A Quick Guide to Understanding Mississippi's Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements?

Answer 1

Mississippi's auto insurance laws are similar to those found in most other states in the Union. This is the case because drivers in Mississippi are required to carry a certain verifiable amount of liability and property damage coverage to cover the most common risks of driving.

However, Mississippi's status as a tort state requires drivers to be extra diligent about maintaining proper auto insurance coverage. As a result, here is a quick consumer guide that can help drivers in Mississippi understand how auto insurance coverage they need to purchase to meet state auto insurance requirements.

Drivers in Mississippi must purchase bodily injury liability coverage.

For example, Mississippi residents must purchase at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage to cover each person who is injured in an accident. At least $25,000 of this coverage must cover the injuries sustained by one person who was injured in an auto accident that is shown to be caused by reckless behavior.

Drivers in Mississippi must purchase automobile property damage liability coverage

This coverage must include at least $25,000 of casualty coverage that can be used to pay for vehicle replacement costs and damage sustained to stationary objects. Mississippi's state auto insurance laws also require car insurance providers to offer supplementary casualty coverage that covers theft and non-accident related damage to vehicles.

Drivers who choose to disobey these requirements can face fines and other penalties.

For example, drivers who are caught driving without proper auto insurance coverage face fines of up to $1,000 and the suspension of their drivers' licenses for up to 60 days. Drivers who continue to disobey these requirements face harsher penalties including possible jail time and community service.

Mississippi provides provisions to help drivers avoid these possible penalties.

For example, auto insurance providers in Mississippi must issue a valid proof of insurance immediately upon request. This provision was installed to help drivers recover lost insurance cards quickly.

Moreover, Mississippi auto insurance providers must also provide information to state and local police about any changes in auto insurance coverage. This provision was originally enacted to protect Mississippi drivers who have recently changed or started their auto insurance coverage.

For more details, please contact the Mississippi Insurance Department.

The Mississippi Insurance Department may be contacted at 601-359-3569. Residents may call toll-free at 800-562-2957 during normal business hours.