Wednesday, Jun 13,2012
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After a bill last year authorized a system to allow Alabama law enforcement officials to see if a vehicle had sufficient auto insurance, several counties are giving the program a trial run.
A total of 10 counties are piloting the state's new Insurance Verification System before it officially launches across the state on January 1 next year, according to The Associated Press.
The system allows law enforcement or traffic safety officials to use vehicles' license plates to track whether or not they have at least the state's mandatory minimum level of liability insurance. The state requires drivers to have at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for one person and $50,000 for multiple people as well as $25,000 for property damage.
Penalties for driving without auto insurance in the state start at fines up to $500 for a first offense. Subsequent violations can result in penalties up to $1,000 and a driver's license suspension. Drivers may also need to pay additional fines to have their registration reinstated.
Uninsured motorists represent a significant issue in many parts of the country. Data from the Insurance Research Council finds that nearly 14 percent of drivers were uninsured in 2009. In Alabama, that percentage was more than 21 percent.
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