For years when you went to buy your tabs, the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles would check to see if you had car insurance. Basically, you would bring your insurance card in and they would sell you the tabs. I’m sure people lied, used others insurance , or figured out some way around the law. But, the reality is that most people produced the necessary proof. If nothing else, it reminded people each year about the coverage.
But, for some reason the department stopped checking. It may have been claimed as some sort of budget cutting savings, but with as little that went into checking, I simply don’t see where the saving are. It’s time that this issue got remedied and we went back to the old successful way of checking.
If nothing else, it would be worth at least looking at Arizona’s recent law changes. In state, if a person has three times been convicted of not having insurance, they can’t get a drivers license, registration, or license plates without proof of insurance. While this seems a little late in the process to check, it is at least something helpful.
It is important to have coverages , not only to protect yourself from liability, but also to provide No Fault, Underinsurance, and Uninsured coverage for yourself. With the cost to society when people don’t have coverage, it seems like a good remedy is early checks.
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer" multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota "Super Lawyers" four times.
2 Comments
Daniel 8791
I remember when this was required. Now, so many people just mail in their renewal or do it online. There should be some sort of "required call back/notification" by persons insurance companies to the state, to confirm that the insurance is active and valid through what date. I think going back to the in person method or an advanced computer check system would cost about the same and one or the other needs to be implemented for the good of us all.
Mike Bryant
I agree, plus it would make sure those on the roads are protected. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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