(Oklahoma City, OK – Insurance News 360) – The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) has awarded a contract for the new Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System (OCIVS). The new system, hosted by MV Solutions, Inc., will be overseen by the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID). Senate Bill 115 gave OID authority over the system in 2017.

“This will go a long way toward solving Oklahoma’s uninsured driver problem,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “This brings us one step closer to creating a real-time, reliable database for law enforcement officers, court clerks, district attorneys and tag agents to verify auto insurance coverage. Those trying to drive without insurance are about to get a rude awakening.”

All  private passenger auto insurance companies in Oklahoma will be notified that they are required to participate in OCIVS using a web service allowing access to the insurer’s real-time book of business. The previous system allowed companies to upload data on a weekly or monthly basis, making it difficult for OCIVS users to access current policy information. Commissioner Doak will use every regulatory tool available to him to  create an efficient system and that insurance companies comply.

Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, was the principal Senate author of SB 115, and Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia, was a co-author.

“Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation,” said Sharp. “We have to change that. A better verification system can make a big difference. OID has the resources and regulatory authority to ensure compliance and manage the system efficiently.”

The new law authorizes the insurance commissioner to initiate an administrative proceeding against an insurance company that is not providing vehicle insurance policy information to the online verification system. It also allows for license plate numbers to be used for verification.

Source: Oklahoma Department of Insurance.