Missouri Auto Insurance: Understanding State Minimum Requirements

If you're a driver in Missouri, it's important to understand the state's minimum auto insurance requirements. Driving without insurance is not only risky but also illegal and can lead to steep penalties and fines. Missouri's minimum coverage requirements, often referred to as 25/50/25, include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. Additionally, Missouri mandates uninsured motorist coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. While these are the legal minimums, it is recommended to consider additional coverage for better financial protection in case of an accident.

Minimum insurance requirements

Missouri requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of car insurance coverage. The minimum coverage requirements in Missouri are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person in an accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people in an accident
• $25,000 for property damage liability in an accident
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per accident

These minimum coverage requirements are often referred to as 25/50/25 coverage. Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that the driver who is found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for paying for the damages. The minimum insurance requirements in Missouri help ensure that motorists have financial responsibility in the event of an accident, covering costs related to injuries or damages inflicted on others.

While Missouri's state insurance minimums are higher than those in some other states, it is highly recommended that most drivers obtain coverage above the state-mandated limits. This is because these minimum coverage limits are often not enough to adequately cover most costs, and drivers can be left to cover the remainder. For example, if a driver causes an accident that results in $45,000 in injuries for the other driver, their liability coverage would only pay $25,000 for that person's injuries, even though the per-accident limit is $50,000. Furthermore, if any other passengers from that car are injured, the total remaining amount for all other injuries is only $25,000. As you can see, liability limits can run out quite quickly.

In addition to the minimum coverage requirements, Missouri also requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Unfortunately, not everyone on the road has insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage steps in when a driver without insurance is at fault for an accident. Should an uninsured driver be unable to cover your medical bills, your uninsured coverage would go toward paying the expenses for any injuries you sustained in the accident. Missouri requires this coverage to prevent drivers from suffering financial loss in the event they are in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Missouri does not require drivers to carry additional coverage such as personal liability insurance or collision and comprehensive insurance. However, if you own property or other valuable assets, supplementing the minimum requirements can help protect you from monetary loss.

Uninsured motorist coverage

The minimum amount of liability coverage required in Missouri is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. The state also requires a minimum of $25,000 per accident for property damage. These limits are known as a split limit, with separate amounts for per person, per accident, and property damage.

To make an uninsured motorist claim, the insured individual must provide proof of the accident, such as a police report, and confirm that the at-fault driver was uninsured, which can be done through a report from the DMV. It is important to note that uninsured motorist coverage does not apply to passengers in non-owned vehicles or in cases of unidentified or phantom vehicles.

While Missouri's state insurance minimums are higher than some other states, it is recommended that drivers obtain additional coverage. The minimum coverage limits may not be sufficient to cover all costs associated with an accident, and drivers may be left to pay the remaining amount out of pocket.

Liability coverage

Missouri state law requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which is often referred to as a 25/50/25 split limit. This means that drivers must have:

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

Liability insurance covers those who are injured or who suffer damages in an accident caused by the policyholder. It always pays the other driver and never pays for the policyholder's injuries or damage to their vehicle.

Bodily injury liability covers the medical expenses of the people injured in the accident, while property damage liability covers the cost of replacing or repairing personal property damaged or destroyed in the accident.

Liability insurance also covers some of the injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers, depending on the policy. Missouri law requires liability insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident. This protects you and your passengers if you're hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, or if you're the victim of a hit-and-run.

Collision coverage

In Missouri, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance, known as liability insurance, to protect others in the event of an accident. This includes Bodily Injury Liability, with a minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, and Property Damage Liability, with a minimum coverage of $25,000. While these coverages are essential and mandated by law, they do not cover damages to your own vehicle in the event of a collision. This is where Collision Coverage comes into play.

When considering collision coverage, it's important to weigh the benefits against the cost. If you lease or finance your vehicle, collision coverage is typically mandatory to protect the lender's investment. However, if you own your car outright, the decision to include collision coverage depends on several factors. Firstly, consider the value of your vehicle. If your car is brand new or worth a significant amount, collision coverage can help with costly repairs or replacement. Secondly, evaluate your financial situation. If you couldn't afford to pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle out of pocket, collision coverage can provide valuable protection.

Additionally, it's worth noting that collision coverage has some exclusions. It does not apply to collisions with animals, which are covered under comprehensive coverage. It also doesn't cover injuries or damage caused to another driver and their vehicle—your liability coverage is used in such cases. Furthermore, damage to your vehicle caused by events outside your control, such as a falling tree, is typically covered under comprehensive coverage.

While collision coverage may increase your insurance premium, it can provide significant financial protection in the event of a collision. It ensures that you won't have to pay out-of-pocket expenses, except for the deductible, and keeps you protected in case of accidents involving other vehicles or stationary objects.

Comprehensive coverage

In the state of Missouri, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of auto liability insurance. This includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. The minimum coverage amounts are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability. This means that if you are found responsible for an accident, your insurance will cover the expenses of the other driver and their passengers, including their medical expenses and the replacement of their personal property, up to these specified amounts.

While liability insurance covers the expenses of the other driver in an accident, comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage that protects your own vehicle. Comprehensive coverage is often required by lenders if you are leasing or financing a vehicle. It is also a good idea to add this coverage if your car is worth more than $5,000 or is newer than eight years old.

The cost of comprehensive coverage in Missouri will depend on various factors, including your driving record, age, gender, and credit score. It is generally more expensive to add comprehensive coverage to your policy, with rates increasing by an average of $102 per month in Missouri. However, it is important to consider the potential costs of repairs or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged or stolen. Comprehensive coverage provides financial protection and peace of mind in these situations.

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