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If you're in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, generally, their insurance will pay for your repair and medical bills. But what happens when the other driver doesn't have insurance — or enough insurance — to cover the costs of an accident?
The number of uninsured vehicles on the road has decreased in recent years. However, many still operate a car without insurance or the minimum required amount of insurance, leaving you at risk.
Key takeaways
- Minimum levels of auto insurance coverage are required in 49 states and the District of Columbia before someone can legally drive a vehicle.
- According to a 2023 study by the Insurance Research Council, the uninsured motorist population increased from 2017 to 2022, going from 11.6% to 14% of drivers.
- Washington, D.C. has the highest uninsured motorist rate at 25.2% as of 2022 (the most recent year for which data is available).
- Only 5.9% of Wyoming drivers didn't have auto insurance in 2022, the lowest in the country.
Roughly one in seven drivers doesn't have insurance
There were more than 235 million licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2022 (the most recent data available), according to the Federal Highway Administration. According to a 2023 study by the Insurance Research Council, 14% of those drivers either did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance to cover accident damages. This was down slightly from 14.2% in 2021.
The uninsured motorist rate has been increasing
Although the uninsured motorist rate increased by only 2.6 percentage points nationally between 2017 and 2022, several states had more significant increases over the past few years, and some saw drops.
Washington, D.C. saw an increase from 19.1% in 2019 to 25.2% in 2022, while New Mexico went from 21.8% in 2019 to 24.9% in 2022.
Conversely, Mississippi, which still has among the highest rates in the country, dropped from 29.4% in 2019 to 22.2% in 2022. Tennessee — another state with a significant percentage of uninsured drivers — likewise saw a decrease from 23.7% in 2019 to 20.9% in 2022.
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Washington, D.C. has the highest uninsured motorist population
Washington, D.C. had the highest uninsured motorist population in 2022 at 25.2%, followed by New Mexico (24.9%), Mississippi (22.2%), Tennessee (20.9%), and Michigan (19.6%). Wyoming, Maine, and Idaho had the lowest percentages of uninsured drivers, at 5.9%, 6.2%, and 6.2%, respectively.
Rising insurance costs may be a factor in driving uninsured
Insurance costs, along with other goods and services, have risen in recent years and may make it harder for people to afford basic liability and collision coverage.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average yearly cost of auto insurance has increased from $789.29 in 2010 to $1,127 in 2022 (the most recent year for which data is available).
Average rate:
Many states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
According the the III, 21 states reqduired at least minimum amounts of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as of 2023.
New Jersey has a relatively low minimum requirement — just $40,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident, with a $5,000 minimum for for property damage coverage — compared to other states like Vermont and Maine, which require $50,000 to $100,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage to drive legally.
Percentage of uninsured motorists by state, ranked
| State | Percentage of drivers that are uninsured (2022) |
| D.C. | 25.2% |
| New Mexico | 24.9% |
| Mississippi | 22.2% |
| Tennessee | 20.9% |
| Michigan | 19.6% |
| Kentucky | 18.7% |
| Delaware | 18.1% |
| Georgia | 18.1% |
| Colorado | 17.5% |
| Ohio | 17.1% |
| California | 17.0% |
| Washington | 16.5% |
| Illinois | 16.3% |
| Missouri | 16.0% |
| Florida | 15.9% |
| Rhode Island | 15.6% |
| Arkansas | 15.1% |
| Maryland | 15.1% |
| Wisconsin | 15.1% |
| Alabama | 14.2% |
| Indiana | 13.9% |
| Texas | 13.8% |
| Louisiana | 13.7% |
| South Carolina | 12.3% |
| Oregon | 12.3% |
| Virginia | 12.1% |
| Arizona | 11.9% |
| Oklahoma | 11.8% |
| Alaska | 11.3% |
| Hawaii | 10.9% |
| New Jersey | 10.9% |
| New York | 10.8% |
| Connecticut | 10.4% |
| North Carolina | 10.3% |
| Iowa | 9.9% |
| Vermont | 9.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 9.6% |
| West Virginia | 8.9% |
| Massachusetts | 8.8% |
| Nebraska | 7.8% |
| Montana | 8.8% |
| Nevada | 8.8% |
| Minnesota | 8.7% |
| Kansas | 8.0% |
| South Dakota | 8.0% |
| North Dakota | 7.9% |
| New Hampshire | 7.8% |
| Utah | 7.3% |
| Idaho | 6.2% |
| Maine | 6.2% |
| Wyoming | 5.9% |
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Uninsured/underinsured motorist requirements by state
| State | Insurance required | Minimum liability limits |
| Connecticut | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| D.C. | Uninsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Illinois | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Kansas | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Maine | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 50/100 |
| Maryland | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 30/60 |
| Massachusetts | Uninsured motorist | 20/40 |
| Minnesota | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 30/60 |
| Missouri | Uninsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Nebraska | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| New Hampshire | *Auto insurance is not required by New Hampshire, but if you purchase it, it must include uninsured motorist coverage at limits equal to your liability coverage | 25/50 |
| New Jersey | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| New York | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| North Carolina | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 30/60 |
| North Dakota | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Oregon | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| South Carolina | Uninsured motorist | 25/50 |
| South Dakota | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Vermont | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 50/100 |
| Virginia | Uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist | 30/60 |
| West Virginia | Uninsured motorist | 25/50 |
| Wisconsin | Uninsured motorist | 25/50 |
Source: Insurance Information Institute, accurate as of December 2023
Saving on your auto insurance costs
Finding coverage that protects you from perils like uninsured motorists is only half the battle — you also want to get a good deal. Having the right car insurance coverage is one of the best ways to ensure you're financially prepared for whatever the road throws at you. To find the best price on your auto coverage, consider the following:
Shop around
Insurance companies offer different rates for the same types of coverage, so be sure to get multiple quotes before deciding on a policy. Remember that the lowest price may not be the cheapest option if you don't get the coverage you need. Compare coverages and policy limits, pay attention to customer service reviews, and compare rates from multiple types of insurance companies.
Bundle your insurance policies
Many insurance companies offer additional savings if you insure two or more cars through the same company or purchase your auto insurance with other policies, like home or renters insurance. Compare multi-policy rates to get the best deal while maintaining the proper coverage.
Keep a good credit history
Many insurers use your credit history to determine your insurance premium since statistics suggest that those with better credit are safer drivers. Check your credit history regularly to ensure you haven't been the victim of identity theft and pay your monthly bills on time to help you maintain a strong credit history.
Take advantage of discounts
Most insurance companies offer low-mileage discounts, as well as additional savings for driving a car with added safety features, keeping a clean driving record, and even taking a defensive driving course. If you have a student on your insurance policy, you may also receive a discount if they complete driver's education classes or have a high GPA each semester.
Raise your deductible
Raising your deductible, or the amount you pay before insurance kicks in after an accident, can help you save significant money on your insurance premiums. However, before raising the amount, ensure that you have enough savings to cover your new, higher deductible so that you aren't scrambling for cash after an accident.
Bottom line
Uninsured motorists cost insured drivers more money through higher premiums, additional required coverages like uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, and even potentially expensive repair or medical bills.
Maintaining your auto insurance coverage is an essential part of protecting yourself financially. If cost has become an issue, search for a policy offering your state's required minimums for the lowest price and consider raising your deductible rather than going without insurance altogether. Check out our list of the best car insurance companies for some options.
Average rate:
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