Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Missouri requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Every auto liability policy for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Missouri must also include uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the 25/50 bodily injury limits. Owners may also maintain financial responsibility in another manner allowed by section 303.160 (such as a bond or deposit) instead of a policy.

Question 2

Is Missouri a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Missouri uses a fault-based system: the driver at fault pays for damages through liability coverage. If you are at fault for an accident and do not pay for the damages, your driver's license and/or license plates will be suspended for one year unless you settle the loss and pay a $20 reinstatement fee.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured motorist coverage is required: no auto liability policy may be issued for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Missouri unless it includes UM coverage of at least the 25/50 bodily injury minimums, which also covers hit-and-run drivers who cannot be identified. For commercial vehicles and employers with fleets of five or more passenger vehicles, the coverage need only be offered.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Insurers must give an insurance identification card for each insured vehicle, which may be in paper or electronic format, including an image on a cell phone or other portable device. The card must be carried in the insured vehicle at all times and shown on demand to a peace officer or commercial vehicle enforcement officer; failing to show it is treated as a violation of the financial responsibility law. Insurers report coverage to the Department of Revenue's electronic insurance verification system, MOIVS.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Driving or keeping a registered vehicle without insurance is a misdemeanor: a class D misdemeanor for a first violation; for a second or later violation, up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $200 to $500. No one is found guilty if they show the court they were insured when the citation was written. The court must also notify the Department of Revenue and may suspend the driving privilege or assess points. The department suspends the license and/or plates: for a first violation until proof of insurance and a $20 reinstatement fee; a second within two years, 90 days and a $200 fee; a third or more, one year and a $400 fee.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in Missouri, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

To reinstate after a suspension for failing to maintain insurance, the driver must file proof of liability insurance, most commonly an SR-22 filing, and keep it on file with the Department of Revenue for three years from the date the person is eligible to reinstate. If the proof lapses, the license and/or plates are suspended again for the rest of the three years unless proof is refiled and a $20 reinstatement fee is paid. If an accident is involved, an SR-22 filing is required; an insurance ID card is not acceptable.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

An insurer may cancel an auto policy only for nonpayment of premium or because the named insured's driver's license was suspended or revoked during the policy period (if another named insured's license is suspended, the insurer may exclude that person instead). To cancel or nonrenew for any reason other than nonpayment or the insured's request, the insurer must mail written notice at least 30 days before the effective date; cancellation for nonpayment requires at least 10 days' notice. The notice must state the action, effective date, and a clear and specific reason (terms like "violation or accident record" are not enough), and that the insured may be eligible for the assigned risk plan.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Insurers may not cancel, refuse to write, or refuse to renew auto insurance for a person with at least two years' driving experience solely because of age, residence, race, sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry or lawful occupation (including military service), or solely because another insurer refused or canceled coverage. Insurers that use credit reports or insurance credit scores in underwriting may not take adverse action based on credit without considering another noncredit underwriting factor, must disclose at application that they may gather credit information, and may not act on information under written dispute with a credit bureau until it is resolved.

Question 9

When is a car a total loss in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

A "salvage vehicle" includes one damaged within six years after its model year so that the cost of repairs to rebuild it for road use exceeds 80% of its fair market value just before the damage (excluding air bags, tires, sound systems, hail damage and sales tax on parts), and any vehicle declared salvage by an insurance company as a result of settling a claim.

Question 10

How do you transfer a car title in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

A buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to title the vehicle and pay sales tax; a $25 penalty applies on the 31st day and increases $25 for every additional 30 days, up to $200. The buyer submits the title properly signed over (or the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin), a signed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108), an identification number and odometer (ID/OD) inspection if the title was issued by another state, an odometer disclosure statement and notarized lien release if applicable, and pays the $8.50 title fee, $9 processing fee and sales tax.

Question 11

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Missouri?

