Monday, 19 November 2007
Michigan Legislators Introduce Bill To Reduce Uninsured Drivers
A study conducted by the Insurance Research Council in 2006 found that approximately 17% of Michigan’s drivers are on the road without insurance. But the state requires that all drivers have no-fault auto insurance — giving them coverage for personal injury, property damage, and legal defense costs if sued.
Some state lawmakers say there are too many uninsured drivers, and it’s putting many at risk. State Representatives Bert Johnson and Mike Nofs have introduced a bill that would allow police to identify drivers who have no insurance, reported the County Press.
The system of auto insurance verification would be paperless and check coverage status instantly.
One co-sponsor of the bill, State Representative Rick Jones, argued that it’s hard for police to verify if drivers have active insurance. They only look at the driver’s proof-of-insurance card. But drivers could show officers an expired insurance card.
“It is a big problem, because it’s fairly easy to get away with. Some people are simply irresponsible,” said Rep. Jones.
Police officers could call the insurance company to make sure the driver’s policy is in effect, but it takes too much time, said Michigan State Police Sergeant Matt Bolger.
Critics of the bill contend that verification systems haven’t been proven to be effective. Executive director of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, Peter Kuhnmuench, pointed out that no other state has such a system.
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