Liability Insurance — Missouri
Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident — it does not cover your own vehicle or medical bills.
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What Is Liability Insurance Insurance?
Liability insurance is the foundation of auto insurance in Missouri and every other state. It pays when you cause an accident and someone else gets hurt or their property gets damaged. The coverage splits into two parts: bodily injury liability, which covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for people you injure, and property damage liability, which pays to repair or replace vehicles and other property you damage. Your own injuries and vehicle damage are not covered under liability — you need collision, comprehensive, or medical payments coverage for that.
Who Needs Liability Insurance Insurance?
Every driver in Missouri must carry liability insurance to register a vehicle and drive legally. If you finance or lease a vehicle, your lender will require liability coverage plus collision and comprehensive. Even if you own your car outright, liability protects your assets — if you cause a serious accident and don't have insurance, you can be sued for the full amount of damages, which can include wage garnishment and property liens.
The real decision is not whether to carry liability, but how much. If you have assets to protect (a home, savings, retirement accounts), carry higher limits.
How Much Does Liability Insurance Insurance Cost?
- Driving record — a single at-fault accident can increase liability premiums by 20 to 40 percent for three to five years.
- Location within Missouri — urban areas like St. Louis and Kansas City have higher liability rates due to accident frequency and repair costs.
- Age and experience — drivers under 25 and over 70 pay higher liability premiums due to statistically higher at-fault accident rates.
- Credit-based insurance score — Missouri allows insurers to use credit history, and lower scores can increase liability premiums by 30 to 50 percent.
- Annual mileage — drivers logging over 15,000 miles per year typically pay 10 to 20 percent more for liability coverage.
