Freaking North Carolina DMV

[UsandThem]

So I just got the mail that came today, and in it was a letter from the main DMV office in Raleigh, NC. It was stamped and mailed on August 7, 2020.

It was a letter saying that our insurance coverage for our 3rd vehicle (my oldest son's car) wasn't insured beginning on July 22 (6 month policy renewal date). However, we never changed insurance, or missed a payment, and all the cars were insured the entire time (and still are). Not a biggie as I can have my insurance agent (Allstate) fax the proof of insurance to them (which they do every 6 months anyhow).

Now get this. I had to respond by August 6th (a day before the letter was mailed), or my plate would be revoked. I would then be forced to pay a civil penalty to get the plate back (looked, and the site says it's currently $52). Well, that's OK because I can request an administrative hearing on the matter and fight paying the civil penalty.

All I have to do is fill out a form, enclose the administrative fee of $60 ($8 more than the civil penalty), and send it to them.

Seriously, WTF is this garbage?

 

[kt]

Government bureaucracy at its finest.

 

[sdifox]

Eh? Your government doesn't do computerised insurance info collection? Cops can't check your insurance by typing your plate into their car computer?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I've never considered this, but I honestly am not aware of how car insurance is managed in my state of TX. The most I know is that we have yearly inspection - and you have to show your insurance doc to whomever is doing the inspection (which can be any chain or mom and pop car-shop).

I don't believe the government has access (or demands insurance companies send them info).... But maybe I'm wrong..

 

[sdifox]

I've never considered this, but I honestly am not aware of how car insurance is managed in my state of TX. The most I know is that we have yearly inspection - and you have to show your insurance doc to whomever is doing the inspection (which can be any chain or mom and pop car-shop).

I don't believe the government has access (or demands insurance companies send them info).... But maybe I'm wrong..

Pretty sure insurance is mandatory in Texas so I don't see why the government won't get the data from the insurance companies. Insurance slip comes from insurance companies after all.

This says Texas is the same

Can police tell if you're uninsured from your license plate?

Can the police tell by checking your plates or license if your insurance is cancelled? Here's what you need to know.

www.carinsurance.com

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Pretty sure insurance is mandatory in Texas so I don't see why the government won't get the data from the insurance companies. Insurance slip comes from insurance companies after all.

This says Texas is the same

Can police tell if you're uninsured from your license plate?

Can the police tell by checking your plates or license if your insurance is cancelled? Here's what you need to know.

www.carinsurance.com

Got it, so basically cops have a a database if needed.


Regardless, I'm not aware of it being like NC in OPs case where they actively monitor and send letters if your coverage lapses...

Which to be honest - especially during these COVID times, I can see not paying for car insurance if you aren't using your car...

 

[sdifox]

Got it, so basically cops have a a database if needed.


Regardless, I'm not aware of it being like NC in OPs case where they actively monitor and send letters if your coverage lapses...

Which to be honest - especially during these COVID times, I can see not paying for car insurance if you aren't using your car...

OP's situation sounds like automated mail generation but the mailing out part is FUBAR at the moment due to covid-19. A call should clear it up.

 

[UsandThem]

OP's situation sounds like automated mail generation but the mailing out part is FUBAR at the moment due to covid-19. A call should clear it up.

Nope, I called twice.

After being on hold around 15 minutes both times, the phone system automatically disconnected the call. It was really odd. After being placed on hold "because all agents were with other customers", there was no music, or no voice occasionally saying "please hold". It was 100% dead air, and I had to keep looking at my call time on my phone to make sure the call was still connected (until it wasn't).

All I could do was call my insurance agent to send the required form to them. He looked at my policy and said everything is in order, and this should have never happened. He said that Allstate electronically sends the new insurance policy renewal information every 6 months as required.

It looks like I will have to wait a few days until the NC DMV updates their records after getting the form from my agent, pay the civil penalty of $52, and to simply be "glad" the penalty wasn't a higher amount. Freaking ridiculous, but my son needs to be able to use his car, with valid plates, for his summer job, and for college here in about a month.

 

[sdifox]

Nope, I called twice.

After being on hold around 15 minutes both times, the phone system automatically disconnected the call.

All I could do was call my insurance agent to send the required form to them. He looked at my policy and said everything is in order, and this should have never happened. He said that Allstate electronically sends the new insurance policy renewal information every 6 months as required.

