Mandatory Liability Insurance 2013

Over the last several months, you've probably seen advertisements telling you to “Be Sure to Insure by January 1, 2013." The Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance Law provides that no person shall operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle designed to be used on a public road or highway unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy. The law was passed to protect consumers when they are involved in an accident.

Beginning January 1, license plate issuing officials will attempt to verify liability insurance utilizing the State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System, which will allow license plate issuing officials to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle at any point in time.

If insurance cannot be verified through the Online Insurance Verification System, vehicle owners must provide evidence of insurance to the license plate issuing official. The insurance card is the most common evidence of current insurance. To be acceptable, the proof of insurance must display the current effective date, insurer’s NAIC number, vehicle identification number and policy number.

In addition to providing evidence of insurance, a valid state issued driver license, non-driver identification card, or national driver license must be provided for each owner reflected on the vehicle title. If the vehicle owner is a company, the federal employer identification number is required.
  
Vehicle operators must provide evidence of insurance upon request to any law enforcement officer. Beginning January 1, law enforcement officers will attempt to verify liability insurance utilizing the State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System, which will allow law enforcement officers to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle.

An owner or operator convicted of a mandatory liability insurance violation may be fined up to $500 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for the second or subsequent violation and/or a six month driver’s license suspension.

For more information, please visit  www.BeSureToInsureAL.com .