LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Sens. Mike Green and Joe Hune today announced new legislation that would allow Michigan motorists to use smartphones and other electronic devices to show their vehicle registration and valid auto insurance instead of having to present a paper certificate.
“We should take advantage of the latest technology to provide more convenience for Michigan motorists,” said Johnson, who supports the legislation. “Let’s let people skip the paper slip and allow them to show proof of auto insurance with a smartphone.”
Already a number of other states allow people to present electronic proof of insurance when they are pulled over by law enforcement officers by showing the insurance certificate on their smartphone or another device.
The legislation, which was introduced today, also would allow Secretary of State offices to accept electronic proof of insurance when people renew their vehicle registrations.
“Many insurance companies already offer electronic insurance certificates to their customers,” said Green, R-Mayville, who is sponsoring Senate Bill 391. “It’s time we allow Michigan drivers to use an electronic certificate to prove they have valid insurance.”
The bills have been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
“Twenty-first century technology today offers us convenience that was unimaginable just a few years ago,” said Hune, R- Hamburg, who is sponsoring Senate Bill 392. “Michigan should join the many other states that already allow electronic insurance verification.”
Many Michigan motorists may access electronic versions of their vehicle registration at ExpressSOS.com at no cost.
Allowing the use of electronic insurance certificates would help Michigan motorists avoid costly No Proof of Insurance tickets if they were properly insured but forgot to put the paper slip in their vehicle or if the certificate didn’t arrive in the mail.
For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.
Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
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