This guide outlines Missouri's mandatory auto insurance requirements, types of coverage, driver responsibilities, and penalties for failing to maintain or prove insurance, including license suspension and reinstatement fees.
If you are a resident of the state of Missouri, this guide provides essential information on purchasing auto insurance. The article covers the following topics:
- Mandatory insurance requirements in Missouri
- Types of insurance
- Driver responsibilities
- Responsibilities and penalties for insurance companies
- Failure to maintain insurance
Mandatory Insurance RequirementsLiability insurance is required to cover damages to persons or property caused by accidents. Minimum limits include:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
Types of InsuranceMinimum insurance requirements under Missouri law can be satisfied by any of the following categories:
- Motor vehicle liability insurance (as described above)
- Self-insurance ID card issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). To qualify, you must own more than 25 vehicles and demonstrate the capability to pay for damages caused by your vehicles.
- Certificate of Deposit (CD) or surety bond of $60,000 filed with the Department of Revenue
- Real estate bond deposited with the DOR
Driver Responsibilities- Driving without motor vehicle liability insurance is an offense.
- Drivers must produce proof of valid insurance when requested by law enforcement officers. Failure to do so may result in a ticket for "failure to show proof of insurance."
Responsibilities and Penalties for Insurance Companies- Insurance companies must hold the relevant license to provide insurance packages to the public.
- All insurance companies are required to submit details pertaining to auto insurance policies issued by them to the Driver License Bureau (DLB). All new cases insured in the previous month must be updated in the records by the 7th of the following month.
Penalties for Failure to Maintain Insurance or Show Proof- If a court issues a conviction for failing to provide proof of insurance, the details are forwarded to the DLB.
- The conviction is entered on the driver's record with 4 points. If a driver accumulates 8 points within a 18-month period, their license may be suspended.
- Instead of a conviction, the court may issue a "supervision order," which is forwarded to the DLB for periodic monitoring to ensure the driver maintains sufficient liability insurance.
- The third option is for the court to suspend the driver's license directly by issuing an order to the DLB.
License ReinstatementUnder Missouri law, there are three terms for driver's license suspension:
- First Suspension - 0 days
- Second Suspension - 90 days (if within 2 years of the first suspension)
- Third and Subsequent Suspensions - 1 year
The license and/or registration plates can be reinstated by the DLB once the prescribed suspension term is completed:
- First suspension - Immediate reinstatement upon providing proof of insurance and paying a $20 reinstatement fee.
- Second suspension - Reinstatement after 90 days, provided proof of insurance is submitted and a $200 fee is paid.
- Third and subsequent suspensions - Reinstatement after 1 year, provided proof of insurance is submitted and a $400 reinstatement fee is paid.
- Proof of insurance must be maintained for an additional three years from the date of reinstatement, with copies filed with the DLB.
You now have a clear understanding of automobile insurance requirements for residents of Missouri. Remember to drive safely and keep your insurance and registration up to date.
Buying Auto Insurance in Missouri
This guide outlines Missouri's mandatory auto insurance requirements, types of coverage, driver responsibilities, and penalties for failing to maintain or prove insurance, including license suspension and reinstatement fees.
If you are a resident of the state of Missouri, this guide provides essential information on purchasing auto insurance. The article covers the following topics:
- Mandatory insurance requirements in Missouri
- Types of insurance
- Driver responsibilities
- Responsibilities and penalties for insurance companies
- Failure to maintain insurance
Mandatory Insurance RequirementsLiability insurance is required to cover damages to persons or property caused by accidents. Minimum limits include:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
Types of InsuranceMinimum insurance requirements under Missouri law can be satisfied by any of the following categories:
- Motor vehicle liability insurance (as described above)
- Self-insurance ID card issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). To qualify, you must own more than 25 vehicles and demonstrate the capability to pay for damages caused by your vehicles.
- Certificate of Deposit (CD) or surety bond of $60,000 filed with the Department of Revenue
- Real estate bond deposited with the DOR
Driver Responsibilities- Driving without motor vehicle liability insurance is an offense.
- Drivers must produce proof of valid insurance when requested by law enforcement officers. Failure to do so may result in a ticket for "failure to show proof of insurance."
Responsibilities and Penalties for Insurance Companies- Insurance companies must hold the relevant license to provide insurance packages to the public.
- All insurance companies are required to submit details pertaining to auto insurance policies issued by them to the Driver License Bureau (DLB). All new cases insured in the previous month must be updated in the records by the 7th of the following month.
Penalties for Failure to Maintain Insurance or Show Proof- If a court issues a conviction for failing to provide proof of insurance, the details are forwarded to the DLB.
- The conviction is entered on the driver's record with 4 points. If a driver accumulates 8 points within a 18-month period, their license may be suspended.
- Instead of a conviction, the court may issue a "supervision order," which is forwarded to the DLB for periodic monitoring to ensure the driver maintains sufficient liability insurance.
- The third option is for the court to suspend the driver's license directly by issuing an order to the DLB.
License ReinstatementUnder Missouri law, there are three terms for driver's license suspension:
- First Suspension - 0 days
- Second Suspension - 90 days (if within 2 years of the first suspension)
- Third and Subsequent Suspensions - 1 year
The license and/or registration plates can be reinstated by the DLB once the prescribed suspension term is completed:
- First suspension - Immediate reinstatement upon providing proof of insurance and paying a $20 reinstatement fee.
- Second suspension - Reinstatement after 90 days, provided proof of insurance is submitted and a $200 fee is paid.
- Third and subsequent suspensions - Reinstatement after 1 year, provided proof of insurance is submitted and a $400 reinstatement fee is paid.
- Proof of insurance must be maintained for an additional three years from the date of reinstatement, with copies filed with the DLB.
You now have a clear understanding of automobile insurance requirements for residents of Missouri. Remember to drive safely and keep your insurance and registration up to date.
Buying Auto Insurance in Missouri
By Howtodotips
This guide outlines Missouri's mandatory auto insurance requirements, types of coverage, driver responsibilities, and penalties for failing to maintain or prove insurance, including license suspension and reinstatement fees.