Missouri Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you’re traveling to Kansas City for a Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium, heading for the Gateway Arch and a St. Louis Cardinals game, taking in the shows at Branson, doing business in Springfield, or making your way to Hannibal to follow the footsteps of Tom and Huck, the Show Me State offers scenic beauty, history and entertainment. From Independence to Cape Girardeau, St. Joseph to Malden, sightseeing or commuting, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible Missouri driver.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for MO State Residents

As of 2010, there were nearly 4 million licensed drivers in the Show Me State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 14% of Missouri drivers are uninsured. The Missouri State Highway patrol reported a 6.14% decrease in the number of traffic accidents between 2007 and 2008. Over 40% of car crash fatalities were people 16 to 35, and a third of all fatal accidents involved drug or alcohol use. Only an eighth of the accidents were attributed to inclement weather, and 75% of all accidents happened during the day time on dry roads. 57% of all fatal crashes in 2008 involved just one car. Uninsured and alcohol-impaired drivers are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Show Me State.

 

Missouri State Minimum Car Insurance

Missouri state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Show Me State has a tort-based system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Missouri does not require you to carry additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability
• $25,000/$50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury

 

Missouri Car Insurance Laws

Missouri law requires that you carry proof of Missouri auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. This is a class C misdemeanor, which typically carries a maximum fine of $300 and up to 15 days in jail. There may also be court costs and other fees involved, and your license may be suspended for up to 3 years. Reinstating it will cost you $20. If you are convicted, you will also receive 5 points on your driving record; 8 points in an 18-month period and you lose your driver’s license. You will also be required to keep an SR-22 proof of insurance form on file with the Department of Revenue for 3 years following your conviction.

You have to have proof of insurance to register or renew registration on a vehicle in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Revenue keeps track of it and requires your insurance company to notify them if your policy lapses or is canceled.

 

Regulating Agency and References

Missouri Department of Insurance
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Missouri. For more information, visit their website at http://www.insurance.mo.gov/

Missouri Department of Revenue
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Missouri auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at http://www.dor.mo.gov/

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at http://www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at http://www.iii.org/

 

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