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Missouri requires 25/50/25 liability and also requires uninsured motorist coverage at the bodily injury minimums, so a compliant policy protects you against drivers who have no coverage. The state backs its law with an affidavit at registration: you must certify you will maintain financial responsibility for each vehicle you register, and a false affidavit is a crime.

Enforcement runs through the Department of Revenue. It can sample owners to verify coverage and, on request, insurers must electronically report issued, nonrenewed and cancelled private passenger policies. Penalties escalate: a first violation is a class D misdemeanor, a repeat can bring jail time and a $200 to $500 fine, and reinstatement fees climb from $20 to $400 depending on prior violations. Tornado, hail and severe-storm seasons make comprehensive coverage a frequent topic for Missouri drivers.

Missouri at a glance
Minimum liability25/50/25 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s)
Other required coverageUninsured motorist coverage: at least the bodily injury minimums ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident)
Fault systemAt-fault (tort)
Credit-based insurance scoresAllowed
SR-22 / proof of financial responsibilityWhen the Department of Revenue suspends your driving privilege for no insurance, it generally cannot require an SR-22 or other high-risk filing to end the suspension, except in a crash where one or more parties were uninsured. You still must submit proof of insurance to end the suspension.

Missouri minimum liability limits

To register and drive a car in Missouri you need at least this much liability coverage:

  • $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
  • $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
  • $25,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.

Missouri requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.

Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.

Other required and offered coverage

Besides liability, Missouri requires:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage: at least the bodily injury minimums ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident)

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Is Missouri a no-fault state?

Missouri is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.

Missouri is an at-fault state. Missouri courts apply pure comparative fault, which reduces your recovery by your share of fault instead of barring it.

Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.

Can insurers use your credit in Missouri?

Status: Allowed.

See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Missouri

A first violation of the insurance requirement is a class D misdemeanor. A second or later violation can carry up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $200 to $500. The court must either suspend your driving privilege, assess four points or order supervision. Reinstatement costs $20 with no prior violation, $200 with one prior in two years (90-day suspension) and $400 with two or more (one-year suspension).

Missouri owners must sign an affidavit at registration certifying they have financial responsibility. The Department of Revenue can verify coverage using samples and, when it requests, insurers must electronically report new, nonrenewed and cancelled private passenger policies. Providing false proof leads to a one-year suspension and a $150 reinstatement fee.

When the Department of Revenue suspends your driving privilege for no insurance, it generally cannot require an SR-22 or other high-risk filing to end the suspension, except in a crash where one or more parties were uninsured. You still must submit proof of insurance to end the suspension.

If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.

Tips for Missouri drivers

  • Keep continuous coverage. Missouri's reinstatement fees depend on your record: $20 for no prior violation, $200 with one prior in the last two years and $400 for two or more, with suspensions of up to one year for repeat violations.
  • Never submit false proof of insurance. If the Department of Revenue finds that proof is false, it suspends your registration and driving privilege for one year and charges a $150 reinstatement fee.
  • Read the affidavit you sign at registration carefully; it certifies that you have and will maintain financial responsibility for the whole registration period.
  • After an insurance suspension, Missouri generally cannot require an SR-22 to end it, unless the crash involved an uninsured party, so ask whether a filing applies to your specific case.
  • Check your uninsured motorist coverage on the declarations page. Missouri requires it at the bodily injury minimums, so confirm the limits and whether you want higher ones.

When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.

Official resources

Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.

Frequently asked questions

What are Missouri's minimum car insurance limits?

Missouri requires liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $50,000 for two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Missouri also requires uninsured motorist coverage at not less than the bodily injury minimums. These are the minimum amounts the law requires, not a recommendation.

What happens if I drive without insurance in Missouri?

A first violation is a class D misdemeanor. A second or later violation can bring up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $200 to $500. In addition, the court notifies the Department of Revenue and either suspends your driving privilege, assigns four points or orders supervision. You can be sued for damages you cause.

How much does reinstatement cost after a no-insurance suspension in Missouri?

The reinstatement fee is $20 if you have no prior violation, with the suspension ending once you submit proof of insurance. It is $200 with one prior violation within two years, with a 90-day suspension, and $400 with two or more prior violations, with a one-year suspension. A false proof of insurance carries a $150 fee and a one-year suspension.

Will Missouri require an SR-22 after an insurance suspension?

Generally no. For suspensions under the no-insurance law, Missouri's Department of Revenue cannot require an SR-22 certificate or other high-risk insurance to end the suspension, except in cases involving a motor vehicle accident where one or more parties were uninsured. You must still submit proof of insurance. Ask the Department about your situation.

How does Missouri check that I have insurance?

Missouri owners sign an affidavit at registration certifying that they have and will maintain financial responsibility. The Department of Revenue may verify coverage through sampling and can require insurers to electronically report issued, nonrenewed and cancelled private passenger policies. Insurance information the department holds is shared only with limited parties, such as you or someone claiming injury in a crash with you.

Sources

General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.