Columbia, MO Car Insurance

If you own a vehicle in Columbia, you are required by Missouri state law to carry car insurance. From fender benders on Broadway to multi-vehicle collisions on Interstate 70, a reliable auto insurance policy can shield you from facing large financial losses as a result.

Independent agents make it easy to find the right policy. These agents can obtain customized quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in Missouri. That way, you can be sure you are getting the coverage you want at a great price. Find an insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Columbia, MO?

The average cost of car insurance in Missouri is lower than the national rate. This is good news for Columbia drivers who are looking for an affordable policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Missouri average annual car insurance cost: $1,112

Of course, car insurance costs can vary greatly from one driver to the next. This is because costs are based on several factors such as:  

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Whether you own or rent your home
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
• The accident and auto theft rates near your home
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• The coverage options you are including in your policy

If you bundle your car insurance with another policy like homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you can often get significant rate reductions on each of your bundled policies. You may also qualify for other money-saving incentives like safe driver discounts and good student discounts.

Comparing policies, rates, and potential discounts from a variety of insurance companies lets you be sure you are getting your coverage at a competitive price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

What Are the Car Insurance Requirements in Columbia, MO?

This state of Missouri requires drivers to carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance.

• Liability coverage: This covers injuries and property damage that you may cause to other people if you are responsible for a collision. Your policy must include:
  • Bodily injury liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability insurance of at least $25,000 per accident.
• Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM): This covers injuries and property damage sustained by you and you passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver. Your policy must include at least:
  • UIM bodily injury insurance of at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
  • UIM property damage insurance is not required. This coverage is not available in Missouri.

Your uninsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance must match your bodily injury liability insurance. This means that if you purchase higher amounts of liability coverage, you will also need to raise your UIM limits.

If you have a lot to lose and want to have even more liability coverage than your car insurance policy can provide, you may want to consider also purchasing a personal umbrella insurance policy. Umbrella insurance is an affordable way to boost all of your personal liability coverage.

What Else Can Columbia Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the liability and uninsured motorist coverage that is required by law, most insurance companies will give you the option of adding optional coverage to your Columbia car insurance policy. Some commonly available coverage options include:

• Full coverage: This refers to coverage for damage to your own vehicle. While not required by law, it is often required by lenders if you are still paying for your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Full coverage includes:
  • Collision insurance: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a non-collision event.
• Medical payments insurance: Also known as MedPay, this can pay for some of the cost of medical treatment for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. If your health insurance covers these costs, MedPay can cover extra expenses like co-pays.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled but you owe more for it than it is worth. This is typically ideal during the first couple years of new vehicle ownership when depreciation is fastest.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This pays for assistance if your vehicle becomes disabled and you need to call for help.
• Rental reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while repairs are being made to your car following a covered event.

Take the time to review all of the coverage options offered to you so you can determine which, if any, are a good fit for you and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Columbia, Missouri?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Missouri. If caught doing so, you can face consequences that include:

• The suspension of your driver’s license and/or plates:
  • First offense: Suspended until proof of insurance is provided. You will need to pay a $20 fee to reinstate them.
  • Second offense: Suspended for 90 days. You will need to pay a $200 fee to reinstate them.
  • Third and subsequent offenses: Suspended for one year. You will need to pay a $400 fee to reinstate them.
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 filing with the Department of Revenue for three years.
• Higher car insurance rates

Even so, around one in seven drivers in this state is operating an uninsured vehicle. This is why uninsured motorist insurance, which is a mandatory part of your car insurance, is so important.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13%
• Percentage of Missouri drivers who are uninsured: 14%

If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, uninsured motorist insurance can ensure that you have immediate coverage for any medical bills you may accrue as a result of the accident.

Damage to your vehicle will not be covered unless you have collision insurance. If you do not, you will have to sue the at-fault driver to get reimbursement for your repair costs.

Does Columbia Car Insurance Cover against Vehicle Thefts?

The auto theft rate in Missouri is higher than the national average. In Columbia, the rate is lower than the state average, but still higher than the national rate. Residents of this city report close to 300 auto thefts a typical year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Missouri auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 3.23
• Columbia auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.50

As a vehicle owner, it is important to know that you can only be compensated for a stolen car if your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive, or “other than collision,” insurance.

Comprehensive insurance covers against far more than just theft. It can also reimburse you for loss and damage to your car due to a variety of other non-collision hazards, such as if your car is damaged by hail, a flood, or a garage fire.

If you are financing or leasing your car, chances are good you have comprehensive insurance already. If not, you may want to consider adding this optional coverage to your Columbia car insurance policy.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Columbia, MO?

When you are looking for a reliable auto insurance policy that meets your coverage and budgetary needs, you can turn to an independent agent in Columbia for help.

These agents are not tied to a specific insurance company, so they are free to work with several competing providers as they search for the best and most affordable coverage.

Arrange an obligation-free consultation with an independent insurance agent near you to learn more. You can soon be comparing customized quotes from some of the best and most reliable car insurance companies in Missouri.