Edgar Filing: NUVEEN INSURED CALIFORNIA TAX FREE ADVANTAGE MUNICIPAL FUND

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number 811-21212

Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Kevin J. McCarthy

Vice President and Secretary

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 312-917-7700

Date of fiscal year end: 2/28

Date of reporting period: 11/30/11

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Schedule of Investments


	Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)
	Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund (NKX)
	November 30, 2011
Principal		Optional Call
Amount (000)	Description (1)	Provisions (2)	Ratings (3)	Value
	Consumer Staples – 4.6% (3.1% of Total Investments)
$ 6,070	Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed	6/22 at 100.00	BB+	$ 3,788,833
	Bonds, Series 2007A-2, 0.000%, 6/01/37
	Health Care – 24.8% (17.1% of Total Investments)
1,630	California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Childrens Hospital Los	7/20 at 100.00	AA–	1,594,499
	Angeles, Series 2010A, 5.250%, 7/01/38 – AGC Insured
4,000	California Statewide Community Development Authority, Insured Health Facility Revenue Bonds,	7/17 at 100.00	AA–	4,062,159
	Catholic Healthcare West, Series 2008K, 5.500%, 7/01/41 – AGC Insured
1,815	California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Permanante System,	3/16 at 100.00	A+	1,772,602
	Series 2006, 5.000%, 3/01/41
5,020	California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Permanente System,	3/16 at 100.00	AA+	5,037,721
	Series 2006, 5.000%, 3/01/41 – BHAC Insured (UB)
4,060	California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Sherman Oaks Health	No Opt. Call	A1	4,305,182
	System, Series 1998A, 5.000%, 8/01/22 – AMBAC Insured
1,500	California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, St. Joseph Health System,	7/18 at 100.00	AA–	1,523,790
	Series 2007A, 5.750%, 7/01/47 – FGIC Insured
662	California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Saint Joseph Health	7/18 at 100.00	AA–	672,772
	System, Trust 2554, 18.384%, 7/01/47 – AGM Insured (IF)
1,500	Santa Clara County Financing Authority, California, Insured Revenue Bonds, El Camino Hospital,	8/17 at 100.00	A+	1,543,275
	Series 2007A, 5.750%, 2/01/41 – AMBAC Insured
20,187	Total Health Care			20,512,000
	Housing/Multifamily – 1.5% (1.0% of Total Investments)
1,165	Poway, California, Housing Revenue Bonds, Revenue Bonds, Poinsettia Mobile Home Park, Series	5/13 at 102.00	AA–	1,194,172
	2003, 5.000%, 5/01/23
	Long-Term Care – 7.3% (5.1% of Total Investments)
3,000	ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corporations, California, Cal-Mortgage Insured Revenue	5/20 at 100.00	A–	3,041,370
	Bonds, Channing House, Series 2010, 6.125%, 5/15/40
1,000	ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corporations, California, Insured Senior Living Revenue	11/12 at 100.00	A–	1,009,370
	Bonds, Odd Fellows Home of California, Series 2003A, 5.200%, 11/15/22
2,000	California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Cal-Mortgage Insured Revenue Bonds, Northern	1/13 at 100.00	A–	2,021,880
	California Retired Officers Community Corporation – Paradise Valley Estates, Series 2002,
	5.250%, 1/01/26
6,000	Total Long-Term Care			6,072,620
	Tax Obligation/General – 14.8% (10.2% of Total Investments)
2,000	Butte-Glenn Community College District, Butte and Glenn Counties, California, General	8/12 at 101.00	Aa2	2,059,540
	Obligation Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/26 – NPFG Insured
1,030	Fontana Unified School District, San Bernardino County, California, General Obligation Bonds,	No Opt. Call	AA–	1,169,998
	Trust 2668, 9.429%, 2/01/16 – AGM Insured (IF)
450	Fremont Unified School District, Alameda County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series	8/12 at 101.00	Aa2	464,999
	2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/25 – FGIC Insured
1,175	Mount Diablo Unified School District, Contra Costa County, California, General Obligation	No Opt. Call	AA–	652,090
	Bonds, Series 2010A, 0.000%, 8/01/30 – AGM Insured
1,000	Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Riverside County, California, General Obligation	9/13 at 100.00	A+	1,042,430
	Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%, 9/01/26 – FGIC Insured
1,000	Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Riverside County, California, General Obligation	9/17 at 100.00	AA–	1,000,690
	Bonds, Series 2007, 4.500%, 9/01/30 – AGM Insured
140	Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer County, California, General Obligation	8/15 at 100.00	AA–	146,846
	Bonds, Series 2006B, 5.000%, 8/01/27 – FGIC Insured
5,025	Stockton Unified School District, San Joaquin County, California, General Obligation Bonds,	8/37 at 100.00	AA–	2,014,523
