He had automobile insurance coverage, reader says, however DMV mentioned in any other case

Q. In December, I paid my six-month auto insurance coverage premium. But I lately acquired a threatening Department of Motor Vehicles “Notice of Intent to Suspend” relating to my automobile’s registration. The DMV mentioned it didn’t have a file that my automobile was insured. My insurance coverage firm confirmed that the DMV had been knowledgeable electronically about my up-to-date coverage. The insurance coverage agent instructed me that she, too, had acquired such a discover regardless of having a completely energetic coverage on her automobile: A DMV agent instructed her by cellphone that the DMV is way behind in coming into digital notifications of renewals into its system. So the company is sending out “Intent to Suspend” notices regardless of figuring out that the failure is nearly actually on its finish. I then mailed affirmation of my insurance coverage to the DMV. This is a grave disservice to California drivers leading to angst, wasted effort and time. What will be executed to stop the DMV from shifting the burden of proof to drivers for its personal failure?

– William Skilbeck, West Hills

A. There is a lag time, William, and there was additionally a glitch.

“The present common processing time for auto insurance coverage verifications into the DMV system is 10 enterprise days,” Ronald Ongtoaboc, a DMV spokesman, instructed Honk in an electronic mail.

Under state legislation, insurance coverage firms should electronically replace the DMV about automobile insurance coverage. Of course, the corporate can fail to take action, or mess up the vehicle-information quantity.

Now, about that glitch.

Besides counting on the insurance coverage firm, a driver can submit proof of insurance coverage by way of the DMV’s web site or get assist by calling 1-800-777-0133.

So William, it’s unclear what occurred in your case, however this could have been one solution to appropriate the issue.

But the e-mail deal with for forwarding proof of insurance coverage was lacking for a while.

“The DMV restored it on the web site as soon as the division realized it was lacking,” Ongtoaboc mentioned. “The DMV apologizes for any inconvenience.”

And, sure, it’s vital the DMV is aware of you’ve gotten insurance coverage.

“If the DMV doesn’t obtain proof of insurance coverage for a automobile, the automobile’s registration could also be suspended and the automobile might not be operated or parked on public roadways till proof of insurance coverage is submitted,” Ongtoaboc defined.