Increasing Insured Drivers on Virginia Highways – We Need Your Opinion

In response to two legislative proposals during the 2018 Session of the General Assembly, the DMV is conducting an industry-wide study on what Virginia can do to increase the number of insured drivers on today’s highways. IIAV is the only agent’s organization represented on this study panel. Presently, Virginia is ranked 17th lowest of 51 jurisdictions, with only 9.9 percent of the drivers on the roads uninsured. Florida is ranked as the state with the highest percentage of uninsured drivers at 26.7 percent.

This study will be looking at a number of issues and topics including: Minimum Limits, the Voluntary UMV Fee, the Insurance Verification Program and UMV Penalty Fee, and strategies to educate the public.

One item came up where we would like your opinion. IIAV has generally opposed mandating that all insured drivers receive an automobile insurance card (proof of insurance). Our opposition has generally been on the basis that:

1. The card wasn’t really worth the paper it was printed on because the insured could cancel their insurance immediately after receiving the card and it takes too long for the insurance verification to catch up with the insured; and
2. The burden of printing and distributing the cards could be placed on the agent instead of the insurer. 

What is YOUR opinion on mandating that drivers receive proof of insurance cards from their insurer and/or agent? Do the companies you represent generally provide proof of insurance cards anyway? Please send your response to rbradshaw@iiav.com and mark the subject line: Insurance Cards

Bob Bradshaw
IIAV President & CEO

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia