If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, one of the first things that shapes what support you might receive is the insurance coverage involved. Understanding these minimums can help injury victims know what kind of compensation is available and what the limits are.
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Required Car Insurance in Missouri
Missouri drivers must carry specific types and amounts of insurance by law, which helps make sure everyone involved in a crash has at least some protection
Liability Insurance
- Bodily Injury: You must have at least $25,000 to cover injuries (head trauma, back injuries, paralysis, etc…) for one person in an accident, and up to $50,000 if multiple people are hurt.
- Property Damage: You’re required to carry at least $25,000 to repair or replace vehicles or other damaged property in a crash you cause.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage – Bodily Injury
- You have to have $25,000 coverage for injuries to yourself or your passengers if you are hit by a driver with no insurance.
- There’s also a $50,000 per-accident minimum in case more than one person is injured by an uninsured motorist.
Missouri drivers are required to keep current proof of insurance in the car anytime they’re behind the wheel. If you’re stopped by police or get into an accident, you’ll need to show proof of insurance.
Missouri is an At-Fault State
Missouri is considered an “at-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means the person responsible for causing the crash (the “at-fault” driver) can be held financially liable for the injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses resulting from the accident.
If you’re hurt in a crash, you usually have several options: you can file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance, use your own coverage if you have the right policy, or bring a lawsuit if the insurance isn’t enough.
This is why understanding insurance coverage is so important. The compensation you can recover from an insurance claim depends on the policy the driver has (or the policy you have).
Why Minimum Coverage Isn’t Always Enough
Even though Missouri requires every driver to have insurance, the minimum required amount sometimes doesn’t cover the real cost of an accident. Here’s why the bare minimum isn’t always enough:
Serious Injuries Cost More Than You Expect
Medical bills can skyrocket quickly, especially if you or your passengers need ambulance service, surgeries, hospital stays, or ongoing therapy. If several people are hurt, the mandatory $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident liability may run out before everyone’s needs are met.
Car Repairs Add Up Quickly
Vehicles are expensive to repair. A single collision can total a car, damage fences, or involve multiple vehicles. The $25,000 property damage minimum could easily fall short, leaving you out of pocket for the remaining bill.
Underinsured and Uninsured Drivers Are Common
Even though Missouri requires insurance, some motorists still drive without coverage, or have only the smallest policy allowed by law. If the at-fault driver’s policy runs out or they’re uninsured, your extra coverage, like underinsured or uninsured motorist protection, could be all that stands between you and thousands of dollars in unpaid losses. While it can help, the bare minimum may not come even close to covering your actual damages.
What Happens When Insurance Coverage Isn’t Enough?
If your injuries or losses after an accident add up to more than what the insurance company will pay, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or any responsible parties, with the help of a St. Louis injury lawyer. Lawsuits open another path for injury victims to seek money for bills, pain, lost work, or repairs that insurance simply won’t cover because of policy limits.
For many people in serious accidents, a lawsuit is what makes recovering all their actual losses possible. This is a complicated legal process, though, and should never be handled alone.
If you have questions about recovering compensation after a car accident, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.