Electronic proof of car insurance is coming
Legislated into effect Wed, August 1, 2012, people living, driving, and/or owning a vehicle in the Pelican state are under several new laws regarding Louisiana auto insurance. One seems to be spawned from the other and once you hear about it, you’ll better understand why the two new laws pretty much go hand-in-hand.
Moving Forward At the Speed of Technology
Louisiana is one of many states moving along the wave of new, emerging technology and allowing its residents to maintain ID cards, or electronic proof of insurance, on various electronic devices, thanks to Act 824 of 2012. Fortunately, running ahead of legislative action are the technological forward-thinking companies like
Progressive, Nationwide, and Geico that have developed apps to allow their customers easy access to such information…
Louisiana Act 824 goes a step further in allowing electronic ID cards. The law permits car owners and drivers who are required to carry liability insurance to take hard-copy documents and scan them into a readable file for hand-held electronic devices. It can be on a smart phone, iPad, Android tablet, laptop, net book, or any other electronic form available.
It’s More Than That, Though!
Good thing about this legislation is that right along with Act 824 is another law that will provide tougher enforcement of proof of insurance for Louisianans.
Previously, law enforcement could only tow away cars of people who were caught more than once without proof of insurance. Effective August 1, 2012, law enforcement can have cars towed immediately the first time a driver cannot provide proof of insurance, thanks to Act 512 of 2012. That doesn’t mean UNINSURED, it means drivers that cannot prove whether they have insurance or not: i.e., proof of insurance, ID card, effective policy declarations, etc.
Additionally, those involved in accidents that do not have insurance are disallowed to sue for injuries if they are at fault. They also cannot sue if they are NOT at fault unless the medical costs associated with the accident exceed $15,000. Furthermore, they cannot sue for at-fault vehicle damage unless it exceeds $25,000.
What’s It To You? – Electronic Louisiana Car Insurance Cards
The takeaway: If you’re required to carry Louisiana car insurance, you now have the convenience of lawfully accepted electronic ID insurance cards available to you. However, you had better go ahead and keep a hard copy in your wallet, in your glove box, in the trunk, and even in the sun visor; otherwise, you might find yourself stranded on the side of the road while the tow truck hauls your wheels away.
You also need to consider the possibility that you forgot to bring your device on the quick run to the store, an accident rendered your electronic device impaired, your device’s battery died, or any other number of highly unfortunate, but highly likely, events that get you towed away.
No doubt some legislatures, groups, and activists debated this measure by bringing up that it would highly inconvenience drivers who obediently maintain continuous liability insurance. However, proponents of the measure had statistical proof that a very large majority of people who had their car towed for lack of proof of insurance really did not have insurance.
To keep yourself from being in the minority and having the inconvenience, expenses, and added points against your driver’s license, keep the electronic copies on your hand-held devices, but also keep copies of current policies and/or ID cards in all your registered vehicles at all times.
