Prior to registering your car and operating it on state roads, you must decide how you will prove your financial responsibility to the Department of Revenue (DOR).

Ways to Establish Financial Responsibility

Establishing financial responsibility is proof that you have a way to cover any accident you’re involved in. You must have one of the following:

• Auto liability insurance.

• A bond or deposit for $60,000 left with the DOR.

• A real estate bond on file with the DOR.

• Self-insurance (applies only to dealers with more than 25 vehicles).

Most people choose to purchase auto liability insurance. If you are interested in any of the other options, contact your local DOR.

Missouri Liability Insurance Requirements for Private Passenger Vehicles

If you choose the auto insurance route, you must have a minimum of:

• Bodily injury: $25,0000/person and $50,000/accident

• Property damage: $10,000/accident

However, many people need more than the minimum amount, especially if they have a lot of assets. There are other types of coverage that you can add on to the minimums, too.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

When you register your car, you must also sign an affidavit at the DOR stating that you will maintain insurance during the registration period.

Always carry proof of insurance or financial responsibility with you in the car while you drive; most people simply leave it in the glove box.

Acceptable proofs of financial responsibility are:

• A current insurance card or copy from your insurance company (they will issue you one).

• A receipt from the insurance company with your name, vehicle information, and policy number on it.

• The actual current insurance policy or binder, if you haven’t received an insurance card yet.

• A Self-Insured card from the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau (dealers only).

• A Financial Responsibility ID card from the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau, if you filed a bond or certificate of deposit.

You are exempt from providing proof if:

• You only get your car titled, not registered.

• Your car is an official federal, state, or municipal vehicle.

• You have a commercial vehicle and have Motor Carrier’s Insurance instead.

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

Driving around with no proof of insurance results in one of these things:

• Four points on your driving record.

• An order of supervision that will subject you to monitoring.

• License suspension.

If you drive with no insurance at all, your license will automatically be suspended, and you’ll have to pay fees to get it back.

If you’re in an accident and have no insurance, expect to file form SR-22 with the DOR for three years, too.