Auto Coverage in Missouri
Missouri Auto Insurance
Drivers in Missouri need to carry basic liability coverage for their vehicles, and will need to show proof of their insurance when they register a vehicle in the state. As you'll learn below, failing to maintain auto insurance coverage in Missouri could result in stiff penalties – even the suspension of your license.
Minimum Missouri auto insurance
Drivers in the state of Missouri are required to carry liability insurance in the following amounts:
- Bodily Injury and Death: $25,000 to cover one person in any one accident, and $20,000 to cover all injuries
- Property Damages: $10,000
- Uninsured Motorist Insurance: $25,000 to covers one person in any one accident, and $50,000 to cover all injuries
These amounts are quite low compared with many other states, although many other states do not have the same requirement that drivers carry uninsured motorist insurance. Still, this protection can be a benefit to you if you're in an accident with a driver who's not capable of paying for your damages and medical bills, and it can protect you from costly bills.
Penalties without Missouri auto insurance
If you are pulled over or in an accident, and can't prove that you're insured, you can face the consequences – including the penalty of having your driver's license suspended for up to a year.
However, the penalties inflicted by the state could pale in comparison to the costs you could be liable for if you're in an accident without coverage. Missouri relies on a tort system, meaning that one of the drivers in a car crash has be to be found at fault and must take financial responsibility for all the damages. If you're found at fault in an accident, you'll need to pay not only the repairs for your own vehicle and your medical costs, but also those of any other drivers and their passengers too. For this reason it's important to make sure you have enough coverage. Since the minimum required coverage in Missouri is pretty low, you'll probably want to buy higher amounts of insurance, to protect your finances.