Mississippi Car Insurance Laws (2026)
Mississippi law requires drivers to carry 25/50/25 in liability insurance.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
4.7 / 517K reviews
)
Writer: Kat TretinaInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Writer: Kat TretinaInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Qualifications:
9+ years in personal finance writing
Certified Financial Counselor
Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer specializing in debt repayment and insurance.
Previously, she worked in public relations within the pharmaceutical industry before switching to non-profit work. After struggling to repay her own student loan debt and seeing firsthand how complex the financial aid and repayment system is, she began writing to share what she learned so other people could better manage their loans.
For the past seven years, she’s been freelancing for major financial publications such as Yahoo! Finance, FinanceBuzz, Forbes Advisor, and more. Her work focuses on helping people understand their financial options, including their insurance choices. Kat double-majored in English and Communications at Elizabethtown College, and she went on to earn her master’s at West Chester University. She has also earned certifications in student loan counseling and financial education.
)
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
)
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Mississippi is an at-fault, or tort, state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the damages or injuries they cause. Like most states, the Magnolia State requires drivers to have car insurance, and penalties for driving without it can be steep.
In 2018, Mississippi changed the penalty for driving without insurance from a civil violation to a criminal offense.[1]
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Mississippi
Liability policies average $89/mo.
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 17,301 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Auto insurance requirements in Mississippi
In Mississippi, drivers must meet the state’s compulsory liability law. You can do this by showing proof of liability insurance, posting a bond for the same coverage minimums, or making a cash or security deposit equal to Mississippi’s minimum requirements.[2]
For most people, liability insurance is the best option. Your Mississippi car insurance policy must meet these insurance minimums:
$25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
Those coverage requirements are in line with the typical requirements in other states. For example, neighboring states like Alabama and Tennessee have the same minimum coverages.
Officers can’t stop you solely to check your insurance card. But if law enforcement pulls you over and you don’t have an insurance card or coverage, you could face a penalty of up to $1,000. The state may suspend your driving privileges for up to one year, too.
If the state suspends your license for driving without insurance, you’ll need to hold SR-22 insurance for three years. You’ll also need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee, plus license renewal fees.
Is state-minimum car insurance in Mississippi enough coverage?
State-minimum coverage usually isn’t enough to protect you and your vehicle. Mississippi has the highest rate of motor vehicle crash deaths, according to data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, and a serious accident can cause injuries and damages well beyond the state’s minimum liability limits.
For added financial protection, you may want to consider higher liability limits and additional coverage, including:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Mississippi has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers. Approximately 28.2% of drivers within the state are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. This coverage pays for your medical bills and car repairs if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your own vehicle that occur outside of an accident. Considering that Mississippi is one of the worst states for animal-related collisions, comprehensive coverage provides some peace of mind.
Collision insurance: If you’re in an accident, collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle, regardless of fault.
Higher policy limits: In general, experts recommend a policy with 100/300/100 in coverage.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Mississippi
Driving without insurance in Mississippi can result in fines of up to $500 and other penalties. In 2017, the state instituted a statewide electronic vehicle insurance verification system. This allows police officers to electronically verify whether you have insurance using the vehicle’s license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN).
If you’re not able to show proof of coverage, you could lose your driving privileges for up to one year. Plus, you’ll have to pay for any accident-related damages out of pocket if you’re at fault after a crash.
The table below outlines the penalties for driving without insurance in Mississippi:
Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | $300 |
| Second offense | $400 |
| Third or subsequent offense | $500 |
Compare Mississippi Car Insurance Quotes
See quotes from top insurers in minutes
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 17,301 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
How uninsured motorist coverage stacking works in Mississippi
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is particularly important in Mississippi, as the Magnolia State has such a high percentage of drivers without insurance. If you purchase coverage, you have the option of stacking coverage.[3]
Stacked policies combine your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage limits from multiple vehicles or policies. Unstacked insurance means your coverage is separate for each vehicle, so if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, you’ll only have coverage up to the individual limit for your car.
There’s one important caveat: If the policy covers four or more vehicles, Mississippi law allows policyholders to choose a single-limit, non-stacking uninsured motorist policy. The state requires insurers to inform policyholders of this limitation.
Mississippi insurance laws FAQs
If you’re shopping around for car insurance in Mississippi, the following information can help you find the best company for your needs.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, drivers must have car insurance that meets the state’s minimum 25/50/25 liability requirements. Those limits are relatively low, so you may benefit from a policy with higher coverage limits.
Is Mississippi a no-fault state?
No. Mississippi isn’t a no-fault state. It has an at-fault, or tort-based, insurance system, so the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the damages or injuries they cause.
Is car insurance required in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi requires drivers to have car insurance that meets the state’s liability insurance requirements.
Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in Mississippi?
Although Mississippi doesn’t require uninsured motorist coverage, it can be a worthwhile investment. Mississippi has an extremely high percentage of uninsured drivers, so uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance can be useful.
Sources
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety. "Mississippi Vehicle Insurance Verification System Citizen Portal."
- Mississippi Insurance Department. "Auto Insurance."
- Mississippi Legislature. "Senate Bill No. 2671."
Related articles
)
Best Car Insurance in Mississippi
State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO are three of the best car insurance companies in Mississippi.
)
Average Car Insurance Cost in Mississippi
Drivers in Mississippi pay an overall average of $137 per month for car insurance, but your rates may vary based on your driver profile.
Car Insurance Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi drivers must purchase both bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage to drive legally in the state.
)
Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Mississippi From $104
The average cost of SR-22 insurance for Mississippi drivers is $104 per month for liability and $217 for full coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Mississippi
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Mississippi, with an average monthly rate of $45 for a liability-only policy. Compare real car insurance quotes in Mississippi and buy your policy all in one place with Insurify.
)
The 10 Largest Auto Insurance Companies in the U.S.
Top insurers State Farm, Progressive, GEICO, and Allstate account for more than half the total car insurance market.
)
Anonymous Car Insurance Quotes Without Personal Information
You can get a rough car insurance estimate using only your ZIP code. But to get accurate quotes, you’ll need to share driver and vehicle details.
)
How Does Car Insurance Work?
Car insurance protects you financially in the event of an accident. Read on to learn the different types of coverages and important terms to know when shopping for car insurance.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Columbus, Mississippi
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Columbus, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $40 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Hattiesburg, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $45 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Jackson, Mississippi
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Jackson, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $52 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Madison, Mississippi
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Madison, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $48 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Meridian, Mississippi
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Meridian, with liability rates of $42 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Oxford, Mississippi
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Oxford, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $44 per month.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Southaven, Mississippi
With liability rates of $48 per month, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Southaven.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Tupelo, Mississippi
With monthly liability rates as low as $40, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Tupelo.