About one of every four vehicles on Oklahoma roads is uninsured, and there's not much that can be done to improve that, state officials say.
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Oklahoma lawmakers have proposed and adopted a number of measures designed to punish uninsured motorists, but the state's rate of uninsured motorists has remained steady in recent years, said Lonnie Jarman, driver compliance director at the state Department of Public Safety.
“In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, there is no one that has found the perfect solution,” Jarman said.
Many motorists who fail to carry auto insurance do so because they can't afford it, Jarman said.
“Most states have found regardless of what they try to do, it doesn't change that rate very much,” Jarman said. “The reason why that is, is because it's a social issue, the social issue being, ‘I can't afford it.'”
The Insurance Research Council, an industry group, estimates that 14.8 percent of Oklahoma motorists are uninsured, the 18th-worst rate in the nation. But law enforcement, insurance and state officials think the actual rate may be twice as high.
Dan Ramsey, president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, estimated that between 23 percent and 30 percent of state motorists are uninsured.
“Everybody who has insurance is paying for those who don't,” Ramsey said. “So then you figure your insurance rates might be 23 to 30 percent higher than they ought to be.”
Most Oklahoma motorists purchase insurance that will pay for damage inflicted in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. About 58 percent of Oklahoma Allstate customers carry such coverage, which costs nearly $200 a year per policy, Allstate Spokeswoman Shelly Beeler said.
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, wrote a bill last year to allow law enforcement officers to impound vehicles that were uninsured. The bill was not adopted. Anderson, who thinks as many as one in three state motorists are uninsured, said he pushed for the measure in response to constituents' complaints.
“One lady in particular, a single mom, was paying her $30 month for auto insurance and gets hit by an uninsured motorist, and now she has no vehicle and no money to replace the vehicle,” Anderson said. “She's at a huge loss and she was doing everything she could to comply with the law.”
Citations, not warnings
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Chris West said “the vast majority” of law enforcement agents typically cite — rather than issue warnings — motorists who fail to provide proof of insurance or admit that they have no coverage.
“My family has been in that situation where my wife was involved in a collision and the other person didn't have insurance,” West said. “It's frustrating. You're doing what you're supposed to and the other person isn't.”
The number of tickets issued in Oklahoma for people who don't have insurance or proof of insurance has been on the decline, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
“I think it has to do with enforcement,” said patrol spokeswoman Betsy Randolph. “Once we start dipping into people's pocket books, they start paying attention.”
People who are issued citations for not having insurance will have to pay a fine and pay to have their license reinstated.
“We don't do a specific campaign that targets the uninsured,” Randolph said. “That's always one thing we ask for, driver's license and proof of insurance. People need to have that in their vehicles at all times. People need to be able to display to a peace officer, (and) if they don't they can get a citation. In the case of an accident, there's zero tolerance.”
Jarman said he thinks the rate of uninsured motorists isn't getting any worse, but it isn't improving either.
A new Web-based method of instantly identifying uninsured vehicles is scheduled to launch in Oklahoma on July 1, Jarman said.
A similar computerized system in Texas has been plagued with glitches and inaccurate information that could prompt officers to take action against drivers who are insured, said Jerry Johns, of the Texas-based Southwest Insurance Information Service.
“It has become a nightmare,” Johns said. “It was supposed to start in January, and they're no closer now than they were before. The real issue is the accuracy of the information that goes in.”
Ramsey, of the independent insurance agents group, said an accident with an uninsured motorist can turn a life upside-down.
“It couldn't be a bigger headache, bigger than you ever imagined,” Ramsey said. “People have to approach it with the belief that the other guy doesn't have insurance.”
