Auto Insurance In Mississippi: What's The Law?

Auto insurance is a legal requirement in Mississippi. The state mandates that drivers carry minimum car insurance requirements, with specific coverage amounts for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage. Mississippi is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for an accident bears the financial liability for damages. Driving without insurance in the state can result in penalties such as fines, suspension of driving privileges, and even misdemeanor charges.

Mississippi's auto insurance requirements

Mississippi has thousands of miles of roadways, from the Cumberland Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, and through historic Civil War battle sites. These roads are used by over 1.9 million licensed drivers, who each put in an average of 13,000 miles a year.

Along the way, those drivers are involved in thousands of traffic accidents every year, including many that result in serious injury or death. So, it's important to understand the state's auto insurance laws and requirements.

Mississippi state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. The bare minimum car insurance requirement for Mississippi drivers is:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability

This is also known as Mississippi's 25/50/25 minimum coverage liability limits.

Mississippi does not require you to carry additional coverage, such as personal liability or uninsured/under-insured motorist insurance. However, if you lease or finance a vehicle, lenders often require additional coverage to protect their investment in case of damage or loss.

Mississippi's Fault-Based System

Mississippi has a fault-based auto insurance system. This means that the driver responsible for the accident bears the financial liability for damages. Mississippi's pure comparative negligence rule states that victims can recover compensation if they are at fault, but their award is reduced according to their share of the negligence.

Consequences of Failing to Have Auto Insurance in Mississippi

When a driver is caught driving without car insurance in Mississippi, there are strict fines and penalties in place. If a person is in an accident or pulled over and found to be uninsured, they can be fined up to $1,000 and may have their license suspended for up to a year.

Mississippi takes car insurance seriously. If you are caught driving without insurance, you may also face the suspension of driving privileges for up to a year and a possible misdemeanor conviction.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage in Mississippi

While Mississippi law only requires liability insurance, there are other options for increasing your coverage. Some common choices include:

• Comprehensive coverage: This protects your vehicle from non-collision perils, such as theft or weather damage.
• Collision coverage: This covers damages to your vehicle if you collide with another car or stationary object.
• Medical payments: This coverage goes toward paying the medical expenses of those in your vehicle at the time of an accident and can be used regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Unfortunately, not all drivers obey the law. If you are injured by a driver who cannot pay your medical expenses, this coverage steps in to help.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Mississippi

The average annual cost for state minimum car insurance in Mississippi is $410, or about $34 per month. Age is a significant factor in the cost of a policy, with drivers aged 22-29 facing the highest premiums due to their lack of experience on the road and potentially higher risk for insurers.

Tips for Getting the Cheapest Mississippi Car Insurance Policy

You may be able to lower the cost of your premiums by asking about available discounts, comparing quotes from a variety of providers, eliminating unnecessary coverage, and checking if you qualify for any low-cost auto insurance programs offered by the state.

The consequences of driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Mississippi can result in severe penalties, including fines and the suspension of driving privileges. Mississippi has some of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, and law enforcement is cracking down on offenders. Here are the consequences of driving without insurance in Mississippi:

Fines

If you are caught driving without insurance in Mississippi, you will be fined. The fine for a first offense is typically $1,000, although it can be reduced to $500 or even $100 if proof of insurance is provided before the hearing. For subsequent offenses, the fines may be higher.

Suspension of Driving Privileges

If you are caught driving without insurance in Mississippi, your driving privileges will be suspended for up to a year, or until you can provide proof of insurance. This means that you will not be able to legally drive during this time. Reinstating your license will also incur additional costs.

Vehicle Impoundment

If you are caught driving without insurance, your vehicle may be impounded. You will have to pay fees to get your vehicle back, in addition to the other penalties.

SR-22 Requirement

If your driving privileges are suspended due to uninsured driving, you will need to file an SR-22 form, which is a certification of financial responsibility. This form must be maintained for three years without any lapses in your insurance coverage.

Jail Time

If you are involved in an accident while driving without insurance, you could face jail time of up to six months. This is a serious consequence that underscores the importance of maintaining the minimum required insurance coverage.

Difficulty in Obtaining Future Insurance

A misdemeanor for driving without insurance on your record can make it difficult to obtain insurance in the future. Insurance companies may consider you a high-risk driver and deny coverage. This can further complicate your ability to drive legally and maintain the necessary insurance coverage.

In summary, driving without insurance in Mississippi can result in financial penalties, suspension of driving privileges, vehicle impoundment, SR-22 requirements, jail time, and difficulties in obtaining future insurance coverage. It is important to comply with the state's insurance requirements to avoid these consequences and ensure you are protected in the event of an accident.

