High-Tech Car Insurance Verification Makes Lawmaker Uneasy

Posted in Auto Insurance

December 8th, 2009

The recent plan to upgrade Oklahoma’s insurance verification system is making one lawmaker feel apprehensive enough to voice his opinion. According to Oklahoma City Rep. Mike Reynolds, the possibility of upgrading to use cameras and other high-tech electronics to verify insurance may be just a little bit too “Big Brother” for his comfort.

The New Auto Insurance Verification Plan

Sources in Oklahoma have confirmed that a plan is being discussed to enhance the state’s verification system with the use of electronic cameras that would make it easy to randomly monitor and record car tags. Cameras will be installed at 200 highway locations so that they can take bar code shots at the bottom of each vehicle’s tag. Immediately, the information would be stored in a national database that would be able to ticket car owners driving an uninsured vehicle.

Concerns about the Auto Insurance Verification Plan

While most agree that the plan could help control insured driving since one in four Oklahoma drivers is said to be uninsured, Reynolds argues that the public might be very concerned with being filmed.

So far, it looks as though the plan will be set in motion despite Reynolds’ concerns. With other states like Texas already having implemented technology-based car insurance verification programs – and with little negative feedback from the public – the pros for Oklahoma seem to outweigh the cons.

Would you feel comfortable with high-tech car insurance verification on your state’s highways?