Missouri Car Insurance Laws: How much Coverage Do I Need?

Missouri law requires drivers to purchase a minimum of 25/50/25 in liability coverage and 25/50 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Written by Sarah Gray
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Missouri car insurance
laws state that all vehicles registered in the state are required to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000/$50,000 of bodily injury liability and $25,000 of property damage liability, along with at least $25,0000/$50,000 of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Missouri car insurance requirements

Type of car insurance coverage
Minimum insurance limit
Bodily injury liability (per person)
$25,000
Bodily injury liability (per accident)
$50,000
Property damage liability (per accident)
$25,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (per person/per accident)
$25,000/$50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
(UM/UIM) is insurance that pays for your medical bills if you’re involved in a car accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough or any liability car insurance coverage to pay for your expenses
Liability insurance is classified into two types of coverage:
  • Bodily injury liability
    covers the cost of personal injuries and lost wages for the other driver up to your policy limits if you are at fault.
  • Property damage liability
    covers the cost of personal property damage for any other parties involved in an accident up to your policy limits when you are at fault.
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For legal driving in Missouri, it's essential to meet or exceed state-mandated liability insurance limits. Simplify the process with the Jerry app, allowing you to quickly select state minimums or customize coverage for comprehensive protection.
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Is minimum coverage the most cost effective option?

State-minimum insurance may come with cheaper premiums, but the lack of coverage actually makes it one of your least cost effective options.
Here’s why:
  • Minimum liability coverage is barely enough to cover damages and medical bills following the average accident. According to data published by the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average bodily injury liability claim in 2021 was $22,734, while the average property damage claim was $5,314.1
  • Liability coverage does not pay for your own vehicle repairs or medical expenses. According to the III, the average collision coverage claim in 2021 was $5,010. Since uninsured motorist coverage only pays out if you’re in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, this will be an out-of-pocket expense if you don’t have a full-coverage policy.
  • Liability coverage will not pay for damages caused by weather, theft, or vandalism.
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Expert Insurance Agent Insight

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Vice President Insurance Operations
A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.
  • If you can afford it, raise your Missouri auto insurance coverage limits to at least $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $300,000 per accident.
  • Raise your property damage liability coverage limits to $100,000.
  • Purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to pay for damages to your own vehicle.
As of September 2023, the average minimum liability car insurance policy in Missouri costs $114 monthly and $1,373 per year. The average full-coverage policy costs $165 per month and $1,987 per year. For the extra monthly cost, full coverage ultimately is the more cost-effective option for most drivers should they need to use their insurance. 
Remember: Car insurance premiums are highly individualized since car insurance companies look at personal factors like age, location, your driving record, vehicle type, and more when they calculate car insurance rates and determine discounts. The only way to ensure you’re getting the best price is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers.
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Optional coverages in Missouri

Keep in mind, if you’re financing or leasing a car, the lender might require you to get a 
full-coverage auto insurance
 policy, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Additionally, leasing companies usually require higher liability limits.
For peace of mind, consider getting additional coverage. Here are a few types of optional coverages worth looking into: 
  • Collision insurance
    : Helps pay for vehicle repairs caused by a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
  • Comprehensive insurance
    : Pays for the costs of non-collision-related damage to your vehicle, like hail, flood damage, theft, vandalism, and more.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Missouri

It’s illegal to
drive without car insurance
in any state, and Missouri imposes harsh penalties if you’re unable to show
proof of insurance
upon request to any law enforcement official.2 These could include:
You’ll also have to
file an SR-22 certificate
. Missouri refers to this as an “order of supervision,” which means drivers are required to submit proof of financial responsibility to the Missouri Department of Revenue, usually for three years.

FAQs

What are the auto insurance requirements in Missouri?

Minimum car insurance requirements for Missouri drivers include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, $25,000 of property damage liability insurance, and at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Missouri?

Yes. Since auto insurance follows the motor vehicle in Missouri, the person named on the policy is covered along with any household members and anyone who has permission to drive the car.

What type of auto liability coverage is required in Missouri?

Missouri requires minimum amounts of both bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. Together, these coverages pay for the other driver’s damages and medical expenses, up to your policy limits, if you cause an accident.

Is Missouri a no fault accident state?

No, Missouri is an
at-fault state
. If you cause an accident in Missouri, the other driver will file claims for both property damage and bodily injuries with your insurer.

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