# Uninsured drivers by state

> The estimated share of uninsured drivers in every state, how it is measured, which states require uninsured motorist coverage and how to protect yourself.

Canonical page: https://mail.statecover-guide.com/blog/uninsured-drivers-by-state/  
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026 by the StateCover Guide editorial team  
General information, not legal or insurance advice.

## Quick answer

The Insurance Research Council estimates that 15.4% of US drivers were uninsured in 2023, and 33.4% were either uninsured or carried too little insurance. The rate ranges from 28.2% in Mississippi to 5.7% in Maine. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy is the main protection, and some states require it while others let you turn it down in writing.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| US drivers uninsured (2023) | 15.4% |
| US drivers uninsured or underinsured (2023) | 33.4% |
| National uninsured rate in 2017 and 2019 | 12.4% and 11.6% |
| Highest estimated rates | Mississippi, New Mexico and the District of Columbia |
| Lowest estimated rates | Maine, Utah and Idaho |
| Where liability insurance is required | 49 states and the District of Columbia |
| Where UM or UIM coverage is required (Triple-I count) | 20 states and the District of Columbia |

## Which states have the most uninsured drivers?

Nearly every state requires drivers to carry [liability coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/liability/), yet a large share still drive without it. The estimates below come from the Insurance Research Council (IRC), a research organization affiliated with The Institutes, whose state figures the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) republishes. The table pairs each state's rate with its rule on uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, because the two together tell you how exposed a driver there is.

| State | Estimated uninsured drivers (2023) | Uninsured motorist rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 28.2% | Optional |
| New Mexico | 24.1% | Must be included at the state minimums or higher; the named insured can reject it |
| District of Columbia | 23.1% | Required: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage |
| Michigan | 22.3% | Optional |
| Tennessee | 21.3% | Not confirmed in our sources; ask the Department of Commerce and Insurance |
| Missouri | 20.7% | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Florida | 20.6% | Included at bodily injury limits unless rejected in writing on an approved form |
| California | 20.4% | Must be offered; can be rejected by signing a waiver |

The contrast is striking. In [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/), the state with the highest estimated rate, uninsured motorist coverage is optional. In [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/) it is optional as well. [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/) includes it unless you reject it, and lawmakers there have debated making it mandatory. A 2025 bill to make UM/UIM mandatory with no right to reject (HB 97) died; rejection is still allowed. The [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/) and Missouri, by contrast, require it on every policy.

At the other end of the ranking, these states have the fewest uninsured drivers:

| State | Estimated uninsured drivers (2023) | Uninsured motorist rule |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 5.7% | Required: $50,000/$100,000 |
| Utah | 6.2% | Included at your liability limits unless you reject it or choose lower limits in writing (not below the bodily injury minimums) |
| Idaho | 6.4% | Included unless rejected in writing |
| Wyoming | 6.7% | Must be included at $25,000/$50,000 unless the named insured rejects it |
| Montana | 7.2% | Included at the bodily injury minimums ($25,000/$50,000) unless you reject it by signing a form |
| West Virginia | 7.8% | Required: at least the state minimum limits ($25,000/$50,000 bodily injury, $25,000 property damage) |

Even in [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/), [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/) and [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/), a small rate is not zero. One crash with an uninsured driver can still leave you with bills, which is why UM coverage matters everywhere. The full ranking for every state is further down this page.

## How the Insurance Research Council estimates the rate

There is no national list of uninsured drivers, so the IRC works from insurance claims instead. According to the Triple-I, it compares how often people file uninsured motorist claims with how often they file bodily injury liability claims.

The logic is simple. A bodily injury liability claim means an insured driver hurt someone. An uninsured motorist claim means an uninsured driver hurt someone who had UM coverage. Comparing the two claim frequencies gives an estimate of how many crashes involve a driver with no insurance, and so of the share of drivers who are uninsured.

A few points help when reading the numbers:

- **They are estimates.** The method relies on claims, so it reflects drivers involved in crashes and claims, not a headcount of every vehicle.
- **They are a few years old.** The latest study, published in February 2025, covers data through 2023.
- **They change over time.** The national rate was 12.4% in 2017, dipped to 11.6% in 2019 and climbed to 15.4% by 2023. The IRC found that nearly every state's rate rose when the pandemic began, with a more mixed picture afterward. Over the whole period, the largest increases were in the District of Columbia, New Jersey and Missouri.
- **Underinsured drivers are a growing share.** The combined uninsured-or-underinsured rate rose by 10 percentage points since 2017, and the IRC says nearly every state's underinsured rate went up.