Recommended additional coverage

In Mississippi, liability insurance is the only type of insurance that is legally required. This covers injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering inflicted on another driver and their passengers in an accident where you are at fault. It also covers damage to the other driver's vehicle.

However, there are several other types of insurance that are recommended as additional coverage. These include:

• Comprehensive coverage: This protects your vehicle from non-collision perils such as theft, fire, vandalism, glass breakage, and damage caused by animals.
• Collision coverage: This covers damage to your vehicle if you collide with another car or stationary object.
• Loan/Lease Payoff coverage: Often referred to as gap coverage, this covers the difference between your vehicle's actual cash value and the amount still owed on the loan in the event that your car is totaled.
• Medical Payments coverage: This covers the medical expenses of those in your vehicle at the time of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Rental Car Reimbursement coverage: This covers the cost of a rental car if your car is unable to be driven due to an accident.
• Roadside Assistance coverage: This covers reimbursement for things like towing, flat-tire fixes, and overnight stays in some cases.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage: This protects you in the event that you are injured by a driver who cannot pay your medical expenses, or if your vehicle is damaged by a driver who is unable to pay for repairs due to a lack of sufficient coverage.

These additional coverages can provide valuable financial protection in the event of an accident, theft, or natural disaster. It is important for drivers in Mississippi to consider their options and choose the coverages that best fit their needs and budget.

The average cost of insurance

Auto insurance is a legal requirement in Mississippi. Every driver must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance and proof of coverage at all times. This proof must be shown at the request of any law enforcement official.

Mississippi's minimum coverage liability limits are 25/50/25. This means that drivers are required to have $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. The average cost of minimum coverage auto insurance in Mississippi is $410 per year, or $34 per month.

The cost of auto insurance in Mississippi can vary depending on age, gender, driving record, credit score, and other factors. For example, drivers under 20 typically pay the most for auto insurance, with 18-year-old males paying an average of $6,701 per year for full coverage. On the other hand, drivers in their 70s will start to see an increase in insurance costs, with the average rate for a 70-year-old driver being $1,688 per year for full coverage.

The cheapest car insurance company in Mississippi is Direct Auto, with an average annual rate of $1,313 for full coverage. For minimum coverage, Direct Auto also offers the cheapest rates, with an average annual cost of $295.

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Mississippi is $2,169 per year, or $181 per month. This is lower than the national average of $2,329 per year for full coverage.

How to get cheaper insurance

Yes, auto insurance is required in Mississippi. The state mandates that drivers carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which is $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This means that insurance is legally required in Mississippi, and drivers must carry proof of coverage at all times, which must be shown at the request of any law enforcement official.

• Maintain a clean driving record: One of the best ways to keep your insurance costs low is to maintain a clean driving record. This means obeying traffic laws and driving safely to avoid accidents and violations. Safe drivers are less likely to file costly claims, so insurance companies often reward them with lower premiums.
• Enroll in a usage-based insurance program: Consider signing up for a telematics program that tracks your driving habits and adjusts your rates accordingly. These programs typically monitor factors such as speed, acceleration, braking, and miles driven. Safe drivers and those who drive less can benefit from lower insurance rates through these programs.
• Consider insurance costs when buying a new vehicle: Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others due to factors such as their age, make, model, average theft rate, and repair costs. When purchasing a new vehicle, be sure to factor in the cost of insurance to ensure it fits within your budget.
• Shop around and get quotes: Don't settle for the first insurance company you find. Take the time to get quotes from multiple insurers and compare their rates, coverage options, and discounts offered. This will help you find the best value for your needs.
• Find and apply for discounts: Ask about discounts that can reduce your insurance costs. Common discounts include those for safe driving, low mileage, bundling policies (e.g., home and auto), paperless billing, and paying your premium in full. Additionally, some companies offer discounts for students with good grades, those in the military, or members of certain organizations.
• Improve your credit score: Insurance companies often use credit scores to determine insurance rates, as those with higher credit scores are generally considered less risky. Improving your credit score can help lower your insurance premiums. This can be achieved by paying bills on time, reducing debt, and maintaining a low balance on credit cards.
• Opt for a higher deductible: Choosing a higher deductible can result in lower monthly premiums. However, keep in mind that you will need to pay the deductible amount out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim, so ensure that you have enough savings to cover this cost.
• Regularly review your coverage: It's important to review your coverage needs at least once a year and after any major life changes, such as getting married, having a child, or paying off your car. This will help ensure that you're not paying for unnecessary coverage and that your policy meets your current needs.

Frequently asked questions