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