Over one-third of consumers – 36 percent – said they’d keep driving if they were unable to maintain their car insurance, according to a survey by auto insurer Direct General.

According to the company, bad credit ratings or falling behind on payments can leave people uninsured, and driving without coverage is illegal in most states.

"As the economy continues to wane and unemployment rises, more drivers sharing the road will be letting their auto insurance lapse or already are rolling the dice and taking their chances without insurance," said Dan Tarantin, president and CEO of Direct General.

Data released by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) earlier this year echoes Tarantin’s point: the IRC predicted that by 2010, 16.1 percent of motorists will be uninsured, up from 13.8 percent in 2007.