March 2026 Newsletter Rana Law Group Newsletter In this issue: Missouri Debating Increasing Speed Limits Consumer Alert – Check your Policy for Illusory Underinsured Motorist Coverage Just for Fun: Go Billikens!

Missouri Debating Increasing Speed Limits According to Senate Bill 1408, the Missouri Legislature is debating “[i]ncreasing the maximum speed limit from 70 to 75 miles per hour on rural interstates and freeways.”  Those in favor of the increase argue modern cars have adequate safety features to support the increase in speed and that most drivers speed faster than 70 already.  MoDOT and law enforcement oppose the increase citing increasing traffic fatalities due to speeding over the past few years.  One would think if the safety features from newer cars were so effective, then the fatalities from traffic crashes would decrease at a much steeper rate, but that is not reflected in the chart below.  Also, larger vehicles, such as tractor trailers, would be able to speed at 75 mph on our highways.  Those vehicles weigh more, are harder to maneuver and take longer to stop, especially at higher speeds, increasing the possibility for mayhem.  Ideally, the speed increase would exempt vehicles of a certain weight/size.  Anecdotally, the supporters may be correct that many motorists go 75-80mph already, but increasing the speed limits would allow those same people to justify speeds of 80-85mph.

It is interesting that this legislation is being pushed at a time when health and safety experts are attempting to get the state to reinstate the motorcycle helmet law that was repealed in 2020.  Data has shown a 50% increase in head injuries and 64% increase in critical motorcycle injuries since the repeal.  MoDOT is also actively backing the reinstatement of the law.

It is understandable that lawmakers value personal freedom.  Unfortunately, there are high costs to loosening safety laws.   Most critically, these include increased injuries and loss of life, an emotional toll on first responders and financial burdens on our healthcare system (among many other negative consequences).

We will keep tabs on this legislation but hope the increase in speed does not happen and the motorcycle helmet law comes back.

In recent years, insurance companies started adding set-off language, meaning if you had $50,000 in underinsured coverage, it would only be an additional $25,000 ($50,000 UIM – $25,000 bodily injury/liability = $25,000 potential underinsured coverage) that was applicable.  Now, we are seeing some policies listing only $25,000 UIM, which means it will effectively NEVER apply in Missouri (by definition, a driver who is insured will have at least $25,000 state minimum, therefore, $25,000 – $25,000 will always be $0).  The only scenario where coverage might apply is if the injured person drives in a state that does not have $25,000 in minimum coverage (some states have $15,000 or $20,000 state minimum), then the difference would apply in that scenario.

Having the offset language plus the $25,000 UIM coverage is highly misleading to a consumer who may not know as much about insurance coverages and thinks they are protected for a scenario that realistically will never (or very seldom) occur.  It amounts to illusory or false coverage.  For example, in the policy below, the client believed they would receive $25,000 from the at fault party and $25,000 from their own underinsured motorist coverage.  They only found out after they needed coverage that there was ‘fine print’.

Our recommendation is to check your policy immediately both for the offset language and to confirm how much coverage you have and increase accordingly (the premium cost is usually not that much more for increased coverage).  As usual, we offer a free insurance review if you ever have any questions.