The IRC also studies why rates differ between states, looking at economic conditions, insurance prices and state insurance laws.

## What uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage does

[Uninsured motorist coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/glossary/uninsured-motorist-coverage/) is part of your own policy. It steps in when the driver who caused the crash should have paid but cannot.

- **Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM)** pays for injuries to you and your passengers when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. In many states it also covers hit-and-run crashes where the driver is never found.
- **Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM)** pays when the at-fault driver has insurance, but too little to cover your losses. With 33.4% of drivers uninsured or underinsured, this gap is common.
- **Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)** pays for damage to your car in some states. California, for example, offers it up to $3,500, and only when the uninsured driver is identified. Elsewhere, your [collision coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/collision/) usually handles the car, minus your deductible.

Example: an uninsured driver runs a red light and hits you. Your medical bills and lost wages come to $40,000. With $50,000 of UM bodily injury coverage, your insurer can pay the full $40,000. Without UM, you would rely on your health insurance, any [MedPay](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/medical-payments/) or PIP, and a lawsuit against a driver who may have nothing to collect. These figures are hypothetical.

Some states let you **stack** UM limits across several cars or policies, which combines the limits for a higher premium. Our glossary entry on [stacking](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/glossary/stacking/) explains how it works, and our guide to [uninsured motorist coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/uninsured-motorist/) goes deeper on UIM calculations.

## Which states require uninsured motorist coverage?

The Triple-I counts 20 states and the District of Columbia that require UM or UIM coverage, and it advises checking with each state insurance department. Our own state facts, drawn from statutes and regulators, sort the rules into three groups. The exact wording matters, because "required" sometimes still allows you to choose lower limits.

| Rule | States |
|---|---|
| Required on every policy (lower limits sometimes allowed, never zero) | Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey (Standard Policy), New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Required with special conditions | New Hampshire (only if you buy a policy), Rhode Island (can be dropped only in narrow cases) |
| Included automatically unless you reject it in writing | Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming |
| Must be offered, or optional | Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania |
| Not confirmed in our sources | Tennessee |

The "included unless you reject it" group deserves attention. In those states you have the coverage unless you sign a rejection form. Rejecting it lowers your premium, but it removes your protection against the drivers in the tables above. Each state's exact rule, with its source, is in the [state minimum lookup](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/state-minimums/) and the table at the end of this page.

## What happens to drivers caught without insurance

States punish driving uninsured, but the penalties fall on the uninsured driver, not on the person they hit. A few examples from state motor vehicle agencies show the range:

| State | Consequences for driving uninsured |
|---|---|
| California | After a crash without insurance, a license can be suspended for up to 4 years, and proof of financial responsibility is required for 3 years |
| Florida | License and registration can be suspended for up to 3 years, with a reinstatement fee of up to $500 |
| Virginia | Suspension, a $600 noncompliance fee and an SR-22 filing for 3 years |
| Missouri | Proof of insurance must stay on file for 3 years after a suspension for not carrying insurance |

These rules push people back into the system, often through an [SR-22](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/drivers/sr-22/) filing. What they do not do is pay your medical bills or fix your car. A driver without insurance may have little you can collect, so even a successful lawsuit may not recover much. That is the gap uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is designed to fill. If you are the one whose coverage slipped, our post on a [car insurance lapse](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/blog/car-insurance-lapse/) explains how to get back on track.

## How to protect yourself from uninsured drivers

1. **Check your declarations page.** Look for uninsured and underinsured motorist lines and their limits. If they are missing, you may have rejected them in writing at some point.
2. **Consider matching UM and UIM to your liability limits.** Many states let you buy UM up to your liability limits. Higher limits protect you if an uninsured driver causes serious injuries.
3. **Read any rejection form before signing.** In states where UM is included unless rejected, the form is the only thing that removes it.
4. **Decide how to protect your car.** Ask about uninsured motorist property damage, or rely on collision coverage. Compare the deductibles of each.
5. **Look at stacking if your state allows it.** Stacking can raise your protection across several vehicles.
6. **Keep coverage for your own injuries.** Health insurance, MedPay or [personal injury protection](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/personal-injury-protection/) pay regardless of who is at fault.
7. **After a hit-and-run, act quickly.** Report it to the police and your insurer promptly. Our guide to [hit-and-run claims](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/claims/hit-and-run/) covers the deadlines.