	Election 2008 Series 2011D, 0.000%, 8/01/50 – AGM Insured
12,520	Yosemite Community College District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Capital	No Opt. Call	Aa2	3,718,315
	Appreciation, Election 2004, Series 2010D, 0.000%, 8/01/42
24,340	Total Tax Obligation/General			12,269,431
	Tax Obligation/Limited – 46.0% (31.8% of Total Investments)
550	Baldwin Park Public Financing Authority, California, Sales Tax and Tax Allocation Bonds,	8/13 at 102.00	BBB	567,496
	Puente Merced Redevelopment Project, Series 2003, 5.250%, 8/01/21
1,165	Burbank Public Financing Authority, California, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Golden State	12/13 at 100.00	A	1,180,262
	Redevelopment Project, Series 2003A, 5.250%, 12/01/22 – AMBAC Insured
4,000	California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of General Services,	12/12 at 100.00	A2	4,006,359
	Capital East End Project, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 12/01/27 – AMBAC Insured
170	Capistrano Unified School District, Orange County, California, Special Tax Bonds, Community	9/15 at 100.00	BBB	168,880
	Facilities District, Series 2005, 5.000%, 9/01/24 – FGIC Insured
525	Chino Redevelopment Agency, California, Merged Chino Redevelopment Project Area Tax Allocation	9/16 at 101.00	A–	457,018
	Bonds, Series 2006, 5.000%, 9/01/38 – AMBAC Insured
265	Dinuba Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged City of Dinuba	3/12 at 102.00	A–	248,377
	Redevelopment Project and Dinuba Redevelopment Project 2, As Amended, Refunding Series 2001,
	5.000%, 9/01/31 – NPFG Insured
1,610	Folsom Public Financing Authority, California, Special Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A,	9/12 at 102.00	N/R	1,554,439
	5.000%, 9/01/21 – AMBAC Insured
3,285	Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Enhanced Tobacco Settlement	6/15 at 100.00	A2	3,009,126
	Asset-Backed Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A, 5.000%, 6/01/45 – AMBAC Insured
2,905	Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Enhanced Tobacco Settlement	6/15 at 100.00	AA–	2,637,508
	Asset-Backed Revenue Bonds, Tender Option Bonds Trust 4686, 8.823%, 6/01/45 –
	AGC Insured (IF) (4)
700	Hesperia Public Financing Authority, California, Redevelopment and Housing Projects Tax	9/17 at 100.00	Ba1	475,048
	Allocation Bonds, Series 2007A, 5.000%, 9/01/37 – SYNCORA GTY Insured
330	Inglewood Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged Redevelopment	5/17 at 100.00	BBB+	303,277
	Project, Subordinate Lien Series 2007A-1, 5.000%, 5/01/24 – AMBAC Insured
5,125	Irvine Public Facilities and Infrastructure Authority, California, Assessment Revenue Bonds,	9/13 at 100.00	N/R	5,178,654
	Series 2003C, 5.000%, 9/02/21 – AMBAC Insured
315	Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Manchester Social	9/15 at 100.00	A1	289,161
	Services Project, Series 2005, 5.000%, 9/01/37 – AMBAC Insured
1,770	Los Angeles Unified School District, California, Certificates of Participation, Administration	10/12 at 100.00	Aa3	1,774,124
	Building Project II, Series 2002C, 5.000%, 10/01/27 – AMBAC Insured
2,000	Los Angeles, California, Certificates of Participation, Municipal Improvement Corporation,	6/13 at 100.00	A+	2,012,780
	Series 2003AW, 5.000%, 6/01/33 – AMBAC Insured
1,500	Los Angeles, California, Municipal Improvement Corporation, Lease Revenue Bonds, Police	1/17 at 100.00	A+	1,493,415
	Headquarters, Series 2006A, 4.750%, 1/01/31 – FGIC Insured
1,500	Los Osos, California, Improvement Bonds, Community Services Wastewater Assessment District 1,	3/13 at 100.00	Baa1	1,286,445
	Series 2002, 5.000%, 9/02/33 – NPFG Insured
150	Rialto Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged Project Area, Series	9/15 at 100.00	A–	134,351
	2005A, 5.000%, 9/01/35 – SYNCORA GTY Insured
190	Roseville, California, Certificates of Participation, Public Facilities, Series 2003A, 5.000%,	8/13 at 100.00	AA–	191,636
	8/01/25 – AMBAC Insured
	San Buenaventura, California, Certificates of Participation, Golf Course Financing Project,
	Series 2002D:
3,000	5.000%, 2/01/27 – AMBAC Insured	2/12 at 100.00	AA–	3,001,350
3,300	5.000%, 2/01/32 – AMBAC Insured	2/12 at 100.00	AA–	3,252,348
1,200	San Diego Redevelopment Agency, California, Subordinate Lien Tax Increment and Parking Revenue	2/12 at 100.00	Baa2	1,200,012
	Bonds, Centre City Project, Series 2003B, 5.250%, 9/01/26
2,770	San Jose Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Civic Center Project,	6/12 at 100.00	AA+	2,775,651
	Series 2002B, 5.000%, 6/01/32 – AMBAC Insured
1,000	San Jose Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged Project Area, Series	8/15 at 100.00	Baa1	894,490
	2005A, 5.000%, 8/01/28 – NPFG Insured
39,325	Total Tax Obligation/Limited			38,092,207
