ttrank, I'd just like to know where you got that information. I'm an officer in Tucson, and in the years I've been doing this we've never been required to sit there and confirm that the piece of paper is actually current up to that minute. ARS 28-4135 simply states that a motor vehicle operated in AZ insurance of state minimums, "shall have evidence within the motor vehicle of current financial responsibility", and shall "produce evidence of financial responsibility on the request of a law enforcement officer investigating a motor vehicle accident or an alleged violation of a motor vehicle law of this state." I'm just interested to know if you heard this somewhere.

I'm not sure if your system is much different than ours, although lets be honest that the system is not fool-proof. If someone here gets a vehicle, they are required to show proof of insurance up to the state minimums in order to get the vehicle registered. After that, the DMV assumes that the person has current insurance until the insurance provider contacts the DMV and notifies them of cancellation of insurance. Once the DMV is notified, it goes into the DMV database that we can check on a traffic stop. So yes, if the person failed to pay their insurance premium or cancelled their policy, the DMV should find out about it and make the proper notation on the driver's record. But that's assuming the insurance company does their part. If they don't, then there is no way for the DMV to find out. The DMV doesn't sit there and call everyone's insurance companies on a daily basis to find out if the policy is current. As an officer, if I pull someone over and they hand me a legitimate proof of insurance card that has correct names, vehicle, VIN, and current date, and I get no information from the DMV telling me otherwise that it has been cancelled, then I'm going with the evidence that has been presented to me and my judgement has to be that the insurance policy is valid.

In any traffic collision, I am providing names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance companies names, policy numbers, contact information, vehicle information, etc to all drivers involved. That is standard proceedure for my department, and common sense for any officer in this state. However, we do not have the time nor the ability to contact the 1 800 numbers on the insurance card to find out directly from the operator if the insurance policy is current (what happens when I'm on a traffic stop at midnight; do you think someone is going to answer the phone?). As far as I am concerned, the driver told me that they have current insurance. If it turns out they don't, then 1) the other driver who is getting screwed needs to contact their insurance company to get it resolved, possibly taking the uninsured party to court, and 2) I should be notified so that I can go back to this uninsured driver and cite them (paper arrest) for a) no mandatory insurance and b) false statment to a police officer. Plain and simple.

 

I'm not giving up. Her address is in San Fran but she said she lives in our town.I don't think either is true I think she bailed. We cannot locate her and the police nor insurance can as well. Believe me I'm not giving up

 

Well I've never been a fan of our police dept. The wreck happend so close to the police station that the officer just walked over aand took the info and never checked to see if anybodys insurance was valid. I just wish we has police that were as thourough as you.

 

well I do have unisured motorist and looks like I will have to file a claim with mu insurance. I just got an estimate from my favorite hot rod shop and it was for $1300 for the damage!! I just hate this zhit!! and yes the system potects the idiots!!!

Hey if anything this was a good way to find how how many of you'z guy'z are COPS You guys wouldn't pull me over in my G now would you???

 

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, then you have nothing to worry about. They should cut you a check. You have no need to go after her, etc. because your carrier should do that.

 

You have no need to go after her, etc. because your carrier should do that.[/QUOTE]

Ya but it would feel so good

 

in mass the cops MAKE SURE you have INSURANCE & REGISTRATION. not only that they run you for WARRANTS too sometimes at an accident scene. thats why you ALWAYS want to call a cop to the scene to write a report.
unless its a lazy cop then he will just show up to hurry you along.

 

I think that's standard practice in any state or local law enforcement division. They always want to make sure the individuals that have been pulled over aren't wanted by some authority.

 

exactly. especially after 9/11

 

If you do that in GA you will receive a notice that your license will be suspended until you get the vehicle covered.

 

Well thanks for all the help fellas

 

How about uninsured, non-licensed, non-English speaking DRUNK driver...

The first new car I ever bought was a 1990 Acura Integra... had it 3 months - sitting at a stop light behind one other car and BAM!!!! Rear-ended... then BAMMM!!!! Again!!!!

I literally thought someone was trying to take me out (as is end it for me)... the second collision pushed me into the vehicle in front of me and my car was crumpled like an accordion. Frame completely bent, body a mess...

Thank gawd there was a cop in the left turn lane that saw everything and before I could figure out what was happening he was on the driver (behind me)... Turns out the guy was completely phucking wasted and told the cop (in Spanish) his brakes didn't work... Cop got in the car, they worked fine... I think the f-ing idiot tried to hit the brakes after he rear-ended me the first time and was so phucked up he hit the gas and plowed into me harder a second time!

Unlicensed, uninsured and wasted... As the idiot sat cuffed in the back of the cop car it took everything in my power not to open the door or break the window and punch the bastard right in the face... I had to walk by him on my way to the gas station to buy a pack of smokes (after having quite for 3 months since I bought the car and didn’t want to smoke in it)...

Car was a total loss – bought a ’91 (didn’t have the same color combo so that sucked)… lost initial down payment and finance rate was higher because on the 2nd car I had to go 100% financing… consolation, a BS law called “victim, witness restitution fund”… I thought ‘oh good at least I’ll get my down payment back’… until I found out that even though it was/is a law, there was not ONE case where anyone had ever paid into the fund! Besides, I’m sure the “criminal” went to Mexico as soon as he was released.

So that’s my uninsured story… and BTW – my GF is full blooded Mexican and I have many Mexican friends (I’m in So Cal for cryin out loud)… so this isn’t about “damn Mexican’s”… it’s about damn non-English speaking, non-insured, drunken ****** phuckers crashing into US citizens!!!!

End Rant. (this topic struck a nerve, can you tell?)…

 

go through your insurance company becuase if you've had a clean record they might not raise your rates at all. I wrecked my 02 Acura Tl-S and then got my G, but becuase we had a flawless record my insurance didnt go up at all. I have Allstate btw.

 

I'm with allstate too, BTW

 

yup i agree state farm rocks and based on personal experiences they treat you really well and dont cheap out when writing a check. If you dont have much time then just contact a lawyer at this time. Believe me neither AAA, that biach or your insurance company wants you to go to lawyer. Yes he will keep about 30-40% of whats recovered but thats still better then nothing at all.