Legislation stalls
Legislation to penalize uninsured drivers by limiting how much money they can receive if they are involved in an accident has stalled this year. The bill's intent is to encourage more Oklahomans to buy auto and truck insurance. The measure passed the House 90-8, but never was heard by a Senate committee. The deadline for the Senate to act on House bills was Thursday. However, language in the measure could be attached as an amendment to another bill that has a similar subject. Another measure, Senate Bill 2182, failed to pass out of a Senate committee. The bill would have allowed those who suffered a personal injury or incurred property damage as a result of an accident by an uninsured motorist to be eligible to receive money from a state fund. The fund would receive money from fines assessed to uninsured motorists.
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Sunny: You are right. I have lived in Atlantic City, Henderson nevada, Palo alto California and Nashville TN, as well as OKC. Each and every city had a great public bus system with a variety of routes and schedules that allowed for people without cars to be able to get too and from work at decent times and basically to a bus stop anywhere in the city convenient to where they needed to go....except Oklahoma city! I have tried navigating the bus sysytem here many times. Once I needed it for 3 months while I was without a car. There were no close bus stops near my South OKC apartment, and I had to get to work way before it opened...and sprint to a bus stop even if I got off on time. It was an ordeal. Bus systems in the other systems I noticed stops EVERYWHERE and a better schedule. OKC would do good to offer better public transportation here.
I've been involved in two accidents in my entire driving career, and BOTH times I was hit by an illegal immigrant,driving "some cousin's" car, and of course, they are not insured. Cops tell me they just deport the guy, and he's back in town within a week. They would not even do a police report on the accident once they discovered the guy was an illegal.
It is simple you don't have insurance get caught the law inpounds the vehicle sells it put the money in a fund to pay for accidents before they were caught. They do it every day when they no Law inforcment will get the money.ie drug bust.
Let's see if I have this right...(1)You go to a car dealer and pick out a vehicle you want to purchase; (2) You go to your bank to apply for a loan; (3) your loan application is approved; (4) the bank requires that you obtain a binder from your insurance company; (5) you go to your insurance company and get a binder; (6) your insurance company notifies DPS that you have purchased auto insurance; (7) you go back to the bank and give them your insurance binder; (8) the bank finalizes your loan; (9) the bank notifies DPS that you have obtained a loan for the purchase of the car; (10) you return to the car dealer and complete your paperwork; (10) the car dealer notifies DPS that you have indeed purchased a car. So, we have three different entities notifying DPS that you have secured a loan, received a binder for auto insurance, and purchased a car. Now, when your insurance and or tags lapse or expire...what does DPS do? Why are they looking for easy answers...what is so very obvious is right in front of them. Wake up!!!
i cannot buy the thought that nothing can be done. are the tag agencies not checking for proof of insurance? are there that many criminals (illegals) forging tags too?
it is simple, have the issurance companies inform the state when the people stop paying for insurance and refuse to issue new tags later.
my insurance carrier enforces a six month payment, it should be mandatory. if the funds are not available, no insurance.
just plain tired of how the criminals do not abide for one of our laws since they first slithered accross the border.
One other thing, most of the people I have known that say they cannot afford insurance manage to find funds to buy a carton of cigarettes, a case of beer, cable TV, a new car stereo, CD's, MP3 players, the list goes on. Car insurance on the other hand they just cannot afford to pry $50-$100 out of the play time budget. If you shop around outside of the big name companies, pay your payments on time and drive resposibly your cost of insurance will drop drastically.
I have a better solution. Put the entire insurance verification online and easy for the consumer to access. All insurance companies should provide a 1-800 number for drivers to call to verify that other driver's insurance is in effect. Second, a hot sheet system should be given to law enforcement something that is similar to a stolen vehicle hot sheet. Third, allow consumers that are involved in accidents with uninsured motorist to file liens and claims on credit reports when damage costs go unpaid. Third, establish a three strikes your out system. First time it is a heavy fine, second it is impound of the vehicle, third you lose your license to drive for life. If your caught driving after that you forfeit the vehicle your driving and you go to jail for 30 days. Get tough and people will follow the rules.
