Most of us may have encountered such a situation. A traffic cop pulls you over and asks for your vehicle papers , including insurance. You show him the insurance papers but the cop always finds ways to fine you (or to fill his stomach). Now, an SMS will change all that. There is no need for you to worry if you do not have the insurance papers with you in case of any accidents. One simple SMS from you, and you will get the needed details on your mobile screens within few seconds.
The vehicle insurance details from all over the country is being collected and regularly updated by the IRDA. These details will be stored in the IRDA’s database and will be delivered to the end users through their website. The beta version of the service has already been launched while the web-based application can be accessed anytime on the portal of the Insurance Information Bureau.
IRDA is also talking to the Road Transport Authorities and police in different states to share data so it will be easy to track down uninsured vehicles as well. Currently, the SMS number has not been provided by the authorities and will be done once the whole system in place.
“We will be providing vehicle insurance information to all the stakeholders through Short Messaging Service (SMS) and web-based applications of the Insurance Information Bureau," said M Ramprasad, member (non-life), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).
This is a very welcome move by the authorities. It is also a good way to prevent uninsured vehicles off the road. But collecting this massive information is a very big task and we hope that the service will run efficiently after it becomes available to the public.
Source: thehindubusinessline