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Concerns are rising that more people might start dropping their car insurance as a way to save money.
The Insurance Research Council says approximately one in six drivers across the country may be driving uninsured by 2010. The IRC says the recent economic downturn is expected to trigger a sharp rise in the uninsured motorist rate.
In 2007, 13.8 percent of drivers nationwide were uninsured. The five states with the highest uninsured driver estimates were New Mexico (29 percent), Mississippi (28 percent), Alabama (26 percent), Oklahoma (24 percent), and Florida (23 percent). The five states with the lowest uninsured driver estimates were Massachusetts (1 percent), Maine (4 percent), North Dakota (5 percent), New York (5 percent), and Vermont (6 percent). Utah's uninsured driver estimate was 8 percent.
"An increase in the number of uninsured motorists is an unfortunate consequence of the economic downturn and illustrates how virtually everyone is affected by recent economic developments," said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. "Responsible drivers who purchase insurance end up paying for injuries caused by uninsured drivers."
Insurance agent Lynn Jorgensen at the Jorgensen Agency in Provo said, "Our concern is to make sure that they do have proper coverage. Yes, when times are tight and you have a choice between food and insurance, insurance takes second tab."
Jorgensen says he's worried people will get themselves into trouble, not by just getting rid of insurance, but by cutting the coverage as low as they can. Because he says if you cause an accident and someone gets hurt, someone is going to have to pay those expensive medical bills. And if you don't have good coverage, the person paying will be you.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
