No one gives much thought to their auto insurance or its limits until they need to use it after a car accident. Car accidents can cause catastrophic physical injuries and substantial financial bills. Along with lost wages and the pain and suffering you may go through after an accident, the entire event can be overwhelming. Understanding how your auto insurance can offer financial protection to you can at least provide comfort and financial peace of mind during this intensely emotional and often physically painful period of time.
Liability Coverage
Every driver needs to purchase car insurance to provide not only financial protection in the event of a car accident but also because it is required by law. Liability coverage is the minimum amount of car insurance coverage required by each individual state. These minimum coverages are designed to meet the state requirements but often are inadequate to protect you in case of a serious automobile accident.
Kansas Required Auto Insurance Coverage
The minimum requirements for Kansas drivers for car insurance are:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
- Uninsured and Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Basic personal injury protection coverage: $4,500 per person
*See the Kansas Insurance Department
Missouri Required Auto Insurance Coverage
The minimum requirements for Missouri drivers for car insurance are:
Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person, and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
*see RSMo 303.160
Optional Auto Insurance Coverages that are Important to Purchase
Even if you have the minimum amounts of auto insurance coverage with the proper limits established by your state law, we strongly suggest that you consider purchasing auto insurance coverage with higher limits for some areas of coverage. Underinsured coverage should strongly be considered when purchasing auto insurance as it protects you, the insured if someone causes a serious accident who only has the minimum limits or insufficient insurance to cover your injuries, losses, and damages. Underinsured bodily injury (typical limits range from $50,000/$100,000 to $1,000,000) is automatic in Kansas when purchasing Uninsured bodily limits but must be asked for and purchased separately in Missouri.
While there is no personal injury protection coverage available to purchase in Missouri there is comparable Medical Payments (“MedPay”) coverage that can be purchased in sums typically ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. MedPay coverage is especially important for drivers who have high health insurance deductibles, substandard health insurance or no health insurance. Further, the minimum for property damage is $25,000 but most cars cost well over that amount and higher limits should be considered here as well. These additional insurance coverages will provide and additional layer of financial protection for you against catastrophic damages or injuries that occur if you are involved in a car accident. Some types of optional and additional auto insurance coverages include rental reimbursement coverage that will cover your ability to rent a car if your vehicle is damaged and needs to be repaired after an accident, or towing or emergency road service coverage which would pay for the cost of towing your car to a repair shop after an accident. Again, these types of coverages are not required, but it is always important to review your current auto insurance policy coverages and make the determination if you need additional coverage before an accident occurs.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you suffered any injuries or property damage after a car accident, and are frustrated with your negotiations with insurance companies regarding your coverage, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at Griggs Injury Law at (816) 474-0202 to help you build a strong personal injury case and help you negotiate for a fair settlement with an insurance company regarding your claims.
