Insurers Will Need to Comply With Oklahoma’s New Auto Insurance Verification System
The Oklahoma Department of Insurance (OID) says its new auto insurance verification system targets uninsured drivers. The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) has awarded a contract for the new Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System (OCIVS). The new system, hosted by MV Solutions, Inc., will be overseen by the OID. The current system has been managed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Senate Bill 115, passed in 2017, transferred authority of the system from DPS to OID.
“This will go a long way toward solving Oklahoma’s uninsured driver problem,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “This brings us one step closer to creating a real-time, reliable database for law enforcement officers, court clerks, district attorneys and tag agents to verify auto insurance coverage. Those trying to drive without insurance are about to get a rude awakening.”
Commissioner Doak will notify all private passenger auto insurance companies in Oklahoma they are required to participate in OCIVS using a web service that allows access to the insurer’s real-time book of business. The previous system allowed companies to upload data on a weekly or monthly basis, making it difficult for OCIVS users to access current policy information. In order to create the most effective system possible, Commissioner Doak is committed to using every regulatory tool at his disposal to ensure that insurance companies comply with the requirements of the system.
Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, was the principal Senate author of SB 115.
“Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation,” said Sharp. “We have to change that. A better verification system can make a big difference. OID has the resources and regulatory authority to ensure compliance and manage the system efficiently.”
SB 115 was coauthored by Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia.
“Our state’s high number of uninsured drivers leads to higher premiums for everyone,” said Moore. “Once people realize this database is accurate and updating in real time, they’ll be much more likely to keep their auto insurance current instead of risking a costly fine.”
The new law authorizes the insurance commissioner to initiate an administrative proceeding against an insurance company that is not providing vehicle insurance policy information to the online verification system. It also allows for license plate numbers to be used for verification.
Commissioner Doak’s letter to private passenger auto insurance companies notifying them of the new requirements is linked below and attached to this email.
Source: Oklahoma Department of Insurance