Filed under: Odds and ends, iPhone
Saved from a ticket by an iPhone
A lot of days the iPhone is a big help in getting us through our lives, but it's not everyday an iPhone saves one of our readers from a world of County Sheriff hurt.TUAW reader Paul tells us he was driving on a Midwestern road covered with blowing snow. He slowed down for a car stopped on the side of the road, but the car behind him hit his rear bumper, doing damage to both cars.
The officer who arrived to investigate asked Paul for his insurance card. Of course, that was when Paul realized it had expired the month before, and he didn't have the latest card in his wallet. The officer said it would be $200 for not being able to prove insurance coverage, and since Paul didn't have the cash it meant putting his license up for bond.
While the officer was doing the paperwork, Paul used his iPhone to log into his Geico Insurance account via the web. He was able to request a PDF copy of his card, which was emailed to his iPhone; then he displayed it to the officer. Happily, the deputy accepted the card as proof of insurance and did not issue the citation.
I expect most police agencies wouldn't be so open to the idea of looking at a downloaded document, but in this case, at least, it is yet another reason to love the iPhone.
Thanks Paul!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
SSteve said 4:53PM on 1-31-2009
The cop wanted a cash payment for a fine? Can you spell "shakedown"?
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Peter Griffin said 2:00AM on 2-05-2009
Standard procedure in Illinois: pay the fine right then & there, show your bail bond card (everyone's got one in IL), or they take your license (you keep ticket in lieu of license). But yes, a bit crooked.
lanejasper69 said 7:13PM on 2-08-2009
Montana has similar laws, speeding tickets I know can be paid on the spot. And they are cheap!! Most of Montana doesn't really enforce the speed limit, because it's so "open"
:-)
Odineye said 4:57PM on 1-31-2009
I'm pretty sure it was that it would be a $200 citation - not necessarily to be paid on the spot.
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Neil said 4:57PM on 1-31-2009
The USA doesn't have a nationwide insurance database?
What is this, 1950?
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L3 said 5:07PM on 1-31-2009
Ironically the GEICO that they refer to starts with 'Government.'
Some of us believe that the smaller the government, the better.
sam said 6:45PM on 1-31-2009
Where do you live - soviet russia?
We have the fourth amendment to protect us from such nationwide over-reaches of power.
Wheels said 11:50PM on 1-31-2009
"I always feel like somebody's watching me..."
Seanross said 1:06AM on 2-01-2009
I thought the police could look if your car was insured when pulling up the plates. They can in MD but they are still asses about seeing your Proof of Insurance
Jason Martin said 2:29AM on 2-01-2009
Capitalism and the Free Market is a great thing, but it doesn't lend itself well to collaboration between service companies. You'd think the gov't might lead the way on this, but that would take $$$ out of the pockets of municipalities (and frankly, the public hasn't made this enough of an issue yet for them to care). Whatever.
Neil said 6:50AM on 2-01-2009
@sam:
Protect you? Haha. The UK has a central database which the police have access to so that they can check whether a car is insured just by looking up its registration number.
Insurance companies advise against carrying insurance documentation in the car (what if it is wrecked and burned?) and there is also the added bonus that the police have the power to stop people without insurance and prevent them from travelling any further, thus protecting the legitimate motorists from accidents with the uninsured.
I'll pick our way over yours any day, even if it means foregoing some dumb law signed a couple of hundred years ago.
puhsitch said 11:07PM on 2-01-2009
I've always wondered the same thing! And Sam, I don't think it would be too bad if the database were voluntary. I would totally sign up.
daveoc64 said 12:18AM on 2-02-2009
I suppose it's like how we don't have to carry our driving licences with us in the UK (they even tell you not to).
You get 7 days to take it to a police station if asked for it.
twoeightnine said 5:07PM on 1-31-2009
Why would he have had his card in his wallet? They're supposed to be in your car. As a matter of fact Geico's cards (and every other provider I've had) have a reminder printed on the back of them.
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SubGenius said 5:09PM on 1-31-2009
I have some good news...I saved a buttload of money by switching to GEICO.
And I love their service.
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L3 said 5:14PM on 1-31-2009
Call me conservative, (please!) but I prefer to keep all of my cards in my wallet. That way any vehicle I drive, I have the proof at my fingertips. I keep one in the car as well for my wife.
That said, I would love to have legal proof be via iPhone!!!
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Chris said 5:57PM on 1-31-2009
The insurance goes with the vehicle, not the driver. If the vehicle isn't listed on the card, it's usually not accepted.
Bloobie said 9:34PM on 1-31-2009
Insurance is per listed vehicle, not per person. Carrying your car's insurance card will do you no good if you are driving someone else's vehicle. I never understood why some people feel the need to carry so many personal cards, like Social Security cards and even expired insurance and registration cards (in addition to their current valid cards).
puhsitch said 11:00PM on 2-01-2009
Doesn't one's insurance often cover rental cars as well?
Lifino said 5:21PM on 1-31-2009
The moral of the story: iPhone. So simple, even a Caveman can use it.
it had to be said.
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