The Department of Motor Vehicles requires that you have car insurance in order to legally drive on U.S. roads. But not all drivers need this coverage. If they’re involved in an accident with a car, it can be a problem. Despite the decline in uninsured drivers, many drivers still don’t have the minimum insurance that they require.
Statistics on uninsured motorists 2021
The problem of uninsured motorists in America is still a serious one. According to the most recent statistics, they are costly and common.
- To cover the risk of uninsured road users, the District of Columbia as well as twenty states have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- This coverage cost an average of $78 per vehicle, with more than $13 trillion in premiums paid nationwide in 2016. (IRC).
- The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators states that 82% of uninsured motorists cannot afford car insurance, or have an inoperable or unused vehicle.
- The recent economic boom is one reason why there are so many uninsured drivers. (AAMVA).
David Corum, Vice President of IRC, makes an interesting observation about uninsured motorists. Uninsured drivers can increase insurance costs for those who follow their state’s insurance regulations. This is not fair. It is harder to keep auto insurance affordable when drivers refuse their fair share.
How many drivers are uninsured in the US?
There are 215 million drivers in America, which means that there is a high proportion of drivers who are not insured. According to the IRC, there are 32 million drivers who are not insured in the United States. This is approximately one eighth of all drivers.
Both 2018 and 2019 had lower uninsured motorists compared to 2017, when rates reached a nine year high of 13.1 percent. Nationally, the average rate of uninsured motorists in the country is 12.6 percent. However, 21 states and District of Columbia have rates that are higher than this average.
State-by-state percentage of drivers without insurance
The rate of uninsured motorists has increased only by 1.2 percent according to data from 2015 through 2019. There are however significant shifts in insurance coverage when we consider the rate of non-insured drivers. While Michigan and Delaware saw fewer uninsured drivers in the past, states such as Washington, Rhode Island, and Mississippi have seen increases of almost seven percent.
These were the states with the highest uninsured driver rates:
- Mississippi – 29.4%
- Michigan: 25%
- Tennessee – 23.7%
- New Mexico – 21.8%
- Washington – 21.7%
New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York have the lowest number of uninsured motorists by state.
- New Jersey – 3.1%
- Massachusetts: 3.5%
- New York – 4.1%
- Maine – 4.9%
- Wyoming – 5.8%
The IRC gives a breakdown of the uninsured motorist rates per state.
States that require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Surprisingly many states in the U.S. don’t require coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists. At the moment, 20 states as well as Washington, D.C., require some type of auto insurance coverage. There are many requirements for coverage. Many states require coverage for bodily injuries while some only require coverage for property damage. Before you buy a new policy, it is important to know the minimum required auto insurance in your state.
Be safe from uninsured motorists
Researchers hope to see continued declines in uninsured motorists as legislation continues to expand auto insurance coverage nationwide. To protect yourself from uninsured motorists, purchasing a car insurance policy that provides the coverage you need in your state. The best cars insurance provide full coverage for some most affordable car insurance. This allows you to afford all the coverage needed for uninsured or underinsured motorists.
