Electronic Proof of Insurance

In an earlier post, we looked at California’s improvements to its driver licenses and ID cards to make these critical identification documents more secure.  With these steps, California is helping to make the wallet safer.  Now the state is looking to make other improvements that will help anyone who carries a wallet

In California, as in most states, drivers are required to show financial responsibility for their vehicle.  Importantly, drivers must carry proof of insurance and present this to a police officer when requested.  Last week, the state legislature sent a bill to the governor for signature that would enable drivers in the state to show proof of financial responsibility using a mobile device.  This would allow drivers to provide a police officer with proof of insurance using an electronic version stored on their smartphone (the bill expressly prohibits the police from viewing any other content on the device).

The other day I scanned and securely stored my updated auto insurance card in my Lemon Wallet.  But I realized that I had forgotten to actually put it in my physical wallet.  If I were in a situation where I needed to show it to a police officer, that would have been an expensive fix-it ticket.  Luckily, I wasn’t in such a situation, but if I am in the future, California may make my life a bit easier.   Life is already easier for drivers in Louisiana and Idaho, where similar measures went into effect earlier this year.  How about in your state?