Kan. Insurers That Cover Drivers With Foreign Licenses Spark Debate

While some immigrants may not be able to get a driver’s license in Kansas, they can get car insurance.

The Wichita Eagle reported on Nov. 2 that at least two insurance companies in the state offer policies to motorists with foreign driver’s licenses.

State law requires that all vehicles registered in Kansas must carry auto insurance and drivers must show proof of insurance when filing for or renewing a vehicle’s registration. But the law doesn’t prevent insurance companies from providing coverage to those with only a foreign license.

Supporters say such policies ensure that everyone is protected in the event of an accident.

Critics, however, have called for limiting the practice, saying they’re concerned about road safety and national security.

The two companies that said they insure foreign drivers are Farmer’s Insurance Group and State Farm.

Claudia Villatoro, a Wichita office manager for Farmer’s Insurance, said the company’s has been providing coverage for about the year, regardless of the driver’s legal status.

“It’s helping people,” said Villatoro, who advertises the service in area bilingual and Spanish-language media. “Every time they have an accident, they’re covered.”

State Farm also provides the coverage but requires the driver to obtain a U.S. or Canadian driver’s license within 12 months or face not having their policy renewed, said Tamara O’Connor, a public affairs supervisor for the company.

“Although we recognize the immigration and national security concerns surrounding this issue, we do not believe it is appropriate that we take positions on issues that are outside our areas of expertise,” the company said in an e-mailed response.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a key opponent of illegal immigration, said they’re worried that insurance companies don’t do a thorough job in determining whether a foreign driver has a criminal background in other countries.

“How can they ensure the public safety?” said Chris Wilcox, the group’s president.

Wilcox said the group may consider lobbying lawmakers to prohibit such policies.

“This is another opportunity to close one of those loopholes,” he said.

Luis Figueroa, a legislative staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, countered that insurance companies offering the policies are in the best position to determine the risk.

“We think this is definitely a positive sign, although we do think the Legislature needs to encourage people getting state driver’s licenses,” he said.

Figueroa, who has helped local and state advocates lobby government officials on immigration issues, said the process to get a driver’s license regularly tests individuals on their driving skills and encourages safe driving.

State Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, said she wondered if insurance companies consider a driver’s legal status before offering coverage and what qualifications the companies use to approve or reject potential policyholders.

“If they’re in the country legally, then temporary insurance is not a bad idea,” she said. “Having anyone uninsured on the road is wrong.”

Landwehr last session pushed legislation cracking down on illegal immigrants by revoking business licenses and imposing fines on Kansas businesses found to be knowingly employing illegal immigrants. The bill was defeated.

Immigrant advocacy groups have pushed for state governments to provide U.S. driver’s licenses or some other form of identification that illegal immigrants could use to get car insurance.

A 2007 state law requires driver’s license applicants to provide a valid Social Security number or another type of government-issued identification.

It’s unknown how many vehicles registered in Kansas are insured with a foreign driver’s license.

Larry Magill, executive vice president off the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents, said the group hasn’t addressed the issue but said he was concerned insurers aren’t being responsible by offering the policies, especially for illegal immigrants.

“Looking the other way on the immigration law violation in order to prevent somebody from driving without insurance, that doesn’t seem to be a responsible way to address the issue in my opinion,” Magill said.

Information from: The Wichita Eagle, http://www.kansas.com