums. Steve Poizner, the Insurance Commissioner, saw this as an opportunity to start a service that could help people get proper coverage at a rate most families could afford. Its goal is to offer allow people to be legally insured for less than a 15% down payment alongside minimal monthly payments.

However, to be accepted into the program, an applicant must meet certain requirements. They are easy to meet and consist of:

Must have a clean driving record. The applicant cannot have more than a single at at-fault accident

Must not have any driving related felonies or misdemeanors arrests in the past 3 years.

The eligibility limit for a single person is $27,075. For two people its $36,425 and for a family of four its $55,125.

The car being insured cannot be valued at over $20,000

Despite the growing number of applications, the CLCAIP is in danger of being closed down. Accord to governor Schwarzenegger's office, the program isn't popular enough to keep funding and vetoed a bipartisan legislation increasing the program's yearly budget due to a low rate of participation.

The fate of the program remains unknown, however, the need for such a program remains. It's illegal to drive without insurance and offering people the chance to get full coverage at an affordable rate is something that Californians should keep benefiting from.