Smartphone Proof of Insurance Bill for California

A California legislator has introduced a bill to require auto insurers to issue proof of coverage verification to the mobile electronic devices of insureds if they request it.

Assembly Bill 1708, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Silver Lake, would enable a person required to provide evidence of financial responsibility to do so through the use of a mobile electronic device, according to the bill’s wording.

The bill would amend sections of California’s insurance and its vehicle codes. The bill states:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any insurer issuing policies of automobile liability insurance or motor vehicle liability insurance shall, upon request of either the named insured or the Department of Motor Vehicles, promptly issue to that person or the department written verification as to the existence of that coverage, and issue, upon the request of the insured, verification as to the existence of that coverage, to a mobile electronic device.”

The bill would also amend Section 16028 of the vehicle code to read: “The evidence of financial responsibility may be provided using a mobile electronic device.”

The bill is currently in Assembly, and may be heard in committee on March 17.