Is Liability Insurance Required to Rent a Car in Missouri?

When driving a rental car, you probably don’t expect that you’ll be in a crash, but sometimes life has other plans. When a crash happens, you’ll almost certainly need to rely on insurance. That raises the question: Are you required to have special liability insurance to rent a car in Missouri?

Your Insurance

Missouri law requires that every driver and vehicle owner have some kind of liability coverage. If you already have a personal car insurance policy, it may cover rental cars as well. Before renting, take a look at your policy. This will help you decide whether you need to purchase liability insurance from the rental company.

Liability insurance is used to cover bodily injuries and property damages. If rental coverage is included on your policy, the rental vehicle will be treated as your own for insurance purposes. If you have other types of coverage, such as comprehensive and collision, these may also apply to the rental vehicle.

Keep in mind that this only applies if you already have an insurance policy, and that policy covers rentals. Some licensed drivers may need to rent a vehicle but don’t have their own car insurance and will need to purchase a policy before they get the keys.

Another Option

If you don’t have car insurance, don’t fear; most rental companies offer liability coverage. When renting, also consider whether you have comprehensive or collision coverage. Before signing up for a rental policy, you need to consider deductibles and other fees. Rental companies usually provide four different types of rental insurance:

  • Liability
  • Personal effects
  • Personal accident
  • Collision or loss damage waiver

The Answer

In short, if you’re driving a vehicle in Missouri, you must have liability insurance. However, you do not have to purchase this directly from the rental company if your existing insurance policy includes rental coverage. That said, remember that navigating a car accident can be extremely complex, especially when rentals are involved. That’s why it’s always a good idea to contact an experienced car accident attorney after a crash to help you plan a way forward.

To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney from The Dixon Injury Firm, don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (314) 208-2808.