Missouri drivers pay an average of $1,052.86 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $87.74 per month. Missouri drivers pay about 11% less than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.
The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.
Missouri car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
20/50/25
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$1,052.86
At-fault state
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
Missouri state minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in Missouri are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 25/50/25, but we’ll break down what that means.
Missouri bodily injury liability
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident
Missouri requires $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident to legally drive. That’s right in line with what most states across the US require for this coverage.
This means $25,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $50,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.
Missouri property damage liability
$25,000 property damage liability
Missouri requires drivers to carry $25,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This is the highest required property damage limit across the US, with 18 other states requiring this amount.
This means $25,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.
Missouri uninsured motorist
$25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
$50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Missouri requires all drivers to carry $25,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per person and $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident to legally drive. Near half of the states across the US require some sort of uninsured motorist coverage, though some other states let you opt-out.
This coverage protects you if you get hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. It pays for medical bills for you and your passengers.
Finder tip: State minimum coverage isn’t enough
These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Missouri, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.
In Missouri, the driver at fault pays for damage
Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that the driver who causes the car accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will figure out who’s at fault, based on the circumstances.
However, Missouri also considers whether both drivers are partially at fault under a law called pure comparative fault, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this law, both drivers pay for the percentage of damage that they cause.
For example, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance pays 80% of the other driver’s damages. The other driver’s insurance pays 20% of your damages.
Cheapest rates by age in Missouri
Shopping around is paramount to finding the best deal in Missouri since insurance costs differ widely for your age and the company you choose. For example, Allstate and USAA give the best deal to drivers under age 25. However, drivers older than 25 may want quotes from USAA, Geico and Progressive.
Age
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
16-24
$178.75
$189.42
$204.43
$174.10
25-34
$147.15
$148.15
$137.44
$128.91
35-44
$144.02
$139.16
$133.11
$130.18
45-54
$139.13
$127.87
$130.97
–
Cheapest rates by gender in Missouri
When looking at the difference between men versus women, men can pay as much as $26 per month more than women. Progressive turns out with the lowest prices for men in this sample, but women might want a quote from Allstate.
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Men
$157.61
$140.96
$145.36
$150.44
Women
$131.87
$133.90
$145.33
$138.35
Sample rates in Missouri from major car insurance companies
Progressive offers rates the closest to Missouri’s state average, based on sample quotes from Savvy. However, you could find even lower rates depending on your driving record, car and whether you’re bundling policies.
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Rate
$144.74
$137.11
$145.35
$144.39
7 factors that affect car insurance rates in Missouri
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Missourian’s rating factors to keep in mind.
Factor
How it affects your rates
Age
How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least.
Gender
Missouri takes gender into account when determining your rates. Our analysis of Quadrant data found that men under 18 pay 17% more for car insurance compared to women of the same age. But, between 31 and 45, women see rates 5% higher than men. After 45, rates differ between men and women by only 1%, with women on the higher end.
Location
Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates.
Missouri vehicle theft rates stand at 393.2 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s the fifth highest number of vehicle theft per 100,000 inhabitants in a state.
As for uninsured drivers, 16.4% of Missourians on the road are uninsured. That’s more than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%.
Vehicle and mileage
Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure.
Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums.
And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Missourians drive an average of 32.5 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day.
Credit score
Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates.
Missouri drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates.
Coverage
The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums.
Driving Record
The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Missouri can increase your rate by around 39%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years.
Do I need SR-22 insurance in Missouri?
Your state will let you know if you need to file an SR-22 form, which proves you have enough liability car insurance to meet your state’s minimum requirements. In Missouri, drivers that have been found driving without insurance, convicted of a DUI, or failed to pay damages after an at-fault accident, may be required to file an SR-22. How long you’re required to have SR-22 insurance depends on the offense, but typically, it’s around two to three years minimum. Learn more about Missouri and its SR-22 process.
Coverage you may want in Missouri
Missouri has more insured drivers on the road than average, requires insured motorist coverage, and requires a minimum of $25,000 of property damage liability to be on the road. Aside from these requirements, we have additional coverage options to consider adding to your policy that can benefit you.
Comprehensive coverage for severe Missouri weather
Missouri experiences all the seasons and more. In October of 2021, there were around 12 tornados reported in Missouri and Illinois all in one day, as reported by The Washington Post. Additionally, Missouri has a high theft rate – holding the fifth-highest vehicle theft rate in the US. In the event that your vehicle is damaged by a severe storm or stolen and you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you may be out of luck, unfortunately.
Comprehensive coverage can help in situations such as theft, storm damage, animal strikes, and more. It’s also required when you have a car loan, but even if you’re not financing, give this coverage some thought.
Consider comprehensive coverage if . . .
You’re financing your vehicle.
You live in an area with harsh weather.
You drive your car daily.
You live in a rural area with large wildlife.
You don’t have funds to replace/repair major car damage.
Your vehicle is high value.
Medical payments coverage for costly medical bills
A car insurance policy can also include medical payments coverage, also called med pay, which steps in to assist with medical bills in the event of an accident. It acts as an extension of your existing health insurance and can help you cover copays and deductibles, as well as your passenger’s medical bills. If you have high copays for your primary health coverage – or don’t have health insurance at all – then this coverage may help you avoid excessive out-of-pocket medical costs.
Missouri doesn’t require this coverage, and only two states do, but it could be for you. It can help pay for hospital visits, funerals, ambulance fees, and more in the event of a car accident.
Consider medical payments coverage if . . .
You don’t have any health insurance.
Your health insurance has high copays or deductibles.
Frequent drivers may want collision coverage
While comprehensive coverage can help with theft, storms, and more, collision coverage can help with vehicle accidents. This coverage helps pay for your own car damages resulting from a motor accident, you hit something, or your vehicle rolls or flips. Missouri requires $25,000 in property liability damages, but this only helps pay for damage to another person’s property or car – not your own vehicle or property.
If you heavily rely on your car, drive in thick traffic, or simply commute on the regular, then collision coverage can offer peace of mind. Collision and comprehensive coverage are almost always both required if you have an auto loan, as well.
Consider collision coverage if . . .
You have an auto loan and your lender requires it.
You rely on your car day-to-day.
You’re in dense traffic frequently and tack on mileage.
You don’t have extra cash to cover unexpected vehicle damage.
Your vehicle has high value.
Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve Missouri
We’ve pulled the top 10 companies by market share that offer coverage in Missouri according to S&P Global. Compare top companies by three major rating agencies along with our overall score.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating measures how a business interacts with its customers, with the highest rating being A++.
J.D. Power determines customers’ overall satisfaction with their car insurer’s price, billing, claims and customer support. The higher the J.D. Power score out of 1,000, the better.
NAIC complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies of its size. Scores lower than 1.00 show the company receives less than the average number of complaints, and scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
Finder’s score shows you an overall look at the company by taking into account scores from each of these agencies as well as the coverage and discounts each company offers.
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Missouri?
Of Missouri’s largest cities, Columbia has the cheapest rates and Saint Louis has the most expensive car insurance rates. Saint Louis drivers could face rates 2 times more than Columbia drivers.
Loan/lease gap coverage. If you total your car in an accident and you still owe money on it, this coverage pays the difference between what your insurer will cover and the remainder of your existing loan or lease.
Bottom line
In Missouri, you’ll need to purchase both liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to remain legal or face points, suspensions and jail time.
To get the cheapest coverage for your needs, carefully research your car insurance options when driving in the Mother of the West.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Missouri
To register your car, visit your nearest Missouri Department of Revenue. You’ll need to submit your vehicle title, proof of insurance, an ID number and odometer inspection and your completed Form 108 — Application for Missouri Title and License, along with an $11 fee and your state tax on the vehicle.
Each car insurance policy varies, but it’s possible that your car insurance rates will go up if you file a claim. Some providers offer accident forgiveness programs that ensure your premium stays the same after your first accident. But in many cases, a claim on your policy raises your risk profile — and, in turn, your rates.
Yes, the driving record of any member of your household can affect the decision of the insurance company to insure your vehicle. To avoid being turned down for coverage or paying high-risk insurance premiums, ask your car insurance provider about a driver-exclusion endorsement.
When talking about car insurance, your deductible is the out-of-pocket expense you’ll pay for repairs to your vehicle under comprehensive or collision coverage. If your deductible is $1,000 and your claim totals $3,000, you pay the $1,000 and your insurance provider pays the $2,000 difference. Typically the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly rate.
Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance editor at Finder where she helps people navigate the financial world of loans.
Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics.
Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company.
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