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Long before Rod Tidwell introduced “Show me the money!” into the pop culture lexicon in Jerry Maguire and decades ahead of the Car Fox encouraging consumers to tell car dealerships to “Show me the CarFax,” the State of Missouri was the preeminent pioneer of prove-it-to-me skepticism in America.

Nicknamed the “Show Me State,” Missourians couldn’t care less about the talk you can talk unless it is backed up a corresponding walk. They pride themselves on holding themselves and others accountable.

You can use this guide to auto insurance in Missouri to keep yourself and the insurance companies accountable to give you the most affordable auto insurance rates.

Enter your ZIP code to prompt the top insurance companies in Missouri to show you the savings and Learn more here: where can I compare several affordable auto insurance rates.

Missouri Insurance Coverage and Rates

Making sense of all the minutiae and legalese concerning the many auto insurance companies in Missouri can be tedious and difficult.

Thankfully, we’ve sifted through all the data and details, so you don’t have to. We will show you all the relevant facts and figures you need to select the most type of coverage that is most affordable auto insurance available to you. Take a look!

We’ll help you to understand the requirements of Missouri, what you may want for coverage, and where you can get it at the best rates.

Missouri Minimum Coverage

Missouri is a traditional, “at fault” state, meaning that the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is also responsible for any resulting harm and damages.

All drivers in Missouri are required to carry minimum liability insurance levels of 25/50/10 to satisfy basic overage. This means that car owners must carry the following minimum levels of liability insurance:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle

• $50,000 for total bodily injury or death in an accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle

• $10,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle

The state of Missouri requires its residents to carry the following limits for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:

• $25,000 for injury to one person for both UM and UIM
• $50,000 for injury to more than one person for UM and UIM

How much risk you’re willing to assume is solely up to you. You must do a cost-benefit analysis to decide whether the basic, legal state minimum coverage for auto insurance in Missouri is enough to protect your current and future assets.

The experts at the Wall Street Journal advise drivers that have substantial wealth to protect to purchase liability coverage with increased the limits of 100/300/50.

Moving on, we will look at the average amount of money that motorists in Missouri spend on auto insurance. The amount you will actually pay will more than likely differ from these given amounts; however, this data should serve as an informative baseline that you can use to draw conclusions about your personal circumstance.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

There is a saying about the American tax law that states the following: “The guy who said that the truth never hurts never had to fill out a form 1040.”

This anonymous one-liner highlights the major impact of income taxes on Disposable Personal Income (DPI). Your DPI is the amount of money you get to keep after taxes are taken out by the government.

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A full-coverage policy will include liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Here’s a peek at the average cost of each individual element:

Now that we have sorted through some data about auto insurance costs to the individual consumer, let’s take a look at some important statistics about the insurance companies themselves.

Loss Ratio

First, let’s examine the loss ratio and how it impacts your insurance. What exactly is a loss ratio? How is it calculated and why should you even care about it?

The insurance loss ratio is the proportion of incurred losses compared to earned premiums expressed as a percentage. A high loss ratio means that an insurance company has paid out too many claims, which will subsequently lead to a rise in future premiums for all consumers.

For example, an auto insurer collects $100,000 of premiums in a given year and pays out $44,600 in claims, the company’s loss ratio is 44.6 percent ($44,600 incurred losses/$100,000 earned premiums).

Add-ons, Endorsements, Riders

Over 14 percent of drivers in Missouri are driving without insurance, which ranks as just the 17th highest percentage in the nation.

The State of Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) has created a consumer’s guide intended to help Missourians increase their knowledge of auto insurance options in the state so that they can best protect their vehicles.

Pay-by-the-mile auto insurance plans offered by companies like Metromile are growing in their popularity, unfortunately, they are not yet active in Missouri.

Other Usage-Based Insurance programs (UBI) are active and available to drivers in Missouri. Programs like Snapshot from Progressive or KnowYourDrive from American Family Auto or SmartRide from Nationwide offer discounts to drivers based on their driving habits and capabilities.

In addition to these add-ons, there are several more optional enhancements that you can explore to decide which ones may be right for you:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Auto Insurance
• Modified Auto Insurance Coverage
• Classic Auto Insurance

Here’s a quick reference to the different types of auto insurance coverage and enhancements available in Missouri:

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in MO

In the Pitch Perfect trilogy of movies, the Bellas and The Treble Makers of (fictional) Barden University brought the age-old battle of the sexes to the new-age realm of competitive acapella.

