seniormsuedu

Motorists in Michigan now need to have proof of auto insurance with them or face two $150 assessments from the state, one this year, one the next, even if they subsequently show they were properly insured at the time. Another reason for part-time legislators.

kkj

Just curious, why would you ever drive without proof of insurance? Maybe I've always lived in states that required it, but in this case it doens't make sense to leave home without it. What do you do in case of an accident?

Rosemary1

I thought this was an "across the board" thing. I couldn't imagine getting behind the wheel without insurance. They throw the book at you if you're caught. I have a friend who's boyfriend not only lost his license but also does not have insurance and is commuting a very long distance to work every day. I would be a paranoid wreck-pun intended. I guess it's all about "responsibility"!

paige

I keep my evidence of insurance in the glove box of my car. I've never carried it when I fly and rent a car. Does this law apply if you are driving a rental car and don't have the evidence of insurance with you?

Keith

Carrying proof of insurance was the law when I lived in Michigan. Are you saying they stopped requiring it for a while and are now requiring it again?

Keith

Ryan

Big deal. Proof of insurance has been the norm in NY and NJ since at least 1983, when I started driving.

You have the insurance you keep the card in your car. You don't have insurance - well then you are a criminal and a pariah who thinks society should be responsible for things you create. Where is the ambiguity in that?

sfowler

My insurance company gives me two cards at each renewal. One for the car and one for my wallet. Doesn't everyone's??

Barbara

No, mine gives me two paper records, one for my car and one for the DMV.

nytraveler

Here in NY you get two insurance cards - one for the car and one for he wallet. the driver doesn;t communicate with the DMV about insurance - the insurance company does it directly - so if you drop the insurance the DMV is notified and - if you don;t pick up another carrier right away - can suspend your registration. A much better way to do it so these uninusred drivers (frequently also unregistered and unlicensed) can stop driving up everyone else's costs.

antmaril

I think what the original poster is trying to say is that not carrying your proof of insurance card and not having insurance result in the same penalty. In other words, just because you may not have the proof of insurance card with you (which, of course, you are supposed to carry, but it is possible a person may inadvertently leave it at home) doesn't mean you don't have insurance. In the past, I believe it was a lesser penalty for not having the card with you. Obviously, not carrying your proof of insurance is not the same as not HAVING insurance -- very different.

GoTravel

In South Carolina the insurance company contacts the DMV to let them know you no longer carry car insurance or were canceled.

A State of SC Highway Patrolman comes to your home and takes your tag off your car.

You cannot drive in SC without insurance and it is illegal to not have proof.

gualalalisa

Antmaril: I understand what you mean but IMHO there is really no excuse for driving without proof of insurance.

Like Barbara, my company gives me two paper records. One goes in my wallet behind my driver's license and one in my car. That way I am never without it.

It is also illegal to drive without your license, even if you have one that you left at home.

As someone who was once hit by a driver who had neither insurance nor license (at home or anywhere), I guess I'm kind of touchy on the subject!

antmaril

I agree that you absolutely should have your proof of insurance with you and I ALWAYS do. However, I'm not sure the penalty should be the same as not having insurance at all.

gualalalisa

Antmaril: That is a good point and one that could be debated.

I wonder if the penalty is the same in Michigan and other states or if it's more if you don't have insurance at all?

caribtraveler

i really don't get this post unless the original poster meant the fine has changed/increased?
i thought ALL states required one to drive with your insurance card. if you don't and get caught, you'll get fined. the fine in some states can be thrown out when you go to court and prove you did have insurance at the time (you had just forgotten your card home or wherever).
now if you don't have insurance at all..that's a whole different issue. you'll not only get fine but you'll get your license suspended in most if not all states. i'm sure the penalties ($ amount, time spent in jail, etc...) vary from state to state.
but there's no way not having your insurance card but having insurance will get you the same penalty than not having insurance at all.
my card as well as my registration live in my glove compartment.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ci...gd_25094_7.pdf

SamH

In Ohio you have to carry proof of insurance. State Farm sends me 2 cards. They don't send anything to the DMV. However, a few weeks ago I got a letter from the DMV asking me to provide proof of auto liability insurance. I sent them a photocopy of my card. Just a random thing they have been doing. Unfortunately, they do not require actual proof of insurance when you register your car or renew your license, you just check off a box stating that you do have insurance. Thus we are still stuck with many uninsured drivers here in the Buckeye state.

GoTravel

These are state laws not federal laws so they will vary from state to state.

For the most correct, up to date info, contact your state's highway department/ department of motor vehicles.

bookhall

GoTravel's right. Here in PA, you get one insurance card per car. And when you renew, you fill the info in on the form.

I always keep my card in the car. And, on vacation, when renting a car, I've never been asked for proof I carry insurance. And I always decline the supplemental coverages.

carrolldf

In Texas, I get two cards for each vehicle. When we register the vehicles, we have to show proof of insurance. And of course, we have to carry the insurance card with us in the vehicle.

TxTravelPro

Possibly seniormsuedu is really telling us that there is no tolerance for NOT having your proof.
In Texas we have to have proof of insurance. If for some reason you do not, you can take the proof to the courthouse and get the ticket dismissed... depending on the city, you may or may not have to pay a fee.
It would suck to have an expired card in the car and get a fine for 300.00
Yes... I know... you should have the card at all times but &^%& happens and people do not, for whatever reason... all the time.