Illinois Cracks Down on Uninsured Drivers with New Electronic System
Nearly 2,700 Illinois drivers have been caught driving without car insurance since July 1, thanks to a new electronic insurance verification program. Officials confirmed this week that the Illinois Insurance Verification System, spearheaded by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, is actively working to enforce state automobile insurance laws.
The state’s new system automatically verifies vehicle owners’ insurance status at least twice a year at random intervals. Previously, the state only randomly checked about 3% of the 10 million registered vehicles annually, requiring those selected to mail in proof of insurance — a now outdated process, according to White.
“My office has led the effort to establish and implement an automobile insurance verification system online that uses innovations in technology to help reduce the number of Illinois motorists driving while uninsured,” White stated in a July press release. “The message is simple: if you don’t have auto insurance, get covered now. It is the law.”
Residents flagged as uninsured through the new system receive a letter with instructions on how to obtain insurance or provide proof of existing coverage. Failure to comply results in a vehicle registration suspension and a $100 reinstatement fee, as stated by the state.
Henry Haupt, a spokesperson for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, emphasized the importance of the program, telling a CBS affiliate, “One of the worst things that happen to someone is when they get involved in a crash and the person who hits them doesn’t have automobile insurance. So this program definitely and strongly encourages everyone to get automobile insurance, because if you don’t have it, it will catch you and your license plates will be suspended.”
