Adding your spouse to your insurance policy may not be as exciting as including Six Flags and Oceans of Fun to your summer vacation itinerary, but the discounts afforded to you are certainly appealing. Combing your auto and homeowners insurance policies will also add a little more cash to your piggy bank, but you just might cringe when you see your Missouri auto insurance rates after including your teenager to your policy.

Practice Makes Perfect
Insuring your teenager will increase your Missouri auto insurance rates considerably. The reason being, teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident than any other age group. The problem is worse with inexperienced 16-year-olds because there more instances of driver error, speeding and single-vehicle crashes with this age group. In 2004, there were more fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds because of the aforementioned, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Teenagers as a whole are less likely to wear their seatbelts and are involved in more fatal car crashes at night and when the teen driver has fellow teen passengers in the car. The Insurance Information Institute says a teen driver's chance of getting into a fatal accident doubles when a teen passenger is in the car, and quadruples with three or more passengers. With these statistics it's no wonder Missouri auto insurance rates are higher when adding a teenager. On the bright side, the State of Missouri implemented a graduated driver license law to help prevent accidents with teenage drivers. As of January 1, 2007, the state requires teens to have 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime instruction. Additionally, teenagers with an intermediate license are not allowed to drive with passengers under the age of 19 who are not immediate family members for the first six months.

Know Your Obligations
You risk license suspension if you don't purchase Missouri's minimum liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. Mandated minimum liability is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist is $25,000 per injured person and $50,000 per bodily injury per accident. If you are uninsured and involved in an accident you are responsible for payment for bodily injuries and property damage. Your driver's license will remain suspended for a 10-year period if you fail to pay for damages.

Add Bread to Your Basket
Missouri auto insurance may not be the most exciting subject at the dinner table, but insurance is necessary in the Gateway State and should not be overlooked. Finding ways to save can make opening your insurance statement a little more rewarding. Your Missouri auto insurance rates will be lower if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft device, anti-lock brakes and automatic seatbelts. By carpooling, taking the bus, or riding the MetroLink to work, you will also garner savings. A free service like LocalInsurance interacts with competing companies in your area that want to provide you the most affordable Missouri auto insurance rates. Take a few minutes to complete a short form and in no time you can review these quotes from the comfort of your computer.

To find more information on the auto insurance requirements in Missouri, visit these useful links: