Auto Insurance Requirements in Missouri
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Missouri's Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law mandates all drivers to carry auto insurance with the stated minimum coverage limits of $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 for liability and $25,000/$50,000 for uninsured motorist. To register your car with Missouri's Department of Revenue (DOR), you will need to provide proof of insurance. The director of DOR will also grant your vehicle registration if you have any of the three alternatives to a policy (covered below).
Missouri required car insurance coverage
Required min. limits | |
|---|---|
| $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident | |
| $25,000 per accident | |
| $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident |
Always have your insurance ID card as your proof of insurance in case a law enforcement officer asks for it when you are pulled over.
Missouri car insurance minimum requirements
An auto insurance policy that complies with Missouri’s mandatory insurance law will at least have two types of coverage: liability and uninsured motorist. Every policy that a licensed insurer issues will cover you for the other driver's injuries and property damage when you cause an accident, or your own medical expenses when you are injured by an uninsured motorist. Here are the state minimum limits for these coverages:
Bodily injury (BI): $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Requirement
- $25,000 per injured person
- No more than a total of $50,000 per accident for two or more injured persons
Covers
- Your personal assets
- Legal fees in the event that the other party sues you, only up to the stated limit amount
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Does not cover
- Your own medical bills
Property damage (PD): $25,000 per accident
Requirement
- $25,000 per accident
- Higher limits are available but vary by insurer
Covers
- Everything from the other driver’s car
- Other properties that are damaged in the accident (buildings, fences, etc.)
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Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Requirement
- Up to $25,000 per person
- Up to $50,000 per accident
Covers
- Your own medical bills
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Optional car insurance coverage in Missouri
Most coverages required by the financial responsibility law cover your expenses when you need to pay for your own mistakes or negligence, but there are still other uncovered aspects of a car accident that may leave you under financial pressure. Both Missouri insurance agents and governmental officials usually recommend including one or several of the following optional coverages in your policy:
Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI)
Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI): When you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver whose limits are not enough to cover your loss, UIMBI kicks in. In the event that the at-fault motorist’s BI limits are lower than your UIMBI limits (for example, their BI is 25/50 against your UIMBI of 50/100), you will be covered for the difference until your medical bills are fully paid for. Keep in mind that your UIMBI limits may not be higher than the BI limits on the same policy.
Medical payments (MedPay)
Medical payments (MedPay): When you are injured in an accident, whether or not it was your fault, this coverage pays your medical bills up to a certain amount (based on the limit you purchase). If your health insurance covers medical expenses due to car accidents, you may find this coverage redundant. However, it does reimburse you for the health insurance deductible, if your plan has one. MedPay limits can range anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 per accident in Missouri, varying by insurer.
Physical damage
Physical damage: Depending on the type of car you drive, it may be worth it to include one or both of the types of physical damage insurance. Collision coverage is for repair costs when your car is damaged in a collision, such as an accident. Comprehensive coverage is for other sources of damage, such as vandalism and theft. There is usually a deductible amount attached to these coverages. Contrary to most other coverages, there is no selectable limit for physical damage, but the most coverage you may receive is your car's market value.
Alternative proof of financial responsibility in Missouri
Proof of some sort of liability insurance that meets the financial responsibility law's requirements is needed whenever you are registering or renewing a car in Missouri. If you don't have an insurance policy, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will also grant your registration if you have a record of one of the following alternatives:
Surety bond: A surety bond good for $75,000 in payments for any bodily injury or property damage you are responsible for in an auto accident can serve as your proof of liability insurance. It needs to be issued by a surety company licensed in MO and filed with the director of the DOR. When you fail to fully satisfy a judgment, the surety company will pay in your place (and later ask you for the money back).
Real estate bond: A real estate bond good for $75,000 in payments for any auto accident judgments can fulfill your MO financial responsibility. Specifically, it needs to be signed by two other individuals who own real estate in MO and together have assets or equity worth more than $150,000. This is a bond of promise that the two signed individuals will pay in your place in case you cannot. Have this bond approved by the county judge where the real estate is located, and the DOR will accept your registration.
Cash/security deposit: A deposit of $75,000 in either cash or securities (such as government bonds or notes) with the MO state treasurer can satisfy the car insurance requirements in Missouri. Note that the treasurer will only accept this deposit when it is verified that you have no prior unsatisfied judgments. This deposit serves as your liability insurance and pays for any damage you cause in an accident that is deemed your fault. When you submit a receipt of deposit, the DOR will grant your registration.
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