UNINSURED MOTORISTS WILL CLIMB DURING RECESSION - Non-Compliance Could Lead To More Ticket Writing

(01/28/2009)

By Bob Weaver The Insurance Research Council predicts an increase in the number of uninsured motorists around the country over the next couple years. The increase of uninsured motorist because of the nation's financial collapse could increase the costs to accident victims. By 2010, approximately one in six drivers across the United States could be driving uninsured because of the recent economic downturn, according to the council. West Virginia mandates that drivers have at least $20,000 of insurance to protect against uninsured motorists. That amount is not sufficient for many accidents, which rise to $40,000 with auto damage, hospital costs, and lost wages. In the last study, only 8 percent of West Virginia drivers don't have insurance, but that number is rising. The recession could lead to more ticket writing by police officers for non-compliance. A recent survey conducted by the state Legislative Auditor's Office found that about 25% of West Virginia State troopers said they operated under an unofficial quota of "contacts" with the public, most of them for violations like driving uninsured, expired license, etc. The survey responses from officers indicated for each traffic ticket or warning issued, the trooper gets one point toward the quota. The West Virginia State Police have long denied such a quota system exists. The troopers told the legislative auditors that while there was nothing in writing, the pervasive understanding was that they were to make at least 100 contacts every month.

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