Missouri Auto Insurance: What You Need To Know

Missouri requires all motor vehicle drivers and owners to have some form of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. The minimum coverage liability limits are 25/50/25, meaning $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident. Missouri is a fault state, meaning that the driver who is found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for paying for the damages.

Minimum auto insurance requirements

Missouri mandates that all drivers have minimum auto insurance requirements, which include liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum liability coverage required in Missouri is:

• $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 the 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 to the other driver and their vehicle.

In addition to liability insurance, Missouri law also requires uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage protects you if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. The minimum requirements for uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri are:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident

It is important to note that these are the minimum requirements, and you may choose to purchase additional coverage to protect yourself financially in the event of a more serious accident.

Missouri operates under an at-fault system, meaning that the driver who is found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for covering the damages. This can have an impact on insurance costs, as those found at fault may face higher insurance premiums.

Drivers in Missouri must carry proof of insurance and present it to law enforcement upon request. Failure to do so can result in fines, license suspension, and other penalties.

Proof of insurance

In Missouri, drivers are required to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times. This can be in the form of an electronic or digital copy, such as displaying an electronic image of an insurance identification card on a mobile device, or a physical copy. If a law enforcement officer asks for proof of insurance and the driver cannot show it, they may be issued a ticket.

The Missouri Driver License Bureau can request that a vehicle owner provide proof of insurance at any time during the registration period. If the owner cannot provide proof of insurance, their driver's license may be suspended.

There are three ways to meet the insurance requirements in Missouri:

• A motor vehicle liability insurance policy that meets the minimum liability insurance limits of "25/50/25", including $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• Proof of financial responsibility filed with the Department of Revenue, such as a real estate bond or a deposit of cash or negotiable securities.
• A certificate of self-insurance issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue to companies or religious organizations with at least 26 private passenger vehicles registered in the state.

Failure to maintain insurance can result in penalties such as court-ordered supervision, driver's license suspension, license reinstatement fees, points on the driving record, and even jail time for repeat offenders.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Missouri can result in various penalties, depending on the circumstances and the number of previous violations. Here is an overview of the possible consequences:

First Offense

For a first-time violation, you may face a fine of up to $500 and a suspension of your driving privileges. Your driver's license, registration, and license plates will be suspended until you obtain insurance and pay a reinstatement fee, which can range from $20 to $400. Additionally, four points will be added to your driving record, and you will be required to provide proof of insurance to regain your driving privileges.

Second Offense

If a second offense occurs within two years of the first violation, you will face a 90-day suspension of your driving privileges. You will also be subject to four points on your driving record and a fine of $200 to $500. There is also the possibility of jail time of up to 15 days. To reinstate your driving privileges, you will need to pay a $200 reinstatement fee and provide proof of insurance.

Third and Subsequent Offenses

A third offense within two years of a previous violation will result in a one-year suspension of your driver's license, registration, and license plates. The reinstatement fee increases to $400, and you may be sentenced to up to 15 days in jail. A fine of $200 to $500 may also be imposed, and four points will be added to your driving record.

Repeat Offenders

For repeat offenders, the penalties can become more severe. In addition to the fines, suspension, and reinstatement fees mentioned above, repeat offenders may face up to 15 days in jail and will have the "no insurance" ticket permanently on their record.

Accidents While Uninsured

If you are involved in an accident while uninsured, the penalties can be even more stringent. You may be required to pay for the damages caused in the accident and could lose your driving privileges for a year until you can provide proof that the damages have been settled. Additionally, you will need to file an SR-22 certificate for three years after reinstatement, demonstrating that you have the minimum required auto insurance.

"No Pay, No Play" Law

Missouri's "no pay, no play" law also imposes a penalty on uninsured drivers involved in accidents. If you are driving without insurance and are injured in an accident, you may be barred from recovering "non-economic" damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering, even if the accident was not your fault.

Self-insurance certificates

In Missouri, companies and religious organizations with a minimum of 26 private passenger vehicles registered in the state can apply for self-insurance certification. This certification serves as an alternative to purchasing liability insurance and provides proof of financial responsibility in the event of a traffic accident. Here is a detailed guide on the requirements and process for obtaining a self-insurance certificate in Missouri:

Requirements for Companies:

• A written request on company letterhead, signed by a company officer, expressing interest in self-insurance.
• Financial statements from the previous three years, including audited balance sheets and income statements, demonstrating the company's solvency.
• A list of at least 26 private passenger vehicles registered in Missouri, including vehicle descriptions (year, make, VIN, and plate number).
• A completed "Agreement to Pay Judgments" (Form 5317).

Requirements for Religious Organizations:

• A written request on church letterhead, signed by an official, requesting self-insurance and affirming that the church discourages its members from purchasing insurance.
• A list of at least 26 church members with private passenger vehicles registered in Missouri, including their names, addresses, and vehicle descriptions (year, make, VIN, and license plate number).
• A notarized affidavit from a church minister, deacon, or officer, stating that the church's religious tenets discourage insurance purchases and agreeing to pay any judgments against members. This can be done using Form 5689.
• A written explanation of how the church intends to pay for damages caused by a member in a motor vehicle accident.
• Examples or statements of how the church has settled claims in the past.

Application Submission and Processing:

• All required documents should be submitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Self-Insurance, PO Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0200.
• Within two weeks of receiving the application, the Missouri Department of Revenue will either issue the self-insurance certificate and identification cards or send a letter denying the request.

It is important to note that self-insurance is a significant financial responsibility, and applicants should carefully consider their ability to cover potential liabilities before applying.

Accident reporting

In Missouri, you are required by law to remain at the scene of a traffic accident and render aid and exchange information. If the accident results in personal injuries, fatalities, or property damage of $500 or more, it must be reported to the police. This applies to all types of traffic accidents, including those involving trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. If the accident involves an uninsured motorist, it must also be reported to the Missouri Driver License Bureau.

The quickest way to report a traffic accident is to call 911, who will dispatch the correct law enforcement agency to the crash site. The local police department usually investigates accidents that occur within city or county limits, while the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates all other accidents.

You are required to either report the accident yourself within five days or have the police come if any of the following criteria are met:

• There is more than $500 of property damage.
• An uninsured driver was involved.
• A parked vehicle is damaged, and the owner cannot be immediately contacted.
• It is required by your insurance company.

When law enforcement arrives, they will take statements from everyone involved and gather objective data to fill out the crash report. Some of the information noted includes diagrams showing the point of impact and the positions of the vehicles involved, lighting and time of day, and pertinent traffic signals and signs.

You can file your own crash accident report, but it is not required if a police officer responds to the scene. If you choose to file a report yourself, you can use the official Missouri traffic crash report form.

After an accident, it is important to notify your insurance carrier as soon as possible to open a case file and initiate the settlement process. Keep copies of all medical bills, body shop estimates, and quotes from mechanics.

Frequently asked questions