CSIO (the Centre for Study of Insurance Operations) released a legal advisory report this week suggesting change in legislation across Canada to allow consumers to use electronic proof of car insurance rather than the traditional hardcopy pink slips we are required to use today.
Currently, most provinces require that users of motor vehicles carry a pink card as proof of insurance. This standard was developed in the 60's to make it easier for police officers to identify valid insurance cards. This method still leaves the door open for fraud. Police officers in the field still have no real way of verifying if a pink card is valid, other than calling the insurance company to verify.
The report cites E-Card legislation already in place in many US states when making its point for the allowance of electronic delivery of these cards or permitting the use of images of pink cards on your electronic devices.
Each province has it's own legislation regarding the requirements to provide proof of car insurance. In Alberta the wording notes that the proof of insurance "must be an original document in hard copy on pink paper, with the provincial and territorial shields in white in the background."
Read the full report below and tell us what you think. Would you rather be able to access your proof of insurance on your phone, or do you think it belongs on paper in your glove box?