Throughout the narrative of all three movies, both the all-female singing groups and the all-male singing groups prove to be worthy adversaries and “frenemies” as well as virtual equals as vocalists.

But would that same equality be reflected in the premium rates they’d receive to protect their vehicles? Let’s take a look at the table and chart below to see which group of vocalists would enjoy the more favorable rates as motorists.

Which company offers the best value for you and your loved ones?

For example, a single 25-year-old male in Missouri will pay $3,059.82 annually on his premiums with Safeco compared to $2,176.45 with State Farm.

Missouri Insurance Rates by ZIP Code

Are you more likely to get higher auto insurance premiums in St. Louis or Kansas City? Do the residents of Branson enjoy lower premiums than citizens in Springfield?

To answer these questions, we need to take a look at the most and least expensive ZIP codes in Missouri. Here are the 25 cheapest average annual premiums in Missouri broken down by ZIP code:

Where did your hometown rank statewide? Do the co-eds in Columbia fare better than the politicians in Jefferson City? Let’s make a more thorough examination of how your city and neighborhood compares to the state average.

This is a list of the most expensive ZIP codes in Missouri compared to the state average.

Missouri Insurance Rates by City

Couldn’t find your area by ZIP code? We’ve also included data on the cheapest and most expensive cities for auto insurance.

Sedalia has the cheapest rates for auto insurance. Next, let’s see which cities have the most expensive rates.

Missouri Auto Insurance Companies

Some businesses have stellar reputations for having quality goods and services that are able to take your breath away.

Others may have earned negative reviews from its customers and from the public for lackluster service that can leave you gasping for air. Keep reading our research so you can know how to tell the difference between such companies, and you’ll be able to breathe easy with your decision.

The public reputation of an auto insurance company can be a leading indicator of the kind of rates and service it provides to its consumers. We’ll show how the largest companies rate in the areas of financial stability and customer satisfaction.

Financial Ratings

AM Best is a credit rating agency. It evaluates insurance companies and grades them based on their financial stability. The table below shows the ten largest insurance companies in Missouri as measured by direct premiums written with their AM Best rating.

Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Only two companies, Shelter and USAA, have earned a five-circle rating from J.D. Power.

The central region as a whole was rated three circles. From the table above, a majority of insurance companies in the region rank below average.

Companies in Missouri with the Most and Least Complaints

Some relationships are destined to last forever, like ones forged beneath the Missouri moon. However, some relationships spoil once they reach their expiration date, and both parties decide to move on.

When the consumer’s soul is no longer satisfied with an insurance company, he or she can file a complaint. Those complaints, justified or not, contribute to a company’s complaint ratios.

The complaint ratio is how many complaints a company receive per one million dollars of business written.

If you wish to file a complaint against an insurance company in the state of Missouri, use this online form.

Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Missouri

This chart gives a visual representation of the auto insurance companies with the largest market share in Missouri.

There are 943 auto insurance companies registered in the state of Missouri. Of the 943, 43 of them are homegrown; while 900 are foreign.

Missouri Auto Insurance Rates by Company

Now, we’re going to compare and contrast the top auto insurance companies to see which of them give the best rates on average in Missouri.

Missouri Rates by Carrier and Commute

Missouri Rates by Carrier and Coverage Level

Missouri Rates by Carrier and Credit History

Missouri Rates by Carrier and Driving Record

Being a careless driver will have a negative impact on your lifestyle. Not only will your annual premiums likely skyrocket, but being so reckless with the rules of the road will also likely decrease the number of people willing to ride with you.

How much your rates increase will be up to the discretion of each individual insurer. Each insurance company uses its own underwriting protocols when assessing risk. Here is a summary of how top auto insurance companies in Missouri penalize various driving infractions:

Missouri Rates by Carrier and Demographic

Note: The company you choose to give your business should provide the best quality coverage for your personal circumstance.

When shopping for auto insurance, select those companies that offer discounts and special rates that are personalized for you and your family.

Compare and contrast rates from multiple carriers to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your auto insurance.

Another way to keep your premiums low is to maintain an immaculate driving record. Knowing the traffic laws and following them will help your record to stay as clean as possible. We’ll review the laws of the land in Missouri to help you keep your record as pure and powerful as a spiral thrown by Patrick Mahomes II.

