Mississippi Car Insurance Laws: How Much Coverage Do I Need? (2024)

Mississippi drivers are required to purchase a minimum of $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 in bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
Written by Kornelia Drianovski
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Mississippi
drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability
car insurance
coverage mandated by the state, often summarized as 25/50/25—$25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability per accident.

Mississippi auto insurance requirements

To comply with auto insurance laws in the state of Mississippi, drivers are required to have the following car insurance coverage:
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Collision insurance
: Pays for the cost of the damage to your car if you’re in a collision with another motor vehicle or stationary object.
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Comprehensive insurance
: This insurance pays for non-collision damage to your car—think natural disasters, vandalism, theft, and more.
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Gap insurance:
If you leased or financed a new vehicle and it’s totaled, gap insurance pays for the difference between the
actual cash value
and how much you still owe on your
car loan
.
If you’re responsible for a car accident, your liability insurance policy will cover the cost of medical bills and property damage repair costs up to your policy limits.
Keep in mind: The rules are different if you’re leasing or financing a vehicle—you’re required to have comprehensive and collision insurance, also known as a
full-coverage auto insurance
policy. A leasing company will likely require you to raise your liability limits to at least $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $50,000 property damage per accident.
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Is minimum auto insurance coverage the most cost-effective option?

While Mississippi’s minimum car insurance requirements are on par with the rest of the country, they might not be enough to cover a costly car accident. If you cause a serious accident while only carrying state minimum liability coverage, you’ll still be legally responsible for the other driver’s medical expenses—which could mean an expensive lawsuit.
Our recommendation
  • Increase your bodily injury liability limits to at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident
  • Increase your property damage liability limit to at least $100,000
  • Get
    medical payments (MedPay) coverage
    , which pays for medical bills after an accident, regardless of who was at fault
  • Add
    uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
    because it pays for your medical bills and vehicle repairs if you’re in an auto accident with an at-fault uninsured motorist who doesn’t have enough (or any) liability coverage. 
  • Buy comprehensive and collision coverage to cover the total cost of your vehicle if it were totaled or stolen
If you’re shopping for insurance with
Jerry
, you can adjust your coverage options to see how increasing your liability limit or adding full coverage options like collision and comprehensive will impact your auto insurance rate.
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Raise your liability limits and turn on full coverage with high deductibles to find affordable coverage with maximum protection.
Quotes will range based on driving profile.

How much does car insurance in Mississippi cost?

As of September 2023, the average minimum liability car insurance policy in Mississippi costs $101 per month and $1,217 per year. The average full coverage car insurance policy costs $180 per month and $2,158 per year.
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You can request quotes directly from insurance companies or work with a local agent—or Jerry’s quote comparison app can simplify that process for you with quick custom quotes.
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Optional coverages in Mississippi

Most drivers need more auto insurance than the minimum requirements set by Mississippi law. 
Here are some of the most common additional coverage options that Mississippi drivers should consider:
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Collision insurance
: Pays for the cost of the damage to your car if you’re in a collision with another motor vehicle or stationary object.
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Comprehensive insurance
: This insurance pays for non-collision damage to your car—think natural disasters, vandalism, theft, and more.
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Gap insurance:
If you leased or financed a new vehicle and it’s totaled, gap insurance pays for the difference between the
actual cash value
and how much you still owe on your
car loan
.
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Roadside assistance coverage: Most insurance companies offer this coverage, also called
towing and labor coverage
. It comes in handy if you need a tow, fuel delivery, or flat tire repair.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Mississippi

It’s a misdemeanor if you’re caught driving in Mississippi without auto insurance. You’ll face harsh fines, and your license will be suspended. Plus, you’ll have to show
proof of insurance
and pay a reinstatement fine to get your license back.
Here’s a breakdown of the penalties for driving without insurance in Mississippi:
Penalty
First and subsequent offenses
Fine
$1,000 
Jail time or required labor
N/A 
Driving privileges
License suspended for up to one year or until
proof of insurance
is provided
Reinstatement requirements
$100 reinstatement fee and
SR-22
on file for three years

FAQs

What is the law in Mississippi regarding auto insurance?

The state requires you to have $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability per accident.

Is it illegal to drive in Mississippi without insurance?

Yes, it’s a misdemeanor in Mississippi to drive without auto insurance. The state requires all drivers to have liability coverage.

Is Mississippi a no-fault state for car accidents?

No, Mississippi is an at-fault or tort state, so the person who is responsible for the car accident must pay for the other driver’s medical bills and vehicle damage.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Mississippi?

​​As with most standard insurance policies, your insurance can extend to both the vehicle and the driver. For instance, if you give someone permission to drive, they’ll likely be covered even if they’re not listed on your policy. And if someone on your policy is driving a different vehicle, they may still be covered if they get into an accident.

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