In the mid-1970s, an increased number of high-cost liability lawsuits combined with other financial difficulties insurance companies were experiencing to cause drastic increases in insurance rates for schools and a reluctance on the part of insurance carriers to provide liability coverage. Questionnaires returned by county and district school superintendents and superintendents of community college districts in California reported current levels of liability coverage. The data, covering a period from 1974-75 through 1977-78, reveal that, although premiums have increased over 300 percent, the market for primary coverage is becoming more limited and insurance companies prefer providing excess coverage to basic coverage. While claims made against insurance were higher than the cost of premiums in 1974-75, by 1976-77 claims amounted to only half the cost of premiums. High school districts, however, consistently made claims higher than their premium costs. Other data, shown in extensive tables, cover deductibles and significant exclusions of coverage. County-wide insurance policies in three counties are treated separately. The questionnaire is included, as are the respondents' suggestions for solutions to the insurance problem. (Author/PGD)