The [coverage checklist](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/coverage-checklist/) can help you weigh these choices against your budget. A licensed agent or your state insurance department can explain the forms used in your state.

## Uninsured drivers in every state

The table ranks every state and the District of Columbia from the highest to the lowest estimated share of uninsured drivers. Each row links to the state's guide, which covers its uninsured motorist rules.

| Rank | State | Estimated share of uninsured drivers (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/) | 28.2% |
| 2 | [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/) | 24.1% |
| 3 | [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/) | 23.1% |
| 4 | [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/) | 22.3% |
| 5 | [Tennessee](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/) | 21.3% |
| 6 | [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/) | 20.7% |
| 7 | [Florida](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/florida/) | 20.6% |
| 8 | [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/) | 20.4% |
| 9 | [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/) | 19.7% |
| 10 | [Washington](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington/) | 19.1% |
| 11 | [Georgia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/) | 19.0% |
| 12 | [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/) | 18.5% |
| 13 | [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/delaware/) | 17.6% |
| 14 | [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maryland/) | 16.9% |
| 15 | [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/) | 16.8% |
| 16 | [Wisconsin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/) | 15.6% |
| 17 | [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/) | 15.2% |
| 18 | [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oregon/) | 14.7% |
| 19 | [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/texas/) | 14.5% |
| 20 | [Kentucky](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/) | 14.1% |
| 20 | [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-jersey/) | 14.1% |
| 22 | [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indiana/) | 14.0% |
| 23 | [Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/virginia/) | 12.9% |
| 24 | [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/) | 12.5% |
| 25 | [Rhode Island](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/rhode-island/) | 12.4% |
| 26 | [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/) | 12.1% |
| 27 | [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kansas/) | 12.0% |
| 27 | [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/) | 12.0% |
| 29 | [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/) | 11.8% |
| 29 | [North Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-carolina/) | 11.8% |
| 29 | [Vermont](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/vermont/) | 11.8% |
| 32 | [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/louisiana/) | 11.7% |
| 33 | [Iowa](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/) | 11.4% |
| 34 | [Minnesota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/minnesota/) | 11.3% |
| 35 | [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/) | 11.1% |
| 36 | [Pennsylvania](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/pennsylvania/) | 11.0% |
| 37 | [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/) | 10.6% |
| 37 | [North Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/) | 10.6% |
| 39 | [South Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/) | 10.3% |
| 40 | [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/) | 10.0% |
| 41 | [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/) | 9.6% |
| 42 | [Nebraska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/) | 9.5% |
| 43 | [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-dakota/) | 9.4% |
| 44 | [New York](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york/) | 8.6% |
| 45 | [Massachusetts](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/) | 7.9% |
| 46 | [West Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/west-virginia/) | 7.8% |
| 47 | [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/montana/) | 7.2% |
| 48 | [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wyoming/) | 6.7% |
| 49 | [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/) | 6.4% |
| 50 | [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/) | 6.2% |
| 51 | [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/) | 5.7% |
|  | United States | 15.4% |

Ranked from the highest to the lowest estimated share of uninsured drivers.
## FAQ

### Which state has the most uninsured drivers?

Mississippi, with an estimated 28.2% of drivers uninsured in 2023, followed by New Mexico and the District of Columbia.

### Which state has the fewest uninsured drivers?

Maine, at 5.7%, followed by Utah and Idaho.

### What percentage of drivers are uninsured in the US?

The IRC estimates 15.4% for 2023. Counting underinsured drivers as well, the figure rises to 33.4%.

### How is the uninsured driver rate calculated?

The Insurance Research Council compares the frequency of uninsured motorist claims with the frequency of bodily injury liability claims. The ratio gives an estimate of how many drivers involved in crashes had no insurance.