	Transportation – 8.3% (5.7% of Total Investments)
5,480	Bay Area Governments Association, California, BART SFO Extension, Airport Premium Fare Revenue	8/12 at 100.00	N/R	5,169,283
	Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/26 – AMBAC Insured
2,000	Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, California, Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Series	1/12 at 100.00	BBB–	1,659,320
	1995A, 5.000%, 1/01/35
7,480	Total Transportation			6,828,603
	U.S. Guaranteed – 23.0% (15.9% of Total Investments) (5)
1,000	Berryessa Union School District, Santa Clara County, California, General Obligation Bonds,	8/12 at 100.00	AA– (5)	1,031,870
	Series 2003C, 5.000%, 8/01/21 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12) – AGM Insured
	California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002:
1,000	5.000%, 4/01/27 (Pre-refunded 4/01/12) – AMBAC Insured	4/12 at 100.00	AA+ (5)	1,016,070
2,445	5.250%, 4/01/30 (Pre-refunded 4/01/12) – SYNCORA GTY Insured	4/12 at 100.00	AA+ (5)	2,486,321
500	California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.250%, 4/01/34 (Pre-refunded 4/01/14)	4/14 at 100.00	Aaa	555,025
1,625	Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed	6/13 at 100.00	Aaa	1,802,856
	Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A-2, 7.900%, 6/01/42 (Pre-refunded 6/01/13)
2,030	Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Los Angeles County, California, General Obligation	8/13 at 100.00	AA– (5)	2,186,209
	Bonds, Series 2003B, 5.000%, 8/01/27 (Pre-refunded 8/01/13) – AGM Insured
2,000	Los Angeles, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 9/01/22 (Pre-refunded	9/12 at 100.00	AA– (5)	2,071,580
	9/01/12) – NPFG Insured
1,260	Rancho Mirage Joint Powers Financing Authority, California, Revenue Bonds, Eisenhower Medical	7/14 at 100.00	Baa2 (5)	1,432,217
	Center, Series 2004, 5.875%, 7/01/26 (Pre-refunded 7/01/14)
3,855	San Rafael City High School District, Marin County, California, General Obligation Bonds,	8/12 at 100.00	AA (5)	3,977,859
	Series 2003A, 5.000%, 8/01/28 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12) – AGM Insured
2,390	Solano County, California, Certificates of Participation, Series 2002, 5.250%, 11/01/24	11/12 at 100.00	AA– (5)	2,499,558
	(Pre-refunded 11/01/12) – NPFG Insured
18,105	Total U.S. Guaranteed			19,059,565
	Utilities – 3.0% (2.1% of Total Investments)
1,000	Anaheim Public Finance Authority, California, Second Lien Electric Distribution Revenue Bonds,	10/14 at 100.00	A+	1,041,320
	Series 2004, 5.250%, 10/01/21 – NPFG Insured
945	Long Beach Bond Finance Authority, California, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue Bonds, Series	No Opt. Call	A	900,084
	2007A, 5.500%, 11/15/37
275	Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Power System Revenue Bonds, Series	7/13 at 100.00	AA–	289,427
	2003A-2, 5.000%, 7/01/21 – NPFG Insured
310	Merced Irrigation District, California, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series 2005, 5.125%,	9/15 at 100.00	N/R	281,827
	9/01/31 – SYNCORA GTY Insured
2,530	Total Utilities			2,512,658
	Water and Sewer – 11.5% (8.0% of Total Investments)
1,000	Castaic Lake Water Agency, California, Certificates of Participation, Series 2006C, 5.000%,	8/16 at 100.00	AA–	1,007,590
	8/01/36 – NPFG Insured
750	Fortuna Public Finance Authority, California, Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2006, 5.000%,	10/16 at 100.00	AA–	760,718
	10/01/36 – AGM Insured
215	Healdsburg Public Financing Authority, California, Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 2006,	4/16 at 100.00	AA–	218,038
	5.000%, 4/01/36 – NPFG Insured
575	Manteca Financing Authority, California, Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2003B, 5.000%,	12/13 at 100.00	Aa3	575,552
	12/01/33 – NPFG Insured
170	Marina Coast Water District, California, Enterprise Certificate of Participation, Series 2006,	6/16 at 100.00	AA–	172,565
	5.000%, 6/01/31 – NPFG Insured
	San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority, California, Subordinate Lien Water Revenue
	Bonds, Series 2002:
3,000	5.000%, 8/01/22 – NPFG Insured	8/12 at 100.00	Aa3	3,069,690
2,500	5.000%, 8/01/23 – NPFG Insured	8/12 at 100.00	Aa3	2,555,700
1,180	South Feather Water and Power Agency, California, Water Revenue Certificates of Participation,	4/13 at 100.00	A	1,187,835
	Solar Photovoltaic Project, Series 2003, 5.375%, 4/01/24
9,390	Total Water and Sewer			9,547,688
$ 134,592	Total Investments (cost $120,187,591) – 144.8%			119,877,777
	Floating Rate Obligation – (4.1)%			(3,360,000)
	Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value – (42.9)% (6)			(35,500,000)
	Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.2%			1,781,595
	Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%			$ 82,799,372

