The best cheap car insurance in Missouri

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Car insurance isn't all that expensive in Missouri — in fact, premiums average $869 per year, below the US national average of $935 per year according to the Insurance Information Institute. Even though it's affordable, there's still one big way to save: shopping around. 

Car insurance companies price your premium based on a variety of factors. Everything from your age, years of driving experience, and even your marital status can affect your insurance premium. One of the biggest factors is your credit score. That said, it's important to get quotes from many different insurance companies and compare them to get the best deal for you before deciding. 

If you're looking to save on car insurance in Missouri, here are a few companies that offer competitive rates in this state to help start the search. 

The most popular car insurance companies in Missouri 

The following are the most popular car insurance companies in Missouri, based on the percentage of insured Missouri drivers who use them:

*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence

The best car insurance in Missouri based on customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with car insurance providers may factor into your decision. According to J.D. Power, a consumer research company that surveys customers, these are the top car insurance companies in the Central region (which includes Missouri):

1. Auto-Owners Insurance
2. GEICO
3. Shelter Insurance
4. Progressive
5. State Farm
6. Region Average
7. Liberty Mutual 
8. Allstate
9. Farmers Bureau Mutual
10. Travelers
11. Farmers Insurance
12. Auto Club of Southern California Insurance
13. Nationwide
14. American Family
15. Safeco

The best cheap car insurance in Missouri based on credit score

Consumer Reports compiled pricing formulas from every insurance company in all 50 states. According to its data, credit scores play a big role in the cost of car insurance coverage. Here are the three most affordable car insurance companies in Missouri, along with the average cost of coverage for a single adult driver. 

Drivers with excellent credit scores, FICO score 800-850, will pay the least for coverage, on average.

• USAA car insurance: $580 per year
• AAA car insurance: $683 per year
• Farmers car insurance: $840 per year

Drivers with good credit, FICO score 670-739, will see the best coverage costs from these three companies, on average: 

• USAA car insurance: $802 per year
• AAA car insurance: $910 per year
• Farmers car insurance: $1,009 per year

Drivers with poor credit, FICO score 300-539, will pay the most for coverage, on average. 

• AAA car insurance: $1,466 per year 
• American Family car insurance: $1,850 per year
• State Farm car insurance: $2,068 per year

The best car insurance for drivers with a clean record

For a driver in Missouri age 25 or older with no accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:

*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.

Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 1,910 policyholders in the state of Missouri 

Best car insurance for one or more accidents on record

For a driver in Missouri age 25 or older, with one or more accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:

Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 1,910 policyholders in the state of Missouri 

Missouri car insurance rates by city

Below is the estimated average annual premium of auto insurance policies per household in Missouri's most populous cities:

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Who gets the best cheap car insurance in Missouri? 

As the numbers show above, drivers with the best credit score will see the best price on car insurance. Raising your credit score could be one way to save. But, insurance companies price your premium based on several different factors, and it might pay to compare your coverage.  

If you're willing to shop around you could save some money by comparing the quotes offered to you. Get four or five quotes, and look at the different coverage types and limits. You'll also want to look at the deductible, or the amount that you'll be responsible for out-of-pocket if you get into an accident. 

Once you've found the policy with the most coverage and the lowest deductibles and premium, you've found the best policy for you. 

Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.