Mississippi Car Insurance Requirements
Minimum auto insurance in Mississippi
In general, Mississippi doesn't require much car insurance -- only liability insurance. Auto liability insurance pays for damage and injuries to others if you cause an accident, up to the limits you buy. But there are other insurance types available to consider so that you don't face big bills after a car accident.
Minimum liability insurance in Mississippi:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage per accident
This is often written as 25/50/25.
Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:
- UM/UIM is not required in Mississippi, but insurance companies must offer it by law. If you buy UM/UIM the minimum coverage is $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident (called 25/50). This insurance covers your injuries if you're hit by a driver who doesn't have enough insurance to pay your medical bills. Mississippi has a high percentage of uninsured drivers, making UM/UIM a smart purchase. According to the Insurance Research Council, 23.7% of Mississippi drivers are uninsured.
- A form of UM called uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage is also available in Mississippi. It covers damage to your car if you're hit by someone who doesn't have enough insurance for the repairs.
Optional auto insurance in Mississippi
Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: For your own medical expenses, no matter who caused the accident. If you have health insurance you may not need MedPay.
Comprehensive and collision coverage: For theft of your car or damage caused by hitting another car, an animal, hail, flood, fire, vandalism, falling objects and explosions. If you have a car loan or lease you may be required to have these.
Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired due to a car accident.
You must show an insurance ID card (or other proof of financial responsibility) in Mississippi when:
- Law enforcement requests it
Penalty for not having car insurance in Mississippi
- Failure to have insurance ID in vehicle: $500 fine and suspension of driving privileges for one year or until liability proof of insurance is obtained.
Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Complaints against the largest auto insurance companies in Mississippi
The Mississippi department of insurance is in charge of handling complaints against insurance companies that operate in the state. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners calculates a national "complaint ratio" number to show the level of complaints relative to the insurer's size. Here are the ratios for the largest car insurance companies in Mississippi.
Updated Aug. 10, 2018