Car Insurance in Clayton, MO

Vehicle owners in Clayton, MO need car insurance. A good auto insurance policy can shield you from unmanageable financial losses whether you are involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the Inner Belt Expressway, you get rear-ended at a stoplight on Maryland Avenue, or have a fender-bender in a parking lot.

Independent agents make shopping for car insurance easy. These agents can obtain customized quotes from some of the area's best auto insurance companies so you can choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the best price. Contact an independent insurance agent in Clayton to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Clayton, MO?

The average cost of car insurance in Missouri is lower than the national average rate. This is excellent news for Clayton drivers who are looking for a reasonably priced policy.

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

Of course, an average rate can only give you an idea of what a policy might cost you. Actual premiums can vary significantly from one driver to another because insurance companies calculate costs based on factors like:  

• The make, model, year, and condition of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving history
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The auto theft and collision rate in the vicinity of your home
• The amount of liability coverage you want to purchase
• The coverage options you want to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

If you bundle your car insurance with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance, you can often get significant rate reductions on each of your bundled policies.

You may also encounter other money-saving car insurance discounts such as:

• Multi-vehicle discounts
• Safe driver discounts
• Military discounts
• Teacher discounts
• Good student discounts

Comparing rates from a few competing insurance companies lets you choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the most affordable price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Clayton, MO?

To comply with Missouri state law, all vehicle owners in Clayton must carry a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state's minimum coverage requirements. This means your policy must include:

• Auto liability insurance: This covers any injuries, lost wages, and property damage you may cause to other people if you cause a collision. Your policy must meet or exceed the following coverage amounts:
  • $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $25,000 worth of property damage liability insurance per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UM): This covers medical treatments and lost wages if you or your passengers are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver. Your policy must meet or exceed the following coverage amounts.
  • $25,000 worth of UM bodily injury insurance per person
  • $50,000 worth of UM bodily injury insurance per accident
  • UIM property damage is not available in Missouri. You can instead be covered through collision insurance.

In Missouri, your uninsured motorist insurance bodily injury coverage amounts must equal your bodily injury liability coverage amounts.

Some vehicle owners in Clayton also need to carry physical damage coverage. Though not required by law, it is typically required by lenders if you are financing your vehicle, and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:

• Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

If you own your vehicle outright, physical damage insurance is optional.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Clayton, MO?

In addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above, you may want to add a few coverage options. Some of the options that are popular in Clayton include:

• Medical payments insurance: This helps cover the cost of medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can pay for accrued expenses that your health insurance doesn't cover, like copays, deductibles, and ambulance rides.
• Glass replacement insurance: This can cover the cost of replacing the safety glass in your windshield, sunroof, or windows if it is cracked, shattered, or otherwise damaged.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your if your vehicle is totaled, but you own more for it than it is worth.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This covers the cost of a service call if your vehicle breaks down and you need help, such as if your engine overheats or your alternator fails.
• Rental car reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having your own car repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.
• Umbrella insurance: This separate policy is ideal for Clayton residents who have a lot to lose and want to have even more liability coverage than their car insurance company can provide.

Be sure to review all of the coverage options offered to you so you can best 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 Clayton, Missouri?

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

• A fine
  • For a first offense: No fine
  • For a second or subsequent offense: Up to $500
• The suspending of your driver's license, vehicle registration, and plates
  • For a first offense: Until you provide proof of insurance
  • For a second offense: For up to 90 days
  • For a third or subsequent offense: For up to one year
• Reinstatement fees to get your driving privileges back
  • For a first offense: $20 fee
  • For a second offense: $200 fee
  • For a third or subsequent offense: $400 fee
• Community service and/or jail time
  • For a first offense: Not applicable
  • For a second or subsequent offense: Up to 15 days in jail
• Four points added to your driving record
• Higher car insurance rates

Despite these consequences, a number of people in this state are driving around in uninsured vehicles. That is why uninsured motorist insurance, which is a mandatory part of your car insurance, can prove beneficial.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Missouri drivers who are uninsured: 14.0%

If you or your passengers are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the uninsured motorist coverage included in your car insurance policy can help.

Uninsured motorist insurance can cover your medical bills and lost wages. This saves you from the need to go through lengthy legal channels to collect what is owed to you. Instead, your insurance company will take on the challenge of collecting what is owed by the at-fault driver.

Does Clayton, MO Have a High Car Theft Rate?

The auto theft rate in Missouri is higher than the national average, but the rate is lower in Clayton. Residents of this city report an average of 21 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Missouri auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 3.23
• Clayton auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.07

Be aware that you can only be compensated for auto theft if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") insurance.

Comprehensive insurance covers far more than just theft. It can also reimburse you for loss and damage to your car due to many other non-collision hazards, such as if a fallen tree branch strikes your car or if your vehicle is damaged during a tornado.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Clayton, MO?

Some of the many attributes that make insurance companies stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and competitive rates.

Independent insurance agents in Clayton have partnered with some of the best car insurance companies in Missouri. Therefore, your agent can help you review policies and quotes from a selection of insurance providers you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Clayton, Missouri?

Independent agents in Clayton are available to offer guidance and advice when you are shopping for car insurance. These experienced insurance professionals can answer your coverage-related questions and provide you with a selection of customized policies and quotes that you can review and compare together.

Arrange an obligation-free consultation with an independent insurance agent near you to begin your search for the best car insurance policy in Clayton.