Insurance: low-cost automobile insurance program.

Existing law establishes within the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) a low-cost automobile insurance program for all counties in California, until January 1, 2020, in order to provide a means for eligible consumers to buy automobile insurance. Existing law establishes, for purposes of the program, eligibility criteria, coverage amounts, and notice requirements. The program also prohibits an insured under the program from purchasing or maintaining automobile liability insurance coverage other than a low-cost policy for any additional vehicles in the insured's household. Existing law requires CAARP to report to the Insurance Commissioner on an annual basis on the status of the program and requires the commissioner and the Department of Insurance to carry out various duties in connection with the program, including submitting annual reports to the Legislature and maintaining a consumer-oriented internet website that provides information regarding the program. The bill would extend the operative date of the program to January 1, 2025, delete the prohibition described above, delete obsolete requirements, including prohibited uses of gender as the basis for rates, and make technical changes. The bill would also revise certain eligibility and notice requirements.