Does My Car Need Insurance If I’m Not Driving It in Missouri?
A lot of people in Missouri ask us if their car needs insurance if they’re not driving it. Maybe you’ve parked a second car for the season, or you’re holding onto a vehicle you don’t plan to use for a while. The answer depends on how your car is registered and how you want it protected.
Let’s break it down.
TLDR: In Missouri, you must keep liability insurance on any registered vehicle, even if you’re not driving it. If you take your car off the road and surrender plates, liability may not be required, but you’ll lose protection. Comprehensive-only coverage can protect against theft, fire, or storm damage at a lower cost. Always talk with your agent before canceling coverage.
When Missouri Requires Insurance
Typically your car does need insurance even if you’re not driving it.
In Missouri, every registered vehicle must carry liability insurance. The state minimum coverage is:
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$25,000 for bodily injury per person
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$50,000 for bodily injury per accident
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$25,000 for property damage
On top of that, Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage as well.
If you let insurance lapse on a registered vehicle, you could face fines, license or plate suspension, and higher premiums later.
When You Might Not Need Insurance
If you’re truly not going to drive the car, there are a couple of ways you might not need liability coverage:
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Surrender your plates and registration. Without active registration, the state won’t require liability insurance.
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Declare the car off the road. This means the vehicle can’t be legally operated until you reactivate registration and insurance.
Keep in mind, without insurance, you’ll also have no protection if the car is stolen or damaged.
Coverage Options for Parked Cars
Even if you don’t need liability insurance, you might still want protection. That’s where comprehensive-only coverage (sometimes called storage insurance) comes in.
This type of policy covers non-driving risks such as:
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Theft
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Fire
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Vandalism
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Storm or falling object damage
It usually costs much less than full coverage and gives you peace of mind while your car is parked.
What to Consider Before Dropping Coverage
Before making changes, think through a few important points:
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Financed or leased vehicles usually must carry full coverage until the loan or lease is paid off.
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Risk tolerance: could you afford to replace or repair the car out of pocket if something happened?
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Insurance history: canceling insurance can sometimes cause higher rates when you reinstate coverage later.
What to Do Next
If you’re considering adjusting coverage:
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Call your insurance agent and ask about a comprehensive-only policy.
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If you want to stop liability coverage, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue about surrendering plates or taking your vehicle off the road.
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Make sure you fully understand how your choice impacts both your protection and your legal responsibilities.
Key Takeaways
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Missouri requires liability insurance on all registered vehicles, even if they’re not being driven.
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You can avoid liability coverage by surrendering plates or taking a car off the road, but then the vehicle can’t be legally operated.
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Comprehensive-only coverage is a good option to protect a parked car against theft, fire, vandalism, or storm damage.
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Dropping insurance completely could lead to penalties, higher premiums later, or uncovered losses.
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Always check with your insurance agent and the Missouri Department of Revenue before making changes.
Final Thoughts
Even if you’re not driving your car, completely dropping insurance isn’t always the safest choice. Missouri law requires liability coverage on registered vehicles, and even unregistered cars face risks when parked.
If you’re unsure what makes sense for your situation, the team at Insurance Advisors of St. Louis is here to help. We’ll walk you through your options and find a solution that balances cost and protection.
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