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Finally, a good bill passes

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Illinois

* Personally speaking, this is the best bill of the session. From a press release…

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has asked Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to sign Senate Bill 1775, which would allow Illinois drivers to present electronic proof of insurance to state officials.

The bill, which enables insureds to present the proof without consenting to the access of any other information on their mobile devices, allows insurers to post policies to the Internet for policyholder access, although policyholders will still be able to request a paper copy.

“This legislation will allow insurers to satisfy increasing consumer demand for increased electronic communication and reduce printing and mailing costs,” Deirdre Manna, PCI’s vice president of political engagement and regulatory affairs, said in a statement. “Insurers will still be required to provide paper copies of any documents policyholders request, if that is their preference.”

The Illinois House and Senate both passed the legislation unanimously. The legislature has 30 days to send it to Quinn, who then has 60 days to decide whether to sign it into law.

I am always forgetting to put my new insurance card in my car. Last year, I went through a road block in Williamson County and didn’t have my insurance card in my glove box. So, I got a ticket.

Trouble is, Williamson County (southern Illinois) requires you to hand-deliver a physical copy of the insurance card to the courthouse before they’ll dismiss the charge. You can’t mail it, fax it, e-mail it. Hand deliver.

And Williamson County is a long way from Springfield, man. Thankfully my brother lives in the county and I e-mailed him a copy which he printed and brought to the court building.

Anyway, a good and sensible bill.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:49 pm

Comments

Good idea.

I had to go to traffic court a few months ago to show my insurance card to the judge. There were at least 30 people doing the same. Ticket dismissed, but it’s a half-day’s work, at least.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:56 pm
You are right, it is the most sensible bill of the session so far. Congrats to the GA.

Comment by Boat captain Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:59 pm
Looking forward to Governor Quinn vetoing this because it doesn’t go far enough.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:12 pm
Does the fiscal note consider what Williamson County will lose when it can’t collect on those tickets?

Comment by Elo Kiddies Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Deirdre Manna from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America is one heckava lobbyist! She deserves a raise.

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:21 pm
“enables insureds to present the proof without consenting to the access of any other information on their mobile devices”

Wow someone was actually thinking!

Comment by Kevin Highland Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:52 pm
Williamson County tourisim initiative?

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Kevin Martin with the Illinois Insurance Association was actually the heavy hand and force behind this bill. I just think credit should be given where credit’s due. Good work, Kevin.

Comment by Just my two cents... Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:18 pm
What about local control?

Comment by John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Yes - Kevin deserves a lot of credit along with the rest of the industry. He is a great lobbyist. PCI is a national trade - and the best national trade - but simply put out the release to ask Gov. Quinn to sign - no one was trying to take all the credit. This is a movement all over the country and it is great that Illinois stepped up and did it so quickly.

Comment by Good ideas Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:35 pm
Interesting that no one is complaining here about the GA tackling a relatively minor issue when there are “real” issues like pensions and the budget at hand!

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:10 pm
As Tony the Tiger likes to say, “Sounds grrrrrrreat!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:19 pm
Practically anything can be fabricated online.

Extra training for law enforcement involved?

Comment by redleg Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:27 pm
“Officer, I can’t show it to you, I’m roaming”

Comment by I don't want to live in Teabagistan Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:30 pm
Dear redleg,

Ctrl-P

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:35 pm
Why not take it a step further and require the insurance companies to provide proof of insurance to the Secretary of State. If you loose your insurance or cancel it, SOS is notified and your vehicle registration is suspended. Your insurance information could be put into LEADS and available to law enforcement should you be stopped.

Comment by Pacman Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 6:17 pm