Insurance companies are winning regardless. They always have and always will. As a previous post, just because they have insurance doesn't always mean its all gravy. I was hit from behind, the driver had "cheap" insurance. I wanted to get checked out to make sure I had no back injuries. I saw a doc twice and found out that her insurance company denied me. I can't remember now what their reasoning was but I was stuck with both doc visits bills. Not a huge $ loss for me but still. Insurance companies will do whatever it takes for them to make as much profit as they can. In doing so they hike the rates up and make every excuse possible to make you pay more and then do what they can to pay out less. I understand the need to have everyone insured but we must have quality insurance as well!! The government needs to step in and force these companies to do what they are paid to do. Major reform needs to happen in all areas of insurance, including health.
Insurance companies have created a windfall for themselves by lobying the government to make car insurance mandatory. What should be mandatory is if someone causes damage they are responsible to pay for it whether they have insurance or not. If not they sit in jail. Then we will stop hearing people say they can not afford insurance because they will lose their car, their job, and everything if they are not responsible for their actions. The alternative is the state provide a low cost liability insurance for those that meet qualifications such as attend defensive driver training and no tickets. Insurance companies charge whatever...... We are all tired of paying for uninsured motorist coverage.
Lawerence, Oklahoma City - Apr 5, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I say wage garnishment. If you have a car registered in your name, and you have received a ticket for driving without insurance, you should have a mandatory wage garnishment for some defined period of time.
MAKE THEM THINK ABOUT IT! Pass a law that when you have been convicted of driving without insurance(or DUI) you start serving a 10 day sentence. Have the law where they cannot lose their job. They would report to the county jail at 6pm on friday and get out at 6pm on sunday and do that for five weeks in a row. This will provide quite an inconvienence in their life and maybe make them think it is easier to get insurance. You are not taking anything from as they did when they hit someone. You are providing a lot of time for them to think about getting insurance. I am sure most of these people get a tax return that could go along way to buying insurance if it were spent that way. People can find where money is spent poorly. They just need an incentive to do it.
mister bugata, I don't know what Interstate you travel into the great state of Texas, but I travel I-44 daily into that state and grant you one thing, I see a heck a lot more OHP and county sheriffs than I do Texas highway patrol. When OHP runs their traffic stops on 44-70, they catch as many out of state folks with expired tags and no insurance as they do Okies. As far as state inspections, sure you have to have insurance in Texas to have tags and inspection, but as soon as that is over...most drop their insurance. So, it is no better south of the border. In Oklahoma, my insurance is 15-20 percent less than those folks that I work with in Texas. Let's not compare apples and oranges, lack of auto insurance is a problem everywhere and the insurance people are the ones making the money.
wilburn, you do have a strong point. also jj does too. our coporation commission do some arm bending, but like all politics, it would never happen. like my insurance, i got uninsured motorists on it and all people should have it too. like jj said there are easy answers and oklahoma could start there own insurance company and make it possible for everyone to have insurance on them(medical and auto). yes there are a bunch of lazy people out there that dont want the help or afraid to get the help. these people could be weeded out and give them the punishment they deserve and they ones that want the help help them. oh yes wilburn, the panhandle and the black mesa is my favorite spots in oklahoma and there are very nice people in those areas. i did most of my police career in southwest kansas. wish i still lived out there.
JJ...I am so glad you brought that up about the attorneys. Not to change the subject, but its for the same reasons you gave that divorce is so profitable in this state (as well as other states I am sure), particularly when children are involved. Lawyers in this state don't mediate..they instigate and aggitate, then they frustrate, exasperate, and aggravate, before they finally humiliate and deficate all over the parties involved(sp).
Oh, one more thing....as for the title of this article, "No easy answers on uninsured motorists"...yes, there are easy answers. Most of which have been posted on here. Unfortunately our legislature is made up of a bunch of attorneys who do not want to take money out of their fellow attorneys' pockets so they are keeping the system in place so that both sides can profit at the expense of the drivers in Oklahoma. If they would stop being so selfish we could have real insurance reform in Oklahoma and more businesses here that pay a real wage.
