John McClelland Verified

I'm still confused why Texas allows drivers without insurance to continue driving even if they have been stopped by police. Isn't the point of having insurance to be able to be insured if you hit somebody. So if you do not have it, and you hit somebody....fill in the blank.

2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

Pretty sure if you show proof of insurance, as you do now, they won't fine you.

Also, get uninsured/underinsured coverage so you don't have to worry about it. It's not like cops are going to lock up people who drive uninsured, but I agree vehicles should be impounded or something along those lines.

Apparently a future feature of the database is that the state will mail notices to everyone without coverage...and hopefully follow up with fines if they haven't bought coverage within 30 days. But that's not anticipated until fall of next year, so get yo'self covered for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage imo. Especially since 20/40/15 is pretty useless if they really hurt some peeps.

2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

Snap!

Per the Houston Chronicle, "Starting April 1, 2008, the minimum liability limits increase to $25,000 (up $5,000) per injured person, $50,000 (up $10,000) for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 (up $10,000) for property damage."

It makes me happy in the pants that we're going to 25/50/25, but I'm wondering what that's going to do to state-wide rates considering vast majority have the minimum required 20/40/15 atm.

2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Robert Lilly Verified

The "downside" listed doesn't exist. The database will not relieve any driver from being required to carry proof of current minimum liability coverage.

In all cases where a person is cited for an insurance violation - If that person appears in court and shows proof that they had insurance in effect on the date and time of the citation then the charge IS dismissed. Therefore, the actual downside is someone who didn't carry their "proof", as they are required to do, being inconvenienced due to their own failure to acquire or carry it. Paper documentation of proof of insurance will always be acceptable to the officer in the field and to the courts regardless of what the "computer" says.

2 years, 1 month ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

60-day pilot is almost over, btw. 25.5% of drivers in Travis County and outskirts of surrounding counties were found to be uninsured.

Unfortunately, seems the new system won't be mandatory across all enforcement groups - I'm guessing mandatory for state troopers, but optional with local peeps. sigh

1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

Daterbase has arrived.

Still don't see anything indicating it's required for all law enforcement...simply that it's available. Nothing firm on the TDI site, anyways.

1 year, 1 month ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )