Best Cheap Auto Insurance in St. Louis, Missouri (2023)

Car insurance policies in St. Louis cost an average of $190 per month, $51 more than the national average. Known for its iconic Gateway Arch, successful sports teams, and impressive arts scene, St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri.^{[1] [2]}

The large number of drivers on St. Louis’ roadways and the city’s relatively high number of property crimes likely contribute to its higher-than-average car insurance costs. But some top insurers offer rates below the city average, including State Farm, USAA, and American Family. Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in St. Louis.

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Best car insurance companies in St. Louis

The best car insurance companies vary from one city to the next, but it’s always important to consider your insurance needs and finances. Car insurance is a recurring expense, and finding a policy that fits your budget and provides adequate coverage is essential.

State Farm, USAA, and American Family offer the most competitive rates for a few common types of drivers in St. Louis. Even so, the best insurance company for you may be entirely different. Each driver has a unique driving history, and each insurer calculates rates differently, which only emphasizes the importance of comparing car insurance quotes before buying.

Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm

Best insurer for military families: USAA

Best insurer for accident forgiveness: American Family

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in St. Louis

Most states, including Missouri, require drivers to carry liability-only car insurance. This insurance typically covers vehicle repairs and medical costs for the other driver if you’re responsible for an accident — but not your own medical expenses or vehicle repairs.^[3] 

Here are the insurance companies with the cheapest liability rates in St. Louis.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in St. Louis

Full-coverage car insurance meets the state requirements for liability coverage and usually includes comprehensive and collision. Each insurer defines full coverage differently, but the policies cover medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Unlike liability-only insurance, full-coverage insurance pays for your medical expenses and repairs if you’re responsible for an accident.

The following insurers offer the best full-coverage rates in St. Louis.

Car insurance requirements in Missouri

Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident must turn to their own insurance company to cover the claim damages.^[4]

The state mandates liability-only auto insurance to ensure drivers have adequate coverage, including minimum amounts for bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability insurance, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Below are the mandated coverage limits for drivers in St. Louis:

While the minimum coverage amounts provide some financial protection, you might want to purchase higher limits or additional coverages. If you lease or finance your car, you might have to add extra protections since lenders usually require collision and comprehensive coverage.

The following coverages exceed the state minimums and are worth considering, especially if you drive frequently:

Comprehensive coverage

This provides financial protection if your car sustains damage due to something other than a collision, including theft, fire, and vandalism.

Collision coverage

If you’re at fault for an accident, collision coverage protects you financially.

Glass coverage

This pays for repairs if your windshield or windows are shattered or damaged. It’s usually a supplemental policy.

Gap coverage

If you finance your car and owe more than the vehicle is currently worth, gap insurance can help cover the difference in the event of a claim.

Pure comparative fault

Missouri abides by the rules of pure comparative fault, which means drivers can be at fault for a percentage of an accident. Because of that, your damages will be reduced by the amount you’re at fault. After drivers file a claim, insurance companies can investigate the accident and determine the percentage of fault for everyone involved.^[5]

For example, if you’re in an accident, the other driver might be at fault for 70% of the collision, but you might be responsible for 30%, so only 70% of your claim would be covered. If you disagree with the final evaluation, you can seek legal help or ask your insurance company to meet with the other insurer to reconsider.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Some factors, like location and age, affect your car insurance rates and are impossible to control. But your driving record — especially whether you have any violations — also affects your rates.

Insurers consider the incidents on your driving record when determining rates. Incidents like driving under the influence (DUI), speeding tickets, and at-fault accidents can all cause your rates to increase. Because of that, it’s even more important to compare quotes and find the most competitive rates.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you may see your insurance costs increase, depending on the severity of the ticket and how many other infractions you have on your record. Here are the cheapest insurance companies in St. Louis for drivers with speeding tickets.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Insurers will classify you as “at fault” if you’re responsible for an accident. In Missouri, an at-fault accident can stay on your record for three to five years.^[6] At-fault accidents will almost always cause your insurance rates to increase. Due to Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, you can be partially at fault. But this can still negatively affect your car insurance record.

Here are the best insurance companies for St. Louis drivers with at-fault accidents.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Driving-under-the-influence (DUI) violations can do more than negatively affect car insurance rates. Some insurers may even choose not to renew auto policies after drivers get an infraction.

Getting competitive car insurance rates after a DUI is still possible, but you might need to work with a company specializing in high-risk coverage. Here are some of the cheapest insurance companies for St. Louis drivers with DUIs on their records.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Age is another factor that affects car insurance rates, and its effect changes as drivers age. Teenage drivers are usually more expensive to insure, but rates drop in adulthood around age 35. After that, drivers benefit from some of the cheapest car insurance rates until age 75, when average rates increase again.

The following insurers offer the cheapest monthly car insurance quotes for senior drivers in St. Louis.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Teenage drivers are some of the most expensive drivers to insure due to inexperience and the fact that they’re more likely to engage in dangerous driving. You still have ways to reduce the cost, though. Consider insuring your teenager on the family insurance plan, choosing a car with maximum safety features, and asking about good student discounts.

The following insurers are the best options for teen drivers in St. Louis.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in St. Louis

Your credit score, age, location, driving record, and vehicle all affect your car insurance rates. While you can’t change some of these factors, you can take steps to secure a better deal.

Here are some simple strategies for lowering your car insurance bill:

• Limit your mileage. If you only drive a few hundred miles monthly, consider switching to a usage-based policy where you only pay for the miles you drive. Make sure to estimate your annual mileage accurately. If you drive infrequently, you’ll typically pay less.

• Apply for discounts. Most insurers offer a variety of discounts. Check for discounts related to age, driving record, student status, and loyalty.

• Bundle policies. You can usually qualify for a discount if you get multiple policies from one insurer, such as your home and auto insurance.

• Don’t avoid extra coverage. It’s tempting to opt for the minimum coverage amounts to save money. But even though it costs more in the short term, you could save money if you’re in an accident and have more extensive coverage.

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St. Louis car insurance quotes by credit tier

Insurers in Missouri consider credit score as another risk factor and use it when determining rates. Because of that, your credit score affects your car insurance rates in St. Louis. The higher your credit score, the lower your car insurance premium.

Drivers with excellent or good credit scores typically pay lower rates than drivers with poor credit scores. Below, you can see just how much your credit score can affect your car insurance rates in St. Louis.

Is car insurance more expensive in St. Louis?

The average cost of car insurance in St. Louis is $190 per month. Compared to the national average of $139 per month, drivers in St. Louis pay nearly $600 more for car insurance each year.

Your location affects your car insurance rates, especially if your ZIP code is in a densely populated city. Even where you park your car — including if you park in a garage or on the street — affects how much you pay.

More cities in Missouri

Most accidents occur in cities or towns, so drivers living in rural areas might pay less. As the second-largest city in the state, St. Louis drivers typically pay more for car insurance. Drivers in more rural parts of Missouri might pay less.^[7] 

Here’s how the car insurance rates in St. Louis compare to other cities in the state.

St. Louis car insurance FAQs