Drivers in Columbus, Mississippi, pay an overall average of $100 per month, or $1,202 per year, for car insurance, which is less than the national average of $144.
Columbus is “the city that has it all.” From great dining experiences to beautiful parks, golf courses, and the scenic Tenn-Tom waterway, Columbus truly offers something for everyone. But living in this bustling city also means taking care of practical matters, such as car insurance.
Here’s what you should know about comparing rates and companies for auto coverage, whether your driving history is squeaky clean or has a few bumps.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus car insurance comes in a variety of options, and comparing different companies and their offerings can help you find one that fits you best. Factors such as your driving history, coverage preferences, and budget all play a role in determining the best insurer for you.
Best insurer for drivers younger than 25: Progressive
Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: National General
Best insurer for senior drivers: State Auto
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbus
To find the best rate on Columbus car insurance, it helps to understand the factors that come into play when setting rates. When giving you a quote, insurers consider your driving record, age, location, vehicle type, credit score, coverage options, and discounts.
Follow these tips to help qualify for the cheapest premiums:
Maintain a clean driving record. A history of safe driving can make you eligible for lower premiums.
Bundle policies. Buying your car and homeowners insurance from the same company can make you eligible for a multi-policy discount.
Choose higher deductibles. Higher collision and comprehensive deductibles transfer more risk to you, which can lower your premium. Just make sure you’re comfortable paying the deductible amount out of pocket if you need to file a claim.
Drive a safe vehicle. Many insurers offer discounts for safety equipment and technology in vehicles.
Ask about discounts. Check with your insurance agent about discounts for good students, safe drivers, or specific professional affiliations.
Shop and compare. Get quotes from at least three different insurers to compare costs and policy options to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbus: State Farm
Liability-only car insurance provides basic protection that meets Mississippi’s legal requirements for auto insurance. It only covers damages you might cause to another person and their property in an accident. A liability policy doesn’t pay for damages to your vehicle or your medical expenses. Liability-only policies generally work best for drivers who don't have a car payment and who own an older, less-expensive vehicle.
Liability insurance in Columbus costs $67 per month, on average. The table below shows Columbus’s cheapest average insurance companies for a liability-only policy.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbus: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability protection and coverage for your vehicle’s damages. While liability-only coverage may be more affordable for Columbus drivers on a tight budget, full coverage is best for people with newer or more valuable cars that would be costly to repair or replace. It’s also helpful for commuters or drivers who live in areas with higher accident rates.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, you'll have to buy full coverage, as lenders and leasing companies typically require it to protect their investment in your vehicle.
Columbus drivers pay an average of $133 per month for a full-coverage policy. Here’s a look at the companies that offer the cheapest full-coverage insurance in Columbus:
Car insurance requirements in Mississippi
Columbus drivers must carry liability insurance and always have proof of insurance in their vehicles. You can show proof of coverage with paper or electronic documents, as well as a picture taken with your cell phone.
A liability policy protects you financially — Mississippi follows a fault-based system, which makes you responsible for damages if you cause an accident.1
Liability insurance is the minimum requirement, but you can also add optional coverages to increase your financial protection. The Mississippi Insurance Department suggests adding these coverages:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents typically refer to at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other moving violations. Insurance companies view these incidents as indicators of risky behavior, which could result in future claims. It’s why you’ll likely see higher car insurance quotes if you have an incident on your record.
How much of an increase you see depends on your insurer and the incident type. But your rates might go up after an accident even if you’re not responsible for it.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
Finding cheap car insurance can be challenging for drivers with a speeding ticket. Speeding is a type of high-risk behavior that leads to higher premiums.2 But comparing quotes from different companies can help you find the best deal.
Columbus drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $76 per month for liability-only insurance and $151 per month for full coverage. Here are the best quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
At-fault accidents are another example of risky driving behavior. Your insurance company can increase your premiums if you’re in an accident, but insurers calculate risk differently. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, shopping around to compare quotes can help you find the cheapest coverage. A commitment to safer driving can help lower your rates down the road.
If you live in Columbus and have an at-fault accident on your driving record, you might pay around $80 per month for a liability-only policy and $159 per month for full coverage.
The table below shows the most affordable insurers for Columbus drivers with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction on your record can lead to a substantial price hike, and some insurers may cancel your policy altogether. The Mississippi Driver Service Bureau can also revoke your license for 120 days after a first-time DUI offense and require you to file proof of insurance for three years.3
For Columbus drivers with a DUI, a liability-only policy costs $108 per month, on average. A full-coverage policy costs $214 per month, on average.
The insurers listed below offer the most affordable coverage for Columbus drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
As you age, you’ll see fluctuations in car insurance rates for a number of reasons. Generally, your costs drop around age 25. But when you reach age 70, premiums may increase due to health conditions and medication side effects that could affect your driving skills.4
Senior drivers in Columbus pay a monthly average of $57 for minimum coverage and $113 for full auto coverage. Ask insurers about specialized coverage and discounts for older drivers to keep your rates low. You might consider taking a defensive driving course to qualify for discounts. Additionally, moving to a pay-per-mile policy could lower your costs if you don’t spend much time on the road.
The table below outlines the cheapest auto insurance companies for senior drivers in Columbus.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Car insurance rates for teenagers are higher than those for adults, primarily because of their lack of driving experience and higher risk of accidents. Teen drivers in Columbus pay $117 per month for a liability policy, on average, and $233 per month for a full-coverage policy.
But a few strategies can help young drivers qualify for cheaper car insurance rates:
Stay on a parent’s insurance policy.
Drive a car that has safety features.
Maintain good grades for a good student discount.
Complete an approved driver education course.
Drop full coverage on older cars.
Bundle home and auto insurance for a multi-policy discount.
To help you save time, here are the cheapest companies to buy teen car insurance from in Columbus:
Columbus car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies often look at your credit history before giving you an auto insurance quote, according to the Mississippi Insurance Department. It suggests checking your credit history once a year to check for errors and improving your credit if it’s driving up your premiums.5
Reviewing your credit history can lead to substantial savings. On average, Columbus drivers with poor credit pay almost twice as much as drivers with excellent or good credit. The chart below shows the average cost of Columbus car insurance according to a driver’s credit tier.
Is car insurance more expensive in Columbus?
Columbus car insurance is generally more affordable than the national average. Columbus drivers pay $100 per month, while the average cost in the U.S. is $144.
Keep in mind that rates can vary depending on your ZIP code within the city due to differences in population density, crime rates, and the number of accidents.
More cities in Mississippi
Auto insurance rates in Columbus are generally among the cheapest in the state. On average, Columbus drivers pay $67 per month for liability-only car insurance and $133 per month for full coverage.