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of November 30, 2011:


	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
Investments:
Municipal Bonds	$ —	$119,877,777	$ —	$119,877,777

During the period ended November 30, 2011, the Fund recognized no significant transfers to or from Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing taxable market discount, timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and the treatment of investments in inverse floating rate securities reflected as financing transactions, if any. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

At November 30, 2011, the cost of investments was $116,783,916.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at November 30, 2011, were as follows:


Gross unrealized:
Appreciation	$ 3,622,700
Depreciation	(3,886,414)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments	$ (263,714)


		The Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal securities that are covered by
		insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal and interest.
(1)		All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common
		shares unless otherwise noted.
(2)		Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption.
		There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities
		may be subject to periodic principal paydowns.
(3)		Ratings: Using the highest of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Moody’s Investors Service,
		Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s, Baa by Moody’s or
		BBB by Fitch are considered to be below investment grade. Holdings designated N/R are not rated by any
		of these national rating agencies.
(4)		Investment, or portion of investment, has been pledged to collateralize the net payment obligations for
		investments in inverse floating rate transactions.
(5)		Backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities,
		which ensure the timely payment of principal and interest. Certain bonds backed by U.S. Government or
		agency securities are regarded as having an implied rating equal to the rating of such securities.
(6)		Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value as a percentage of Total Investments is 29.6%.
N/R		Not rated.
(IF)		Inverse floating rate investment.
(UB)		Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction.

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: See EX-99 CERT attached hereto.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant) Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy

Kevin J. McCarthy

Vice President and Secretary

Date January 27, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

Gifford R. Zimmerman

Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)

Date January 27, 2012

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Stephen D. Foy

Stephen D. Foy

Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer)

Date January 27, 2012