Missouri Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Missouri law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Missouri must hold 25/50/25 in liability insurance and 25/50 in uninsured motorist coverage. Personal injury protection isn’t required, but it is encouraged. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Missouri

The minimum car insurance requirements in Missouri are^[1]:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

• $25,000 for uninsured motorist coverage per person

• $50,000 for uninsured motorist coverage per accident

Each state has its own set of laws, and Missouri auto insurance is no different. Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that if you’re responsible for causing an accident, you and your insurance company are required to cover the costs of damages and injuries. For this reason, you might want to consider additional personal injury protection (PIP) and/or medical payments (MedPay).

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Missouri.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Missouri_._

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

The state of Missouri also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UI) coverage, which protects you if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver. While state law mandates that anyone who operates a motor vehicle carry the minimum amount of insurance, some drivers might still find ways around that. This also works to protect you in the case of a hit and run.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Missouri?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Missouri provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. While the minimum amount of liability insurance at 25/50/25 helps keep drivers protected, you might want to consider purchasing extra coverage if you want peace of mind beyond these liability limits.

Also, the state of Missouri doesn’t require drivers to carry types of insurance that would help them or their passengers in the case of an accident. If you need to pay for injuries or damage sustained by you, your family members, or any other passengers in your car, these minimum requirements won’t apply. For this reason, personal injury protection or MedPay could help.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Missouri

Missouri drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Missouri, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, covers medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services for you and other members of your household if you’re injured in a car accident. PIP provides coverage regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Personal injury protection is not required in Missouri, although it is highly encouraged to offer you protection.

Other Supplemental Coverage

You can tailor your policy to fit your unique needs. If your driving record shows that you’re more prone to accidents, you might want to consider customizing your coverage to include protection from a higher risk of accidents. For example, you could increase your liability limits beyond the 25/50/25 required minimum amount so you don’t get stuck paying for expenses out of pocket.

If you want peace of mind knowing that there’s someone to help you with car troubles, consider roadside assistance. More than an on-call tow truck, they can also help with changing a flat tire, jump-starting a dead battery, helping if you lock yourself out of your car, or delivering gasoline to you. This may result in a higher insurance premium, but it could be worth it.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Missouri

It is illegal to drive in Missouri without the minimum car insurance coverage. If you fail to show proof of insurance upon request by a law enforcement officer, you receive a ticket, and penalties can escalate from there. This includes potentially losing your driving privileges, paying for increasingly higher reinstatement fees, and still needing to show your proof of insurance^[2].

• First suspension: $20 reinstatement fee

• Second suspension: license revoked for 90 days, $200 reinstatement fee

• Third suspension: license revoked for 1 year, $400 reinstatement fee

• In all cases, drivers must show proof of insurance

If you are convicted by the Missouri Department of Revenue, then the violation can stay on your driving record and you will receive four points. It only takes eight points within an 18-month period to lose your driving privileges in Missouri. This is why it’s important to always carry proof of insurance with you in your car, similarly to having your driver’s license with you at all times.

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Missouri

If you’re found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI), there are a few extra steps you need to take to get back on the road and prove that you’re on track to becoming a more responsible driver. The Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles will require you to pay fees in order to reinstate your license, and you may have to pay a $25 fee for your insurer to file an SR-22 for you.

An SR-22 is a certificate that acts as proof of financial responsibility, similar to an FR-44 in Florida or Virginia. An insurance agent needs to purchase this for you and can help add it to your policy to help you get back behind the wheel.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Missouri

DUI Insurance in Missouri

SR-22 Insurance in Missouri

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Missouri

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Missouri.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Missouri

Getting a high-quality policy shouldn’t mean breaking the bank. Whether you’re just aiming for the minimum amount of coverage or customizing your policy with a number of extra add-ons, Insurify can help you get a great deal. Our tools help people shop around and compare car insurance quotes in just a few minutes and all for free.