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Are uninsured drivers a risk in Illinois?

Every month, six months or year, you pay for automobile liability insurance. If you are like many Illinois drivers, you might carry several times more coverage than what the state mandates.

Unfortunately, your coverage won’t be the biggest help in a crash caused by another driver. Instead, it is their liability policy that will pay for your vehicle damage expenses and injury costs. In a worst-case situation, you could get hurt by a driver who doesn’t have insurance at all.

Uninsured drivers are a common issue in Illinois

While Illinois doesn’t have as many uninsured drivers as other nearby states, like Michigan, there are still thousands of drivers without active policies on the roads.

Despite state laws requiring insurance coverage, some drivers cancel their policies or accidentally let their coverage lapse. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 11.8% of drivers in Illinois do not have insurance on their vehicles.

What happens after a crash with an uninsured driver?

Some people don’t realize their insurance policy has lapsed until they try to make a claim. Others may know about the coverage issue and the consequences they face. There’s a strong correlation between uninsured drivers and hit-and-run crashes. The other driver might try to flee the scene.

Even if they do stop and wait for the police, you may only be able to make a claim against your own policy if you have uninsured driver coverage or other coverage in excess of the state minimum. Many drivers hit by someone without insurance will have no choice but to pursue a civil lawsuit for their crash costs.

Knowing your rights after a motor vehicle collision can help you connect with the support and compensation you deserve.

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