MMA Blog

How uninsured drivers can affect your insurance

 

Being involved in a car accident sure is inconvenient, but so long as everyone is safe and motorists have the proper auto insurance protection in place, things could be a whole lot worse.

Yet even though 49 of the 50 states require car owners to carry car insurance, it seems that more people are opting to go without being covered. This presents a problem not just to the individuals themselves, but everyone who plays by the rules, impacting policyholders right where it hurts: their wallets.

For several years, the nation's uninsured rate was progressively edging lower, but in 2015, the trend reversed itself, rising to 13 percent, according to the Insurance Research Council. That's the equivalent of 1 in 8. The uninsured rate is still in the single digits in more than a third of the U.S., but in several states, it's above 20 percent.

Peter Howard, MMA sales executive, noted today's motorists would likely be surprised by just how frequently drivers operate their vehicles sans insurance, in the Northwest included.

"I find it imperative to educate our clients on the importance of understanding how coverages respond in the event of the unthinkable, as many do not realize how these coverages would apply," warned Howard. "For example, depending on how your policy coverages are written, you may not have coverage for property damage when an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you while you are driving."

Uninsured motorists contribute to rising premiums
People have their own set of reasons for why they don't purchase auto insurance, but when they don't pay, it forces everyone else to pick up the slack. Uninsured motorist insurance exists for this very reason, which kicks in should you ever be involved in a crash and the other driver is to blame.

However, given the fact that it's costing more money to repair today's automobiles - due in part to these vehicles being outfitted with state-of-the-art technology - the amount of coverage on the existing UM insurance policy may not be enough. And that's assuming there aren't any serious injuries. When people are hurt, this only adds to the final tally. Given that motorists don't have to be driving all that fast to be injured, it's little wonder 2.35 million people annually in the U.S. are injured or disabled in crashes, according to the Association for Safe International Travel.

"Uninsured Motorist Property Damage is an inexpensive coverage, which could save the insured a headache when getting damages repaired to their car, if ever involved in an accident with an uninsured driver," Howard advised.

When you don't do your part by obtaining auto insurance, everyone else winds up paying, in the form of higher premiums. Be a part of the solution and keep your policy up to date.

 

Get a quote

Keep Up To Date

Subscribe to our blog for all the latest news, updates, and events from MMA and our partners

Subscribe

Tell us what you need. We’ll take it from there.

Get a Quote


    YesNo











        First, tell us about you:






        EmailPhone


        Next, tell us about your business:





        Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


        Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

        You are ready to submit the form:

          First, tell us about you:






          EmailPhone





          Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


          AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



          NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

          Now you are ready to submit the form:

            First, tell us about you:






            EmailPhone





            Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


            AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

            Now you are ready to submit the form:

              First, tell us about you:






              EmailPhone


              Next, tell us about your business:





              Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


              Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

              You are ready to submit the form:

                First, tell us about you:

                Contact Form

                -->




                    First, tell us about you:






                    EmailPhone





                    Step 1 of 2Next

                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreational

                     

                    WatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                      First, tell us about you:






                      EmailPhone


                      Step 1 of 3Next

                      Next, tell us about your business:





                      Step 2 of 3Next

                      Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                      Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



                      NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                      You are ready to submit the form:

                        First, tell us about you:






                        EmailPhone





                        Step 1 of 2Next



                        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                        Now you are ready to submit the form:

                          Review Form

                            First, tell us about you:






                            EmailPhone







                            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                            Now you are ready to submit the form:

                              First, tell us about you:






                              EmailPhone





                              Next, tell us about your claim:






                              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                              Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                First, tell us about you and your business:







                                EmailPhone


                                Next, tell us about the surety bond you need:







                                NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                  Contact us for a quote:

                                    First, tell us about you:






                                    EmailPhone





                                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a Marsh McLennan Agency representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                      First, tell us about you:

                                      Contact Form

                                      -->

                                      cross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram