Effective February 1, insurers in New Brunswick can issue electronic motor vehicle liability insurance cards after that province’s Registrar of Motor Vehicles announced that it would allow their use.
The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) says other provinces already permitting the use of electronic “pink slips” include Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the Yukon.
“I applaud the New Brunswick Registrar of Motor Vehicles for creating an added convenience for the province’s residents by approving electronic motor vehicle liability insurance cards,” says the CSIO CEO, Catherine Smola.
The Financial and Consumer Services Commission bulletin on the matter states the conditions which must be met, including that the consumer must consent to receive the electronic document. Agents or insurers must advise customers that its use is optional and must provide a paper version, if requested, at no additional cost. “Insurers are not required to make an electronic insurance card available to their customers,” it states.
Disclosures that must accompany the delivery of the electronic card, include a discussion about risks and limitations such as the possibility of power outage or diminished cellular service affecting a client’s ability to produce the card when requested. “By choosing to receive an electronic insurance card, the customer is assuming any risk of loss or damage occurring to an electronic mobile device when given to a third party who has authority to request proof of insurance,” they continue.
For insurers, the bulletin also states that the electronic insurance cards must have the same data fields, wording and overall appearance as the paper version of the insurance card “including being pink in colour,” they add.
“Insurers must provide customers with clear instructions on how to access and use the electronic insurance card, including how to lock the screen, as well as any technical requirements or limitations.”
