1 in 8 Hawaii Drivers Uninsured, More to Come

One out of eight Hawaii drivers is uninsured, and a new study says that is likely to increase as the economy crumbles.

The study by the Insurance Research Council looks at data from 2007 of claims filed against uninsured drivers in Hawaii. The state’s 12 percent uninsured rate compares with a national average of 13.8 percent.

State Insurance Commissioner J. P. Schmidt says the rate could even be higher. Schmidt says he has no real data but some analysts believed several years ago it was closer to one in five or 20 percent.

When an uninsured motorist is in an accident, other motorists often have to sue to collect damages. One remedy is to get specific coverage against uninsured motorists.

The insurance commissioner says the uninsured raise the costs for everyone.