What’s important to you when searching for car insurance? Great coverage? Affordability? An insurer with a strong reputation? At Awesome Insurance Consultants, we know the things that matter most to our customers when shopping for a new auto insurance policy. As an independent agency, we help Missouri drivers like you find comprehensive protection at affordable rates – all from some of the leading insurers in our great state.
Car Insurance FAQs
How much auto insurance do I need in Missouri?
The Missouri minimum auto insurance requirements are designed to provide a small level of protection in the event you damage someone else’s property, or you cause harm to another person. In Missouri, drivers need a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and $10,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability Coverage. The minimum amount for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
What is the best deductible?
The best deductible is what you can afford to pay out of pocket when you file an auto insurance claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. A higher deductible means your accepting a more significant portion of the risk yourself. It is best not to take on more risk than you can afford.
What is “full coverage?”
There is no such thing as “full coverage” insurance. Full coverage auto insurance is a term that is used to suggest you have chosen protection that goes beyond the minimum coverage required by your State. It typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, medical payment coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
How can I save money on my car insurance?
You can save money on your car insurance by avoiding moving violations, crashes, DUIs, and other incidents. By having a clean driving record, you may also qualify for a safe driver discount. Students may qualify for good student and student-away-at-school discounts. Your vehicle’s anti-theft devices and safety features may also provide more discounts. Paid-in-full, multi-car, and prior carrier discounts are also common.
How long does an auto accident affect my insurance?
A crash won’t impact your car insurance premiums forever. After about three to five years, your rates should recover. Exactly how long this takes will depend on the type of accident as well as the company you are insured with.
Is buying direct cheaper than buying through an agent?
Buying direct is not always cheaper than buying through an agent. You might think that cutting out the middleman would result in cheaper car insurance rates, but when it comes to insurance, this isn’t the case. In fact, an independent agent, one that represents many insurance companies, can often save you money.
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best auto insurance company differs per individual. No insurance company is objectively the best. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best customer service, the broadest coverage, or the lowest rates? Or maybe you have unique coverage or underwriting needs? An agent can help you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies and find the right policy for your situation.
What is the best or cheapest auto insurance rate?
The best or cheapest auto insurance rate can be found by comparison shopping. Compare premiums as well as differences in coverage. An independent insurance agent can help. They can provide options from multiple carriers, along with the expert guidance you need to make a smart choice.
How do I switch to a new auto insurance company?
You can switch to a new auto insurance company at any time, but to avoid overpaying or violating state law, you do need to watch out for a couple of things. car insurance policies are often sold for coverage periods of six months or one year. In some cases, you may be charged a fee if you decide to cancel your insurance policy early. You may also be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the premium. You also want to make sure you have continuous coverage to avoid a coverage gap.
Selecting the Right Coverage Limits
Car insurance is much more than a legal requirement; it’s an opportunity to protect your vehicle, income, and future finances against devastating loss. Opting for only the minimum coverage could leave you with big financial burdens in the event of a collision, injury, or even a lawsuit. There’s the cost of repairing or replacing your car, paying for you and your passengers’ medical bills, finding temporary transportation, and hiring legal representation, as well as the cost of any judgments or penalties levied against you. Could you afford to pay tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for those types of expenses out of your own pocket?
At Awesome Insurance Consultants, we help you make sound financial decisions about your car insurance coverage and offer up advice for choosing the right coverage limits. As an independent agency, our goal is to reduce coverage gaps and lower your overall costs both now and in the future.
Types of Missouri Auto Insurance
When you purchase car insurance in Missouri, your policy is likely to include several different types of coverage. The details of these coverages can vary from insurer to insurer and according to your preferences, but it is possible that your policy could include protection for:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
Car accidents often include more than one vehicle and other objects. If you run your can through a local storefront or injure another driver in an at-fault collision, you will likely be responsible for any ensuing damages, from medical bills, and lost wages to property repairs or replacement. Bodily injury and property damage liability are two different types of coverage that are designed to mitigate your financial risks if you cause an accident while operating your vehicle. We typically recommend choosing high-limit liability coverage, as any excess damages beyond what is covered by your insurance may require out-of-pocket payment.
Collision
Collisions usually leave vehicles badly damaged. The cost of repairing cosmetic damages, replacing damaged parts, and paying for labor charges can add up quickly – usually to thousands of dollars. With collision insurance, you are covered for the cost of repairs to your vehicle or full reimbursement for the total loss of your vehicle when the cost of repairs exceeds the valuation of the car.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive insurance helps pay for physical damages to your car that are caused by non-collision events, such as vandalism, fallen objects, and hail. It can even cover your losses if your vehicle is stolen. Note that claims for both collision and comprehensive are usually subject to your deductible, which can be selected at the time you purchase your policy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
Driving uninsured is illegal, yet many Missouri motorists violate that law each day. If you are injured by an uninsured driver or are the victim of a hit-and-run, it could be challenging and perhaps even impossible to recover monetary compensation for your losses. With uninsured motorist coverage, you can file claims for you and your passengers’ injuries against your own policy instead. If you are injured by a driver who is insured but has too little coverage to pay for all of your damages, your underinsured motorist protection can help fill in gaps in your claims.
Medical Payments
Car accident injuries often require immediate medical attention. Medical payments coverage is no-fault protection that pays limited benefits for medical expenses that are deemed necessary after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Roadside Assistance and Towing
Most drivers have experienced a mechanical failure, flat tire, dead battery, empty fuel tank, or even keys that are locked inside a car. If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, your car insurance could cover the cost of calling for roadside assistance or towing services.
Rental Car Coverage
Life doesn’t pause just because your vehicle is damaged in a collision. You still have places to go, and a rental car can help you get there while your car is being repaired. Rental car coverage helps pay for the cost of temporary transportation until you receive compensation for the loss of your vehicle or your damaged car is restored.
Save Money on Missouri Auto Insurance
Why pay more for the insurance you need if quality coverage is available elsewhere at a more affordable price? When you shop with Awesome Insurance Consultants, you have access to quotes from multiple car insurance carriers, all of which are competing to win your business. We help you not only get the right coverage but also an affordable, money-saving policy premium. We can also help you learn about important discounts you may qualify for, such as:
- Claims-free discounts
- Savings for having a clean driving record
- Having low annual mileage averages
- Completing and passing a driver’s safety education course
- Setting up automatic payments or paying premiums in full
- Purchasing home or renters insurance from the same carrier
- Maintaining good grades in high-school and college
- And more
For more information about how an independent agency can help you save money on Missouri car insurance, contact our office to request your free quotes today. We look forward to serving you soon.
