| State | Uninsured Drivers(%) | State | Uninsured Drivers(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 20% | Georgia | 12% |
| Alaska | 12% | Hawaii | 6% |
| Arizona | 13% | Idaho | 6% |
| Arkansas | 16% | Illinois | 11% |
| California | 16% | Indiana | 14% |
| Colorado | 17% | Iowa | 8% |
| Connecticut | 7% | Kansas | 9% |
| Delaware | 8% | Kentucky | 14% |
| Florida | 26% | Louisiana | 13% |
| State | Uninsured Drivers(%) | State | Uninsured Drivers(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 4% | Nevada | 10% |
| Maryland | 14% | New Hampshire | 7% |
| Massachusetts | 4% | New Jersey | 3% |
| Michigan | 20% | New Mexico | 21% |
| Minnesota | 11% | New York | 7% |
| Mississippi | 22% | North Carolina | 11% |
| Missouri | 14% | North Dakota | 4% |
| Montana | 6% | Ohio | 13% |
| Nebraska | 10% | Oklahoma | 13% |
| State | Uninsured Drivers(%) | State | Uninsured Drivers(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 13% | Utah | 8% |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | Vermont | 6% |
| Rhode Island | 11% | Virginia | 12% |
| South Carolina | 10% | Washington | 21% |
| South Dakota | 6% | West Virginia | 13% |
| Tennessee | 23% | Wisconsin | 14% |
| Texas | 14% | Wyoming | 6% |
| State | Uninsured Drivers(%) |
|---|---|
| District Of Colombia | 25% |
Source: Insurance Research Council (IRC), via the Insurance Information Institute (III)
Data note: Percentages reflect the most recently published IRC estimates. Values are rounded and represent the share of drivers operating vehicles without auto insurance.
Auto insurance plays a central role in vehicle ownership. Beyond legal requirements, it protects drivers from financial risk related to accidents, theft, weather damage, and liability claims. Understanding how coverage works helps vehicle owners make informed decisions throughout the ownership lifecycle.
This guide provides a clear, non-commercial overview of auto insurance in the United States, including coverage types, cost factors, and how insurance interacts with vehicle value, repairs, and long-term ownership costs.
At its core, auto insurance serves three primary purposes:
Insurance does not eliminate risk, but it helps transfer large financial losses into predictable, manageable costs.
Liability insurance covers damage or injuries you cause to others.
It typically includes:
Liability coverage does not pay for your own vehicle repairs.
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision, regardless of fault.
Common use cases include:
This coverage is often required for financed or leased vehicles.
Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision damage.
This typically includes:
Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is tied closely to vehicle value.
This coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who lacks adequate insurance.
It may cover:
This coverage is especially important in regions with high uninsured driver rates.
Depending on the policy and jurisdiction, coverage may include:
These coverages focus on occupants, not vehicle damage.
Many policies also offer optional protections such as:
These add convenience but are not always cost-effective for every driver.
Insurance premiums are influenced by multiple factors, including:
As vehicles age and depreciate, insurance strategies often change to reflect declining value.
Insurance coverage should evolve as a vehicle’s value changes.
Key considerations include:
Insurance decisions should align with realistic vehicle value rather than original cost.
New vehicles typically:
Used vehicles may:
Ownership stage matters as much as vehicle type.
Modern vehicles often include advanced materials and technology that affect insurance outcomes.
Factors that influence claims include:
Higher repair costs often translate to higher premiums over time.
Higher deductibles generally reduce premiums but increase out-of-pocket risk. Coverage limits should reflect realistic exposure rather than minimum requirements alone.
Insurance coverage should be reviewed when:
Insurance is not a “set it and forget it” decision.
Insurance works alongside other ownership expenses such as:
Viewed together, these elements define the true cost of vehicle ownership over time.
This guide is intended for general educational purposes only. Coverage availability, terms, and requirements vary by provider and jurisdiction. Vehicle owners should always review policy documents carefully and consult licensed professionals when needed.
[…] Insurance should be reviewed periodically as part of a broader ownership cost strategy. […]
