Uninsured motorists insurance coverage is a critical yet often overlooked component of an auto insurance policy.

Nearly every state requires drivers to have liability coverage, which pays for injuries and related expenses, as well as damage to vehicles and property, if you cause an accident.

Uninsured motorists coverage pays for similar costs if you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, but only about a third of states require it. A related coverage—underinsured motorist—kicks in when the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your costs.

Uninsured Driving on the Rise

Despite laws requiring it, millions of people still drive without car insurance. A recently released study by the Insurance Research Council found that 15.4% of drivers in the U.S. were uninsured in 2023, with another 18% underinsured. That means about a third of drivers may not be able to cover the full cost of an accident they cause, which is up from 23% in 2017.

Uninsured driver rates vary widely by region, with the highest rates in the following:

• Mississippi – 28.2%

• New Mexico – 24.1%

• District of Columbia – 23.1%

On the flip side, states like Maine, Idaho, and Utah have some of the lowest rates, with under 7% of drivers uninsured.

Many drivers think they’re protected simply because they have “full coverage,” which can be a misleading term. It’s important to review your policy carefully to make sure uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage is included and that your limits are high enough to truly protect you.

Specifically, uninsured/underinsured motorists bodily injury coverage pays for expenses related to bodily injury to you and other passengers/drivers of your insured vehicle or if an accident is caused by a hit-and-run, uninsured, or underinsured driver.

Contact a Westwood agent to review your current auto policy and identify any gaps to ensure you have the coverage you need.  

Please Note: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent any specific insurance policy and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions of any current policy.