Average Car Insurance Costs for Missouri
- State minimum liability on average in Missouri costs $120 a month or $1,443 a year.
- Full coverage auto policies cost around $401 a month or $4,806 a year in MO.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in Missouri. Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Policy Rates in Missouri?
- In Missouri the cheapest car insurance rates on average are from State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $54 a month or $654 a year. Full coverage car insurance starts at $188 a month or $2,252 a year with State Farm.
Here is the average costs from the cheapest local insurance providers in Missouri from our cost data set of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Provider: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $654 | $54 | $2,252 | $188 |
| Progressive | $715 | $60 | $3,715 | $310 |
| GEICO | $1,022 | $85 | $4,183 | $349 |
| American Family | $1,072 | $89 | $2,521 | $210 |
| Shelter Insurance | $1,194 | $100 | $4,454 | $371 |
MO Car Insurance Costs for Popular Cities
| Missouri City: | State Minimum: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs | $1,035 | $86 | $3,270 | $272 |
| Columbia | $914 | $76 | $3,218 | $268 |
| Florissant | $1,381 | $115 | $4,358 | $363 |
| Independence | $1,107 | $92 | $3,651 | $304 |
| Joplin | $907 | $76 | $3,169 | $264 |
| Kansas City | $1,160 | $97 | $3,909 | $326 |
| Lee’s Summit | $1,033 | $86 | $3,390 | $282 |
| OFallon | $1,066 | $89 | $3,280 | $273 |
| Springfield | $1,065 | $89 | $3,197 | $266 |
| St. Charles | $1,069 | $89 | $3,293 | $274 |
SEE OUR LIST OF POPULAR MO CITY COST GUIDES
State Minimum Liability Coverage in MO
Getting a new car is exciting, so having the proper insurance in place before heading out on the road makes your ride safe and worry free. Missouri requires by law that all registered vehicles have liability insurance coverage. When you register a new vehicle or renew your plates, you must present proof that you have insurance. Liability insurance covers you in the event of an accident. The following minimums are in place in Missouri:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $10,000 per accident for property
These figures are just minimums and many drivers choose higher limits for more protection and peace of mind.
How Are Auto Insurance Rates Calculated in MO?
Insurers are free to set their own rates based on claims risk, so it makes sense to shop around. The overall cost isn’t the deciding factor; it’s how much coverage you get for your money. The following factors help to determine your rate:
1. Your coverage levels and chosen deductible: A higher deductible equates to a lower rate, but you will pay more out of pocket in the event of an accident.
2. Type and age of your vehicle: Older cars without modern safety features and high performance cars face higher premiums.
3. Age and gender of drivers: Risks due to age and gender can increase your rate, for example, young male drivers are typically the most expensive to insure.
4. Driving history: You obviously pay less if you have few infractions on your driving record.
5. Where you live: A vehicle stored and used on and around a farm will obviously cost you less to insure than a luxury car in a big city.
How Credit Scores and DUIs Affect Missouri Car Insurance Rates
Missouri is one of the states that allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when setting auto rates, and the gap is significant: drivers with poor credit pay an average of $280 per month for full coverage, compared to $121 per month for drivers with good credit — a difference of about $159 per month, or roughly $1,908 per year, for identical coverage. A single DUI conviction in Missouri raises the average full-coverage premium from about $132 per month to $205 per month, an increase of roughly 61%, and that surcharge typically stays on a policy for three to five years depending on the carrier. Because Missouri insurers weigh these factors so heavily, shopping around after a credit dip or a driving violation is one of the fastest ways to bring a Missouri car insurance rate back down.
