Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Commissioner Ron Stiver announced a new online tool to enhance the agency's ability to enforce the state's insurance requirements for Hoosier motorists. The new tool significantly improves the way the BMV processes nearly 800,000 insurance forms from motorists who are involved in accidents or who receive certain traffic citations, according to Stiver.
Stiver noted that it often takes up to 10 days to process the mailed or faxed paper forms and post the information properly onto a customer's driving record. The process is often complicated when the BMV receives multiple copies of the forms or written communications with insurance agents and customers cross in the mail.
The Electronic Insurance Forms Submission Program (EIFS) is a Web-based tool that allows licensed insurance agents to electronically submit five different types of proof of insurance forms to the BMV that are required from their clients after an accident or traffic citation.
"This new technology makes it far easier for insurance agents to sends us important information, and it will cut in half the time it takes to update a customer record while also eliminating unnecessary confusion and paperwork," said Stiver.
Steve Williams, President of the Insurance Institute of Indiana, added, "The car insurance industry and our agents welcome this new online tool for submitting forms to the BMV. Online filing will save both money and time in insurance offices throughout the state. For our customers, it will help ensure that deadlines are met and that accurate information will be recorded on driving records in a timely manner."
The forms, SR21, SR22, SR26, SR50 and the Certificate of Compliance, are all used for showing proof of insurance or cancellation of such policy. All of these forms require an insurance agent's signature. Interested agents can sign up for this process through the BMV's Web site, www.mybmv.IN.gov.
Stiver also reported that the BMV is progressing on its preparation to comply with House Enrolled Act 1036 requiring the BMV to establish a registry of drivers who have previously been cited for driving without the auto insurance required by Indiana statute. Those drivers will be added to the past offender registry for five years. During this five year period, the BMV will conduct random compliance checks requiring the selected drivers to provide proof of insurance to the BMV to avoid license suspension. The effective date for this House Enrolled act is January 1, 2010.
Concerning the new legislation, Williams commented, "The BMV worked very closely with the Insurance Institute and the General Assembly to develop a practical approach to address the problem of uninsured motorists. By having BMV monitor and spot-check the registry of past offenders, the State of Indiana is telling those motorists who would continue to violate Indiana law and drive without insurance that they are now more likely to be caught and prosecuted."
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