Summer is the time is for driving; road trips, vacations, family outings.
you may not involved in an accident during these times, but chances are you will be involved in at least one accident in your lifetime.
What happens when one or both vehicles involvedi n an auto accident do not have insurance?
According to the Insurance Research Council, In the US, there is a 1 in 7 chance that a driver is uninsured.
The bad economy has also caused an increase in the number of drivers without insurance.
From 2003 to 2007, the number of uninsured motorists declined before increasing to just over 14% in 2008 and dropping to just below 14% percent in 2009, according to the IRC.
The bad economy is thought to be the reason.
“The leveling trend in the percentage 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, in a press release.
“Despite laws in many states requiring drivers to maintain insurance, about one in seven motorists remain uninsured. This forces responsible drivers who carry insurance to bear the burden of paying for injuries caused by drivers who carry no insurance at all,” Sprinkel said.
In a new study, “Uninsured Motorists, 2011 edition,” the IRC determines their estimates for the number of uninsured drivers by comparing the number of uninsured mtotorist in 2008 and 2009 based on the number of uninsured motorist insurance claims versus the number of bodily injury claims.
In 2009, the five states with the highest uninsured driver estimates were Mississippi, 28 percent; New Mexico, 26 percent; Tennessee, 24 percent; Oklahoma, 24 percent; and Florida, 24 percent.
The five states with the lowest uninsured driver estimates were Massachusetts, 4.5 percent; Maine, 4.5 percent; New York, 5 percent; Pennsylvania, 7 percent; and Vermont, 7 percent.
Illinois falls in between with 15 percent uninsured.
In a previously issued report, the IRC predicted a lsmaller number of uninsured motorists, citing ahistorically strong connection with the national unemployment rate. The strength of the relationship weakened slightly in light of more recent data.
Mandatory insurance law.
Even though Illinois requires all drivers to be insured, many are not.
Drivers allow their policies to lapse or drive into Illinois from other states resulting in uninsured drivers, explains Missy Lundberg, with State Farm Insurance Public Affairs in Downers Grove.
“If you are involved in an automobile accident, no matter how minor, always ask the other party for their insurance information,” Lundberg said.
“Jot down pertinent information if they do not have an insurance card with them such as name, address, phone number, make and model of the vehicle, and the license plate number. Ask them directly if they have insurance. Call the police and make a police report no matter how small the loss appears,” she said.
Drivers should also complete the Illinois Motorist Report provided by the police officer. This report is sent to the Illinois Department of Transportation and the accident is recorded.
If an accidents results in damages, property or bodily injury, IDOT will ask them to provide proof of insurance.
If the driver cannot prove insurance, post a bond or pay for the loss, IDOT can suspend a driver's license if the driver cannot prove that they have insurance, if they cannot post a bond or if they cannot pay for the loss.
Illinois Secretary of State’s office recommends that i you are hit by uninsured motorist and they are responsible for the accident, report the accident with an Illinois Crash Report and send it to IDOT:Illinois Department of Transportation Accident Report Office, 3215 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, IL 62766; (217) 782-4516.
The driver should indicate on the report that they were hit by an uninsured motorist and request that the case be certified to the Secretary of State for suspension under the Safety and Financial Responsibility Law.
The Secretary of State will certifiy the case and subsequently suspend the driver's license of the at-fault uninsured driver. The license plates of the vehicle involved in the accident will also be suspended. The suspension will remain in effect until restitution is made or until other requirements under the law.
Another option available to a victim of an uninsured motorist is to file a court judgment against the uninsured motorist. If the judgment remains unsatisfied for 30 days, the victim may submit it to the Secretary of State’s office for suspension.
Lundberg adds that “if a driver has collision, medical payments or uninsured motorist (insurance) coverage, these coverages will reimburse you for your property damage and injury claim …” The insured motorist’s company then will seek damages from the uninsured driver.
Drivers are in compliance with Illinois’ mandatory insurance law if they have vehicle liability insurance in these minimum amounts: $20,000 — injury or death of one person in an accident; $40,000 — injury or death of more than one person in an accident; and $15,000 — damage to property of another person.
Drivers always must carry an insurance card in their vehicle and show it upon request by any law enforcement officer.
Liability insurance is required for all motor vehicles requited to display license plates and that are being driven, including cars, vans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks and buses. Trailers are not required to have liability insurance.
Some vehicle classes — such as dealer, rental and tow trucks — require higher liability minimums and proof of insurance under other Illinois laws.
Also, some insurance companies do not sell insurance to vehicle owners who have been driving uninsured. If a driver is having problems buying insurance, they should ask an insurance agent about the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.
The Illinois Department of Insurance maintains a consumer services division that will answer any questions drivers might have about auto insurance. Write: Illinois Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division, 320 W. Washington St., 4th Floor, Springfield, IL 62767 or call: (217) 782-4515.