Missouri Auto Insurance

[craftychick]

This morning was not a good morning.
We figured we should contact our current auto insurance company, The Hartford for a quote on what it will cost if/when we move to Missouri.
I was floored when she told me that for two people with excellent driving records(no tickets or accidents), both over 62, took that over 55 driving course, multi-car discount and with a good credit rating our yearly rate would be $1569.00 and that's only full coverage on our 2010 Dodge, the 1996 toyota truck and 2000 Chevy are just liability and whatever else is required; nothing insuring our vehicles against loss or damage.

So I thought I'd call Nationwide and also Esurance: both came in at over $1600 for that zip code in MO.

I only pay $774/yr here in Iowa.

There is also some form of auto inspection in order to get my plates in MO, I don't know how much that costs and what happens if the older vehicles don't pass?

I also found out that my health insurance will cost about $300/mo more for similar coverage to what I currently have(which I need due to some very expensive medications and quarterly tests).

I know that the land was a bit cheaper and property taxes are cheaper but so far, I am not finding a lot of reductions in expenses other than the property tax.

Can anyone offer ideas on how to save on the necessary costs such as insurance, etc? We cook from scratch, are basically debt free other than the normal monthly electric, gas & telephone expenses. I do pay for my own medical insurance since my husband is now on Medicare.

Right now we are reconsidering our move & may end up using the land just for vacations. With my husband retired and me only working part time, hundreds of dollars more per month is a tough pill to swallow.

[craftychick]

Just went to General.com and got a quote for the same coverage as the other quotes; they're getting higher! This one was $2340!

[Ceilismom]

The inspection is not a huge deal. Something like $10 per vehicle, and they check things like wipers, brake lights, turn signals etc. It's not an emissions and mechanical inspection. Our oldest vehicle is a '98 Dodge, and it passed.

AFA insurance rates, we have vehicles, home, and farm liability through Farm Bureau. Sometimes you can get a discount by having everything under the same policy. Also, do you need all 3 vehicles, and if so, does the newest one need full coverage on it?

We've got our health coverage through Liberty Healthshare, it's cheaper than about anything else we found, even with the rate increase from DH's hypertension.

[DirtyHowi]

when i moved to IA from VA, my insurance was essentially cut by 2/3rds.

full coverage on two cars came down from 1500 a year to 400. I'd go find a really small town (they are everywhere) get a po box there and "live" in IA...dont matter how much time you spend south of the border so to speak

[MO_cows]

Suggest you check State Farm or Progressive rates.

The zip code matters a lot, there can be a lot of variance in rates. Also do you have your property insured with the same company, because they just about all have "multi policy discounts".

There is safety inspection in MO, required every other year. It's no biggee, unless you are driving with bald tires, lights burned out, etc. that won't pass inspection.

We pay just under $1000 a year for 3 vehicles, 1 is full coverage and all a little older than yours, ranging from 1998 to 2004. So your quotes seemed high, and what you pay in Iowa seems like a real bargain.

[Ozarks Tom]

Your zip code certainly plays a big part. Our insurance in St. Louis was 3 times what it is here, rural south of Springfield.

We're with State Farm and full coverage for my 2002 Suburban is $560/yr, my wife's 2002 Silverado is $492. Can't find the statement for our '88 Bronco with liability only, but it's much, much lower. We've got $500 deductible on collision, and $250 deductible on comprehensive.

Another thing that can play into the cost is how many miles you drive per year. Ask the agent about that.

The safety inspections costs $12, and unless you're in KC or St Louis no emissions testing. They passed my Bronco to my amazement.

[Batt]

Check out Shelter Insurance (formerly MFA for Missouri Farmers Association). They deal almost exclusively with Missouri Insurance and are the best deal I've found. 2009 Kia Sorento is about $250 every 6 monthsfull coverage.

[craftychick]

Thank you, I will check into those other companies. I was just really shocked at the difference in prices.
We have lived in other states and the only ones that were really expensive were California and Indiana and both of those places were years ago.

[watcher]

Originally Posted by craftychick

This morning was not a good morning.
We figured we should contact our current auto insurance company, The Hartford for a quote on what it will cost if/when we move to Missouri.
I was floored when she told me that for two people with excellent driving records(no tickets or accidents), both over 62, took that over 55 driving course, multi-car discount and with a good credit rating our yearly rate would be $1569.00 and that's only full coverage on our 2010 Dodge, the 1996 toyota truck and 2000 Chevy are just liability and whatever else is required; nothing insuring our vehicles against loss or damage.

So I thought I'd call Nationwide and also Esurance: both came in at over $1600 for that zip code in MO.

I only pay $774/yr here in Iowa.

There is also some form of auto inspection in order to get my plates in MO, I don't know how much that costs and what happens if the older vehicles don't pass?

I also found out that my health insurance will cost about $300/mo more for similar coverage to what I currently have(which I need due to some very expensive medications and quarterly tests).

I know that the land was a bit cheaper and property taxes are cheaper but so far, I am not finding a lot of reductions in expenses other than the property tax.

Can anyone offer ideas on how to save on the necessary costs such as insurance, etc? We cook from scratch, are basically debt free other than the normal monthly electric, gas & telephone expenses. I do pay for my own medical insurance since my husband is now on Medicare.

Right now we are reconsidering our move & may end up using the land just for vacations. With my husband retired and me only working part time, hundreds of dollars more per month is a tough pill to swallow.

