How big of a problem are uninsured motorists in Tennessee?

One of the main reasons that motorists take out uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage when they purchase auto insurance is to make sure that they’ll be able to cover their accident-related costs no matter who crashes into them. Nearly two dozen states require motorists to take out UM or UIM coverage. Tennessee is not one of those states, but perhaps should be based on how many motorists drive without insurance.

According to data published by the Insurance Research Council in 2017, as many as 13 percent of all drivers in 2015 drove their cars while uninsured. The number of motorists driving around without insurance has steadily increased from its all-time low of 12.3 percent in 2010.

The states with the highest percentage of uninsured motorists include Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Michigan and Tennessee at 26.7, 23.7, 20.8, 20.3 and 20 percent, respectively. The states with the lowest rates of uninsured motorists include Maine, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont at 4.5, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5 and 6.8 percent, respectively.

Some states have begun using insurance tracking software programs to identify motorists who may have a history of driving uninsured. They may lose their license, be fined or jailed for doing so.

Motorists who are hurt when struck by uninsured motorists may be responsible for paying their own medical bills and lost wages if they don’t have UM or UIM coverage as part of their automobile insurance policy. A Knoxville uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents attorney can review your coverage and let you know whether you carry this type of insurance and advise you as to how to proceed from there.