Missouri Car Insurance: A Quick Guide to Purchasing Car Insurance for Residents

Missouri has a very simple set of requirements when it comes to auto insurance for its residents. All MO vehicles are required to be covered under a liability policy, and all drivers must possess an uninsured motorist policy.

Liability will pay for damages suffered by the other driver and vehicle in the event that the insured is responsible for an accident in sums up to twenty five thousand dollars for injuries suffered by a single driver, fifty thousand dollars for the combined medical expenses of all of the occupants of the vehicle and ten thousand dollars for repairs to any property, public or private, damaged in the accident (this includes the vehicle of the other driver). As medical expenses and repair costs can quickly accumulate to exceed these totals, and the insured will be held personally liable for these excesses, it is strongly suggested that more than the minimum level of liability be purchased.  

Uninsured motorist coverage is a prudent choice for all drivers because not every state in the US requires its drivers to have liability. As a result every day there are drivers driving down public highways that do not have insurance, and should they be involved in a crash their victims would have no recourse but to attempt to recoup their losses from the driver’s personal assets. Uninsured motorist insurance will assist these victims in obtaining medical care and making repairs on the vehicles as quickly as possible. This also provides assistance to those drivers who find themselves the victims of a hit and run.

Not required but strongly recommended is comprehensive and collision coverage (although if a car is currently under lien the lien holder may require this). MO collision will pay for damages to the car of the insured in the event that they are responsible for an accident with another vehicle, as well as those accidents resulting from inclement weather or other unavoidable circumstance.

More complete information about Missouri auto insurance may be obtained through the Missouri Department of Insurance by visiting their website at http://insurance.mo.gov or by contacting their Jefferson City office at 800-726-7390.