Like all states, Mississippi requires you to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance with liability coverage, so remember not to drive without it. You should purchase your insurance as soon as you register your vehicle. Of course, you have to have your proof of insurance if you’re involved in an accident or get pulled over for a traffic violation.

It’s not a rosy picture if you’re caught driving without insurance. If you’re pulled over without insurance coverage, the fine may be as high as $1,000 with a one-year license suspension.  With every offense, you will be fined more and more. Drivers will be asked to show proof of insurance when they register a vehicle, are involved in an accident, or are stopped for a traffic violation.

Liability Coverage

 As in some states, Mississippi requires that all drivers in a household be covered under liability insurance. That means, not just the vehicle owner, but everyone in that household who drives the car, should have proof of insurance in the vehicle with them always.
Each state offers a breakdown of how much insurance coverage you should carry with you at all times. This is known as the “minimum liability amount.” In Mississippi, bodily injury liability insurance for a single person should be $25,000; bodily injury for all injuries should cover $50,000, and property damage should cover $25,000.   

Uninsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

While some states require drivers to carry Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) Motorist Coverage, which protects you against loss or damage caused by an accident involving a driver who either does not have insurance, Mississippi does not require its drivers to carry this coverage. However, many people elect to buy this coverage anyway, since it will protect you financially if something does happen.

No Fault vs. Tort States

Then there’s what’s known as no fault insurance. In Mississippi, drivers are not required to carry no fault insurance because it’s a tort state, meaning that the driver at fault in a collision must pay a victim’s medical expenses and can be held liable for additional damages. Such additional damages may include lost wages or compensation for pain and suffering stemming from the accident.

Though these are the minimum amounts for insurance coverage required in the state, smart drivers know that additional coverage is needed to protect against all circumstances on the road. Remember, there’s no perfect amount of insurance coverage for each person. But a little research and knowing your level of comfort with risk can help you decide what’s best for you. The moral is that even securing cheap car insurance for yourself could save you greatly in the long run.