EPPD appears not to accept electronic proof of auto insurance

The El Paso Police Department appears not to be adhering to state law by declining to accept electronic proof of insurance on smartphones during traffic stops.

Senate Bill 181 became law in September, making Texas the 27th state to adopt such a code. But ABC-7’s Collin Carroll found out recently that not every officer knows about the new legislation.

On June 6, an El Paso police officer pulled Carroll over just before midnight in central El Paso for having a headlight out. Carroll handed the officer his State Farm Minnesota insurance card, which had expired. So Carroll pulled up the up-to-date electronic copy he had on his phone.

But the officer declined to look at Carroll’s phone and gave him a ticket for failure to maintain financial responsibility, which by itself can carry a fine up to about $500 in El Paso County.

Sheriff’s Deputy Mariano Valle confirmed that state law requires law enforcement to accept electronic proof of insurance. He said dispatch’s insurance verification system is limited to vehicles in the state of Texas.

After the police officer gave Carroll the ticket, Carroll reminded the officer that he had tried to present his up-to-date insurance information electronically. The officer said he had dispatch check his insurance verification system, and that Carroll’s vehicle wasn’t insured.

The next day Carroll called his agent in Minnesota, who verified that his Minnesota insurance was indeed valid.

The El Paso Police Department wasn’t available for comment Friday.