Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund

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)


        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606         

Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Jessica R. Droeger—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:            08/31          

Date of reporting period:          11/30/04         

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, 2004


Principal

Optional Call

Market

Amount (000)

Description(1)

Provisions*

Ratings**

Value


Consumer Staples - 2.1% (1.4% of Total Investments)

 

$

1,625

Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed

6/13 at 100.00

BBB

$    1,767,399

   Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A-2, 7.900%, 6/01/42


Healthcare - 18.8% (12.4% of Total Investments)

 

2,700

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,

12/09 at 101.00

A3

2,889,108

   Series 1999A, 6.250%, 12/01/34

 

1,500

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, UCSF - Stanford Healthcare, Series

11/08 at 101.00

AAA

1,514,580

   1998A, 5.000%, 11/15/31 - FSA Insured

 

1,800

California Infrastructure Economic Development Bank, Revenue Bonds, Kaiser Hospital Assistance LLC,

8/11 at 102.00

A

1,850,706

   Series 2001A, 5.550%, 8/01/31

 

6,000

California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Sherman Oaks Health

No Opt. Call

AAA

6,381,480

   System, Series 1998A, 5.000%, 8/01/22 - AMBAC Insured

 

2,000

California Statewide Community Development Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Monterey Peninsula

6/13 at 100.00

AAA

2,118,780

   Hospital, Series 2003B, 5.250%, 6/01/23 - FSA Insured

 

1,260

Rancho Mirage Joint Powers Financing Authority, California, Revenue Bonds, Eisenhower Medical

7/14 at 100.00

A3

1,338,158

   Center, Series 2004, 5.875%, 7/01/26


Long-Term Care - 5.8% (3.8% of Total Investments)

 

1,000

ABAG Finance Authority for Non-Profit Corporations, California, Insured Senior Living Revenue

11/12 at 100.00

A

1,033,060

   Bonds, Odd Fellows Home of California, Series 2003A, 5.200%, 11/15/22

 

2,000

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Northern California Retired

1/13 at 100.00

A

2,046,860

   Officers Community Corporation - Paradise Valley Estates, Series 2002, 5.250%, 1/01/26

 

1,815

California Statewide Community Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Jewish Home for the Aging,

11/13 at 100.00

A

1,886,021

   Series 2003, 5.000%, 11/15/18


Tax Obligation/General - 48.4% (32.2% of Total Investments)

 

1,000

Berryessa Union School District, Santa Clara County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,047,590

   2003C, 5.000%, 8/01/21 - FSA Insured

 

2,000

Butte-Glenn Community College District, Butte and Glenn Counties, California, General Obligation

8/12 at 101.00

Aaa

2,047,200

   Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/26 - MBIA Insured

 

California, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002:

1,500

   5.000%, 2/01/12

No Opt. Call

A

1,634,055

3,750

   5.000%, 4/01/27 - AMBAC Insured

4/12 at 100.00

AAA

3,803,775

3,000

   5.250%, 4/01/30 - XLCA Insured

4/12 at 100.00

AAA

3,105,900

 

500

California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.250%, 4/01/34

4/14 at 100.00

A

513,065

 

450

Fremont Unified School District, Alameda County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series

8/12 at 101.00

AAA

463,532

   2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/25 - FSA Insured

 

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Los Angeles County, California, General Obligation

Bonds, Series 2003B:

4,500

   5.000%, 8/01/26 - FSA Insured

8/13 at 100.00

AAA

4,606,200

2,030

   5.000%, 8/01/27 - FSA Insured

8/13 at 100.00

AAA

2,069,199

 

2,000

Los Angeles, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 9/01/22 -

9/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,085,320

   MBIA Insured

 

10,750

Los Angeles Unified School District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%,

7/13 at 100.00

AAA

11,249,768

   7/01/22 - FSA Insured

 

1,000

Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Riverside County, California, General Obligation Bonds,

9/13 at 100.00

AAA

1,023,780

   Series 2003A, 5.000%, 9/01/26 - FGIC Insured

 

3,000

San Diego Unified School District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Election of 1998, Series

7/10 at 100.00

AAA

3,120,870

   2000B, 5.125%, 7/01/22 - MBIA Insured

 

3,855

San Rafael City High School District, Marin County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

3,914,868

   2003A, 5.000%, 8/01/28 - FSA Insured

 

