Increasing Number of Motorists Are Uninsured, Putting Insured Drivers At Risk

WORCESTER, Mass., March 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one in eight U.S. drivers was uninsured in 2015, putting insured drivers at greater risk in the event of an auto accident, according to a new study.

The study, directed by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) and co-sponsored by The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), found that 13 percent of all U.S. motorists were uninsured in 2015, up from 12.3 percent in 2010, following a seven-year decline.

When an uninsured driver is at fault in an accident, insured drivers, or their insurance companies, often are left to pay for the resulting physical damage and health costs. Similarly, an underinsured driver may not have high enough limits on his or her policy to cover all costs of damage caused.

"The results of the survey sound an alarm," said Daniel Halsey, president, personal lines, at The Hanover. "Uninsured motorists represent a significant risk to insured drivers. With the average cost of an uninsured motorist claim around $20,000, excluding any physical damage to the vehicle, the best approach is to make sure you have the proper insurance in place to protect yourself in the event of an accident."

The Hanover suggests customers talk with their independent agents about the following:

• Do I need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on my policy? Often, this is a low cost way to add protection in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
• How much uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage do I need? Generally, it is a good idea to have the same amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as bodily injury coverage. Be wary of suggestions to reduce or remove this coverage to reduce the premium on a policy.
• How does uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage work when I have an umbrella policy? Umbrella protection can kick in once auto limits are met. The Hanover offers uninsured/underinsured coverage of up to $2 million on umbrella policies in some states.

Drivers in 49 states are required to carry car insurance. Despite this, some drivers choose to violate the laws and drive without coverage. The numbers of uninsured motorists varied between states, ranging anywhere from 4.5 percent to 26.7 percent, according to the IRC. Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Michigan and Tennessee were the top five states with uninsured motorists, while North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, and Maine have the lowest rates. While Massachusetts had one of the lowest rates, it did experience the largest percentage point increase over a 10-year period.  

"While some states saw significant drops in their uninsured motorists rates, overall, the rate is increasing nationwide," said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. "This can mean added risk for all motorists."

To learn more about staying protected from uninsured drivers, check out The Hanover's article, Protect Yourself from Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists, or visit the Insurance Research Council.

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides exceptional insurance solutions in a dynamic world. The Hanover distributes its products through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agents, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. Through its international member company, Chaucer, The Hanover also underwrites business at Lloyd's of London in several major insurance and reinsurance classes, including marine, property and energy. For more information, please visit hanover.com.

All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates ("The Hanover"). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. For more information about The Hanover visit our website at www.hanover.com.

©2018 The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

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