Average Cost for Car Insurance in Missouri by County
The average cost of car insurance in Missouri varies between drivers. Here is the breakdown of the amount you can expect to pay on car insurance costs by county for vehicle type below for a minimum state policy of the average driver:
| Auto Insurance Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | $1,033 | $856 | $1,016 | $911 | $1,106 |
| Andrew | $1,055 | $874 | $986 | $931 | $1,131 |
| Atchison | $1,102 | $909 | $1,023 | $965 | $1,186 |
| Audrain | $947 | $811 | $884 | $911 | $1,036 |
| Barry | $1,044 | $888 | $980 | $948 | $1,134 |
| Barton | $1,069 | $889 | $1,002 | $948 | $1,141 |
| Bates | $1,075 | $891 | $1,019 | $948 | $1,152 |
| Benton | $1,099 | $912 | $1,050 | $972 | $1,174 |
| Bollinger | $1,031 | $885 | $976 | $981 | $1,110 |
| Boone | $922 | $791 | $876 | $905 | $992 |
Moving to Missouri: Important Information
If you are moving to Missouri, you have 30 days to surrender your license and get a Missouri driver’s license. You have to fill out an application form for a new license at the Department of Revenue and take a vision exam and road recognition test. You need to take a written exam and driving skills test if your out-of-state license is expired for more than 184 days.
Out-of-state vehicles need registration within 30 days of moving to Missouri by completing an application for a Missouri Title and License. If you own more than one vehicle, you will need to fill out a separate application for each vehicle.
Understanding Driving Laws in Missouri
If you are driving in Missouri, it is important to know its traffic laws. In Missouri, the Department of Revenue keeps track of drivers by using a point system. The Department of Revenue is notified when you receive a conviction for a driving violation, and it assigns points to your record. For example, a speeding violation is three points. If you gain more than four points within 12 months, you receive an accumulation advisory. Your license is suspended if you receive more than 8 points in 18 months.
- 1st suspension – 30 days
- 2nd suspension – 60 days
- 3rd suspension or higher – 90 days
Missouri features typical seat belt laws:
- All front passengers must be secured by a seat belt
- A child under 4 or under 40 pounds must be secured by a proper child restraint seat
- Children between ages 4 and 8 must be restrained by a suitable safety or booster seat
Missouri is a bit lax with cell phone laws as compared to other states. The only restriction is that children under 21 can’t text while driving
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Auto Insurance
Do all auto insurance companies offer the same coverage and discounts?
All companies offer the basic vehicle policies, like Liability, Collision, and Comprehensive, but discounts and coverage vary greatly between companies.
How do you get an insurance quote?
You get an insurance quote by directly contacting the insurance company and speaking to an agent in person or over the phone. You can also get auto insurance quotes online, by entering information like the vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as your name and driver’s license number.
Are there other ways to meet insurance requirements in Missouri?
Besides liability coverage, car owners can file for proof of financial responsibility with the Department of Revenue. Another way to meet insurance requirement is to get a certificate of self-insurance. This kind of insurance is only for companies and religious organizations with 26 vehicles or more.
Auto-Owners Insurance: Missouri’s Cheapest Option 41% Below State Average
Auto-Owners Insurance is Missouri’s most underrated car insurance option. At $34 per month for minimum coverage and $79 per month for full coverage — 41 percent below the state average — Auto-Owners consistently posts the lowest rates of any major carrier in the state. Despite this pricing advantage, Auto-Owners receives far less attention than GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm because it does not offer direct online purchasing and is not prominently featured on most national comparison tools. Auto-Owners is a Michigan-based mutual insurer sold exclusively through independent agents, with strong representation across Missouri’s mid-sized cities and rural markets. Missouri drivers who have never requested an Auto-Owners quote — available through any independent insurance agent — should make it their first call. The annual savings versus mid-tier national carriers can exceed $1,000 for identical full coverage.
Shelter Insurance: Missouri’s Hometown Carrier With the Best Customer Service Scores
Shelter Insurance, founded in Columbia, Missouri in 1946 and still headquartered there today, is one of Missouri’s most important regional insurance carriers. Shelter offers full coverage at approximately $142 per month — below the state average — and earns the highest customer satisfaction scores of any major carrier in the Missouri market. Shelter’s local expertise is particularly valuable for Missouri’s frequent tornado and hailstorm claims: agents and adjusters with deep knowledge of Missouri weather patterns and local repair markets handle claims faster and more effectively than national carrier adjusters dispatched from out-of-state. Shelter is the best choice for Missouri teenagers on a family policy and for drivers who want claims service that understands the local market. Shelter is available through local Missouri agents rather than online comparison tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Car Insurance
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
