Missouri Vehicle Insurance Laws

July 2nd, 2010

missouri outline image by Kim Jones from Fotolia.com Liability insurance is required for all Missouri drivers. Missouri requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Insurance companies operating within the state must report all insurance policy sales, cancellations and nonrenewals on registered vehicles to the Missouri Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau. The bureau uses this information to determine the status of illegally uninsured drivers so corrective action can be taken.

Minimum Liability Coverage

Liability insurance policies with minimum face amounts of 25/50/10 are mandatory in Missouri. The numbers represent insurance coverage limits in thousands of dollars. A policy of this type will pay up to $25,000 per person for bodily injury with an aggregate amount of $50,000 no matter how many injured parties are involved, and $10,000 for property damage. Higher limits are available for additional premiums.

Missouri law requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage in the same minimum amounts as the third-party liability coverage, 25/50. Some insurance companies can endorse uninsured motorist coverage for damage caused to your own vehicle by an uninsured driver for an additional fee.

Owners of registered vehicles must maintain continuous liability insurance and keep proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times. Drivers, whether they own the vehicle or not, must provide proof of insurance to law enforcement agents upon request. Failure to do this will result in citations and other penalties.

You are allowed not to purchase auto insurance if you meet certain criteria. You may hold a self-insurance ID card issued by the Department of Revenue. To qualify for this, you must own at least 25 vehicles and “be able to show you can and will pay for damage caused by your vehicles,” according to Missouri Statute Section 303.160, RSMo. You also may have a surety bond or certificate of deposit of money or other securities with the Department of Revenue in the amount of $60,000.

In Missouri, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. Move your vehicle after an accident only if it causes a hazard to other drivers. Call the police and do not leave the accident scene without law enforcement permission.

Failing to provide valid proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer is a crime even if valid insurance exists. If you are convicted of this crime, you will incur one of three penalties. The Driver License Bureau may assign four points to your driving record, and receiving eight points in an 18-month period will result in suspension of your license. The bureau may simply monitor your insurance status more closely to watch for lapses and ensure compliance. The court may also suspend your license immediately.

If you are convicted of illegally driving without insurance, your license and/or registration will be suspended. For the first offense you must pay a $20 fee and provide proof of insurance. For the second offense within two years you must wait a mandatory 90-day period, then pay a $200 fee and provide proof of insurance. For the third and subsequent offenses, you must wait a whole year, pay a $400 fee and provide proof of insurance. If the conviction occurs in conjunction with an accident, you must file an SR-22 as well.