Like almost all states in the U.S., to legally own and operate a motor vehicle in Missouri, the vehicle must be covered by car insurance.
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According to the Federal Highway Administration, as of 2017, the state of Missouri had more than 4,274,000 licensed drivers and more than 268,000 miles of roadway for them to drive. Fatalities have been on the downturn in Missouri since the 1990s, with better insurance requirements playing a role in reducing and addressing accidents. Therefore, car insurance is essential to protect you and your passengers from costs associated with unintended accidents.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, as of 2017, the state of Missouri had more than 4,274,000 licensed drivers and more than 268,000 miles of roadway for them to drive. In 2014, there were over 34,000 vehicle crashes in the state that resulted in fatalities. In the same year, there were over 103,000 car accidents that caused property damage. Fatalities have been on the downturn in Missouri since the 1990s, with better insurance requirements playing a role in reducing and addressing accidents.
To help you find the auto insurance that meets your needs, you should learn the minimum insurance requirements, how your driving history and financial needs mean for insurance and which providers have high track records and the rates you are most comfortable with.
Best car insurance companies in Missouri
There are a wide range of Missouri insurance carriers that are popular in the state and the rest of the Central Region. To find the best car insurance companies in Missouri, we look to the experts in the industry, including J.D. Power & Associates and AM Best. Each of these scores each car insurance company in Missouri by customer satisfaction, financial strength and price.
| Company | J.D. Power 2020 Northwest customer satisfaction rankings | AM Best financial stability ratings | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter Mutual Insurance | 855/1000 | A (Excellent) | $1,889 |
| Auto Club Enterprises | 825 / 1000 | A+ (Superior) | $2,040 |
| Geico | 857 / 1000 | A++ (Superior) | $1,293 |
| State Farm | 814 / 1000 | A++ (Superior) | $1,043 |
| Progressive | 821/1000 | A+ (Superior) | $1,222 |
Shelter Mutual Insurance Company
When considering customer satisfaction among car insurance carriers in Missouri and the Central Region, J.D. Power sets Shelter apart from other insurance companies. Based on a 1,000 point scale, Shelter score sits at the top of the list at 858, ranking among the best in the business when it comes to keeping customers satisfied.
AM Best rates Shelter Mutual’s financial strength as A (Excellent), assigning it a grade of A+ for the long-term and signaling the insurance carrier’s outlook is stable.
Auto Club Enterprises
Based on J.D. Power’s car insurance rankings, Auto Club Enterprises commands an impressive degree of customer satisfaction. It scores “Better Than Most” when it comes to local agents, price, policy offerings and overall satisfaction.
The company scores high with AM Best, which rates Auto Club’s financial strength as A+ (Superior), with a long-term grade of AA+ and a stable outlook.
Allstate
This well-known, nationwide car insurance provider scores about average across the board among J.D. Power’s insurance ratings. From the website to call center procedures, prices, options and overall satisfaction, Allstate remains right around average for all of the review components.
Allstate is rated as A+ (Superior) in financial strength by AM Best, which also gives the nationwide carrier a long-term credit rating of AA and a stable outlook.
Geico
Geico often scores near the top of J.D. Power’s rankings with a score of 857/1000 in the Southeast region.
According to AM Best car insurance reviews, Geico receives a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), with a stable outlook and a score of AAA for the long-term.
Travelers
According to J.D. Power’s ratings, Travelers clocks in at about average with regard to call center representation, local agents, price, policy offerings and overall satisfaction.
While AM Best does not have a financial strength rating for the Travelers Insurance group, the insurance provider is rated A+ with regard to its long-term issuer credit rating, which includes a stable outlook for the company.
Average car insurance cost in Missouri
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Missouri is $1,680 annually, which is slightly below the national average $1,738.
| Average annual premium for minimum coverage in Missouri | Average annual premium for full coverage in Missouri |
|---|---|
| $445 | $1,680 |
State minimum insurance requirements in Missouri
In Missouri, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Specifically, drivers must carry enough insurance to cover:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to yourself or others
- $50,000 liability per accident
- $10,000 for property damage
Bodily injury insurance covers costs resulting from medical fees, income loss or legal fees associated with car accident injuries. Property damage insurance covers any repairs or costs associated with damage to the other vehicle involved in your accident. If you want extra protection for your assets, consider going beyond the basic state minimums for coverage.
