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Callegari Applauds Unveiling of TexasSure Program

Today Texas State Representative Bill Callegari (Katy) applauded the unveiling of the TexasSure program to crack down on uninsured drivers on Texas roads. This program was established through legislation passed by Representative Callegari. With nearly one out of every five vehicles operating in Texas without insurance, the TexasSure program is expected to reduce the number of uninsured motorists.

"Uninsured drivers are now on notice to follow the law regarding insurance coverage, or to get off Texas roads," said Representative Callegari. "For far too long people who played by the rules paid higher insurance premiums because others tried to cheat the system by not carrying personal automobile insurance. Now that time is coming to an end."

The TexasSure program, which is a collaborative effort between the Texas departments of Insurance, Transportation, Information Resources, and Public Safety, was established through legislation passed by Representative Callegari during the 78th Legislative Session. When fully implemented, the TexasSure program will match the records of registered passenger vehicles in Texas to insurance data submitted by 200-plus insurance companies. With such information at their fingertips, law enforcement officers and county tax officials can instantly verify weather a vehicle has auto liability coverage as required by state law.

Representative Callegari continued, "Driving without insurance is a risky proposition for not only the driver involved, but everyone on Texas roadways. Once fully implemented, the TexasSure program will help lower this risk factor, and make our roads safer for all of those who play by the rules."

Texas joins more than 30 states that have implemented a motor vehicle insurance verification program. Of these states, the average uninsured motorist rate was approximately 25 percent before the program's implementation, while the average post-implementation rate was less than ten percent. For example, in Utah, implementation of a similar program dropped its uninsured motorist rate from 23 percent of all drivers to 8 percent.

Nearly one in five vehicles in Texas is uninsured. In 2007 alone the Department of Public Safety issued 154,000 citations for driving without insurance. According to the Department of Insurance, Texans opt to buy nearly $1 billion in optional coverage every year to protect themselves from uninsured drivers.

"I congratulate the state agencies involved for their efforts in implementing this program, and look forward to its success," said Representative Callegari. "To those whose lack of insurance made this program necessary, I have only one thing to say: there's no better time than now to play by the rules and get your vehicle insurance."

Texas law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per injured person, up to a total of $50,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Liability coverage pays other people's expenses in accidents caused by the insured driver.

Driving without liability insurance can result in a fine of up to $350 and possibly hundreds of dollars more in court costs and additional fees. Repeat offenders may have their licenses suspended for two years.