Mississippi requires drivers to have a car insurance policy with $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability.1
Drivers in Mississippi can also purchase additional auto insurance if they want more thorough protection, such as collision and comprehensive coverage. But no matter what kind of coverage you buy, you should always compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies before buying a policy.
Mississippi car insurance requirements
Per Mississippi law, all drivers must maintain liability insurance and carry proof of insurance in their vehicles. At a minimum, you must purchase the following:
Bodily injury liability
Bodily injury liability insurance covers medical bills for doctor visits, medications, surgeries, rehab, and lost wages for the driver and passengers in the other vehicle after an at-fault car accident. If you get involved in a lawsuit, it can also help pay for legal fees. Bodily injury coverage includes two types of limits: per-person limits and per-accident limits.
Per-person limits refer to the maximum amount your insurer will pay for each person injured in an accident. Per-accident limits, on the other hand, are the total amount your car insurance company will pay for all injured parties in a single accident.
Mississippi auto insurance laws require $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability insurance and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability.
Property damage liability
Property damage liability insurance kicks in if you damage another car in an accident, paying for the repair costs of the other driver’s vehicle. While this type of insurance helps safeguard your financial liability, it doesn’t help cover any costs for your vehicle’s damages.
In Mississippi, you must purchase $25,000 per accident for property damage liability.
Mississippi car insurance laws/programs
The Mississippi Automobile Insurance Plan has been around since 1948 to help high-risk drivers secure car insurance coverage. If you’re having trouble getting approved for an auto policy in the Magnolia State, you should check out this program.
To apply, you must show the following:
A valid Mississippi driver’s license
A vehicle registered in Mississippi
Proof that you’ve been unable to lock in auto insurance
Note that you’re not eligible for the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Plan if you have a balance on your premiums from your previous insurance company or if the state of Mississippi has any reason to believe you’re applying in bad faith.2
Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Mississippi?
Liability-only insurance pays for property damage and injuries after an at-fault accident and is the cheapest type of car insurance you can purchase. Full-coverage car insurance is more expensive but includes comprehensive and collision coverage for additional protection.
You may want to consider full coverage if you drive a new or high-value car, commute frequently in heavy traffic, or can’t afford to pay for expenses out of pocket if you get into an accident. If you have a loan on your car, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage.
If you don’t drive very often or feel confident that you can pay for damages out of pocket in the event of an accident, you can probably stick to liability-only coverage. You can upgrade to full-coverage insurance if your needs change.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Mississippi
Mississippi law states that you must carry minimum liability insurance to drive legally. If you’re unable to provide proof of auto insurance through a valid insurance ID card, you may face these consequences:
$1,000 fine
License suspension for one year or until you can show proof of insurance
SR-22 insurance, which you’ll be required to hold for three years if your license gets suspended for driving without insurance
A reinstatement fee of $100 and license renewal fees to get your license reinstated
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Mississippi
The average cost of liability-only auto insurance in Mississippi is $71 per month. Here’s a look at average monthly car insurance quotes in the Magnolia State from some top insurers.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Mississippi
The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Mississippi is $144. Below, you’ll find average monthly quotes for full-coverage car insurance from some of the top insurers in Mississippi.
Optional car insurance coverages to consider
Depending on your situation, purchasing extra car insurance coverage in addition to the required liability insurance might be worthwhile. You have several optional car insurance policies and insurance products to explore if you’d like more financial protection:3