When I lived in MO there was also what they called "personal property" tax. You paid yearly rent to the state for things like cars, trucks, boats, boat motors, horses (at least at one time) and just about anything else they can think of. On top of that there is sales tax (how do the rates compare) and state income tax (again will you be paying more).

[Alice In TX/MO]

The Missouri inspection is more strict than a Texas inspection. They check your wheels to make sure you don't have wobble from bad ball joints, and if you have a crack in your windshield, you may not pass.

From their website....

Various parts of your vehicle will be inspected by technicians, including:

Seat belts.
Windshield and windows.
Turn signals and headlights.
Brake lights.
Brake system.
Horn.
Steering mechanism.
Rearview mirrors.
Exhaust system.
Fuel system.
Tires and wheels.
Bumpers.
Airbags.

If your vehicle does not pass the safety inspection, you will need to make appropriate repairs and have it retested.

Here's the checklist:
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSH...ts/SHP-494.pdf

[craftychick]

Thanks Alice, that list will be helpful.

I am having a day of doubt; maybe it's age, maybe it's just the overwhelming thought of moving yet again.
When we were younger & healthier, moving and making extra money if needed was not much of a concern, we both had skills and good common sense.

Now, at 62 for me with some medical issues and 65 for my husband who has had a stroke and is mobility challenged, there are so many things to consider.

My heart says just do it and everything will work out, but as we all know, the heart doesn't always consider the costs & risks.

[Missourifarmboy]

I've got Hartford here in Missouri and the agent makes a huge difference too. We live just outside of Warrensburg but the agent here quoted me a price 50 % higher than a little insurance company 25 miles to the south of us. Same policy same company way different rates. Usually only thing that trips people up on inspections here are lights ( turn signals etc.), exhaust leak, or worn brake pads.

[FarmerDavid]

Originally Posted by Batt

Check out Shelter Insurance (formerly MFA for Missouri Farmers Association). They deal almost exclusively with Missouri Insurance and are the best deal I've found. 2009 Kia Sorento is about $250 every 6 monthsfull coverage.

They are not at all exclusive to MO. Haven't been MFA for alot of years not many left that know that. They were cheeper for my auto but higher for my home. I like to keep it all with one agent so American family was cheeper for me v

[grannygardner]

We have full coverage on two vehicles through The Hartford and pay $660 a year for the two. We're both over 70 and have good driving records. It must have a lot to do with what state you're in. We're in central Indiana.

[LauraD]

The vehicle inspection is...um...interesting. We failed one inspection because of a burned-out light, and another due to a crack in the driver-side rear-view mirror (the one that's outside the car!).

However, the inspection caught when the ball joints were going out on the truck - NOT something I would want to have happen while driving. After that, I decided that doing the inspection every other year was worth it. Just make sure that you check all your lights before going - it can save you a return trip.

[craftychick]

We are trying to decide if we should take the 2000 Chevy. It only has 126,000 miles which to me means it's just broke in. When considering if we should keep it or sell it, does that age & mileage mean it's time to retire it by most homesteaders standards?
I do know it will need another catalytic converter(I've already had it replaced once) and probably a full exhaust system which I was planning on having done even if we don't move.
Dropping the Chevy would lower the monthly insurance bill but would I be able to find a 6cyl replacement car that I know hasn't been driven into the ground?
Both of our other vehicles are 4cyl and I do like the power the 6cyl has when going through hilly country.

[grandma12703]

We pay $830.00 a year for insurance on a 2008 jeep grand cherokee (full coverage), 2004 Ford Ranger and a 2000 Dodge pick up truck (last two just have liability). I remember when we first moved here I was so excited when I went to change my tags on our vehicles. It was cheap compared to Okla. The lady told me not to get to excited because they would get me on the personal property taxes at the end of the year. I think they ran around $300.00 give or take a little. All in all still cheaper than where we were in Oklahoma. Inspection is no big deal. $10.00 and not every year.

[homesteader824]

Just thought I'd mention, the Personal Property and Real Estate taxes are paid to the county, not the state. They support schools, the fire department (if a tax district), roads, county government, etc. They don't seem too bad here.

[FarmerDavid]

Originally Posted by LauraD

The vehicle inspection is...um...interesting. We failed one inspection because of a burned-out light, and another due to a crack in the driver-side rear-view mirror (the one that's outside the car!).

However, the inspection caught when the ball joints were going out on the truck - NOT something I would want to have happen while driving. After that, I decided that doing the inspection every other year was worth it. Just make sure that you check all your lights before going - it can save you a return trip.

They have quotas for inspection failures.

[craftychick]

Originally Posted by grandma12703

We pay $830.00 a year for insurance on a 2008 jeep grand cherokee (full coverage), 2004 Ford Ranger and a 2000 Dodge pick up truck (last two just have liability). I remember when we first moved here I was so excited when I went to change my tags on our vehicles. It was cheap compared to Okla. The lady told me not to get to excited because they would get me on the personal property taxes at the end of the year. I think they ran around $300.00 give or take a little. All in all still cheaper than where we were in Oklahoma. Inspection is no big deal. $10.00 and not every year.

I've heard of the personal property taxes including being mentioned in this thread; how are they figured? Do you get a tax form or does it go on your property tax bill?

We only have the three cars, no RV's or a boat(hubby wants to change that ) so what else do they tax?

Years ago, someone who lived near me in CA had moved to CA from MO & they told me that they got taxed on their chickens & cows but that would have been 30+ yrs ago.