Dangerous Driving: Colorado Ranks 9th for Most Uninsured Drivers

A new report produced by the Insurance Research Council indicates that Colorado has once again cracked the top 10 in terms of states with the most uninsured drivers.

The rate of uninsured drivers has been steadily increasing since 2006, three years after Colorado switched from a no-fault insurance system to a traditional tort liability system, which insurance companies argued at the time would lower premiums and decrease the overall number of uninsured drivers.

While premiums and uninsured drivers both decreased initially, the report indicates that the number of uninsured drivers is now steadily on the rise. With approximately 16% of drivers in Colorado illegally using their vehicles without insurance, Colorado ranks 9th highest out of the 50 states. This translates to an estimated 594,000 uninsured drivers in the state.

Adding to this confusing trend is the fact that Colorado's insurance premiums are lower than the national average, with costs of gasoline and vehicle repairs also being similarly low when compared to the rest of the country.

Lurking behind these statistics and figures appears to be a strong correlation between the rise in uninsured drivers and the rise in hit and run accidents in the Denver metro area. The sharp increase in hit and runs has been a primary concern of law enforcement and safety officials in the past few years.

These trends are concerning, because they indicate that Coloradans are choosing to be uninsured despite relatively low costs and extremely high risks.

One way to protect yourself from being stuck with high medical bills and costs from an accident with an uninsured motorist is to purchase UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage with your insurance company, which is generally available for a minimal cost addition each month.

If you are injured by no fault of your own in a hit and run accident, or by an uninsured motorist, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today at (303) 279-0221  for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Premiums Fall, Yet Motorists Still Choose to be Uninsured