Whether your idea of fun is camping under the stars in the Ozarks or exploring downtown St. Louis, the “Show-Me State” has plenty to offer its residents. But before you embark on any adventure, it’s important to ensure you have the right auto coverage.

Direct Auto Insurance is proud to offer cheap car insurance in Missouri, and in this guide, we’re teaching you which coverages are mandatory, which ones are optional, and how Direct Auto can help you find cheap Missouri car insurance. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save with Direct.

Missouri Car Insurance Laws

Do you have to have car insurance in Missouri?

Missouri law requires all drivers to maintain continuous liability insurance. Missouri auto insurance policies must at least meet the minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Missouri are 25/50/25, as shown below under Missouri Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.

In addition to liability coverage, Missouri drivers must also carry uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.

Missouri Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Wondering what your insurance policy needs to make you street legal in Missouri? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.

Coverages	Is It Required by Law?
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary).	Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more.	Yes. $25,000 property damage per accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage.	Yes. $25,000 UM bodily injury per person/$50,000 UM bodily injury per accident.
Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault.	Not required.
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault.	Not required.¹
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal.	Not required.¹

IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage helps you follow Missouri’s insurance laws, it doesn’t necessarily protect you and your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.

¹Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Are there additional coverage options?

For added peace of mind, Direct Auto offers add-on services and other insurance products for Missouri drivers:

Missouri Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties

What if I don't meet Missouri’s minimum car insurance requirements?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Missouri, and the consequences can be severe. if you are convicted of failing to show proof of insurance, the Missouri Department of Revenue says one of the following things may happen:

The conviction will be sent to the Department of Revenue and added to your driving record. This type of conviction means four points will be added to your driving record. If you accrue eight points over a period of 18 months, you can say goodbye to your driving privileges.
An order of supervision is sent to the Department of Revenue. In other words, the state will monitor you closely to make sure you’re meeting minimum insurance requirements.
An order suspending your driving privileges is sent to the Department of Revenue.

The Department of Revenue says periods of suspension are zero days, 90 days, and one year for first, second, and third offenses, respectively. To be reinstated you must:

1^st Offense: Provide proof of insurance coverage and pay a $20 reinstatement fee.
2^nd Offense: Provide proof of insurance coverage and pay a $200 reinstatement fee.
3^rd Offense: Provide proof of insurance coverage and pay a $400 reinstatement fee.

In addition to these penalties, you might be forced to full SR-22 requirements for three years following a conviction.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Missouri

It’s against the law to operate a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in Missouri. The exact penalty for driving with a suspended license depends on your circumstances, but the consequences can be severe. You could be facing a misdemeanor charge for a first offense, and the penalties escalate in severity for repeat offenders. For example, a third offense could result in a felony charge and up to four years in jail.

SR-22 Insurance in Missouri

In many states, high-risk drivers are also required to keep an SR22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Drivers might be required to fulfill SR-22 requirements if:

They have been caught not maintaining proper liability coverage.
They were convicted of a DUI/DWI.
They have committed other serious driving violations.

If you need an SR22 filed to demonstrate financial responsibility compliance in Missouri or have questions about the penalties for non-compliance, we’d be happy to help. Direct Auto specializes in helping drivers find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their driving or insurance history.

High-Risk Auto Insurance in Missouri

Most individuals don’t have a spotless driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. While some companies try to steer clear of these individuals, other insurance companies offer non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) to provide financial protection for these drivers.

At Direct Auto, we're proud to offer non-standard coverage to Missouri drivers. We believe your driving history shouldn't define you forever, and we work hard to help you get quality, affordable coverage, regardless of your past.

Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Missouri?

Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The amount & type of coverage you choose
The year, make, and model of the vehicle you drive
How much you drive, where you drive, and where you live
Your demographics
Your driving record
Your credit history

Other Missouri Auto Insurance Resources

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Missouri with Direct Auto!

Looking for affordable and cheap car insurance in Missouri? Get a free car insurance quote for a Direct Auto policy today that meets your state’s requirements, fits your needs, and includes any discounts you’re entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible. Call or click to get a Missouri car insurance quote today!

*Roadside Assistance is not insurance and is administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.

** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc

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