How Does Car Insurance Work in Missouri?

If you were involved in a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, you may wonder about your options for legal recourse against the at-fault driver. Often, your best option is to file an insurance claim for financial compensation. However, there’s a lot to understand regarding how car insurance works in Missouri. 

Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you understand and explore your best legal course of action. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have helped our clients recover more than $100 million in much-needed and deserved compensation. We’re well-equipped to guide you through the entire insurance claims process.  

Call us today at (314) 444-4444 to get started. We provide a free initial consultation where you can speak with one of our qualified attorneys about your case.

How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Insurance Claim in St. Louis, Missouri

How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Insurance Claim in St. Louis, Missouri

Filing a car insurance claim in St. Louis, MO, should be easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case in reality. The truth is that insurance companies are for-profit enterprises that stay in business by reducing or denying liability whenever possible. Since the car insurance industry generates hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s safe to say they’re good at it.

If you hire a qualified St. Louis car accident attorney with Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll level the playing field with the opposing party. We’re highly familiar with insurance companies and their operations; we won’t let them take advantage of you. Choosing our legal team to help with your claim means we’ll be able to:

  • Investigate your case to collect evidence and understand the full extent of your damages
  • Develop a plan of action that is in your best interests
  • Handle all of the paperwork, procedures, and communications related to your claim
  • Protect you from allegations of contributory fault
  • Negotiate a settlement agreement on your behalf
  • File a lawsuit against the at-fault party if necessary

Learn more about your legal rights and options today by calling for your free initial case review.

At our law office, we handle all types of car accident claims involving:

Missouri Car Insurance Requirements

Almost every state in the country, including Missouri, requires drivers to purchase car insurance. However, they differ in terms of the specific amounts and requirements. The minimum amounts of insurance coverage in Missouri are:

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage

In addition, drivers must purchase uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Other forms of coverage are available as well – as are higher amounts of the required forms – but they are optional.

Missouri Is an At-Fault Car Insurance State

Most states are considered either “at-fault” or “no-fault” regarding their car insurance systems. Missouri falls into the former category and is an “at-fault” car insurance state.

In no-fault states, drivers generally must purchase a type of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This insurance offers (limited) benefits in the event of a crash, no matter whose fault the accident was. However, motorists in no-fault states can normally only pursue compensation from the driver responsible for the accident if they sustain especially serious injuries.

In Missouri and other at-fault states, things work differently. Drivers in Missouri can file a claim against the driver who caused their car accidents, no matter the severity of their injuries.   

What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in the State of Missouri?

Under Missouri law, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages after a car accident.

Economic damages refer to the financial consequences of the accident, such as:

Non-economic damages reflect the other types of consequences that may result from a crash, including:

State law also allows accident victims to recover punitive damages in personal injury cases, but only rarely. Punitive damages require a showing by “clear and convincing evidence” that the at-fault party acted to intentionally harm you or with extreme indifference to your safety.

How Long Do I Have To File a Car Insurance Claim in St. Louis, Missouri?

Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases allows you five years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit in court against the at-fault party. You’ll lose your right to compensation if you submit your lawsuit too late.

This deadline also relates to insurance claims. If you have not yet finalized a settlement as the statute of limitations deadline approaches, it is critical you file a lawsuit to maintain your rights. Otherwise, the insurance company will have no obligation or incentive to accept liability for your accident. 

In addition, there are exceptions to this deadline in some cases. As statute of limitations law can be complex, it is best to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in St. Louis to confirm the appropriate time limits for your case.

Contact Our Trusted St. Louis, MO Car Accident Lawyer Today

You don’t have to navigate the car insurance process on your own after an accident caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing in St. Louis, Missouri. Our trusted St. Louis car accident attorneys with Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help you with your claim from beginning to end.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means hiring us costs you nothing upfront. Further, we only get paid for our legal services if we obtain compensation for you.

Call today to learn more and to set up your free case assessment.

Additional St. Louis Car Accident Resources

Learn more about car accident FAQs: