To crack down on auto insurance

fraud, the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety is compiling an

electronic database that will serve as proof of insurance.

But so far, 1.7 million vehicle

owners throughout the state have yet to be added to the database, and

the DMVS is trying to contact those people by mail asking them to check

with their insurance company to make sure they have been added to the

database.

Some insurance companies have

not yet transmitted the electronic record that needs to be received by

the DMVS, according to agency officials.

Beginning Feb. 1, information

in the database will serve as proof of auto insurance, replacing the auto

insurance information cards currently carried by drivers.

That's because previous studies

have shown "a large number" of drivers purchase auto insurance

only to receive the card, according to the DMVS. Once they do so, they

cancel their insurance but keep the non-valid card in their possession

to use as proof of insurance.

The database will allow law

enforcement officers, county tax commissioners and the DMVS to quickly

verify auto insurance coverage; it was required by legislation passed

earlier this year by Georgia lawmakers.

The auto insurance card will

still be important to keep to serve as proof of insurance when travelling

out of state and in case of a traffic accident.

Motorists also are being asked

to make sure the vehicle identification number on their tag registration

card and insurance policy match. If not, it could cause the vehicle to

appear as uninsured in the state database.

There are still some flaws

in the system, which has been tested since June, according to the DMVS.

Error rates on information from insurance companies have been as low as

1.5 percent and as high as 17 percent, the DMVS reports.

After Feb. 1, motorists will

not be able to renew or transfer their vehicle registration in Georgia

unless their insurance company has provided proof of insurance electronically

to the state database. If necessary, the auto owner will be alerted of

a problem with their data on the vehicle registration prebill which is

mailed 30 days before the old decal expires.