Missouri auto insurance isn’t very different from insurance in other states, but there are a few key factors that shouldn’t be missed by an MO driver. We’ll discuss them in detail for better clarification.
#1 State Requirements
All drivers should know it is illegal to drive a vehicle in Missouri without some form of financial responsibility. This financial responsibility, most often used in the form of car insurance, states that the driver has the financial means to pay for any damages they cause to another person’s body or property. According to the state, drivers may also have state approved self-insurance, a surety bond, a certificate of deposit of money, or a real estate bond. Each of these must be approved by the State Department of Revenue prior to driving.
The minimum amount of liability insurance a Missouri driver must obtain is $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $10,000 per accident for property damage liability. In addition to these amounts, drivers must also carry uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability. The first three numbers, or 25/50/10, are in place to help the policyholder pay for damages they or any member of the policy cause to another driver’s body or property. The last two numbers, or 25/50, are in place to protect the policyholder from uninsured drivers. If the policyholder or member are involved in an accident where the uninsured driver is at fault, the policyholder’s insurance company will cover the damages done to their body and/or vehicle up to the amount purchased. It’s a great way to have protection from others who fail to obey this law.
#2 Penalties
Missouri has penalties for uninsured motorists. Traffic officers will request proof of insurance at traffic stops and accident scenes. At any time a driver cannot provide proof of insurance to a traffic officer, the Department of Revenue will be notified. One offense will put four points on the driver’s record, and drivers are only allowed a total of eight points before the driver’s license is revoked.
Another possible consequence is an order being placed on the license that will in essence keep a tight watch on your auto insurance. You will be tightly supervised to make sure you are maintaining an insurance policy on your vehicle. A third possibility is the immediate suspension of your driver’s license. The time period of the first suspension is sometimes 0 days, but the second, third, and subsequent suspensions are for a time period of 90 days to 1 year. The reinstatement fees start at $20 for the first suspension and jump to $200 for the second suspension, and will be $400 for the third and subsequent suspensions. Each reinstatement also requires proof of insurance in addition to the fee.
#3 Determining Rates
Missouri car insurance providers base their rates on two things; statistical evidence they have received from a compilation of driver history and the type of coverage that is purchased. The statistics are based on the age, gender, and driving history of the driver or potential policyholder compared with other drivers in the same category that have made past claims to have repairs made from their fault of an accident. If the driver appears to have the same statistical tendency to make a future claim, that driver will be charged a higher premium. Usually these drivers have negative marks on their driving record, such as tickets and accidents. Drivers who prove to be cautious and safe from their good driving record will be given a lower premium cost.
Another part of this statistical evidence that determines a policyholder’s rate is the location of residence and where the vehicle will be stored at night. It makes sense that a car parked outside in the evenings will be more expensive to insure than a car that is parked in a locked garage. There is less of a chance the vehicle will be damaged or stolen while is locked in an enclosed storage area and insurers charge less for this. If at any time the rate procedures do not seem clear, contact the insurance company.
#4 Compare Insurance Companies
Consumers looking to purchase any product know the importance of comparing the product itself and the company providing it. The same holds true for auto insurance. While different companies may offer the same price, their terms may differ. Also, it’s not unusual for companies to differ in their customer service rates or financial status either. You can use our tool to get quotes from different companies offering their insurance services and then compare those quotes and the companies to each other to find the best one for the driver’s needs. Look to third-party companies such as AM Best and JP Power to get an unbiased opinion on the insurer’s financial status and customer service ratings.
#5 Get Cheap Rates In MO
Cheap auto insurance in Missouri is easy to find when you know what to look for. After comparing the companies and knowing their rates, apply any discounts possible to get the rates to go even lower. Every insurer should provide discounts to their customers, especially the ones who are doing everything possible to be a safe driver and avoid making claims. There are discounts such as the good student discount and senior citizen discounts. Discounts are also offered to people who complete defensive driving courses.
Another way to lower premium charges is by increasing your deductible amount. People who have a deductible of $250 pay higher premium rates than they would if they had a deductible of $1,000. Also, paying monthly will add a processing fee of a few dollars each month that wouldn’t be there if the person paid in full at the beginning of the policy period. There are plenty of options and different ways a person can save a few dollars here and there on their policy, and those few dollars will add up.
Insuring your vehicle in Missouri doesn’t need to be a difficult procedure. We offer plenty of suggestions and tips on how to save on your auto insurance throughout our site.