It looks like I will have to wait a few days until the NC DMV updates their records after getting the form from my agent, pay the civil penalty of $52, and to simply be "glad" the penalty wasn't a higher amount. Freaking ridiculous, but my son needs to be able to use his car, with valid plates, for his summer job, and for college here in about a month.

Bizarre. How can insurance only upload once every six months? Coverage expires daily...

 

[UsandThem]

Bizarre

Yup.

I've been paying for my own insurance since 1994, living in 5 different states over that time period, and this is the first time something like this has ever happened. Heck, I've even been with Allstate since 2009 (both auto and home insurance), and I've never had an issue before.

To me it appears this was simply some kind of system error (my other two cars on the same insurance policy are fine). I can fight it and prove my insurance was intact, but it will cost more and take longer. It really seems like an easy choice (as long as I can swallow fighting for principle part of it).

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Nope, I called twice.

After being on hold around 15 minutes both times, the phone system automatically disconnected the call. It was really odd. After being placed on hold "because all agents were with other customers", there was no music, or no voice occasionally saying "please hold". It was 100% dead air, and I had to keep looking at my call time on my phone to make sure the call was still connected (until it wasn't).

All I could do was call my insurance agent to send the required form to them. He looked at my policy and said everything is in order, and this should have never happened. He said that Allstate electronically sends the new insurance policy renewal information every 6 months as required.

It looks like I will have to wait a few days until the NC DMV updates their records after getting the form from my agent, pay the civil penalty of $52, and to simply be "glad" the penalty wasn't a higher amount. Freaking ridiculous, but my son needs to be able to use his car, with valid plates, for his summer job, and for college here in about a month.

Sounds like a good case for civil disobedience to me. I'd refuse to pay either the fee, or the 'other fee'. You've got proof, no need to pay them to present the proof imo.

 

[UsandThem]

Sounds like a good case for civil disobedience to me. I'd refuse to pay either the fee, or the 'other fee'. You've got proof, no need to pay them to present the proof imo.

True.

10 years ago (or if it was my vehicle), I probably would. However, now that I'm a little older and since it's my son's car, the easiest option seems to just pay it and swallow my pride. I'd hate for my son to get pulled over and get his car towed. At that point, it would get a lot more expensive. It's BS for sure, but I just look at it as an unwinnable situation.......I can fight it and "win", but in doing so I pay more than just paying paying the penalty.

Factor in all the additional stress our house is dealing with right now (my wife is in health care at a hospital). She's been working 65+ hours a week for a while now, and is just mentally/physically exhausted from it. The hospital is pretty much full all the time now, and she loses half of her scheduled nurses just about every shift due to call outs, or them being placed in self-quarantine for two weeks because of corona. On top of that, on her days off she has been studying for some kind of emergency room state test they have to get re-certified on every 5 years. When she's home, she's pretty much in her home office studying for it (and is doing just that right now).

 

[Mermaidman]

I'd show up in person at a DMV office and angrily demand an explanation, while masked, of course.

 

[UsandThem]

I'd show up in person at a DMV office and angrily demand an explanation, while masked, of course.

I could be the next internet sensation by absolutely losing my mind, and having someone record it and uploading it for the world to see.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Nope, I called twice.

After being on hold around 15 minutes both times, the phone system automatically disconnected the call. It was really odd. After being placed on hold "because all agents were with other customers", there was no music, or no voice occasionally saying "please hold". It was 100% dead air, and I had to keep looking at my call time on my phone to make sure the call was still connected (until it wasn't).

All I could do was call my insurance agent to send the required form to them. He looked at my policy and said everything is in order, and this should have never happened. He said that Allstate electronically sends the new insurance policy renewal information every 6 months as required.

It looks like I will have to wait a few days until the NC DMV updates their records after getting the form from my agent, pay the civil penalty of $52, and to simply be "glad" the penalty wasn't a higher amount. Freaking ridiculous, but my son needs to be able to use his car, with valid plates, for his summer job, and for college here in about a month.

Don't pay the fee for their own fault.

It's an admittance of guilt as-if you did something wrong.

Fight it like a Karen... and while I say that half-way jokingly, I'm completely serious. Don't pay something you don't owe in life.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Don't pay the fee for their own fault.

It's an admittance of guilt as-if you did something wrong.

Fight it like a Karen... and while I say that half-way jokingly, I'm completely serious. Don't pay something you don't owe in life.

