US uninsured driver rates reach 15% amid rising premiums

Approximately 15% of drivers in the United States—roughly one in seven—were operating vehicles without valid auto insurance as of 2025, according to a study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC).

This increase from pre-pandemic levels is primarily attributed to escalating insurance premiums that have strained household budgets. The rising costs, which accelerated between 2022 and 2025, have created an affordability crisis affecting drivers across various income levels.

Uninsured rates vary by state due to differences in local economic conditions, enforcement, and premium costs. Mississippi, Tennessee, Michigan, and Florida report some of the highest concentrations of uninsured drivers, while Maine, New York, Utah, and Massachusetts report the lowest.