If you drive in Missouri, understanding car insurance laws is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family. Missouri state law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance.
This rule is in place so that if a crash happens, there is money available to pay for the damage and the medical treatment. Here is a clear, simple guide to the auto insurance requirements in Missouri, what they mean for you, and how they work when you’re in a car accident.
Missouri’s Car Liability Insurance
According to Missouri Revised Statute Section 303.190, every driver must have a motor vehicle liability policy. Liability insurance pays the other person if you cause a crash. If another driver causes the crash that puts you in the hospital, their liability insurance is supposed to pay for your medical bills and your damaged car.
Minimum Liability Limits in Missouri
The law sets a strict minimum on how much insurance coverage a driver must buy. Under Missouri Revised Statute Section 303.030, the absolute minimum liability limits are:
- $25,000 for Bodily Injury per Person: This means if you are hurt in a crash caused by someone else, their insurance will pay up to $25,000 for your hospital bills, surgeries, and rehab.
- $50,000 for Bodily Injury per Accident: If two or more people are hurt in the same crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay no more than $50,000 total for everyone’s medical bills combined.
- $25,000 for Property Damage: This pays to fix or replace your car if the other driver hits you.
While these are the minimums required by the state, $25,000 goes very fast when you have a serious injury. A single trip to the emergency room, an X-ray, and an overnight stay in the hospital can easily cost more than $25,000. This is why these minimums are just the starting point.
Learn More: Understanding Medical Liens in a Personal Injury Case
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Car Accidents
What happens if the person who hits you broke the law and has no insurance? Or what if you are the victim of a hit-and-run? This is a terrifying thought when you are facing mounting hospital debt.
Thankfully, Missouri law has protection for situations like this. Under Missouri Revised Statute Section 379.203, every auto insurance policy sold in the state must include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.
Your Uninsured Motorist accident coverage must meet the same minimum limits as the bodily injury liability law: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
This is incredibly important. It means that if an uninsured driver puts you in the hospital, you are not left to pay the bills all by yourself. Your own insurance company steps in and pays for your medical treatment up to your policy limits. You have rights, and this law makes sure you have a safety net. Note that Missouri does not require Uninsured Motorist coverage for property damage; it only applies to your bodily injuries.
Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Missouri
Driving without insurance in Missouri is not worth the risk. The state enforces strict penalties that can impact your freedom, finances, and driving privileges.
Here is a breakdown of the penalties for driving while uninsured in Missouri:
- 1st Offense: You will get 4 points on your driving record and must pay a $20 reinstatement fee after showing proof of insurance.
- 2nd Offense: Your license will be suspended for 90 days. You will get 4 points, face a $200 reinstatement fee, and could spend up to 15 days in jail.
- 3rd Offense: Your license will be suspended for a full year. You will get 4 points, a $400 reinstatement fee, and potential jail time.
Beyond these penalties, driving without insurance can lead to other serious consequences:
- License Suspension & SR-22: Your license can be suspended, and you may be required to file an SR-22 form, which labels you a high-risk driver and increases your insurance costs.
- Vehicle Impoundment: Police can impound your vehicle, leaving you with towing and storage fees.
- Higher Insurance Premiums: When you get insurance again, your rates will likely be much higher.
Understanding Missouri’s Point System
Missouri uses a point system to track traffic violations. Accumulating points from violations like speeding, driving intoxicated, or driving uninsured can lead to license suspension or revocation.
For a detailed list of violations and their point values, view Form 899, the “Missouri Driver Record Traffic Violation Descriptions and Points Assessed” form.
Optional Coverages for Extra Protection
While the law only requires liability and uninsured motorist coverage, you can buy extra protection.
- Medical Payments (MedPay): This is extra coverage on your own policy that pays your hospital bills right away, no matter who caused the crash.
- Collision and Comprehensive: These coverages pay to fix your car, regardless of who is at fault, or if a tree falls on your vehicle.
Having these extra coverages is always a good idea. They bring peace of mind when a tragedy strikes.
We Are Here to Fight for You
Insurance companies try to pay victims as little as possible, but we seek to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. At DM Injury Law, we know that dealing with insurance companies can be confusing and frustrating.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a car wreck that required medical treatment or a hospital visit, you do not have to face this fight alone. Our team of experienced Missouri car accident attorneys is equipped to stand up to the insurance giants. We will investigate the crash, find every dollar of insurance coverage available, and demand the justice you are owed.
Our car accident lawyers have secured over $1 billion for our clients. Here are a few examples of our successful cases:
- $11,000,000: Our client’s son was killed in a work zone.
- $8,800,000: Our client suffered a TBI after an accident.
- $4,600,000: Our client sustained a TBI and broke multiple bones after an accident.
DM Injury Law has offices all over Missouri. Contact our car accident lawyers for help today:
While you focus on healing, we’ll focus on your case and future. Contact us online today or call us at 816-888-7500 to schedule your free consultation.
Remember, Mike’s Got This!