Missouri Laws

Thumbing through page after page of all the state traffic statutes would be hardly the best use of your time. We’ve compiled the most relevant rules and regulations for you to know when driving in Missouri.

Auto Insurance Laws

State insurance commissioners are afforded lots of leeway and authority to administer laws and regulations on the auto insurance industry in their respective commonwealths.

Each state determines the type of tort law and threshold (if any) that applies in the state, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.

Insurance companies in Missouri are subject to the regulations set by that state insurance commissioner. Ultimately, all rates and regulations must meet the fair competition standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

High-Risk Insurance

If you were suspended for a Motor Vehicle Accident Judgment (Missouri or Out-of-State), you must maintain insurance on file with the Driver License Bureau for two years from the starting date of the suspension.

If you were suspended for False Insurance or Mandatory Insurance, you must maintain insurance on file with the Driver License Bureau for three years from the date you were eligible to reinstate. If the Mandatory Insurance suspension involved an accident, proof of insurance must be in the form of an SR-22 filing.

Windshield Coverage

Missouri law places no specific requirements on insurance companies to provide windshield coverage; however, the companies can choose to offer such protection along with their comprehensive coverage.

The insurance companies can choose aftermarket parts for the windshield if stated in the estimate and if the parts are at least equal in like, kind and quality in terms of fit, quality, and performance. The insurer has the right to select the repair vendor.

You may want to check if your coverage offers windshield replacement insurance speficially for Missouri.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Missouri

Insurance fraud is the second-largest economic crime in America. Premium rates are raised dramatically by insurance companies and passed on to the consumers in attempts to combat fraud.

There are two classifications of fraud: hard and soft.

• Hard Fraud – A purposefully fabricated claim or accident
• Soft Fraud – A misrepresentation of information to the insurance company

Soft fraud is more common than hard fraud. Twenty to 40 percent of consumers admitted to lying to their insurer about one of the following:

• Number of annual miles driven
• Number of drivers in the household
• How the vehicle would be used

Insurance fraud is a crime no matter how you slice it. Even the “little, white lie” you tell to get a lower rate can lead to harmful consequences. That kind of willful misrepresentation of facts is known as “rate evasion” and is $16 billion annual expense to auto insurers.

If you suspect insurance fraud or have been the victim of fraud, you can contact the Missouri Department of Insurance. You can file a complaint using this form. Or call this number: 573-751-2640

Missouri law states that you must report fraud within 60 days of knowledge or suspicion of the fraud having taken place.

Statute of Limitations

Missouri’s statute of limitations for filing a claim is five years for both personal injury and property damage.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

Missouri’s DMV, which is a division of the Department of Revenue (DOR), has an online portal where residents can perform tasks such renew their registrations and drivers’ licenses, update or change their address, and retrieve their driving history.

The MyDMV portal is equipped with tutorial videos and pertinent forms and resources to help the motorists in the Show Me State.

Proof of Financial Responsibility

Missouri’s laws concerning Proof of Financial Responsibility, which can be found on the Missouri Department of Revenue website, require all drivers to show proof of financial responsibility whenever requested by a law enforcement officer. Failure to provide such proof may result in a citation or fine.

In the place of carrying personal auto insurance, Missourians can prove their financial stability by submitting a minimum of $60,000 in one of the following ways:

• Cash Deposits or Negotiable Securities
• Real Estate Bond
• Surety Bond

For more information regarding Proof of Financial Responsibility requirements in Missouri, click here.

Teen Driver Laws

The safety of teenage drivers is a top priority of the Missouri DOR. The Department of Revenue has curated a handful of additional resources and information to assist teenage drivers and their families.

One such example is this FAQ Brochure about Missouri’s Graduate License program.

Older Driver License Renewal

Missouri has some unique requirements when it comes to license renewal for older drivers. Drivers in the general population must renew every six years; however, drivers age 70 and older must renew every three years.

Drivers of all ages must show proof of adequate vision at every renewal. And no renewals are yet eligible to be done online or through the mail.

New Resident Licensing

New Missouri residents with an out-of-state driver license or nondriver license have 184 days to register for a Missouri license and must provide the following documents:

• Proof of Identity
• Date of Lawful Status
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of Missouri residential address

For additional information regarding new resident licensing and registration, consult the Driver License Checklist.

