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Car insurance is, for most at least, a bitter medicine. A preventative action that you hope you’ll never need, pay into in case you do and are happy to have when you need it. However, not every driver in the United States feels the need for, or even has access to, car insurance. Consequently, there are more uninsured motorists in America than you might think. 

As many as one in seven drivers in the United States may be uninsured motorists

As of 2022, around 14% of drivers in the United States were uninsured, per the Insurance Information Institute (III). That figure represents around one in seven drivers on American roads. What’s more, the sobering statistics might mean that, at their highest percentages, nearly 30 million drivers hit the streets without any liability coverage.

Okay, so people drive without insurance. That’s to be expected, right? Well, the estimates for uninsured drivers in the United Kingdom (UK) are around 4%. That’s nearly 10% less than in the United States. Moreover, estimates put our British counterparts at around one million uninsured drivers, or about a third as much as the State of Texas. 

Of course, the rate of uninsured motorists varies from state to state. For instance, ValuePenguin reports that Mississippi led the country in uninsured drivers in 2023. Specifically, nearly 30% of drivers in The Magnolia State are uninsured. That puts the percentage of uninsured drivers in Mississippi at nearly three times that of New Jersey.  

Tragically, the uninsured status of these motorists is a double-edged sword. For starters, drivers without insurance may be financially responsible for damages, injuries, and property. Moreover, a driver without insurance may be sued for causing a crash. 

However, beyond the problematic nature of driving without insurance, drivers with insurance may have to deal with the repercussions as well. For instance, if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you may have to file with your provider and seek coverage for personal injuries.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).