Missouri Auto Insurance for First-Time Drivers

Bodily injury liability pays medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs if you injure someone in an accident you cause. The premium (the monthly amount you pay) covers damages up to your limit — anything beyond that comes out of your pocket.

Property damage liability covers repair costs when you damage someone else's vehicle, fence, building, or other property. If you cause an accident on I-70 or I-44 involving multiple vehicles, you could exceed this limit quickly.

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) pays your medical bills and repair costs if you're hit by a driver without insurance or a hit-and-run driver. Missouri law requires insurers to offer it, and you must sign a rejection form to decline it.

Comprehensive pays to repair or replace your car after non-collision events: theft, hail, vandalism, flood, or hitting a deer. Missouri sees frequent severe weather, including hailstorms and tornadoes, particularly in the spring across the central and western regions.

Collision coverage pays to repair your car after you hit another vehicle, a guardrail, or roll your car — regardless of fault. Like comprehensive, you select a deductible. If you financed or leased your vehicle, your lender will require both collision and comprehensive — this combination plus liability is commonly called full coverage.