### Is uninsured motorist coverage required in my state?

It depends on the state. Some require it on every policy, some include it unless you reject it in writing, and some only require insurers to offer it. Check the table above or look up your state in the [state minimum lookup](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/state-minimums/).

### What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene. Underinsured motorist coverage pays when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries.

### Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for damage to my car?

Usually it covers injuries, not the car. Some states offer uninsured motorist property damage, and collision coverage can pay for your car whoever caused the crash, minus your deductible.

### What happens if an uninsured driver hits me?

Call the police, gather the other driver's details and notify your insurer. Your UM coverage, if you have it, pays for injuries the other driver should have paid for. Collision or UMPD handles the car. Our [after-a-crash checklist](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/claims/what-to-do-after-a-crash/) lists every step.

## Sources

- [Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists) — state uninsured rates, the IRC estimating method, trends and the count of states requiring UM/UIM
- [Insurance Research Council, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: 2017–2023 (press release)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250220231032/en) — national uninsured and underinsured rates, highest and lowest states, trends
- [Insurance Research Council, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: 2017–2023](https://www.insurance-research.org/research-publications/uninsured-and-underinsured-motorists-2017-2023) — scope of the study and factors examined
- [California Department of Insurance, Automobile Insurance consumer guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/upload/IG-Auto-Insurance-Updated-020525.pdf) — California UM rules
- [Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 431:10C-301](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0010C-0301.htm) — Hawaii UM provided unless rejected in writing
- [New Mexico Legislature, House Bill 97 (2025)](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=97&year=25) — proposed mandatory UM/UIM bill
- [New Mexico Legislature, 2025 House Bill 97 (shows current text of NMSA 66-5-301)](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/25%20Regular/bills/house/HB0097.PDF), as of October 28, 2026
- [Code of the District of Columbia, Section 31-2406 (required and optional insurance)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2406), as of October 28, 2026
- [Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, auto insurance shopping guide (FIS-PUB 0201a)](https://www.michigan.gov/autoinsurance/-/media/Project/Websites/autoinsurance/PDFs/FIS-PUB_0201a.pdf), as of October 28, 2026
- [Revised Statutes of Missouri, Section 379.203 (uninsured motorist coverage required)](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=379.203), as of October 28, 2026
- [Florida Statutes (2026), Section 627.727 (uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage)](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.727.html), as of October 28, 2026
- [Maine Bureau of Insurance, Insurance Required by Law](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/auto-insurance/insurance-required-by-law), as of October 28, 2026
- [Idaho Department of Insurance, Required Auto Coverage](https://doi.idaho.gov/consumers/auto-insurance/required-auto-coverage/), as of October 28, 2026
- [Wyoming Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 31 (31-4-103, 31-9-102, 31-9-405, 31-10-101)](https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title31.pdf), as of October 28, 2026
- [Montana Legislature, MCA 33-23-201 (2025), uninsured motorist coverage and rejection by insured](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0230/part_0020/section_0010/0330-0230-0020-0010.html), as of October 28, 2026
- [West Virginia Legislature, W. Va. Code 33-6-31 (uninsured and underinsured motorists' coverage)](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/33-6-31/), as of October 28, 2026
- [California DMV, California Driver's Handbook: Financial Responsibility, Insurance Requirements and Collisions](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/financial-responsibility-insurance-requirements-and-collisions/), as of October 28, 2026
- [California DMV, Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law (SR 104)](https://dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/04/sr104.pdf), as of October 28, 2026
- [FLHSMV, Insurance Requirements](https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/), as of October 28, 2026
- [Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Insurance Requirements](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/insurance-requirements), as of October 28, 2026
- [Missouri Department of Revenue, Mandatory Insurance FAQs](https://dor.mo.gov/faq/driver-license/mandatory-insurance.html), as of October 28, 2026
- [Mississippi Insurance Department, Auto Insurance](https://www.mid.ms.gov/mississippi-insurance-department/consumers/auto-insurance/), as of September 3, 2026
- [Utah Legislature, Utah Code 31A-22-305 (uninsured motorist coverage)](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title31A/Chapter22/C31A-22-S305_2026050620260506.html), as of May 6, 2026
- [California Department of Insurance, Automobile Insurance (Form 101, text version)](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/auto101.cfm), as of February 5, 2025