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Florida Has More Uninsured Drivers Than Most States

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

Florida has more uninsured drivers than most states and the problem is expected to get worse, according to a study released this week by an independent research group.

The study by the Insurance Research Council says the recession will likely trigger a sharp increase in the number of uninsured motorists. The study estimates that one in six U.S. drivers will be uninsured by 2010.

"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," Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC, said in a news release.

Florida had the fifth highest uninsured driver estimate at 23 percent, according to the study. The four states with higher estimates were: New Mexico, 29 percent; Mississippi, 28 percent; Alabama, 26 percent; and Oklahoma, 24 percent.

The study found that the number of uninsured motorists was indelibly linked to each state's unemployment rate. Based on unemployment rate projections, researchers estimated that the number of uninsured motorists in the United States will increase from 13.8 percent in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2010.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870 or rray@tampatrib.com.

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