Bill description: HB 95 would require individuals to show proof of vehicle insurance prior to registering their vehicle.

Rating: -1

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

When registering a vehicle, individuals in Idaho must show proof that the vehicle has been titled and present proof of ownership and their personal identification. HB 95 would add the requirement that an owner show proof of insurance before being able to register or renew a registration.

To meet insurance requirements, a vehicle owner would either have to have a $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 insurance policy (which would cover up to $25,000 in personal injury liability, $50,000 in group injury liability and $15,000 in property liability) or a bond or certificate of deposit which would cover the same amounts.

By requiring that vehicle owners obtain this insurance prior to registering their vehicle, HB 90 could add confusion to the registration process and would force owners to purchase private insurance on their vehicles before they can obtain a government registration.

This could be particularly burdensome for vehicle-owners who register their vehicles for the full year, but only drive them for a portion of the year. For example, the owners of many sports cars may not pay for insurance during the winter months, as they do not drive those cars while the roads are snowy. Additionally, some local ordinances might require that all vehicles with the ability to travel on a highway be registered, regardless of whether they are driven. HB 90 would make the owners of such vehicles purchase insurance, even if they have no intention of driving them in the near future.

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