Louisianians today are much like the rest of America…looking to cut back on expenses and save wherever they can to make ends meet in this terrible economy. Many people are making the bad choice to cut their insurance coverage. Cost-conscious consumers are dropping collision coverage, raising deductibles and reducing the amount of their coverage. Unfortunately, that also means some are dropping their liability insurance coverage completely. That means more uninsured drivers out there for us to encounter on the roads.
Nationally, there were 13.8% uninsured drivers on the roads in 2007. According to the Insurance Research Council, considering current unemployment projections, that percentage is expected to rise to 16.1% by next year. That means almost 2 in every 10 cars you meet on your way home from work will be uninsured.
That makes it even more important for you to make sure you keep adequate uninsured motorist coverage on your automobile policy. This coverage provides compensation for your injuries, medical bills and lost wages should you be the victim of a driver who has no liability coverage.
Check with your insurance agent, uninsured motorist coverage is cheaper than you think and will come in handy when you run into one of those 2 in 10 drivers with no insurance coverage at all.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