I wonder how many of the people who say they can't afford insurance manage to afford smokes, alcohol, and Nike shoes? I would bet it is more than you realize. It should be made to where if you have a car you can't afford not to have insurance. Impound the car, issue fines, levy liens against income. Do whatever it takes to make these lazy people who don't want to play by the rules comply or get off the roads. If you are unisured and you are in an accident (even if it is the other drivers fault) bar them from recovering even one cent. They shouldn't be on the road in the first place!!!
Maybe one of our State Legislators will read these posts, research the current laws, policies, and procedures and then submit a Bill that would address this situation. As Eudell from Virginia Beach so rightly stated..."drving is a privilege." There's absolutely no reason a car with a 2,3,4 or 5 year old tag should be on the road. I have said it before, and I'll say it again...the Police Department should have patrols that drive through parking lots (businesses, manufacturers, schools, churches, BARS/NIGHTCLUBS, entertainment venues) and apartment complexes and ticket all owners in violation of the law. Then follow-up where necessary. With todays computers (data storage), there's no reason why violators should continue to get away with flaunting the law. If it comes down to it, as "M" suggested, "impound the vehicle," until the owner can provide proof of insurance.
i agree with mister from bogota, however on uninsured motorists they(legislatures and insurance companies) could pass a law and forcing the insurance companies to have affordable insurance and have it based on a persons income. the insurance could be similar to minimum liability but at a price where their income can afford this. yes i do agree that there should be inspections on all okla vehicles but should be a two year thing.
Additionally the insurance problem extends to the Courts. As a violator is cited, he is given 72 hours to prove to the Court that he has valid insurance and the citation is dismissed at the court clerks counter. I am sure that there is a large percentage of these violators who simply purchase a month-to-month policy and after having shown their proof of insurance they never go back. It is be alot cheaper than the fine for the citation. I'm all for impounding the car; no officer discretion. If you can't afford the insurance on your new pickup, then drive one that is old enough that you can; or go to Texas and let the Rangers do their job.
Ironically my first automobile accident a LONG time ago involved 16 year old me getting hit by a couple that HAD to have been in their 50's at least. THEY didn't have insurance. Bob is right , driving is a privilege, not a right. If you can't afford ALL the costs associated with driving , then don't even start. Three things I noticed when moving here from another very large bordering state a few years ago. 1) There are no state inspections here for vehicles and the consequent number of out and out death trap vehicles on the road. In the place I moved from one has to show proof of insurance before ones vehicle can be inspected. 2) My insurance rates went up,and I came from a state where there are a lot of illegal aliens driving uninsured vehicles . Insurance companies are all about the money , and for my rates to have gone up should tell you something about how bad things are here. 3) Enforcement is a joke , I personally know of people who have driven for YEARS with expired license tags from other states ( no , they are not in the military ) And driving back home to this very large bordering state , its a rarity to see a law enforcement office of any kind in Oklahoma. However once across the Red if I don't see at least a deputy sheriff and at least one highway patrolmen I am hugely surprised. Oklahoma law enforcement seems to be incredibly invisible, non-confrontational and scared to do their jobs.Thus more warnings than actual citations.I think they need some Texas Rangers to come up here and teach them to be real cops.
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Left: Josiah Washington, 5, holds a photo of his mother, Jennifer, who died in a crash involving an uninsured motorist accused of driving under the influence of drugs. He is seated next to his brother Jeridan, 1. By Jaconna Aguirre, THE OKLAHOMAN
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it is simple, have the issurance companies inform the state when the people stop paying for insurance and refuse to issue new tags later.
my insurance carrier enforces a six month payment, it should be mandatory. if the funds are not available, no insurance.
just plain tired of how the criminals do not abide for one of our laws since they first slithered accross the border.