905

San Rafael Elementary School District, Marin County, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

919,055

   2003C, 5.000%, 8/01/28 - MBIA Insured


Tax Obligation/Limited - 43.1% (28.6% of Total Investments)

 

550

Baldwin Park Public Financing Authority, California, Sales Tax and Tax Allocation Bonds, Puente

8/13 at 102.00

BBB

558,872

   Merced Redevelopment Project, Series 2003, 5.250%, 8/01/21

 

2,025

Burbank Public Financing Authority, California, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Golden State Redevelopment

12/13 at 100.00

AAA

2,169,686

   Project, Series 2003A, 5.250%, 12/01/22 - AMBAC Insured

 

4,000

California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of General Services, Capital

12/12 at 100.00

AAA

4,053,960

   East End, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 12/01/27 - AMBAC Insured

 

2,000

California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of Corrections, Series 2003C,

12/13 at 100.00

A-

2,205,060

   5.500%, 6/01/16

 

1,610

Folsom Public Financing Authority, California, Special Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, 5.000%,

9/12 at 102.00

AAA

1,697,069

   9/01/21 - AMBAC Insured

 

5,540

Irvine Public Facilities and Infrastructure Authority, California, Assessment Revenue Bonds, Series

3/05 at 103.00

AAA

5,713,070

   2003C, 5.000%, 9/02/21 - AMBAC Insured

 

2,000

Los Angeles, California, Certificates of Participation, Municipal Improvement Corporation, Series

6/13 at 100.00

AAA

2,013,080

   2003AW, 5.000%, 6/01/33 - AMBAC Insured

 

1,770

Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County, California, Certificates of Participation,

10/12 at 100.00

AAA

1,793,364

   Series 2002C, Administration Building Project II, 5.000%, 10/01/27 - AMBAC Insured

 

1,500

Los Osos, California, Improvement Bonds, Community Services Wastewater Assessment District 1,

9/10 at 103.00

AAA

1,509,465

   Series 2002, 5.000%, 9/02/33 - MBIA Insured

 

1,165

Poway, California, Housing Revenue Bonds, Poinsettia Mobile Home Park Project Revenue Bonds, Series

5/13 at 102.00

BBB+

1,155,948

   2003, 5.000%, 5/01/23

 

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

AAA

3,036,750

3,300

   5.000%, 2/01/32 - AMBAC Insured

2/12 at 100.00

AAA

3,322,110

 

1,200

San Diego Redevelopment Agency, California, Subordinate Lien Tax Increment and Parking Revenue

9/09 at 101.00

Baa2

1,213,836

   Bonds, Centre City Project, Series 2003B, 5.250%, 9/01/26

 

1,220

San Jose Redevelopment Agency, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Merged Area Redevelopment Project,

8/10 at 101.00

AAA

1,226,991

   Series 2002, 5.000%, 8/01/32 - MBIA Insured

 

2,770

San Jose Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Civic Center Project,

6/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,782,216

   Series 2002B, 5.000%, 6/01/32 - AMBAC Insured

 

2,390

Solano County, California, Certificates of Participation, Series 2002, 5.250%, 11/01/24 - MBIA

11/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,517,483

   Insured


Transportation - 13.9% (9.2% of Total Investments)

 

5,480

Bay Area Governments Association, California, BART SFO Extension, Airport Premium Fare Revenue

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

5,572,119

   Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/26 - AMBAC Insured

 

2,000

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, California, Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Series 1995A,

1/10 at 100.00

BBB-

1,782,500

   5.000%, 1/01/35

 

3,135

San Francisco Airports Commission, California, Revenue Bonds, San Francisco International Airport,

5/08 at 101.00

AAA

3,204,221

   Second Series Issue 16B, 5.000%, 5/01/24 - FSA Insured

 

1,300

San Francisco Airports Commission, California, Revenue Bonds, San Francisco International Airport,

5/10 at 101.00

AAA

1,328,639

   Second Series 2000, Issue 26B, 5.000%, 5/01/25 - FGIC Insured


U.S. Guaranteed *** - 1.8% (1.2% of Total Investments)

 

1,395

Southern California Metropolitan Water District, Water Revenue Bonds, Series 1997A, 5.000%,

1/08 at 101.00

AAA

1,518,039

   7/01/30 (Pre-refunded to 1/01/08) - MBIA Insured


Utilities - 5.4% (3.6% of Total Investments)

