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By Lacie Morrison, Mineral Wells Index, Texas
Aug. 18--A new statewide program's test phase indicates that approximately one-fourth of Texas drivers don't have auto insurance. With the implementation of TexasSure, a new vehicle insurance verification system, law enforcement hope to reduce those figures.
The program is a joint effort between the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Information Resources to get uninsured motorists off the road. According to the TexasSure Web site, the initial cost of the program is $7 million with funds coming from "a portion of the $1 fee that drivers pay when they apply for or renew their motor vehicle registration."
"Many different stakeholders helped develop the technology system needed to make this work. I commend DPS, TxDOT, DIR and those in the insurance industry for putting together this one-of-a-kind solution," said Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin in a statement released in June. "Any tool that helps us reduce the number of uninsured vehicles is good news for law-abiding Texans with coverage."
According to the TDI, drivers with insurance don't need to do anything other than carry their proof of insurance, which is required by law. The insurance companies send policy information weekly to the TexasSure vendor and it's matched to TxDOT's vehicle registration records.
The program is currently in its 60-day test phase in Travis County. TexasSure is projected to be fully implemented later this year.
"For too long, having a collision in Texas has been like playing a game of Russian roulette, where you never know whether the at-fault driver is carrying the required insurance," said DPS Highway Patrol Lt. Louis Sanchez. "Because of TexasSure, we believe drivers now will be far more likely to get and keep a liability policy when they realize we have a way to identify phony proof-of-insurance cards and catch those who cancel their policy as soon as they get their cars registered or inspected."
For more information on TexasSure, visit their Web site at: www.texassure.com
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Car Insurance News: New TexasSure Program Looks to Ensure Drivers Are Insured...Get an auto insurance quote!