West Virginia legislators aim to make it easier to verify insurance
Electronic verification system would allow police to verify coverage during a traffic stop.
Auto insurance coverage is required for motorists in most states.
Still, some consumers try to cut costs by forgoing such policies. This can increase premiums for those who do purchase coverage because they are forced to pay for losses caused by drivers without insurance. According to a recent report by Insurance Journal, legislators in one state are considering a measure to make it easier for law enforcement officials to spot uninsured drivers.
The West Virginia House of Representatives passed a bill to create an electronic insurance verification system that would allow police to instantly verify one’s insurance coverage during a traffic stop. The bill currently awaits signature from the state’s governor Joe Manchin.
West Virginia residents are required to carry their a proof of insurance card while driving, according to the report. Many of these people purchase policies to pass registration, then cancel to save money.
The report referred to statistics from the Insurance Research Council showing that 8 percent of West Virginian motorists did not have auto insurance in 2007. This is well below the national average of 13.8 percent recorded that year, but above states like Massachusetts and Maine that reported uninsured rates at 1 and 4 percent, respectively. 
Posted: March 16, 2010
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