For once I agree with you. This isn't a 'swallowing your pride' thing, you didn't do anything wrong. By the same logic they could send that same letter to everyone in the state and just soak up the $50 from everyone. 'No recourse' be damned, I'd demand an explanation.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Well, the good news is I now know not to live in NC.

 

[Midwayman]

It sounds like not doing the admin hearing is a bigger deal. You might lose the plate for 30 days and pay more.

What happens if you don't return license plates after a lapse in N.C.?

If you let your car insurance lapse in North Carolina, you have 10 days to return your license plates. Here’s what you need to know.

www.carinsurance.com

If you fight it, it sounds like the revocation is put on hold until the hearing.

 

[UsandThem]

For once I agree with you. This isn't a 'swallowing your pride' thing, you didn't do anything wrong. By the same logic they could send that same letter to everyone in the state and just soak up the $50 from everyone. 'No recourse' be damned, I'd demand an explanation.

I think I've decided what to do on this, and to at least feel a little better (hopefully).

I'm going to pay the penalty (cheapest, fastest option) so my son can drive his car, and not worry about getting it towed if pulled over.

Next, the local news stations here have a lot of time to fill the local news with "fluff" stories right now because of the epidemic, and they have reporters who will look into issues and try to get it resolved. I'll scan every thing and send it to them, and see what they can do. I've seen them help with numerous governmental issues over the years.

 

[UsandThem]

It sounds like not doing the admin hearing is a bigger deal. You might lose the plate for 30 days and pay more.

What happens if you don't return license plates after a lapse in N.C.?

If you let your car insurance lapse in North Carolina, you have 10 days to return your license plates. Here’s what you need to know.

www.carinsurance.com

If you fight it, it sounds like the revocation is put on hold until the hearing.

The plate is already revoked. Since I had to respond by August 6th, and they mailed the letter on August 7th, I never got it in time.

The official NC DMV site says I can request a hearing (which is conducted by phone), but I have to pay $60 to do so. They don't refund hearing fees from what I see on their website, so I can pay $52 to take of it now, or I pay $60 to have a hearing where they will obviously find in my favor, but then I'm out of that money.

https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/administrative-hearings/Pages/default.aspx

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I think I've decided what to do on this, and to at least feel a little better (hopefully).

I'm going to pay the penalty (cheapest, fastest option) so my son can drive his car, and not worry about getting it towed if pulled over.

Next, the local news stations here have a lot of time to fill the local news with "fluff" stories right now because of the epidemic, and they have reporters who will look into issues and try to get it resolved. I'll scan every thing and send it to them, and see what they can do. I've seen them help with numerous governmental issues over the years.

.... So uhh....

How is that easier than potentially just making a phone call? Maybe I'm missing something, but gathering docs, scanning them,crafting an email, and sending that off to a reporter sounds like a whole hell of a lot of wasted time.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

.... So uhh....

How is that easier than potentially just making a phone call? Maybe I'm missing something, but gathering docs, scanning them,crafting an email, and sending that off to a reporter sounds like a whole hell of a lot of wasted time.

I'd put a fiver on his 'phone call' becoming 7 more 15 minutes phone calls that get cut off, before finally getting someone on an 8th phone call that will go like this:
'I think there's been a mistake, i got this letter saying my insurance expired but'
'SIR? SIR! IF YOU FEEL THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE YOU MUST REQUEST A HEARING SIR. DO SO ONLINE, THANK YOU SIR' *click*

DMV is well known for being sticklers for the rules, regardless of the situation (or whether or not they're at fault).

 

[UsandThem]

.... So uhh....

How is that easier than potentially just making a phone call? Maybe I'm missing something, but gathering docs, scanning them,crafting an email, and sending that off to a reporter sounds like a whole hell of a lot of wasted time.

I stated in my first post I cannot reach them by phone. I tried a few more times as the day has gone on, and it's always the same.

All I was able to do was to send them a message, however they state their staffing is impacted by covid, so who knows if/when I get a response. My son's plates are still revoked, so not much I can do in the meantime.

 

[MtnMan]

Sic the local media on them... they love this type of story.

 

[Iron Woode]

I could be the next internet sensation by absolutely losing my mind, and having someone record it and uploading it for the world to see.

go there in person dressed as Darth Vader and demand to speak with the manager.