Mississippi Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Mississippi

All vehicle owners are required nowadays to have a valid insurance policy, which helps them stay protected in case of accidents. Whether the car is used for personal or professional purposes, the associated auto insurance is mandatory. If a driver operates a vehicle without insurance, he/she is liable to pay fines of up to $1,000 or bear the suspension of driving documents, such as the driver's license or vehicle registration, for up to six months. If you are looking to discover more information on the topic of auto insurance in Mississippi, just keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Mississippi?

According to the Mandatory liability Insurance Act, all Mississippi residents who intend to operate a moving vehicle must have a valid insurance policy. If the mandatory insurance policy is absent, the respective driving documents will be suspended for several months or more. There is also an online insurance verification system, which local authorities can use to determine whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Mississippi, the respective car insurance must comply with several guidelines. These are: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($25,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person). Naturally, the full coverage insurance is superior to the minimum liability coverage, especially since drivers can add optional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. It is recommended to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by law in Mississippi. Thus, you will be protected should the worst-case scenario occur.

The above-mentioned sums refer to the maximum amount insurance providers are able to pay, should the driver be involved in an accident for which he/she is at fault. According to the current laws, all drivers are required to carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. The same laws state that it is illegal to drive without insurance in Mississippi, with consequences that include legal fines and the suspension of driving documents (driver's license, vehicle registration). If the driver continues to operate the vehicle without a valid insurance policy, jail time might be enforced (repeated infraction).

Average cost of auto insurance in Mississippi

How much does car insurance cost in MS? The state minimum auto insurance in Mississippi has a value of $555. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,607. In most cases, collision and comprehensive coverage are not included in this policy, so drivers have to pay extra for them. several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: type of vehicle, presence of prior insurance, number of miles driven, location, driving record, age, gender, and marital status. It is advisable to choose an insurance policy that offers the best possible coverage, and not the one with the lowest value.

As you might expect, the average cost of auto insurance varies from one state to the other. Such differences are present for both the minimum and the full coverage, especially if you opt for additional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Some of the factors that influence these values include: route conditions, number of uninsured drivers in their respective location, number of drivers versus the general population, weather-related accidents, at-fault accidents.

Mississippi has a lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive auto policies include: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the most affordable states, these are: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York has some of the most expensive auto insurance policies, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. As for Maine, it has some of the most affordable policies of this kind, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Mississippi, you might also notice certain differences between the various cities. Hattiesburg has among the most affordable rates, while Jackson stands at the top of the list. The average annual premiums are as follows: Hattiesburg - $1,742; Southaven - $1,801; Biloxi – $1,825; Gulfport - $1,855; Jackson - $1,989.

One of the main factors influencing the value of auto insurance is the driver's age. Usually, this type of insurance is more expensive for young drivers, as insurance providers see them as immature and less responsible than adults. A teenage driver normally pays an annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver is accustomed to paying a premium of around $2,000. Slight differences exist between genders, with men benefiting from better rates. married couples also benefit from more attractive rates than those who are single, widowed, or divorced.

In calculating the value of a potential auto insurance policy, providers will also take into account the driver's credit history. This means that a driver with an exceptional credit can actually save sums on his/her insurance premium, as opposed to someone with a poor credit history, who will have to pay higher rates. Prior driving offenses, such as speeding, at fault accidents, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, will lead to higher rates. The type of coverage will influence the final value as well. Drivers might consider adding both comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Mississippi. Find car insurance in Mississippi by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Mississippi

If you are having a hard time finding the right auto insurance policy, perhaps we might be able to help. Thanks to our experience and knowledge accumulated in the field, we are happy to match drivers with the best policies for their needs. Of course, we will always consider your available budget. Just give us a call and we will be more than pleased to offer our assistance. Remember that this service is completely free, and it can make a genuine difference whereas your insurance needs are related. Hopefully, you will be able to use all that time to focus on other important matters.