Best car insurance in Missouri for 2026

To find the best car insurance companies in Missouri, we developed a proprietary Bankrate Score system that takes several metrics into account. Our insurance editorial team analyzed average car insurance premiums from Quadrant Information Services and reviewed coverage options, discounts, policy features, customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and financial strength ratings from AM Best. We also looked at accessibility and ease of use for policy management through online and mobile resources.

Insurance companies are graded on a weighted scale of 5.0 points, with a score closer to 5.0 indicating strong performance across these categories. If you are shopping for the best auto insurance in Missouri, our research might help you find a carrier that fits your needs.

On the surface, it may seem like all car insurance companies basically offer the same product. But when you look closer, you’ll see many insurers try to cater their coverage to certain individual needs and driving profiles. For example, while some providers charge inflated premiums to high-risk profiles, like teenagers and drivers with DUIs, others specialize in these areas and offer more fair premiums.

At the very least, you’ll need a 25/50/15 liability insurance policy to satisfy Missouri's minimum car insurance laws. After that, based on your specific vehicle and overall accident risk, you’ll want to discuss with an agent if you want additional coverage or higher liability limits. If you finance or lease a vehicle, you will almost certainly need to maintain a full coverage policy to satisfy your lender's requirements. 

Price is a key detail for many insurance shoppers, but it's not the only factor to consider. When the price difference between quotes is negligible, it can be smart to check out reviews and ratings to see how providers perform in certain areas of insurance that you prioritize. Third-party agencies like J.D. Power, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and AM Best put out annual ratings that give insight into how well car insurance providers are performing in customer service, claim satisfaction and digital experience. Doing a little research into reviews and ratings can save you the headache of going through a poor claims experience down the road. 

Just because you haven't seen a carrier advertised on TV during Sunday Chiefs games doesn't mean they don't offer great coverage. Insuring your vehicle with a small insurance provider isn't just about supporting a local business. Smaller companies often have in-house insurance agents who are uniquely knowledgeable about the local risks you may face on the road. They often have strong relationships with policyholders and excellent customer service. Small insurers can still have competitive pricing, but you'll generally get fewer digital tools than with a brand name carrier. 

Finding the best car insurance in MO will involve identifying your needs and circumstances. If you're looking for specialized coverage for a sports car, you may not land on the same company as if you were looking to insure the family minivan for the cheapest possible price. Once you have a clear idea of the types and amounts of coverage you want, it becomes easier to narrow down the options. At that point, it can be a good idea to contact several potential insurers for free quotes to discover which is most likely to offer you the coverage you want at the most affordable price.

Yes, in order to legally operate a vehicle in Missouri, you must purchase at least the state minimum car insurance coverage, which is $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident. Uninsured motorist bodily injury is also required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The only way to avoid carrying an insurance policy in Missouri is by filing a proof of financial responsibility form as evidence that you can pay for damage that you may cause out of pocket if needed.

Exact rates can vary noticeably between individual drivers, even with similar policies from the same company. Because of that, finding the cheapest car insurance in Missouri for you will require shopping around with several insurers to compare quotes for the same coverage types and policy limits. Remember, your personal rates will reflect your driving record, vehicle model, age, gender and more. When looking for the cheapest car insurance, it may help to focus on minimum coverage (so long as your vehicle is paid off) and pursue any available discounts for which you qualify.

There are a few ways to get quotes for the best car insurance in Missouri. Many companies offer free quote services through their websites. You can also use free quote tools from third-parties that pull rates from several companies simultaneously, making it easier to compare these quotes to see which may be best for you. While the digital route has become the most common, requesting quotes over the phone or in person from companies that maintain local agents may still be possible. When requesting quotes, it’s vital to specify the same coverage types and details on each so that you can compare them accurately. At this point, you can look to see if any of the companies offer you noticeably better rates than the others. It should be noted that these quotes are estimates and not a price guarantee. Full details on policy pricing may not be available until it has gone through underwriting.