Accepted Answer

New residents have 30 days from becoming a Missouri resident to title their vehicle. A vehicle with an out-of-state title needs an identification number and odometer (ID/OD) inspection at an authorized Missouri inspection station (a safety inspection not more than 60 days old satisfies this).

Question 12

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Consumer Affairs. File a complaint online (in English or Spanish), or download a complaint form and fax it to 573-526-4898 or mail it to P.O. Box 690, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690. Insurance Consumer Hotline: 800-726-7390 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays).

Minimum coverage required	Missouri requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Every auto liability policy for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Missouri must also include uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the 25/50 bodily injury limits. Owners may also maintain financial responsibility in another manner allowed by section 303.160 (such as a bond or deposit) instead of a policy. UM requirement: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=379.203 ; alternatives: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=303.025 Source: RSMo §303.190; §379.203; §303.025.2
At-fault or no-fault	Missouri uses a fault-based system: the driver at fault pays for damages through liability coverage. If you are at fault for an accident and do not pay for the damages, your driver's license and/or license plates will be suspended for one year unless you settle the loss and pay a $20 reinstatement fee. Source: Missouri Department of Revenue, Insurance Information (citing RSMo §§303.030, 303.042)
Uninsured motorist coverage	Uninsured motorist coverage is required: no auto liability policy may be issued for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Missouri unless it includes UM coverage of at least the 25/50 bodily injury minimums, which also covers hit-and-run drivers who cannot be identified. For commercial vehicles and employers with fleets of five or more passenger vehicles, the coverage need only be offered. The statute section reviewed does not state whether underinsured motorist coverage must be offered. Source: RSMo §379.203.1
Proof of insurance	Insurers must give an insurance identification card for each insured vehicle, which may be in paper or electronic format, including an image on a cell phone or other portable device. The card must be carried in the insured vehicle at all times and shown on demand to a peace officer or commercial vehicle enforcement officer; failing to show it is treated as a violation of the financial responsibility law. Insurers report coverage to the Department of Revenue's electronic insurance verification system, MOIVS. MOIVS: https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/insurance/ Source: RSMo §303.024; Missouri DOR, Insurance Information

Cancellation and nonrenewal	An insurer may cancel an auto policy only for nonpayment of premium or because the named insured's driver's license was suspended or revoked during the policy period (if another named insured's license is suspended, the insurer may exclude that person instead). To cancel or nonrenew for any reason other than nonpayment or the insured's request, the insurer must mail written notice at least 30 days before the effective date; cancellation for nonpayment requires at least 10 days' notice. The notice must state the action, effective date, and a clear and specific reason (terms like "violation or accident record" are not enough), and that the insured may be eligible for the assigned risk plan. Reasons: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=379.114 Source: RSMo §§379.114, 379.118
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers may not cancel, refuse to write, or refuse to renew auto insurance for a person with at least two years' driving experience solely because of age, residence, race, sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry or lawful occupation (including military service), or solely because another insurer refused or canceled coverage. Insurers that use credit reports or insurance credit scores in underwriting may not take adverse action based on credit without considering another noncredit underwriting factor, must disclose at application that they may gather credit information, and may not act on information under written dispute with a credit bureau until it is resolved. Credit rules: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=375.918 Source: RSMo §379.114.3; §375.918
Total loss rules	A "salvage vehicle" includes one damaged within six years after its model year so that the cost of repairs to rebuild it for road use exceeds 80% of its fair market value just before the damage (excluding air bags, tires, sound systems, hail damage and sales tax on parts), and any vehicle declared salvage by an insurance company as a result of settling a claim. Source: RSMo §301.010(55)
Complaints about an insurer	Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Consumer Affairs. File a complaint online (in English or Spanish), or download a complaint form and fax it to 573-526-4898 or mail it to P.O. Box 690, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690. Insurance Consumer Hotline: 800-726-7390 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays). Source: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, Insurance Complaints

Missouri Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for Missouri

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

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Title and registration

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