 

1,000

Anaheim Public Finance Authority, California, Second Lien Electric Distribution Revenue Bonds,

10/14 at 100.00

AAA

1,083,420

   Series 2004, 5.250%, 10/01/21 - MBIA Insured

 

3,055

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Power System Revenue Bonds, Series 2001A-1,

7/11 at 100.00

AAA

3,258,066

   5.250%, 7/01/22 - FSA Insured

 

275

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California, Power System Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A-2,

7/13 at 100.00

AAA

289,393

   5.000%, 7/01/21 - MBIA Insured


Water and Sewer - 11.5% (7.6% of Total Investments)

 

1,335

Manteca Financing Authority, California, Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2003B, 5.000%, 12/01/33 -

12/13 at 100.00

Aaa

1,372,807

   MBIA Insured

 

San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority, California, Subordinate Lien Water Revenue Bonds,

Series 2002:

3,000

   5.000%, 8/01/22 - MBIA Insured

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

3,126,840

2,500

   5.000%, 8/01/23 - MBIA Insured

8/12 at 100.00

AAA

2,594,125

 

1,180

South Feather Water and Power Agency, California, Water Revenue Certificates of Participation,

4/13 at 100.00

BBB

1,171,504

   Solar Photovoltaic Project, Series 2003, 5.375%, 4/01/24

 

1,600

Sunnyvale Financing Authority, California, Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 2001,

10/11 at 100.00

AAA

1,627,213

   5.000%, 10/01/26 - AMBAC Insured


$

125,235

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $126,061,610) - 150.8%

129,328,175



Other Assets Less Liabilities - 1.7%

1,405,586


Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value - (52.5)%

(45,000,000)


Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares - 100%

$85,733,761


  

Forward Swap Transactions outstanding at November 30, 2004:

Swap

Unrealized

Notional

Effective

Termination

Appreciation

Amount

Date(2)

Date

(Depreciation)


Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 4, 2004,

to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by

5.660% (annualized) and receive quarterly the notional

amount multiplied by the three-month USD-LIBOR

(United States Dollar - London Inter-Bank Offered Rates).

$3,800,000

2/16/05

2/16/35

$(132,016)

Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 5, 2004,

to pay quarterly the notional amount multiplied by

4.337% (annualized) and receive quarterly the notional

amount multiplied by the one-week BMA (Bond Market

Association) Municipal Swap Index for the quarter.

4,700,000

12/09/04

12/09/24

(66,333)

Agreement with Morgan Stanley dated August 10, 2004,

to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by

5.489% (annualized) and receive quarterly the notional

amount multiplied by the three-month USD-LIBOR

(United States Dollar - London Inter-Bank Offered Rates).

1,100,000

1/14/05

1/14/35

(13,047)


$(211,396)


  

At least 80% of the Fund's net assets (including net assets applicable to Preferred shares) are invested in

municipal securities that are either covered by Original Issue Insurance, Secondary Market Insurance or

Portfolio Insurance which ensures the timely payment of principal and interest. Up to 20% of the Fund's

net assets (including net assets applicable to Preferred shares) may be invested in municipal securities

that are (i) either backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government

agency securities (also ensuring the timely payment of principal and interest), or (ii) municipal bonds that

are rated, at the time of investment, within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody's, S&P

or Fitch) or unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Adviser.

(1)  

All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common shares

unless otherwise noted.

(2)  

Effective date represents the date on which both the Fund and counterparty commence interest payment

accruals on each forward swap contract.

*  

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.

**  

Ratings: Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.

***  

Securities are backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government

agency securities which ensures the timely payment of principal and interest.

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 income

on taxable market discount securities and timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on

security transactions.

At November 30, 2004, the cost of investments was $126,056,669.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at November 30, 2004,

were as follows:


Gross unrealized:

   Appreciation

$3,458,342

   Depreciation

(186,836)


Net unrealized appreciation of investments

$3,271,506


 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. 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)).
  2. 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 has materially affected, or is 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 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: 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/ Jessica R. Droeger--Vice President and Secretary        

Date         01/28/05        

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--Chief Administrative Officer (Principal Executive Officer)        

Date         01/28/05        

By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Stephen D. Foy--Vice President and Controller (Principal Financial Officer)        

Date         01/28/05        

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.