| For millions of responsible Texans forking out almost | | | | programs, successfully reducing the number of |
| $900 million per year, in insurance, to self-protect | | | | uninsured motorists. The goal in Texas is to |
| against those people driving without mandatory | | | | significantly relieve the aggravation that responsible |
| insurance coverage there may soon be some relief. | | | | drivers endure from the expense caused by |
| In an effort to reduce the number of uninsured | | | | uninsured motorists. And, to encourage Texan drivers |
| motorists in the State of Texas, an automated | | | | to keep their insurance information up-to-date; VIN |
| insurance verification program was launched in June | | | | numbers matching the information on their insurance |
| 2008. This new database, quickly and easily, identifies | | | | cards. The Texas Financial Responsibility Verification |
| these lawbreakers. TexasSure (the database) now | | | | Program is a joint project developed by the Texas |
| matches registered Texas passenger vehicles records | | | | Department of Public Safety (TDPS), the Texas |
| with the personal auto insurance policy data on-file | | | | Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Texas |
| with over 200 insurance companies in Texas. It is | | | | Department of Information Resources (DIR) and the |
| hoped that the implementation of this technology will | | | | Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), by |
| assist law enforcement officers to verify, | | | | implementing the program they anticipate lowering |
| immediately, whether or not a driver has auto | | | | the uninsured motorist rate in Texas. Beware! More |
| insurance. It is currently estimated that the number | | | | than a dozen cities in Texas have passed ordinances |
| of uninsured vehicles in the State of Texas is | | | | that allow law enforcement officers to have a vehicle |
| approximately 4 million! By Texas law, a motor | | | | towed and impounded if the driver cannot show |
| vehicle cannot be operated unless the motorist has | | | | proof of insurance. Those drivers who legitimately |
| financial responsibility established for the vehicle, | | | | hold auto insurance policies need not be concerned as |
| primarily, auto insurance. The current law requires | | | | long as they continue to carry current proof of |
| that drivers have coverage of at least $25,000 per | | | | insurance cards, as required by law. Policy information |
| injured person; $50,000 per injured person involved in | | | | will be sent each week to the TexasSure vendor |
| an accident, and property damage of $25,000. It is | | | | where it will be matched to TxDOT's vehicle |
| estimated that somewhere between 15-20% of | | | | registration records. So... if the thought of fooling a |
| Texans do not have auto insurance. That is one in | | | | law enforcement officer crosses your mind, think |
| five drivers! For driving without liability insurance, the | | | | again! If you are pulled over and show false proof of |
| first conviction could result in a fine between $175 | | | | insurance, the verification of insurance database will |
| and $350. Subsequent convictions could include fines | | | | surely make a fool of you! Driving without insurance |
| of $350 to $1,000, suspension of driver's license and | | | | is NOT an option! So Get Insured!! Have an opinion or |
| or impoundment of your vehicle. According to the | | | | a question you would like me to answer, then write |
| Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), at least 30 | | | | to me! |
| other states have implemented insurance verification | | | | |