Standard Missouri Homeowners Insurance Coverage

$788 is the average cost of insurance in Missouri, and is applied across four primary areas of coverage, the dwelling, other structures, personal property and loss of use. Take a look at what defines each of these areas of protection and find out what perils are common in your area so that you can properly protect your home and family.

  1. Dwelling
    This is the home itself. Even if there are other residences on the property, such as a guest cottage, only the primary living space is considered the dwelling. Any buildings that are attached to the dwelling are considered as part of the dwelling.
  2. Other Structures
    If it was constructed but is not affixed to the dwelling, it is an "other" structure. Other structures can be any number of things, including fences, free-standing buildings, docks, and more. As an example, an elaborately constructed stone mailbox would be listed as an "other" structure.
  3. Personal Property
    If it belongs to you, it is your personal property. Everything you put into the home is personal property, from your appliances to your watches and jewelry. To provide the insurance company with an accurate list of your personal property, use a video camera and go from room to room and building to building on the property, recording everything from floors to ceilings and providing an explanation of what each item is.
  4. Loss of Use
    Loos of use will reimburse you for costs associated with a named peril that deprives you of full use of the home. If a tree fell on your laundry shed, loss of use will reimburse you for the cost of going to a laundry. It will also pay for meals and hotel rooms, or any other cost that allows you to continue the standard of living you are accustomed to.

Average Missouri Homeowner Insurance Rates vs. US

Source: USCB

Cheaper Missouri Home Insurance

You can get cheaper insurance by playing an active role in protecting the property and minimizing the risks associated both with yourself and the home. Here are a few tips that might help, but keep in mind that these are only examples and your insurance company can provide you with even more ways to save money on insurance.

  • Home Security
    Missouri has around 44,043 home burglaries each year, and that is why your insurance company will offer you discounts for making your home safer. You can do this by installing a professionally monitored security alarm, putting deadbolt locks in your doors, and installing a fence installed around your property perimeter.
  • Reduce Insurance Risks
    Most insurance companies offer discounts for reducing the risks associated with the home. Two common methods are to give up the tobacco habit and to fence in your property. If you contact your insurance company, the customer service representative will be happy to give you other ideas for reducing you home's risks.
  • Credit Score and Insurance Risk
    The average credit score in your state is 690. With a credit score of 650, though, you can begin receiving home insurance discounts. This discount is not only for home coverage, either. Auto insurance is cheaper for people who maintain a high credit score as well.

Home Characteristics Affecting Missouri Insurance Rates

The average age of a home in Missouri is 35 years, and that coupled with the frequency of tornadoes and severe wind storms has a large effect on what you have to pay for insurance. Even so, insurance in Missouri is still lower than many other locations, even after you increase or add coverages to make the home safer.

Local Natural Disasters Missouri Homeowners Should Consider Protecting Against

Missouri is not prone to hurricanes or earthquakes, but it sees more tornadoes, windstorms and winter storms than many other states. Here is a quick breakdown of what you can expect from natural disasters in your area and some tips on how to better protect your home.

  • Earthquakes
    Ranked at 16 out of 51, Missouri does not have much to worry about from earthquakes. You can probably skip purchasing any type of special coverages for this peril.
  • Flood
    Missouri residents filed 770 claims in 2009, which is a significant amount. Flooding is not typically included in a standard home insurance policy but you can either purchase coverage from your insurance company or through a state-managed high risk insurance pool if it is not available through traditional channels.
  • Hail
    Hail is common and can be extremely damaging. The good news is that hail damage is considered to be damage caused by winds and is covered under a standard home insurance policy in most cases. Check your policy to make sure hail has not been specifically excluded, and you should be okay on this peril.
  • Hurricanes
    Hurricanes are not common in Missouri, but high winds are. Summer storms and winter blizzards alike are known for high winds and the damage they bring, but most standard home insurance policies include coverage for wind damage.
  • Tornadoes
    99 tornadoes hit Missouri each year, which means you need to make certain your home will be covered if a tornado touches down on your property. In most cases, a tornado is considered wind damage, but areas where such storms are common may also be subject to insurance companies writing specific exclusions for tornadoes.
  • Wildfires
    Around 74,749 wildfires affect our country each year, and some of those fires happen in Missouri. Fires, even wildfires, are part of standard home insurance policies. It is still a good idea to read through your policy's exclusions to make certain that wildfires are not excluded, but you shouldn't have to worry about this peril too much.

Missouri Homeowners Insurance Optional Coverages

Increasing your personal injury liability is always a good idea. This type of coverage will pay for the injuries sustained by someone outside of your immediate family while on the property, and can be purchased through an umbrella policy that extends to your car as well as your home for added protection. Another area where home insurance often falls short is personal property protection. While this type of coverage is one of the primary coverages in the policy, the amount is often much lower than you need, and additional coverage can be obtained either by increasing your policy limits or purchasing a separate property policy.

Important Contact Information

Missouri Department of Insurance
301 West High Street, Room 530
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 751-4126
Website

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