How to get the best car insurance
To get the best auto insurance in Missouri, consider your circumstances. For example, maybe you have a bad driving history, are looking for additional add-ons to your coverage or you’re about to buy a home. All of these are important to consider when looking for the best car insurance in Missouri as you will find that different providers may offer discounts that match your circumstances, while others may not.
In Missouri, car insurance companies will evaluate your payment history, claims and accident history, marital status, age and vehicle make and model when evaluating you for a car insurance quote. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to pay a lot for car insurance, you may want to purchase the state minimum insurance requirement, however, you may end up paying more if you have unexpected car accidents even if it’s a no-fault accident.
To find the best insurance in Missouri, be honest about your circumstances and what you’re looking for. If you can pay more than the minimum coverage, it is recommended to subscribe for the full coverage. Insurance premiums also vary by ZIP code. To help you find the best car insurance companies, check out Bankrate’s 2021 list.
Evaluate your needs
The total cost of your car insurance premium will be determined by your credit score, driving history and record, type of vehicle, and even gender, age, and marital status. When shopping around for the best car insurance in Missouri, write a list of things that can affect your insurance premium and discuss them with your local agent. Your local agent will try to understand your circumstances and may be able to get discounts based on your details.
For example, if you have a kid who is about to start driving, you will need to add him/her to your insurance premium which would ultimately lead to a price increase. By discussing this with your local agent and researching the right insurance companies, you’ll be able to find an insurance policy where you can apply a good student or teen driver discount, which could help you save a lot.
Consider state factors
Insurance companies offer additional add-on coverage options for drivers. Considering Missouri’s geographic location, it may be a smart idea for drivers to opt into add-ons like roadside assistance or engine protection coverage for heavy rain falls and flooding. Furthermore, if you’re living in a dangerous area or visit dangerous areas often, you may want to consider anti-theft as an add-on.
According to the III, 14% of Missouri motorists are uninsured, ranking Missouri at 17 with most uninsured drivers in the nation. Therefore, you may want to consider adding on uninsured motorist coverage to protect you against any charges from an accident with an uninsured driver.
Car insurance discounts in Missouri
Missouri insurance companies offer a wide variety of policy discounts. Explore the following list to see if any of these scenarios apply to you:
- Multiple vehicles: if you have more than one vehicle on your car insurance policy, you may be able to get a discount on your monthly or annual premium.
- Multiple policy (Car & Home): Like the multi-car discount, you may find a better deal on your insurance quote if you bundle your home and car insurance policies.
- Accident-free: Many car insurance carriers offer steep discounts for safe drivers who have gone at least three years without an accident. The discount increases at six and ten years of accident-free driving.
- Good student: Students who rank academically in the top 20% of their class or maintain a “B” average can qualify for the Good Student Discount in Missouri.
- Paid-in-full: Drivers who can pay their insurance premium in full at the time of applying or renewing are eligible for a discount in the state of Missouri.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance in Missouri?
Car insurance prices can vary depending on your driving history, type of vehicle, age, gender and a variety of other factors. The best way to ensure that you find the best rates is by shopping around and comparing prices after you’ve been quoted.
Am I required to carry car insurance in the state of Missouri?
Yes, in order to legally own and operate a vehicle in Missouri, you must have basic car insurance coverage at least $25,000 for injuries to yourself or others, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage. The only way to avoid carrying an insurance policy in Missouri is by filing the Proof of Financial Responsibility form, which guarantees you can pay for any damages incurred in an accident.
Do I still need insurance if I don’t own a car?
Even if you drive a friend’s car or operate a rental vehicle, you should carry car insurance. Ask an agent about a non-owner car insurance policy to see if you can qualify. Though you won’t need comprehensive or collision coverage as a non-owner, it’s smart to carry a minimum of basic liability coverage in case you are injured or cause harm to someone else while operating a vehicle you don’t own.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a cleaning driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our sample drivers own a 2018 Honda Accord, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.