Insurance

[Prophet]

My friend has an insurance card that he says has his old policy number, but he printed a new one to change the date on it. He says it works because he was pulled over the officer checked his lisence and card, and then proceeded to give him a ticket for speeding and then let him go. I don't believe him I can't see how the police could nto check to see if the card is valid. So basiclly my question is do polcie officers run the policy number to see if its active or not.

[hawkman]

All I check for is a valid card. But thats just how our department works, we don't have anything to check if an insurance card is still valid or not.

I believe that is how most if not all do it around here.

[locokarma]

Unless it looks obvious, I have yet to have one of the troopers run a policy #....  I think that if a person was involved in an accident, and the officer did a report, maybe the insurance company might check into it and take matters into their own hands.  At this time, we have no way of checking policy #'s while the officer is on a traffic stop. 

[Charlie]

Prophet--

Well, your friend likely has a limited amount of time in his favor. Sooner or later, he'll get caught with it I think. THEN, when the officer figures out it is a bogus card (and depending upon local laws) he/she might earn himself/herself a trip to jail!!!

C'mon folks, do you think all cops are that stupid???.....Does your friend honestly think they've stumbled on something that no one has thought of before???

Typically here in TX, someone presents an insurance card and the officer uses their discretion as to whether or not action is warranted to check further. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call to the insurance company to determine if the person is insured or not and in compliance with the law. (No, we don't have access to some sort of data base to check someone's policy status). And people have been dumb enough to present a fake card on occasion. Some fake cards are obvious while others are not. If the fake card is discovered, in most cases cops confiscate the card and issue the violator a court appearance citation. However, there are other TX laws on the books that specifically address fake documents such as bogus insurance cards). Unfortunately, TX laws that address "No Insurance" violations or aka: "Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility" are not too strong. Penalties are fines only up to $500. I know in some jurisdictions, the penalties are much more severe. Wish TX would do the same thing. I heard that in our state, pop. is about 18 million people, that one out of four motorist is NOT insured or in compliance with the financial responsibility law. That $uck$!

I also think that someone who drives around without insurance is seriously placing themselves at risk civilly as well. Imagine what one would face if involved in a serious accident and they are at fault and don't have insurance!:eek:

I'd seriosuly suggest to your friend who thinks they got one up on the law to get legit. Sooner or later, their luck will run out! And rest assured, I am one of those cops who loves to take people to jail for something like that!:D There are likely others just like me!!!

Have a nice day!

Charlie

[Solego]

In Florida, if your insurance runs out or if you cancel your policy, then the insurance company notifies the DMV. Then, you get a nice little letter in the mail from the DMV saying if you don't provide proof of an existing policy, they will suspend your license. I actually got one of the letters when I switched companies. Apparently, I forgot to provide my old company with a policy number from my new provider. Scared the sh!t out of me, seeing as we use those new fangled driving machines for patrolling.

[TTS]

I had a long post with numerous excerpts from the Texas Transportation code but I guess it was too large and did not go through so here it is in a nutshell.

 

2nd conviction of no insurance in Texas is $350-$1000, You can also have your license suspended.(601.231)   There is also a section on impoundment of vehicles for up to 180 days. (601.261)

The fake insurance in Texas is "Tampering with a Goverment Document"

[txinvestigator1]

In Texas insurance cards are issued by private companies; insurance companies. They do not qualify as government documents.

[TTS]

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Since it is required by state law to have proof of insurance. </SPAN>

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CHAPTER 37. PERJURY AND OTHER FALSIFICATION</SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">§ 37.01. Definitions</SPAN>

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">(2) "Governmental record" means:

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">(A) anything belonging to, received by, or kept by government for information, including a court record;

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">(B) anything required by law to be kept by others for information of government;

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">(C) a license, certificate, permit, seal, title, letter of patent, or similar document issued by government, by another state, or by the United States; or

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">(D) a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form described by Section 601.081, Transportation Code, a certificate of an insurance company described by Section 601.083 of that code, a document purporting to be such a form or certificate that is not issued by an insurer authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in this state, an electronic submission in a form described by Section 502.153(i), Transportation Code, or an evidence of financial responsibility described by Section 601.053 of that code.

[TTS]

Txinvestigator

It does not seem to like cut and paste.

[Byu]

Here in LA, its just about the same as Solego stated....... If you fail to maintain insurance the company will noitfy the DMV and then you have 10 days to surrender your license plate. If you fail to do this, also within the 10 days then they will suspend your license. Also if you get caught driving with expired insurance your vehicle will be towed immediately.

[txinvestigator1]

TTS

Got me this time...Here it is Texas Penal Code 37.01 under definitions:

Text
(D) a standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form described by
Section 601.081, Transportation Code, a certificate of an insurance company described by
Section 601.083 of that code, a document purporting to be such a form or certificate that
is not issued by an insurer authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in this
state, an electronic submission in a form described by Section 502.153(i),
Transportation Code, or an evidence of financial responsibility described by Section
601.053 of that code.

and from the Texas Transportation Code :

Text
§601.081. Standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form.

A standard proof of motor vehicle liability insurance form prescribed by the
Texas Department of Insurance must include:

(1) the name of the insurer;

(2) the insurance policy number;

(3) the policy period;

(4) the name and address of each insured;

(5) the policy limits or a statement that the coverage of the policy complies
with the minimum amounts of motor vehicle liability insurance required by this chapter;
and

[abirtz]

Tx,

I must say that I am truley amazed that you almost always seem to come up with the exact citings and codes for all circumstances. Where is it that I can look up my own state penal codes and whatnot? Do I just need to go to my state's homepage and it will guide me through somehow? Thanks.

[txinvestigator1]

Oh I have it memorized.




:D

But really
Most states have the entire text of their laws on the web.

I also have Gould Disk Law on my PC, and PDA LAw on my Compaq Ipaq.

Click Here for Gould

They also have Handbooks, FI books, Translators, etc.

[Byu]

I would have believed ya Tx

[Solego]

If you don't have proof of insurance here, you get a fix it ticket. Take the ticket along with a valid insurance card to the courthouse and you pay nine dollars. It tink it worx better that way, because the law abiders who probably had a lapse in memory will run out and fix the problem, whereas the thugs will just throw the ticket away, not pay for it, have their DL suspended, then get caught DWLSR and go to jail. That way only those who truly violate the law pay for it, not the boneheaded.