PR
Newswire
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.
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