REAL ID

Missouri is in full compliance with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress and enforced by Homeland Security. This means that a driver’s license or state ID issued by the Show Me State is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.

As of October 1, 2020, anyone wishing to fly on a commercial flight or enter a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.

Rules of the Road

Whether you’re driving on I-70 headed towards the Gateway Arch or getting ready to explore the Mark Twain National Forest or taking a field trip to view the beautiful fountains of Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, it will be helpful to you to know the laws of the land to keep you safe and legal.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Missouri law requires drivers to keep right if driving slower than the average speed of traffic around you
unless passing or turning left.

The Move Over Law in Missouri makes it mandatory for drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights (including towing and recovery vehicles) traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest if safe and possible to do so, or slow to a speed safe for road conditions.

Tim Chojnacki, a maintenance liaison engineer for MoDOT, had this to say about the importance of the Move Over Law: “Just working on the side of the highway is a dangerous place, so to keep our folks safe and the motorist as well, giving us a little extra room helps everybody.”

Speed Limits

Seat Belt Laws

Seat belts are required for the driver and all front-seat passengers age 16 and older. Failure to comply with the seat belt law is a secondary offense; however, it is a primary offense for children under age 16.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has provided this helpful brochure as an additional resource about car seat laws in Missouri.

Car Seat Laws

All children who are 3 years old and younger and all children who weigh less than 40 pounds must be in a child car seat according to the child safety seat laws in Missouri. Children ages 4-7 who weigh at least 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds and who are 57 inches or shorter must be in either a child car seat or booster seat.

All children ages 8-16 years and children ages four and older who weigh 80 pounds or more or who are taller than 57 inches are permitted to wear an adult seat belt.

Safety Laws

Promoting safety and preventing chaos are the ultimate goals of any traffic laws. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has developed resources and initiatives in the hopes of reducing roadways fatalities and injuries.

One such initiative is Missouri’s Blueprint: A Partnership Toward Zero Deaths, which is the state’s preeminent traffic safety program. It was developed as the state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration (NHTSA).

DUI Laws

The Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in Missouri is 0.08 percent; the High BAC limit is between 0.15-0.2 percent.

The DWI (Driving While Impaired) penalties in the state of Missouri can be found in the underneath table.

Drug-Impaired Driving Laws

At present, Missouri has no specific marijuana-impaired drugged driving laws.

Missouri Can’t-Miss Facts

Here are some interesting nuggets of knowledge about Missouri, the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Vehicle Theft in Missouri

Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where most auto thefts take place. Here is the chart of the top stolen vehicles in the state of Missouri.

As you can see, American-manufactured trucks and SUVs are top targets for theft in the state of Missouri.

Vehicle Theft by City

The table below gives a breakdown of the top 10 cities for auto theft within the state.

Risky and Harmful Behavior

Below is a harrowing statistics of all driving-related fatalities in Missouri.

Fatality by Speeding (County)

Fatality by DUI (County)

Fatal Crashes in Top 10 Counties (Five Year Trend)

Fatality Rates Rural vs. Urban

Fatalities by Person Type

Fatalities by Type of Crash

EMS Response Time

Transportation

Here are details of car ownership stats in Missouri.

Car Ownership

Most households in Missouri own two cars, which is on par with the national average.

Commute Time

At 22.5 minutes, drivers in Missouri have significantly less commute time than the national average of 25.3 minutes. Only 1.84 percent of drivers in Missouri experience a “super commute” of 90 minutes or more.

According to Inrix, Kansas City is the 24th most congested city in the United States and ranks 132nd in the world. Drivers in Kansas City spent 70 hours in congested traffic in 2018.

And that’s to be expected for such a modern city like Kansas City, where everything is so up-to-date. It would stand to reason that such a city would attract a lot of attention and traffic congestion.

Commuter Transportation

The majority of Missouri workers have a solo commute. Less than 10 percent carpool to their jobs.

Now you are all up-to-date with the most pertinent information about the driving laws and insurance requirements in Missouri. Are you ready to begin saving hundreds of dollars on your annual auto insurance premiums?

Then show me by entering your ZIP code to compare rates from the top insurers in Missouri.

Auto Insurance Company Reviews / States

17.06.2019 / affordable auto coverage / auto insurance company regulation / car insurance by state