InsureNet's Enticing Appeal To Cash-Short States

InsureNet, apparently the nation's only firm that specializes in processing vehicle insurance information obtained from highway "spy" cameras, bases its current appeal to governments, in part, on helping them raise money at a time when revenues don't match expenditures.

Oklahoma vehicle owners found to be without insurance would be fined $250. InsureNet, based in Chicago, would keep 30 percent of that sum, meaning its income would be multiple millions of dollars assuming the state's income is $50 million as projected.

While the firm apparently has not yet been chosen to handle information obtained from Oklahoma highway cameras, as outlined by Governor Henry in his budget and as approved by Henry and Republican legislative leaders in their compromise budget to raise $50 million, it seems certain it will be.

Among those tied to the firm are former OU and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer, a Henry campaign fundraiser, and former Republican Rep. Wayne Pettigrew of Edmond, the firm's national government relations officer.

This is the firm's pitch to governments from its website:

State and Local Government – At this time of financial shortfalls, almost nothing can do more to support the financial needs of State and Local Governments. The fact that this is simply supporting the rule of law and protecting the Public is an additional, but very significant bonus. Governments are able to provide a substantial benefits package to Citizens at no cost to taxpayers, including a fair, safe, accurate, non-invasive, and efficient system. InsureNet provides the tools for law enforcement, DMVs, courts, insurance departments and others to do their jobs with greater professionalism, while removing all uncertainty. Officers, DMV staff and others cease being the targets of often irate people trying to register or drive without insurance. This is no longer a burden for government as status is always and only directly controlled by the insurer. Government can benefit from dramatically increased revenues, (additional citations, premium tax and business tax). This is the only interstate system and also only international system. It is the only accurate system and the only system for use by Law Enforcement everywhere. It is the only way to do accurate “e”registration and handle toll way requirements. For countless reasons, this is the Nation’s answer to the problems associated with uninsured vehicles.

Last February, the Las Vegas Tribune-Review printed an article about InsureNet's efforts in that state and reported "It is unknown how effective InsureNet's system is. No other state has implemented the program. According to the Chicago Tribune, InsureNet representatives told Chicago officials that the company planned to have 'three or four states' signed on within months. That was a year ago."

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