(1) The department may select vehicles registered in this state for verification when the department considers the selection necessary or appropriate. The department may emphasize verification of vehicles registered to individuals who:

(a) Have been convicted of violating ORS 806.010;

(b) Have provided proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements that has been previously found to be not correct; or

(c) The department has reasonable grounds to believe are not in compliance with financial responsibility requirements.

(2) When a vehicle is selected for verification under this section, the department shall provide a notice of verification to the registered owner of the vehicle. The notice of verification must:

(a) Inform the owner that the vehicle has been selected for verification; and

(b) Require the owner to provide proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements within the time specified by the department by rule.

(3) After the department receives proof of compliance from a registered owner as required under subsection (2) of this section, the department shall forward the proof of compliance to the listed insurer, or use other means, to determine whether the proof of compliance is correct. An insurer shall notify the department if the proof of compliance is not correct within the time specified by the department by rule.

(4) Civil liability does not accrue to the insurer or any of its employees for reports made to the department under this section when the reports are made in good faith based on the most recent information available to the insurer. [1983 c.338 §851; 1985 c.16 §431; 1985 c.714 §2; 1987 c.158 §165; 1993 c.751 §29; 2005 c.142 §1; 2019 c.312 §1]

Note: The amendments to 806.150 by section 1, chapter 312, Oregon Laws 2019, become operative July 1, 2020. See section 37, chapter 312, Oregon Laws 2019. The text that is operative until July 1, 2020, is set forth for the user’s convenience. The Department of Transportation shall provide a program of verification of compliance with financial responsibility requirements under ORS 803.460 and 806.010. The program established by the department under this section shall comply with all of the following:

(1) The verification shall be based on motor vehicles registered in this state.

(2) The department may select vehicles for verification when the department considers the selection necessary or appropriate. The department may emphasize, in accordance with rules adopted by the department, verification of vehicles registered to individuals who:

(a) Have been convicted of violating ORS 806.010;

(b) Have submitted certifications of compliance with financial responsibility requirements that have been previously found to be incorrect; or

(c) The department has reasonable grounds to believe are not in compliance with financial responsibility requirements.

(3) When a vehicle is selected for verification under this section, the department shall mail a letter and certification form described under ORS 806.180 to the registered owner of the vehicle notifying the owner that the vehicle has been selected for verification and requiring the owner to respond within 30 days and certify that the owner is in compliance with financial responsibility requirements as of the date of the letter. In addition, the department may seek verification by communicating directly with an insurer or its designee.

(4) Failure of an owner either to return the certification of compliance with financial responsibility requirements to the department within 30 days after mailing by the department or to certify compliance as of the date of the letter, or a determination by the department that a certification is not accurate constitutes reasonable grounds for the department to proceed with a demand for verification under ORS 806.160.

(5) The department shall investigate all certifications returned to the department under this section as follows:

(a) If the owner certifies the existence of insurance described under ORS 806.080, the department shall forward the certification to the listed insurer to determine whether the certification is correct. An insurer shall notify the department if the certification is not correct.

(b) The department may also determine the correctness of certifications of other means of satisfying financial responsibility requirements for the vehicle.

(6) No civil liability shall accrue to the insurer or any of its employees for reports made to the department under this section when the reports are made in good faith based on the most recent information available to the insurer.

Note: 806.160 was repealed by section 36, chapter 312, Oregon Laws 2019. The text of 806.150 that is operative until July 1, 2020, was not amended by enactment of the Legislative Assembly to reflect the repeal. Editorial adjustment of 806.150 for the repeal of 806.160 has not been made.