Mississippi Minimum Coverage Car Insurance: Requirements and Costs (September 2024)


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Updated: September 7, 2024

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Mississippi mandates that drivers carry $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. Mississippi is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for the accident bears the financial liability for damages. Car insurance is mandatory to drive legally.

The monthly cost of minimum car insurance in Mississippi is around $38. For more details, check out the minimum car insurance requirements and explore options for finding the cheapest car insurance in Mississippi. Investing in the right coverage can provide peace of mind while adhering to state laws.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek analyzed data from Mississippi Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to give you the most accurate cost data for a range of Mississippi drivers.

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These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in Mississippi as of September 2024.

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Mississippi Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements

In Mississippi, drivers are required to carry minimum coverage auto insurance to legally operate a vehicle. This coverage includes:

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

Mississippi follows the fault-based system, which means your insurance premium could be affected by your driving record and the likelihood you will be found at fault in an accident.

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DOES MISSISSIPPI REQUIRE COLLISION AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE?

Mississippi does not require drivers to carry collision or comprehensive insurance as part of the state minimum coverage. However, if you're financing or leasing a vehicle, lenders often necessitate both coverages to protect their investment in case of damage or loss. In Mississippi, you should consider collision and comprehensive coverage if you lease or finance your car, or simply want to safeguard your asset against potential risks.

What Does Minimum Coverage Cover?
What Liability Insurance Covers
What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover

Injuries to others if you are at fault in an accident

Your injuries

Damage to another person’s property if you are at fault in an accident

Damages to your car

Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy

Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal

Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers unless additional coverage is purchased

The table reflects Mississippi's minimum car insurance requirements, including bodily injury and property damage coverage. Remember, your policy's specific coverage is defined by its terms and conditions.

Average Cost of Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Mississippi

Age is a significant factor in determining the cost of minimum car insurance rates and can greatly influence the price of a policy. In Mississippi, drivers aged 22 to 29 face the highest premiums due to their statistically higher likelihood of accidents and riskier driving behaviors.

The table highlights the average cost for minimum coverage auto insurance in Mississippi across different age groups, providing a clear comparison of rates across different stages of life.

22-29Annual Premium$576Monthly Premium$48
30-59Annual Premium$461Monthly Premium$38
60 +Annual Premium$444Monthly Premium$37

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Mississippi

Discover the most wallet-friendly options for minimum coverage auto insurance in Mississippi, with premiums that are both manageable and competitive.

  • Direct General Insurance: $306 per year and $26 per month
  • State Farm: $315 per year and $26 per month

Review your options carefully to secure the best car insurance in Mississippi that best fits your circumstances.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Direct General InsuranceAnnual Premium$306Monthly Premium$26
State FarmAnnual Premium$315Monthly Premium$26
Mississippi Farm BureauAnnual Premium$320Monthly Premium$27
NationwideAnnual Premium$401Monthly Premium$33
ProgressiveAnnual Premium$423Monthly Premium$35
TravelersAnnual Premium$481Monthly Premium$40
GEICOAnnual Premium$592Monthly Premium$49
ShelterAnnual Premium$640Monthly Premium$53
AllstateAnnual Premium$673Monthly Premium$56

Optional Add-On Coverages in Mississippi

In Mississippi, drivers can opt for additional coverages, such as comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments and rental reimbursement. These optional protections offer financial security for various incidents beyond the state minimum coverage, safeguarding against theft, vandalism and accidents with uninsured drivers. To assess how much car insurance you need, consider these add-ons to enhance your policy.

Add-On Coverage
What It Covers
What It Doesn't Cover

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance.

Damage to your vehicle if you are at fault or damages that exceed policy limits.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers regardless of who's at fault.

Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver.

Roadside Assistance

Services like towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts when your car breaks down.

Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow.

Gap Insurance

Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen.

Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments.

Rental Car Reimbursement

The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event.

