Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle drivers and owners maintain some type of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. Unfortunately, according to the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Accident Lawyers each year thousands of Pennsylvania citizens are involved in automobile accidents with drivers who have not maintained the required automobile insurance. This results in unpaid damage claims and higher insurance premium rates for all Missourians.
Missouri motor vehicle owners are required to show proof of insurance when registering a vehicle and renewing their license plates. Liability insurance covers your legal liability when injuries or property damage happen as a result of your actions. The minimum level of coverage required by state law is:
The law also requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.
Nonresidents must maintain insurance that conforms to the requirements of the laws of their state.
You must keep some proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times. If a law enforcement officer asks for proof of insurance and you cannot show it, the officer may issue you a ticket.
Statutory reference: Section 303.160, RSMo.
There are three ways you can meet the requirements of the insurance law. For each type of insurance, you will receive an insurance identification card that must be kept in the vehicle at all times. You must have one of the following in effect on each motor vehicle you own or operate:
You must maintain insurance that meets the requirements of the laws of your state.
It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle in Missouri without automobile liability insurance. The vehicle driver must show proof of insurance to any law enforcement official, upon request, or a traffic ticket may be issued to the driver. Three things may occur for failing to show proof of insurance:
1.The court will send the conviction to the Driver License Bureau. The conviction will be entered on the driver’s driving record and four points will be assessed. It only takes a total of eight points within an 18-month period to lose your driving privilege in Missouri.
2.The court may enter an order of supervision. This order is sent to the Driver License Bureau so that the driver can be monitored to ensure automobile liability insurance is being maintained.
3.The court may enter an order suspending the driver’s driver license for failing to show proof of insurance. This order is sent to the Driver License Bureau at which time the driver is notified of the suspension of his or her driver license.
Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle owners maintain some type of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. Missouri residents are required to show proof of insurance when registering a motor vehicle or renewing their license plates. All motor vehicle owners must also keep proof of insurance in their vehicle(s). If a law enforcement officer asks for proof of insurance and the driver cannot show it, the officer may issue both the driver and the owner a ticket.
At any time during the period of vehicle registration in Missouri, the Driver License Bureau may request that a vehicle owner show proof of insurance. If the vehicle owner cannot provide proof of insurance, a driver license suspension is imposed.
Statutory references: Sections 303.042 through 303.044, RSMo.
If your driving privilege and/or license plates are suspended for not having insurance, the following suspension periods will apply:
After you serve the period of suspension, your driver license and/or license plates can be reinstated if the Driver License Bureau receives the following:
Proof of insurance must be maintained and filed with the Department of Revenue for a period of three years following the end of the suspension. If you fail to maintain proof of insurance, the Driver License Bureau will again suspend your driver license and/or license plates. The suspension will remain in effect for the remainder of the three years unless you refile proof of insurance and pay a $20 reinstatement fee.
Insurance companies must update their file before the 7th working day of each month. This information is then used to determine the insurance status of Missouri motor vehicle owners and operators.
Statutory reference: Section 303.040, RSMo.
NOTE: If the accident did not cause $500 in property damage or personal injury or death, you may still file an accident report if there was an uninsured motorist involved. The bureau will only be able to take action under Section 303.041 (see below).
You can get a Motor Vehicle Accident Report form from:
Driver License Bureau
301 West High Street – Room 470
Post Office Box 200
Jefferson City MO 65105-0200
Statutory reference: Section 303.041, RSMo.
If the Director of Revenue determines that the operator or owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident has not maintained liability insurance, the operator or owner, or both, will be mailed a Notice of Suspension. The notice will include the reason for suspension, effective date of suspension, and the procedure to request a hearing.
Statutory references: Section 303.042 through 303.044, RSMo.
If your driving privilege and/or license plates are suspended for not having insurance and an accident was involved, the following suspension periods will apply:
After the driver and/or owner serves the period of suspension, his or her driver license/license plates can be reinstated if the Driver License Bureau receives the following:
Statutory references: Sections 303.030 and 303.042, RSMo.
If you are at fault for the accident and do not pay for the damages, your driver license and/or license plates will be suspended for one year. Your driver license and/or license plates can be reinstated within the one-year period provided you pay a $20 reinstatement fee and send proof to the Driver License Bureau that you have settled the accident loss.
Driver License Bureau
301 West High Street – Room 470
Post Office Box 200
Jefferson City MO 65105-0200
