Paul Sanchez
Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that Missouri residents are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage through their auto insurance provider. In the event of an auto accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is liable to pay for medical expenses and other damages to individuals who were injured as a result of the accident. This protects injured persons if the driver holding the insurance policy causes a crash. In Missouri, an injured person may file their claim for bodily injury or property damage against the liability coverage of the driver who caused the crash without going through their own insurance company first.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of insurance state | At-fault |
| Minimum liability coverage per person for bodily injury | $25,000 |
| Minimum liability coverage per accident for bodily injury | $50,000 |
| Minimum liability coverage per accident for property damage | $25,000 |
| Minimum uninsured motorist coverage per person for bodily injury | $25,000 |
| Minimum uninsured motorist coverage per accident for bodily injury | $50,000 |
| Ability to sue the at-fault driver for damages | Yes |
| Ability to file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company | Yes |
| Ability to file a claim with your own insurance company | Yes |
| Ability to file a personal injury lawsuit | Yes |
What You'll Learn
Missouri is an at-fault state
In Missouri, an at-fault driver is responsible for paying for the injuries and damages they caused. Typically, a claimant (the person filing the claim) can expect to recover a certain amount of money to compensate for their damages. Damages typically fall into two categories: economic damages (medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of a normal life).
Missouri's at-fault system involves determining the degree of contributory negligence of each driver in the accident. The damages incurred by both parties are considered along with their fault in the accident. If you are found to be partially at fault, you will not be able to recover the portion of your damages that corresponds to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the crash, you will only be able to recover 75% of the total value of your damages from the other driver.
The State of Missouri requires every driver to carry certain amounts of insurance coverage. The required liability insurance coverage is as follows:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
Additionally, Missouri requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Drivers who do not have insurance or do not meet the minimum Missouri car insurance requirements can have their driver's license suspended by the State. If a driver without the minimum required insurance causes more damage than they can afford to pay, they may be subject to a lawsuit and a potentially high judgment.
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Liability coverage requirements
Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that Missouri residents are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage through their auto insurance provider. In the event of an auto accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is liable to pay for medical expenses and other damages to individuals who were injured as a result of the accident. This protects injured persons if the driver holding the insurance policy causes a crash. In Missouri, an injured person may file their claim for bodily injury or property damage against the liability coverage of the driver who caused the crash without going through their own insurance company first.
The minimum amounts of liability coverage required in Missouri are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Liability coverage pays for injuries, property damage, and other losses you cause in a car accident, up to coverage limits. For example, if you rear-end another car at a stop sign, your liability coverage will pay for the injuries and damage you cause.
People who are injured because of your driving can sue you for damages greater than your minimum liability coverage. You can—and probably should—carry more coverage than the minimum amount required by state law. Higher policy limits may cost you more in premiums but could save you from financial ruin if you're the at-fault driver in a serious car accident.
Your liability insurance doesn't cover your injuries or vehicle damage when you're at fault for an accident. But you can purchase collision coverage to help repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Collision coverage is optional in Missouri, but your car loan lender may require you to have it.
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Uninsured motorist coverage
Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that Missouri residents are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage as part of their auto insurance. In the event of a car accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is liable to pay for medical expenses and other damages to those injured as a result. This is where uninsured motorist coverage comes in.
The minimum liability coverage required by Missouri law for uninsured motorist coverage is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. This coverage applies to bodily injury only and does not cover damage to the insured person's vehicle. It is important to note that uninsured motorist coverage is not applicable if the insured person is at fault for the accident.
In Missouri, residents involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist can file a claim with their own insurance company, provided they meet certain conditions. These conditions include sustaining bodily injuries, having proof that the accident was caused by an uninsured motorist, and being legally entitled to collect from the uninsured motorist. It is also important to exhaust all applicable policy limits through payment or settlement before filing a claim.
To initiate a claim, it is crucial to report the accident to the police and document any injuries and property damage. Additionally, individuals should seek medical treatment and keep records of their doctor's appointments, symptoms, and any time missed from work due to their injuries. This documentation will be essential when filing a claim and seeking compensation.
In summary, uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri provides financial protection to insured individuals involved in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. By understanding the requirements and conditions of this coverage, Missouri residents can ensure they have the necessary protection in the event of an accident.
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No-fault insurance vs. fault insurance
Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that Missouri residents are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage through their auto insurance provider. In the event of an auto accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is liable to pay for medical expenses and other damages to individuals who were injured as a result of the accident. This protects injured persons if the driver holding the insurance policy causes a crash. In Missouri, an injured person may file their claim for bodily injury or property damage against the liability coverage of the driver who caused the crash without going through their own insurance company first.
"At-fault" and "no-fault" are terms that refer to the type of insurance system for any given state in the United States, and they determine how auto accident claims are handled. In no-fault states, you rely on your own insurance to cover medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses, regardless of who caused the car crash. No-fault insurance, sometimes referred to as personal injury protection insurance (PIP), can help cover you and your passengers' medical expenses and loss of income in the event of a covered accident, regardless of who is found at fault. That said, no-fault insurance does not cover theft or car damage.
Most no-fault states require insurance companies to provide coverage (often called Personal Injury Protection, or first-party coverage) to cover the policyholder's injuries in a crash. In no-fault states, everyone must use their own car insurance to pay for their damages and injuries, regardless of who caused the wreck. If a person's injuries exceed their no-fault coverage, they may be able to make a claim against the other driver's policy, but many states limit the amount that can be recovered.
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Missouri's pure comparative fault system
Missouri is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who is responsible for a car accident is required to pay for the other party's damages, including medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is typically covered by the at-fault driver's liability insurance.
In 1983, Missouri adopted the rules of pure comparative fault, which allows your damages to be reduced by the percentage you are at fault in a loss. This means that a driver is entitled to recover damages from an accident even if they are partially at fault. For example, if a driver is deemed to be 30% at fault for an accident, they are responsible for covering 30% of the damages. The other driver, who is 70% at fault, would then be responsible for covering the remaining 70% of the damages.
Pure comparative fault is used in both personal injury lawsuits and third-party insurance claims in Missouri. In a lawsuit, the percentage of fault is assigned by a judge or jury, while in an insurance claim, the insurance company determines the percentage of fault of each party to establish how much they will pay.
In Missouri, if a person is injured due to another person's negligent or intentional behaviour, they may be able to recover damages from the other person based on comparative negligence. Missouri is one of the dozen states that use a pure comparative negligence system, which allows accident victims to pursue compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault for the accident.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Missouri is an at-fault state. This means that injured drivers can file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company or their own.
Missouri law requires all vehicle owners and drivers to maintain liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum amounts of liability coverage required in Missouri are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
In no-fault states, you rely on your own insurance to cover medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses, regardless of who caused the car crash. In at-fault states, the driver who is at fault for a car accident has to pay for the other party's damages, including medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
