Insurance Research Council Estimates 1 in 7 U.S. Drivers is Uninsured

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Insurance Research Council Estimates 1 in 7 U.S. Drivers is Uninsured

Posted in: Default, by Gregg Laskoski on Jul 28, 2011 09:22 AM

If you’re involved in a car crash there’s a 1 in 7 chance that the other driver is uninsured. The number of uninsured motorists is rising nationwide and that trend is linked to the economy’s downturn in recent years.

Although most states require drivers to maintain insurance about one in seven motorists now take their chances without it… and those numbers may increase. Patrick Schmid, director of research for the Insurance Research Council (IRC) says the figures are drawn from insurance claims data and there's always a lag factor so employment trends since 2009 may not have been fully reflected yet in the current estimates. He noted that the data is based on actual claims.

According to IRC’s latest study, Uninsured Motorists 2011 Edition, Insurance Research Council's website the severity of the problem varies from state to state. IRC lists the following as the states with the highest uninsured driver estimates:

1. Mississippi (28%)
2. New Mexico (26%)
3. Tennessee (24%)
4. Oklahoma (24%)
5. Florida (24%)
6. Alabama (22%)
7. Michigan (19%)
8. Kentucky (18%)
9. Rhode Island ( 18%)
10. Indiana (16%)

States with the lowest uninsured driver estimates include five from the northeast. Massachusetts offers one of the harshest penalties to deter uninsured motorists: a year in jail and/or a fine from $500 to $5,000. Apparently, it works.

Schmid says more states are looking at Massachusetts because they envy the results. He added that the topic is becoming more important to average consumers and they're becoming more vocal about it... That's why elected representatives are studying ways to reduce the volume of uninsured motorists with stronger laws and enforcement.

States with the lowest uninsured driver estimates:

1. Massachusetts (4%)
2. Maine (4%)
3. New York (5%)
4. Pennsylvania (7%)
5. Vermont (7%)
6. Nebraska (8%)
7. Idaho (8%)
8. Utah (8%)
9. South Dakota(9%)
10. North Dakota (9%)

Do you know how much of your auto insurance premium goes to cover this cost? If you want your state to do more to protect you from uninsured drivers let your elected officials know. To find out how to reach them, click here:

