Texas (KLTV) – Nearly one in seven Texas drivers is on the road without insurance, and experts say the financial and legal consequences of a single crash can far outweigh the cost of a policy.<\/p>\n
Texas ranks 22nd in the nation for uninsured drivers. The average Texan with coverage pays $1,800 a year \u2014 nearly 27% more than the national average. Experts say that cost is pushing more drivers to go without coverage.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s at stake without coverage<\/p>\n
Attorney Justin Roberts said the consequences extend well beyond a traffic ticket. One accident, he said, could cost $15,000 to $25,000 out of pocket \u2014 the equivalent of up to 13 years of premiums.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you hit somebody, they won\u2019t be able to pay their medical bills potentially,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cYou also have the exposure of getting sued personally and won\u2019t have insurance there to protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Texas, driving uninsured can result in hundreds of dollars in fines. Repeat offenders risk losing their license and having their vehicle impounded.<\/p>\n
Roberts also cautioned that purchasing a policy after a crash provides no protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cInsurance takes effect when you purchase it,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cSo if you get in a wreck and then try to buy insurance, it\u2019s too late.\u201d<\/p>\n
The uninsured driver risk to insured motorists<\/p>\n
Roberts said drivers who do carry insurance are not fully protected if they are hit by an uninsured motorist \u2014 unless they carry underinsured motorist coverage.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of the uninsured drivers on the road, nearly one in seven Texas drivers don\u2019t have any insurance,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd so if you get hit by one of those drivers, the only protection you have is your own underinsured motorist coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Affordable options still available<\/p>\n
Yan Reyes, an insurance agent at Easy Access Insurance in Tyler, said affordable coverage options remain available even as rates rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with multiple companies,\u201d Reyes said. \u201cSo, we can definitely help every customer get at least liability insurance. Or also, we can get comprehensive and collision at a very affordable price as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the pandemic, the national uninsured rate has climbed nearly three percentage points and has not recovered. Roberts said the cost of coverage, while significant, does not outweigh the risk of going without it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the best purchase you can make because you never know when you\u2019re going to need it,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd when you need it, you really do need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Experts say drivers should shop around and confirm their policy is current before they need it.<\/p>\n
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