Nick''s Car Tips # 17 - "May I see your license and ..."

Hopefully this doesn't happen to you anytime soon. But, everyday, tens of thousands of motorists are pulled over by the police or highway patrol. And what are the first words the officer usually says? "May I see your license, registration, and insurance, please?"

Ever since the law went into effect here in California, we all must carry our vehicle insurance information in the car. You can see more about this on the DMV's site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr18.htm. There are some significant consequences to not having it with you, including:

Best wishes for safe driving!

Your driving privilege may be suspended.

Registration of your vehicle will be subject to suspension

You may be cited. Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility when requested by a peace officer may result in a citation with fines that could reach $1,000 or more.

Your vehicle may be impounded.

You may be personally liable for damages. If you contribute to the cause of an accident and cannot provide evidence of financial responsibility, you may be forced to compensate the other party for any injuries and damages

The reason I'm mentioning this, is that, hardly a week goes by here at Lexus of Serramonte when, someone will be buying a car, and does not have their insurance information with them. In fact, it happens almost daily. Of course, when we sell cars, we are required by the government to get a copy of your insurance before we're allowed to release the new car to you.

Often, our guests have to call their insurance companies or agents, or get online, and make sure that we can get that copy before they drive home in the new car. (I've spent many "happy" hours waiting by the fax machine, just so we can let the nice people drive home.)

All of this suggests, by extension, that there are thousands of people on the road who do not have their insurance information with them. Are you one of them?

If you are not sure where your insurance information is, why not call your insurance company now and have them send you a copy? Make extra copies to keep in each of your vehicles, as well as your wallet, and your files at home. This way you'll have one more thing done, and the ease of knowing that it's going to be there when you need it. And if you happen to be interested in another car, we can have you driving home in it that much more quickly without waiting by the fax.