Fuel, insurance or other rental extras.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Mississippi

In Mississippi, the cost of a ticket for driving without insurance can vary depending on whether it's your first offense or if you’ve been caught before. If it's the first time, the penalties are usually less severe compared to subsequent offenses, which result in heftier fines and possibly, harsher consequences.

For drivers caught without the minimum coverage in Mississippi, additional penalties may include:

  • Vehicle impoundment: Your car may be taken away, and you'll have to pay fees to get it back.
  • Suspension of vehicle registration: You could lose the right to drive your car until proper insurance is obtained.
  • License suspension: Your driver's license might be suspended, requiring payment of a reinstatement fee to get it back.
  • SR-22 requirement: This is a certification of financial responsibility you'll need to file and maintain.
  • Jail time: If involved in an accident while uninsured, you could face up to six months in jail.

Remember, it’s essential to follow the law and keep your car insured. Not only does it protect you financially, but it also ensures you stay on the right side of the law and avoid these penalties.

What to Do if Your Policy Is Canceled

If a driver's car insurance policy is canceled in Mississippi, they must immediately seek new insurance coverage and should not drive until they are insured again. Continuing to drive without insurance is illegal and can result in severe penalties. It's important to talk to an insurance agent for advice and to explore different insurance providers to find a new policy.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety will be notified by insurance companies when a driver is uninsured due to policy cancellation. This could trigger a suspension of the driver's license and vehicle registration. Drivers are then at risk of fines and reinstatement fees if they do not secure insurance promptly.

To obtain new insurance after cancellation, drivers can shop around for private insurers or, if finding it difficult to get insured, they can check if they are eligible for the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP). MAIP provides a way for high-risk drivers to get the state minimum coverage.

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WHY WAS MY POLICY CANCELED?

Your car insurance policy in Mississippi may have been canceled for several reasons:

  • Non-payment of premium: If you didn't pay your premiums on time, the insurance company might cancel your coverage.
  • License suspension: Your policy can be canceled if your driver's license gets suspended or revoked.
  • Fraud: Filing false claims or providing incorrect information can lead to cancellation.
  • High risk: If you're involved in multiple accidents or have several traffic violations, you may be considered a high-risk driver, which can cause your policy to be canceled.
  • Policy violations: Not following the terms of your insurance policy, like failing to report a new driver, can result in cancellation.

Keeping your information accurate and driving safely can help avoid these issues with your car insurance policy.

FAQ: Mississippi Minimum Coverage Car Insurance

Here, you'll find concise answers to common questions about the coverage you must legally carry to drive in Mississippi.

What is the minimum car insurance coverage in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, drivers are required to carry minimum coverage auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, along with property damage liability of $25,000 per accident. This basic coverage ensures financial responsibility for damages or injuries drivers may cause in a car accident.

Why does Mississippi require minimum automobile liability coverage for motorists?

Mississippi mandates minimum automobile liability coverage to ensure that motorists can bear financial responsibility in the event of an accident. This coverage is essential for compensating other drivers, passengers or pedestrians for bodily injuries and property damage for which the insured driver is legally responsible.

Maintaining minimum coverage auto insurance is legally required for all drivers in Mississippi to provide a basic level of financial protection in collisions. Without this requirement, the costs from accidents could be transferred to taxpayers, or victims may be left without compensation.

Do you need comprehensive insurance in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, while comprehensive insurance is not mandated by state law, it's highly recommended to protect your vehicle from non-collision-related damages. This type of coverage can safeguard you against theft, vandalism and natural disasters.

To understand how comprehensive insurance fits into your auto protection plan, consider the value of your vehicle and your ability to cover unexpected repair or replacement costs.

What happens if you drive uninsured in Mississippi?

Driving uninsured in Mississippi can lead to severe penalties, including fines and the suspension of driving privileges. On a first offense, a motorist faces a fine of $1,000 and the suspension of their license for one year, or until they provide proof of insurance.

Subsequent offenses can result in higher fines and longer suspensions. It's important to maintain at least state minimum coverage to avoid these consequences and ensure compliance with the law.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.