Uninsured Motorist Database Testing and Loading

By David Colmans, Executive Director

Georgia Insurance Information Service (GIIS)

The first major external test of the new Georgia database to verify proof of automobile insurance is underway.

Police computers at the dispatch centers across the state and law enforcement vehicles with on- board computers have begun displaying the auto insurance verification data from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DMVS).

The testing and production data uploads continue between insurers and DMVS.  As of this writing, more than one-third of the estimated vehicle identification numbers from insured Georgia vehicles have been uploaded to the DMVS database. Insurers continue on nearly a daily basis to add their book of business to the database. Eventually, that will mean about six million vehicles will be accounted for by the database.

What can insurance agents expect from the public? What should clients be told? The entire process is a good news/bad news situation although changes are likely to occur in the 2003 Georgia General Assembly. Agents can expect lots of questions and some people, regardless of the press coverage, will have no idea about the changes in the law. What follows are some basics to assist motorists and agents to better understand the process.

1. At this time, data displayed on law enforcement computer screens is TEST DATA ONLY, and will remain in test mode until February 1, 2003. The existing law requiring police to verify a motorist's auto insurance status by presenting the insurance ID card will continue in force until February 1, 2003. By mid-December, DMVS will send between 1.5 and 2 million letters to Georgia vehicle owners who appear not to have valid auto insurance according to the database. The mid-December letter is an informational letter only informing insureds of their current insurance status and of the upcoming penalties once the law takes effect. DMVS notices will be mailed to the address provided during the tag/title registration process. Subsequent letters not responded to by the vehicle owner will cause the fines and penalties described in the Georgia Code to be invoked and the vehicle registration can be suspended.

2. After February 1, 2003, the insurance status for a vehicle in Georgia will be as follows: The database will be the sole method for insurance verification. The insurance ID card will not be accepted by law enforcement.  There are exceptions under the new law.

a) If the vehicle is covered under a commercial or fleet policy, a commercial

 or fleet insurance card will be accepted unless it is in the name of a

"natural person".

b) Rental vehicles. The rental agreement will be proof of

insurance for law enforcement.

c) If a vehicle has just been purchased, the

vehicle operator may present the bill of sale and the declaration page of an

existing insurance policy. This proof will only be acceptable for 20 days

after the sale. The individual must obtain insurance for the new vehicle as

quickly as possible.

d) A written binder will be proof of insurance for 30

days when a new policy is issued.

3. NOTE: The insurance card should be in the vehicle at all times because the card will be needed for the exchange of information when a traffic crash occurs. Information exchange does not mean proof of insurance, it is for accident reporting purposes and for other times when information on the card is necessary.

Agents should remind their clients to do the following as soon as possible:

Check their vehicle's registration paperwork. Compare the VIN on the registration documents with the VIN on their auto insurance ID card. If they do not match exactly, have them contact you. Also, if they find that the VIN on the vehicle does not match the VIN on the registration, and they attempt to correct the registration VIN at the local tag office, the vehicle owner must also notify the insurer. The corrected VIN in the Tag and Title Database must match the VIN on file with the auto insurer.

Motorists who are not shown in the database as having insurance will not be able to renew their vehicle license plate on-line or by phone. Under the new law that goes into effect next February, a motorist may be ticketed if the database indicates no valid insurance and the vehicle may be impounded.

DMVS and the insurance industry continue to work together on developing issues as the law is implemented. The first six to 12 months will probably be the most difficult as DMVS, the state's law enforcement personnel, the courts, the insurance industry and the public deal with the database.

 IIS is an industry trade association of property and casualty insurers. Associate members include the PIA of Georgia.