Contact Your Elected Officials

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york29 Rookie Author California Posts:69 Points:19,040 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 2:11:40 AM Ignore york29 Report Abuse Ouch!
GDJ Rookie Author Edmonton Posts:79 Points:19,990 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 10:50:10 PM Ignore GDJ Report Abuse Massachusetts is light compared to Canada: 1st offence: $2600 2nd: $10000 and 30 days 3rd: You don't wanna know. Neither do I. I do know you're in jail for 90 days. Fine will be astronomical. 4th: See 3rd. Probably never be on the driver side of a vehicle for life. 5th: Dangerous repeat offender status. Incarcerated upon the discretion of the crown.
Throroughbred Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,031 Points:1,210,745 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2011 10:32:24 PM Ignore Throroughbred Report Abuse The Mass. laws seem to be a little harsh...but on the other hand I wonder what the insurance rates are for Mass. drivers. Something m needs to be done because a lot of the uninsureds are in large part the illeagles.
CheeseMan Champion Author Raleigh Posts:9,973 Points:1,632,605 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2011 6:19:36 PM Ignore CheeseMan Report Abuse Why didn't they go ahead and list all the states? They listed the top ten and the bottom ten... How 'bout the rest?
kbnce Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,728 Points:281,390 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 3, 2011 12:09:20 AM Ignore kbnce Report Abuse Yeah
z3dude Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,865 Points:375,175 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2011 7:51:14 AM Ignore z3dude Report Abuse yeah . . . and they're in the country illegally too
Pete12 Champion Author Albany Posts:3,959 Points:1,335,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2011 9:28:31 PM Ignore Pete12 Report Abuse You can only make it for a few days in NY. After that the insurance company notifies the state and they revoke your registration.
Cashless Champion Author Akron Posts:1,683 Points:372,100 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 1:31:10 PM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse WOW! That number is huge!
kc58veteran All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:512 Points:231,975 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 9:15:29 AM Ignore kc58veteran Report Abuse Great Info! ALL Uninsured/Underinsured Drivers should be FINED Heavily! "Massachusetts offers one of the harshest penalties to deter uninsured motorists: a year in jail and/or a fine from $500 to $5,000." Other States SHOULD Pay Attention...
lcleveland Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,455 Points:332,925 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 8:39:16 AM Ignore lcleveland Report Abuse so much for obeying the law
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,843 Points:773,795 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 7:09:38 AM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse Thats way to conservative an estimate,
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:4,923 Points:999,280 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 1:31:39 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse 20 years ago one hit me. His fault but I paid.
dsarkozi Sophomore Author Houston Posts:176 Points:280,740 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:59:20 AM Ignore dsarkozi Report Abuse I can believe it
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,489 Points:1,277,050 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:53:36 AM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse NOT GOOD NEWS!
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,582 Points:1,500,920 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:10:13 AM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse We need more jobs so that these people can buy insurance again.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:3,747 Points:1,201,985 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:08:56 AM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Too much risk without insurance.
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,811 Points:1,341,535 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:07:08 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse And I would wager that I know who they are, especially in this area. Most are illegal aliens and a former mayor in this area made it a haven for them. If you and I tried to get by with what they get by with, we would be under the jail, literally. A police officer was told if they showed him a 3 X 5 card colored in crayons for a license that he should accept it.
tampacrvdriver Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,716 Points:359,425 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:01:08 AM Ignore tampacrvdriver Report Abuse 1 in 7 drivers need to go to jail, then. PAY YOUR INSURANCE!
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:8,149 Points:1,990,670 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:00:17 AM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse When ever a uninsured person is involved in an accident their vehicle should be impounded by the state, the registration revoked and their drivers license revoked until they acquired the proper insurance and it is monitored.
ortegs12009 Champion Author California Posts:1,157 Points:648,740 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:59:11 PM Ignore ortegs12009 Report Abuse ok
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:26,048 Points:1,983,460 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:57:58 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse The more the economy goes into the crapper, the more people will use what money they have for food and shelter. Other items may have to fall by the wayside in order for people to survive and that could be auto insurance coverage. Since this is 2009 information, the 1 in 7 may be much worse! It’s not a surprise when ‘ears’ spends, spends and spends money the taxpayers will have to pay back and there are not enough jobs to go around.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,601 Points:440,280 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:52:50 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Wow.
MRED3 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,666 Points:816,820 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:52:01 PM Ignore MRED3 Report Abuse Sum people should be driving, too.
bonbon5 Champion Author Toledo Posts:1,877 Points:404,940 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:51:41 PM Ignore bonbon5 Report Abuse Thanks PD!
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:8,149 Points:1,990,670 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:49:31 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse That is why I pay for very good insurance coverage.
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:6,580 Points:1,534,795 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:46:41 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse I guess this is why i carry uninsured motorist
OGW Champion Author London Posts:3,747 Points:1,201,985 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:45:35 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Risky business without insurance but the cost of insurance is much too high.
whaboush All-Star Author Richmond Posts:654 Points:420,645 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:42:05 PM Ignore whaboush Report Abuse That could really screw you!
BooHooMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,546 Points:342,460 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:38:13 PM Ignore BooHooMI Report Abuse legal scam
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,490 Points:1,072,545 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:37:59 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Wow pretty scary considering all the hassle and expense if you get hit by an uninsured.
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:4,731 Points:1,862,780 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:37:39 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse The insured driver gets it you know where again!
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:5,615 Points:1,194,950 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:36:25 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Not surprising. The problem is that uninsured drivers can cost the ratepayers a good deal of money.
ecodave1 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,484 Points:200,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:35:35 PM Ignore ecodave1 Report Abuse That's another reason why insurance rates are so high. Uninsured drivers... no easy solutions.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:6,139 Points:1,217,230 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:34:35 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse if they are uninsured, and insurance is the law, the penalty needs to be significant
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,361 Points:1,387,515 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:32:17 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse personally if you are uninsured and you are at fault I feel your car, regardless of how crapy is now the posession of the injured party Do this more often and scum bags would be insured
claytonhowell Veteran Author Indianapolis Posts:418 Points:28,730 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:22:23 PM Ignore claytonhowell Report Abuse I am suprised it is so low. Insurance is the biggest rip off ever, look at how much you pay in and how much they pay out. I have never used insurance but I have given them tens of thousands of dollars. I have yet to get my first ticket.
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,164 Points:1,418,700 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:05:13 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse With the number of people who don't really get involved/experience crashes, thefts, and other damages, the idea for the usage of insurance goes down. With a bad economy, there is more reason. If one gets into a crash, especially if they are liable, there is going to be a lot of hardship and regret to face for one who is not insured.
goodbuy Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,015 Points:1,094,070 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:02:34 PM Ignore goodbuy Report Abuse Just getting too expensive. Government forced insurance. Maybe take them ethanol subsidies and give them to the insurance companys.
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,863 Points:1,821,600 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:55:25 PM Ignore BKool Report Abuse not surprising
trucker432 Champion Author Lubbock Posts:8,667 Points:1,890,235 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:54:29 PM Ignore trucker432 Report Abuse Amazing yet taxes and gas and all making it hard for anyone to get by
tootsweet All-Star Author Hamilton Posts:809 Points:292,420 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:47:24 PM Ignore tootsweet Report Abuse wow
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,927 Points:854,650 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:41:28 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Probably higher in Michigan, we have a problem here...
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,410 Points:1,573,165 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:40:49 PM Ignore sit Report Abuse not good.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,465 Points:1,325,325 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:40:01 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Comforting!
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,923 Points:472,885 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:33:46 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse have a good insurance company
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,705 Points:1,501,735 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:31:33 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse maybe more
skb69sa Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,654 Points:351,395 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:30:45 PM Ignore skb69sa Report Abuse Not a surprise. Few years back one uninsured motorist in his early 20's hit us with a big SUV of his parent. I was surprised on that day on existence of uninsured motorist but no more surprise these days.
gmcgas Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,546 Points:1,356,740 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:27:33 PM Ignore gmcgas Report Abuse little bit scarey.
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:7,142 Points:1,454,205 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:26:59 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse just enforce the law.... no license plates issued without insurance paers...
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,708 Points:906,710 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jul 28, 2011 10:23:31 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse More enforcement is needed.

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