By Emily Miller
Effective March 23, 2015, Ohio motorists will now be able to show proof of auto insurance to traffic violations bureaus, courts, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and/or law enforcement through use of an electronic wireless communications device.
The Ohio Department of Insurance approved the following electronic wireless communications devices to show of insurance:
- Wireless telephone – including a cell phone
- Personal digital assistants (PDA)
- Computers – including laptops, netbooks or tablets
- Any other substantially similar wireless device that is designed or used to communicate and display text and images
“Permitting motorists to use technology to show proof of financial responsibility [or auto insurance] is a common-sense step forward for Ohio,” said Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor. “This modification will save time and money benefiting consumers, law enforcement, court personnel and insurers. I commend the work of the Ohio legislature for supporting this change to the process of providing proof to better align with current market realities.”
BMV and the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) would like to remind Ohioans that it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other financial responsibility (FR) proof in Ohio.
It is also illegal for any motor vehicle owner to allow anyone else to drive the owner’s vehicle without proof of insurance or PR proof.
“This is another great example of using technology to meet our consumers’ needs where are, not where we are,” said BMV Registrar Don Petit.
Paper versions of proof of insurance will continue to be accepted and motorists are encouraged to keep an updated copy with them at all times.
The insurance as a whole, slowly but surely, is adapting to changing patterns in e-commerce and consumer behavior by adding the electronic proof of insurance feature. And Ohio, is one of many U.S. states that has adopted this feature.
In fact, there are now 36 states (including Ohio) that accept digital/electronic insurance cards as proof of insurance.
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, a national trade association, divided all fifty states into two categories – those who accept digital proof of insurance and those who do not accept it yet.
States Accepting Digital Proof of Insurance
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
States Not Accepting Digital Proof of Insurance (Yet)
Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia
