Thanks to new legislation, drivers in Michigan will now be able to use their smartphones and/or tablets to show their proof of auto insurance to law enforcement officers. It is hoped that the law would provide motorists with more flexibility and convenience in proving they have the required insurance coverage whenever they are pulled over.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed the law last Oct. 2015, and the legislation took effect Jan. 5.
The Michigan State Police shared its full support of the law, noting the convenience of using mobile devices to pull up insurance information.
Law enforcement officers are not permitted to access any other information while they handle a consumer’s mobile device to view proof of auto insurance cover. This is to ensure the policyholder’s right to private information.
Accessing proof of coverage on mobile devices will still require a data connection, which could be an issue for those motorists with limited data plans. Several police officers have suggested that drivers should have a photo of their proof of insurance saved on their devices, just in case they are unable to access the proofs through the Web.
Michigan’s new law is an effort to modernize the state’s legal processes while taking advantage of the expediency mobile devices provide. The legislation could not be timelier, as more insurance companies are providing mobile device-related services.
