I received a notice from the California DMV saying that they had not received proof of insurance for my 53 Mercury. the notice said that my registration would be suspended if proof was not received. So, I copied my insurance card, and sent it to the DMV. Of course, today I received a notice today from the DMV saying that my registration was suspended. Of course, I have an appointment with a local glass guy in the morning, and knowing my luck, I'll get pulled over on the way. Anyone know how long the dmv takes to process information? Weeks? months? I sent the proof of insurance off at least a month ago. Now, they want a copy (again) along with reinstatement money, too. Next time I'll send it registered mail.
You need to talk to your insurance agent because proof of insurance is all computerized and transfered automatically to DMV by your Ins company. If they (DMV) don't have "proof" it's because your agent hasn't filed it properly. Other than that, DON'T deal by mail at this point, because "they" can say they didn't recieve anything for ever. Go to an office and get it handled in person and if a clerk says they don't or can't go up the ladder to the manager if you have to. I think there's still an office down near Ports O' Call in San Pedro isn't there? And don't drive the suspended car there till it's handled! Or, better, if you have AAA go there.
same exact thing happened to me. took twice before they stopped threatening to suspend. after i sent second time, im not sure how long they took. it seems to me that they are now sending these notices very soon thereafter new registration for an owner occurs. THe DMV is a mess.... -scott noteboom
You almost gotta go down there in person and stick it in someone's face to be sure. Just mailing them a card you may as well throw it in the garbage. How about this insurance/DMV horror story? My insurance came up in May and I get looking at the bill wondering why it's so high and lo and behold, they never took off the truck I sold in December - of 2004!!! .... So I call them up and bitch about it and they take it off but can only credit me back to November last year. They can't do anything about the other two years. Yeah, okay you bastards... meanwhile, they won't insure older than 1940 cars.. I figure enough is enough. So the beginning of August I switch to State Farm - it's cheaper for all three than the two I had on, and this old company is a bunch of dicks anyhow. Well I didn't know how big of idiots they were until the beginning of this month, when I get a letter from the state saying they think I haven't had any insurance between May 3 and August 3. Whatever they did when they took that truck off, they showed the whole policy as cancelled, and I never would have known had I not switched. That means that had I been pulled over for anything at all - a bad taillight, 5 MPH over, not coming to a 100% complete stop at a 4-way stop at 11:00 at night with no cars visible.. because a cop feels like it, he doesn't like old trucks with roller paint jobs.. whatever.... they would have run my stuff, found the state showing I'm not insured, impounded my car and ticketed me. Nice isn't it? In the 2 months or so that they had it showing as cancelled I drove all over the fucking place, it would be bad enough for that to happen here in town, but how about if I was 150 miles from home? I'd be suing this company's ass for that one. So I had to call them up and spent a full hour on the phone getting them to get their heads out of their ass on it. That's how it showed in their computer - cancelled as of May 03 - even as they still sent me bills for the remaining few installments. Now today I get three more letters from the DMV - one showing the cancel moved up to August 3rd and where is my new insurance, even though the last one they sent me shows they know I got a new one on August 3rd.. and two reinstatement notices. I suppose I will find out what the hell is going on when I go down to register the Willys so I can wrap that deal up. But it's real common for electronic insurance proof that your company sends to the state, to not go through, or especially if you change companies, the message doesn't get to everyone - the two other times I changed I had to go down and give a card to the DMV.
Dr. J the DMV has a list of companies that send proof electronically, of course my insurance carrier isn't on the list!
They have a special department for this....the notice says it cannot be taken care of at a regular field office. Great.
in true dmv fashion, no street address is given. Just a PO box on a return envelope(which is partially the reason I'm in this situation) and a phone number, so I can wait on hold for one of their helpful, compassionate customer care associates.
That's nice...you can't send a registered letter or FedEx to a PO Box. This is why I like small towns. When I bought my '62 Suburban, I insured it before driving it back home. Then I kinda dicked around for about 3 months before I actually got it titled and tagged here in Georgia. When I went down there, the lady behind the desk said the computer showed I didn't have insurance. (Did I mention the line was only one person long when I walked in the door?) When I told her that I actually did have insurance since the day I bought it, she asked who my insurance COMPANY was. I told her, and she picks up the phone and dials my insurance agent--without looking the number up in the phone book. She gets off the phone and appologizes for the problem, says the computer kicked it out for some reason, that I am covered, but I need to get a sheet from my agent with all the proper numbers and such. I go back a week later, wait in line for one person, walk up when it's my turn and the older woman looks at me for a minute thinking, then says "Insurance...old truck, right?" I smile and say "yup." She rummages through the stack of folders on her counter, finds mine, takes the paper from the insurance agent, tickles the keyboard, hands me a tag and a registration and tells me to have a nice day. Can't beat small town living! We had a totally identical experience with the power company when we moved in here too! -Brad
I always go to my AAA instead of the DMV. Shorter lines and the people are nicer. Same thing happened to me on my '53. They monkey'd it up really bad. Thankfully my auto insurance is also with AAA so they were able to do it all electronically after a few minutes of waiting. They did tell me the DMV is cracking down hard on the insurance thing and it's resulted in a few new computer programs in Sacramento that aren't totally hammered out. That's why my '53 that's been continually insured since '02 suddenly fell off the grid. Or at least that was their story.
This seems to be happening a lot in Calif. Same thing happened to me. I sent the proof, certifed mail.
nice to know the the California DMV struggles to match up legal drivers with valid insurance to legally registered cars so what happens to the illegal drivers with no registration and no insurance?
They hit your car, fuck it all up, and disappear, while you're dealing with all kinds of new headaches.
Too much work and too hard to find and hassle them, so they hassle the law abiding citizen instead......
Yup, same thing happens here in AZ. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the "no proof of insurance" letter from DMV. Of course, they are wrong every time. When I renew all my toys on one policy, they only show one having insurance. Then they threaten to suspend my registration and plates. If they are so good at this with me, how come so many times my friends are all getting hit by people withoout any insurance?
a little update.....I talked to one of the dmv workers on the phone this morning(they were actually fairly nice, which surprised me.) and they said To fax the proof of insurance. Then it would take 3 days for anyone to actually get to look at it, then another 72 hours till I would be reinstated. Now of course, i attempted to fax the paperwork around 28 times, their fax machine was busy all day.
They aren't making it easier here either. Here in Nova Scotia if you want a title transferred you must provide proof of insurance right at the dmv or no go. I haven't figured out process if you want it transferred but not on the road. I'll find out soon with a new project starting. And inspections have changed. I don't know about other places but now they MUST remove the wheels/drums to inspect all components. AND.. they have the right to "tap" on the floor and frame with a hammer to test for structural strength! Also.. no pop rivets in any patch panel. All patches must be fully welded. I agree with safety.. totally... but I've had to "rescue" friends from garages saying they needed stuff they didn't. Don't tell me I need new pads. I just put ceramic pads on 2 days ago! Grrr. Sorry folks. That's my rant for the day. Man.. I carry a lot of anger for a little guy. Good luck Bryan
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