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Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in Missouri: average premium, 2023 $1,589 a year in Missouri vs. $1,737 countrywide · 24th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

Missouri's market right now: after the 2025 storms

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) calls 2025 a "catastrophic" severe weather season, including the May 16, 2025, tornado in St. Louis. As of May 25, 2026, DCI reported that insurers had:

- received 253,241 catastrophic claims on residential property, renters, condo and auto policies; - paid more than $2.9 billion for catastrophic weather claims statewide, nearly $2.5 billion (about 83%) of it for residential property claims; - for the St. Louis tornado alone, received over 10,000 claims and paid more than $475 million, nearly $429 million of it for residential property.

DCI says it recovered $46.2 million for Missouri consumers in 2025 through its complaint work, and that it had received only 198 formal complaints about the St. Louis tornado. "We can only help if individuals reach out to us," DCI Director Angela Nelson said.

Storm moratorium ended June 1, 2026. In Bulletin 25-10 (Oct. 13, 2025), DCI told insurers not to cancel or nonrenew residential policies on homes damaged by storms after March 1, 2025, based on claims activity or the property's condition; Bulletin 25-11 (Nov. 4, 2025) extended this to condominium master policies. Bulletin 26-09 (May 29, 2026) rescinded both, effective June 1, 2026, when the state of emergency ended. DCI now "requests insurers continue to provide additional time" before cancelling or nonrenewing when the owner "is making good-faith efforts to complete repairs." That request is not a legal requirement: DCI bulletins do "not have the force and effect of law." [9][10][11][12]

Last resort: the Missouri FAIR Plan

DCI's homeowners guide says: "Can't find a company to insure you? Contact the Missouri Fair Plan," which "The Missouri legislature created" for property owners unable to find coverage from private companies. The Missouri FAIR Plan (Missouri Property Insurance Placement Facility) says it is "a last resort to obtain basic property insurance."

What DCI says to expect: the FAIR Plan "provides a fire policy (no liability) with no more than $200,000 in coverage for your home, and actual cash value (which allows for depreciation) on your contents."

- You apply through any Missouri-licensed agent or broker. - Policies are actual cash value (no replacement cost) and named-peril: fire, lightning, wind, hail and other listed perils. - The plan does not cover liability, earthquake, flood, or sewer and sump backup. - The plan inspects every new property.

DCI's FAQ urges you to "Make every effort to get regular coverage, although you may have to pay more than your current policy." Full details are on our Missouri FAIR Plan page. [6][7][13][14]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

Missouri's homeowners cancellation law (RSMo 375.001 to 375.008) covers policies with fire and extended coverage on owner-occupied homes of one or two families. It does not cover mobile homes, FAIR Plan policies, or property not used mainly as a home.

Nonrenewal (RSMo 375.004): the insurer must mail or deliver "at least thirty days' advance notice of its intention not to renew." The notice must state "the insurer's actual reason," clearly enough that "a person of average intelligence can identify the basis for the insurer's decision without further inquiry." Vague terms like "personal habits," "living conditions" or "poor morals" don't count. The notice must also say you may be eligible for the Missouri FAIR Plan. No nonrenewal notice is owed if the insurer offered to renew, if you didn't pay, or if you asked not to renew.

Cancellation (RSMo 375.002 and 375.003): once a policy has been in effect 60 days (or is a renewal), the insurer may cancel only for:

• nonpayment of premium;
• fraud or material misrepresentation, or violating the policy's terms;
• a conviction of you or an occupant for a crime that increases the hazard insured against; or
• physical changes to the property that increase the hazards.

Notice must be mailed or delivered at least 30 days before cancellation, or at least 10 days for nonpayment, and must give the actual reason and mention the FAIR Plan.

Other protections (RSMo 375.007): an insurer may not cancel, refuse to write or refuse to renew "solely because another insurer has refused to write a policy, or has cancelled or has refused to renew" your policy, and may not make you disclose whether another insurer dropped you.

Claims: DCI's FAQ says an insurer can decline to renew after claims: "Each company has its own underwriting guidelines," and the law allows a nonrenewal on the policy anniversary with 30 days' notice and the specific reasons.

2025-2026 changes: these notice rules have not changed (RSMo 375.004 was last amended in 2016). The post-storm moratorium described above was temporary and ended June 1, 2026. See our nonrenewal guide. [1][2][3][4][6][12][15]

Discounts, roofs and the 2025 deductible tax credit

No state roof grant or FORTIFIED discount law yet. Two 2026 Senate bills, SB 1543 and SB 1376, would have created a "Missouri Stronger Homes Act" with grants to help homeowners retrofit against "tornado, other catastrophic windstorm events, or hail," and premium discounts for certified retrofits (SB 1543 names the FORTIFIED standards of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety). Neither became law: the Senate's bill pages list SB 1543's last status as "SCS Voted Do Pass" in committee and SB 1376's as "Informal Calendar S Bills for Perfection," and the Revised Statutes of Missouri have no section 379.3100 (the act's first section) as of Oct. 13, 2026. See our FORTIFIED roof guide.

Know your roof coverage. DCI's "Raising the Roof on Insurance Coverage" tool summarizes roof coverage for the top 20 homeowners insurers in Missouri. It explains the difference between actual cash value (ACV), which pays "the depreciated cost," and replacement cost value (RCV), which pays without deducting depreciation. DCI notes that "wear and tear ... of a roof over time isn't covered."

Tax credit for 2025 storm deductibles (on hold in court). A 2025 law (RSMo 135.445, Senate Bill 3, effective Sept. 9, 2025) created a state income tax credit, up to $5,000, for the homeowners or renters insurance deductible incurred on your primary home during 2025 because of a disaster for which the Governor requested a presidential disaster declaration. It is claimed with a signed affidavit filed with your 2025 Missouri income tax return; it is not refundable but can be carried forward up to 29 years. The law says "No new tax credits shall be authorized pursuant to this section after October 15, 2026."

As of Oct. 13, 2026, the Missouri Department of Revenue says Senate Bill 3 "is currently facing a constitutional challenge before the Missouri Supreme Court," and it is processing returns "without applying the HDC at this time." If the court upholds the law, the department says it will adjust returns automatically; if not, no further adjustments will be made. DCI has asked insurers to give policyholders, on request, the claim details (including the deductible) that the Department of Revenue uses "to verify eligibility and the amount of the tax credit." [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

Surplus lines

Surplus lines insurers are not licensed ("admitted") in Missouri. DCI's FAQ says the surplus lines market "seldom insures any home less than $100,000 and provides very expensive coverage." See our surplus lines guide. [6]

Flood is a separate policy

DCI says "standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage due to flooding" and that flood coverage "must be purchased through a separate policy." DCI's homeowners guide also lists sewer and drain backup and earthquake as not covered. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [13][23]

Where to get help

DCI's Division of Consumer Affairs investigates complaints against insurance companies and agents:

- Insurance Consumer Hotline: (800) 726-7390, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. - File a complaint online from DCI's Insurance Complaints page, or fax a complaint form to (573) 526-4898, or mail it to P.O. Box 690, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690.

DCI suggests contacting the insurance company or agent first and keeping notes and copies of everything. DCI can forward your complaint to the company and require a response, and review it against Missouri law. It cannot recommend an insurer or agent, act as your lawyer, or decide the value of a claim.

If your renewal premium doubles, DCI's FAQ encourages you to call the hotline. [5][6]

Questions people ask