According to a report from the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers in the U.S. operates without car insurance. The District of Columbia, New Mexico and Mississippi are the states with the most uninsured drivers.
If you are among those driving without car insurance, consider getting the minimum car insurance you need to drive legally in your state to avoid hefty fines and legal penalties.
- About one in seven drivers, or 14% of motorists, were uninsured in 2022 – an increase from 2017, when 11.6% of motorists were uninsured.
- The District of Columbia has the highest estimated percentage of uninsured drivers at 25.2% in 2022.
- In 2022, Wyoming had the lowest percentage of uninsured drivers at 5.9%.
How many people are uninsured in the U.S.?
In 2022, about 14% of motorists in the U.S. were uninsured – one in every seven drivers. The nationwide uninsured motorist (UM) rate increased from 11.6% in 2017 to 14% in 2022. Uninsured motorist rates varied substantially among individual states, ranging from 5.9% in Wyoming to 25.2% in the District of Columbia.
What is uninsured motorist coverage?Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of car insurance that protects you in case you’re involved in an accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or has insufficient insurance to cover your losses.
Uninsured motorist rates: A five-year overview (2017-2022)
From 2017 to 2019, there was a decline in the rate of uninsured motorists. It started at 11.6% in 2017, slightly decreased to 11.5% in 2018 and dropped to 11.1% in 2019.
A significant increase occurred in 2020 when the percentage jumped to 13.9%, and it continued to rise to 14.2% in 2021. This rise can be primarily attributed to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of financial instability and unemployment nationwide.
The slight decrease from 14.2% in 2021 to 14.0% in 2022 might indicate a beginning of recovery as economic conditions improved and enforcement normalized, yet the rate remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
| Year | Uninsured motorists (%) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 11.6% |
| 2018 | 11.5% |
| 2019 | 11.1% |
| 2020 | 13.9% |
| 2021 | 14.2% |
| 2022 | 14% |
Note: The percentage of uninsured drivers is measured by the ratio of uninsured motorist (UM) claims to bodily injury (BI) claim frequencies.
Top 10 states with the most uninsured drivers
Driving without insurance poses significant risks, not only legally but also financially, for both the uninsured and other drivers.
If you have insurance but are involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t, uninsured motorist car insurance helps pay the bills. If an uninsured driver hits you and you don’t have collision or uninsured motorist coverage, you must pay your own repair bills or go after the at-fault driver in court.
The table below shows the states with the highest number of uninsured drivers.
| Rank | State | Uninsured motorists |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, D.C. | 25.20% |
| 2 | New Mexico | 24.9% |
| 3 | Mississippi | 22.2% |
| 4 | Tennessee | 20.9% |
| 5 | Michigan | 19.6% |
| 6 | Kentucky | 18.7% |
| 7 | Georgia | 18.1% |
| 8 | Delaware | 18.1% |
| 9 | Colorado | 17.5% |
| 10 | Ohio | 17.1% |
Note: The percentage of uninsured drivers is measured by the ratio of uninsured motorist (UM) claims to bodily injury (BI) claim frequencies. Rank is calculated from unrounded data.
States with the fewest uninsured drivers
Here is a list of states with the lowest number of uninsured drivers.
| Rank | State | Percent uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 5.9% |
| 2 | Maine | 6.2% |
| 3 | Idaho | 6.2% |
| 4 | Utah | 7.3% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 7.8% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 7.8% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 7.9% |
| 8 | Kansas | 8% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 8% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 8.7% |
Note: The percentage of uninsured drivers is measured by the ratio of uninsured motorist (UM) claims to bodily injury (BI) claim frequencies. Rank is calculated from unrounded data.
Estimated percentage of uninsured motorists by state
The number of drivers without insurance, known as uninsured motorists (UM), dropped in most U.S. states between 2017 and 2019.
Montana saw the most significant decrease in UM rates during this period. However, Florida and Michigan experienced an increase in the number of uninsured drivers.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, the percentage of uninsured drivers increased in almost every state, with the District of Columbia having the highest rise. From 2020 to 2022, UM rates kept rising in many states but did start to decrease in some. Notably, Michigan had the biggest drop, with a decline of 6.2%.
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) calculates the percentage of uninsured motorists by comparing the number of insurance claims from people hurt by uninsured drivers to those hurt by insured drivers. In 2022, 19 states, along with the District of Columbia, reported UM rates higher than the national average of 14 %, whereas 31 states had lower rates.
