Staying Safe On the Road: Why Having Automobile Insurance is Critical

Studies show that there are over 6 million car accidents each year in the United States alone. That translates to roughly 16,400 per day. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 1.35 million people lose their lives in fatal car accidents annually.

To add even more to these dire statistics, an additional 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries each year globally. And, these injuries often result in long-term disability.

These are staggering numbers, and they make it all the more important for you to not only pay attention and drive defensively but to also have adequate and affordable automobile insurance.

Fortunately, car insurance is easy to come by, and it can be acquired simply by comparing rates. Below, we’ll explore why it is extremely important to have automobile insurance today.

Distractions

Today, motorists have more distractions in their vehicles than ever before. With all of the buttons, features, and navigation systems running in modern vehicles, it’s a task just to keep your eyes on the road.

Perhaps the biggest distraction is right at your fingertips (literally).

Smartphones require attention in order to type and send messages. And, today texting has become the preferred method of communication. The National Safety Council reports that nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from texting and driving on U.S. roads. In fact, in 2019, over 3,000 people were killed due to distracted driving in the United States.

With this in mind, having car insurance is critical in case you find yourself blindsided by a distracted driver and need to foot the bill for repairs.

To put it plainly, paying attention to the road, and to other drivers, and driving defensively are your best preventive measures against getting into an accident. But, if any of the aforementioned fails, having insurance is the best way to protect you financially.

Injury

Studies show that nearly 1 in 8 drivers are operating vehicles without insurance. This means that you have a 12.5 percent chance of being hit by an uninsured motorist. Even if this seems like a small percentage, automobile accidents happen quickly, and the impact of these collisions can cause serious injury.

Consider the number of big trucks on the road. These trucks are typically insured up to 1 million dollars if not in the multi-million dollar range. This is because trucking accidents can be quite severe, costly, and oftentimes deadly.

Being injured is not a pleasant experience. And, just like with the high cost of automobiles, medical expenses are just as costly if not higher.

If you’re uninsured, you could be faced with not only legal implications but be subject to lawsuits for compensation, which can include pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and several other damages. Whether you’re driving a junk car or a brand new car, there is always the risk of injury every time you set foot inside a car; having adequate car insurance is going to protect you and other drivers.

Cost

If you’ve ever purchased a vehicle, or have taken out a loan to lease or buy a new car, then you know just how expensive a vehicle is.

Repairs for a vehicle can be just as costly, and sometimes the repairs can actually cost more than the vehicle itself. If the latter is the case, then this is typically considered a total loss by an insurance company, and if you don’t have adequate insurance, this can leave you without transportation.

Insurance protects not only you but the other driver as well in the event of an accident, and with the high cost of towing services, vehicle repairs, and medical expenses, driving without insurance can not only land you in bad financial straits, but you could find yourself in legal trouble as well.

Driving On Without Worry

Having insurance gives you peace of mind while you’re out on the road. This is especially fitting if you’re the type of person who likes to drive for pleasure, or if you use your vehicle for work-related tasks.

Whether or not you’re just a casual driver, and only drive to and from work or the grocery store, or if you take frequent cross-country road trips, having insurance protects you and others from undue financial strain in the event of an accident.

Additionally, most states have laws requiring motorists to have auto insurance in order to operate a vehicle, and you can be fined significantly if you’re found without proper proof of insurance.

Regardless, the key takeaway here is that if you’re driving without insurance you’re taking a risk both financially and legally.