| Rank | State | Uninsured motorists |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Alabama | 14.2% |
| 29 | Alaska | 11.3% |
| 27 | Arizona | 11.9% |
| 18 | Arkansas | 15.1% |
| 11 | California | 17% |
| 9 | Colorado | 17.5% |
| 33 | Connecticut | 10.4% |
| 8 | Delaware | 18.1% |
| 1 | D.C. | 25.2% |
| 15 | Florida | 15.9% |
| 7 | Georgia | 18.1% |
| 31 | Hawaii | 10.9% |
| 49 | Idaho | 6.2% |
| 13 | Illinois | 16.3% |
| 21 | Indiana | 13.9% |
| 35 | Iowa | 9.9% |
| 44 | Kansas | 8% |
| 6 | Kentucky | 18.7% |
| 23 | Louisiana | 13.7% |
| 50 | Maine | 6.2% |
| 17 | Maryland | 15.1% |
| 40 | Massachusetts | 8.8% |
| 5 | Michigan | 19.6% |
| 42 | Minnesota | 8.7% |
| 3 | Mississippi | 22.2% |
| 14 | Missouri | 16% |
| 39 | Montana | 8.8% |
| 46 | Nebraska | 7.8% |
| 41 | Nevada | 8.8% |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 7.8% |
| 30 | New Jersey | 10.9% |
| 2 | New Mexico | 24.9% |
| 32 | New York | 10.8% |
| 34 | North Carolina | 10.3% |
| 45 | North Dakota | 7.9% |
| 10 | Ohio | 17.1% |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 11.8% |
| 24 | Oregon | 12.3% |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | 9.6% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 15.6% |
| 25 | South Carolina | 12.3% |
| 43 | South Dakota | 8% |
| 4 | Tennessee | 20.9% |
| 22 | Texas | 13.8% |
| 48 | Utah | 7.3% |
| 36 | Vermont | 9.7% |
| 26 | Virginia | 12.1% |
| 12 | Washington | 16.5% |
| 38 | West Virginia | 8.9% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 15.1% |
| 51 | Wyoming | 5.9% |
Note: The percentage of uninsured drivers is measured by the ratio of uninsured motorist (UM) claims to bodily injury (BI) claim frequencies. Rank is calculated from unrounded data. In Florida, compulsory auto laws apply to personal injury protection (PIP) and physical damage but not third-party bodily injury coverage.
States that require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is required in some states to ensure that drivers have financial protection against accidents involving individuals who either do not have insurance or do not have enough insurance to cover damages. The states that require this coverage include:
| Connecticut | New Jersey |
| District of Columbia (DC) | New York |
| Illinois | North Carolina |
| Kansas | North Dakota |
| Maine | Oregon |
| Maryland | South Carolina |
| Massachusetts | South Dakota |
| Minnesota | Vermont |
| Missouri | Virginia |
| Nebraska | West Virginia |
| New Hampshire | Wisconsin |
How can states decrease the number of uninsured motorists?
Nearly all states require drivers to have at least a minimum level of liability insurance. However, many still choose not to purchase insurance for different reasons.
Effective state policies can help reduce the number of uninsured drivers. Here are some key policies that states use to improve uninsured motorist statistics.
- Insurance verification systems: Many states have implemented electronic insurance verification systems that allow them to monitor and verify drivers’ insurance status more efficiently. These systems can quickly flag uninsured drivers through regular checks against insurance databases.
- No pay, no play: In some states, some laws limit the ability of uninsured drivers to sue for damages if they are involved in an accident.
- Low-cost insurance programs: Some states offer low-cost insurance options to help low-income drivers afford insurance. These programs aim to reduce the number of uninsured drivers by making insurance more accessible and affordable.
- Penalties for driving uninsured: States enforce penalties for driving without insurance, including fines, vehicle impoundment, license suspension and, in some cases, jail time.
Tips for drivers to protect themselves against uninsured motorists
Dealing with uninsured motorists can be a concern for drivers. Here are some practical tips to help protect yourself:
- Purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: It protects you in case you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance. It can cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and, in some cases, car repairs depending on the coverage.
- Buy underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: It is similar to UM coverage but applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover all your expenses. It’s often bundled with UM coverage.
- Consider collision coverage: While UM and UIM cover personal injuries, collision coverage will pay for repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- Consider installing dash cameras: Installing a dash cam can provide undeniable evidence in the event of an accident. This can be especially helpful in hit-and-run cases or disputes about who is at fault.
- Drive defensively: Practice defensive driving to avoid accidents altogether. Be aware of your surroundings, anticipate other drivers’ actions and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
By ensuring adequate insurance coverage and taking these precautions, you can better protect yourself from the financial and legal headaches associated with accidents involving uninsured motorists.
Frequently asked questions
How much is uninsured motorist coverage?
On average, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage costs an average of $111 a year, whereas uninsured motorist property damage coverage is $23 annually, based on CarInsurance.com’s recent data analysis.
How do insurance companies handle claims involving uninsured motorists?
When an insured individual is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, they can file a claim under their UM coverage. The insurance company will assess the damage, confirm the other driver’s uninsured status, and compensate the insured up to the policy’s limits.
Why do individuals drive without insurance?
Money is a major reason some people drive without insurance. While it’s possible to find affordable car insurance that meets the minimum legal requirements, for some drivers, even the cheapest options are too expensive. Rising prices due to inflation are forcing many people to cut back on their spending, which could lead to more drivers choosing to skip buying auto insurance.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists.” Accessed April 2024.
- Insurance Research Council. “Underinsured Motorists, 2017-2022.” Accessed April 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com gathered the data from the Insurance Research Council. IRC determined uninsured driver rates in the U.S. by comparing the rates of liability insurance claims and uninsured motorist claims.
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