4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
Featured in
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Updated November 20, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
After you commit a serious traffic violation in Mississippi, you may need SR-22 insurance. An SR-22 form proves to state authorities that your auto insurance meets Mississippi’s minimum car insurance requirements.
Here’s what you need to know about finding affordable auto coverage in Mississippi if you need an SR-22.
Mississippi requires SR-22 insurance for some high-risk drivers, including people with a DUI, hit-and-run drivers, and uninsured drivers.
Not all car insurance companies offer SR-22s, so you may need to shop around for an insurer that does.
In Mississippi, you’ll need to maintain SR-22 coverage and proof of insurance for at least three years.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Mississippi
Drivers who need SR-22 insurance typically have to pay more for car insurance than people with a clean driving record. The following car insurance companies offer the cheapest auto policies in Mississippi for drivers who need SR-22 documentation.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $50 | $106 |
USAA | $52 | $109 |
Allstate | $83 | $174 |
Progressive | $83 | $175 |
Nationwide | $86 | $179 |
GEICO | $87 | $182 |
National General | $92 | $176 |
Travelers | $99 | $208 |
Safeco | $105 | $191 |
Root | $109 | $194 |
Bristol West | $112 | $304 |
Shelter | $128 | $268 |
Clearcover | $143 | $231 |
Foremost | $148 | $406 |
GAINSCO | $151 | $496 |
Dairyland | $188 | $422 |
Liberty Mutual | $192 | $347 |
Direct Auto | $228 | $584 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Mississippi?
If you’re a high-risk driver, you may need your insurance company to file an SR-22 form with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety on your behalf. Put simply, an SR-22 proves to the state that you hold the minimum car insurance that Mississippi requires.
Depending on your auto insurer, having an SR-22 may lead to an increase in your car insurance rates or even termination of your coverage. You might need to find a new insurance company to approve you for a policy and file an SR-22 for you.[1]
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
In Florida and Virginia, high-risk drivers may need to file an FR-44 form instead of an SR-22. Compared to an SR-22, an FR-44 form requires more comprehensive insurance.
In Virginia, an FR-44 doubles the minimum amount of liability coverage required by the state. States usually require FR-22 forms for drivers who incur major traffic violations for driving impaired or under the influence. Similar to an SR-22, an FR-44 serves as a certificate of financial responsibility.
When you need SR-22 insurance
Per Mississippi law, high-risk drivers may need to file an SR-22 with their car insurance company and face penalties like fines, jail time, and a suspended license.
A few situations in which you may need an SR-22 include:
DWI or DUI charges: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous for you and other drivers. If you receive a DWI or DUI conviction, you’ll likely have to file an SR-22 form to meet Mississippi’s legal requirements.
Fleeing the scene of an accident: In Mississippi, drivers must stop at the scene of a car accident to evaluate any property damage and injuries, as long as it’s safe. If you drive away, you might need to obtain an SR-22 certification.
Repeated reckless driving offenses: If you have two or more traffic violations in a short period of time, you may face an SR-22 requirement. This might be the case, even if they’re minor.
Driving without auto insurance coverage: You may need an SR-22 if law enforcement catches you driving without insurance that meets minimum liability coverage requirements. It may allow you to regain your driving privileges.[2]
How to get SR-22 insurance in Mississippi
Here’s how to secure an SR-22 certificate in Mississippi:
Check with your auto insurance company. SR-22s aren’t available through every car insurer. Contact your current insurance company or insurance agent and ask if it files these forms.
Find a new car insurance company if necessary. If your insurance company doesn’t file SR-22s, it’s your responsibility to find one that does. Even if your insurer does offer SR-22 forms, it’s a good idea to shop around for insurance quotes, as you might be able to land a better deal and more affordable car insurance elsewhere.
Ask the insurer to file the SR-22 form. Inform the auto insurance company that you need to file an SR-22 high-risk insurance certification with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. It should be able to do this on your behalf if you provide it with your most current information.
How long Mississippi requires SR-22 insurance
In the state of Mississippi, you’ll need to maintain your SR-22 form and show proof of liability insurance for at least three years from the date of your conviction. This time frame may be longer if your offense is more serious.
Note that you’ll likely face higher premiums, so it makes sense to shop around and compare different insurers who offer SR-22 filing.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Mississippi
Auto insurance companies perceive drivers who need an SR-22 to be high risk due to the traffic violation that led to the requirement. For these reasons, an SR-22 certificate might raise your car insurance rates. These premiums might remain more expensive even after you hold your SR-22 for three years.
The following tips can help you lower your car insurance costs with an SR-22.
Adhere to your SR-22 insurance form
It’s up to you to meet the SR-22 insurance requirements Mississippi imposes. The state requires you to keep the form on file for at least three years.
Drive responsibly and maintain a clean record
By being a safe driver, you can avoid more traffic violations that lead to SR-22 certificates. You may want to sign up for a defensive driving course to improve your driving skills and potentially land a discount.
Look for discounts
The top-rated insurance companies usually offer discounts that may lower your car insurance premiums. Multi-policy discounts, auto-pay discounts, and green vehicle discounts are a few examples.
Improve your credit
In Mississippi, car insurance companies may consider your credit-based insurance score when they determine your premiums. A good credit history may result in cheaper rates, so it’s wise to achieve and maintain good credit.
Mississippi SR-22 insurance FAQs
Below, you’ll find more information about SR-22 requirements in Mississippi.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
If you need an SR-22 form in Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety will send you a letter. The letter will state that you need to file an SR-22 and prove financial responsibility.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. You might need to pay a fee to file an SR-22 certificate. Depending on your insurance company, you may owe a one-time filing fee. Be sure to ask your car insurance company for more details about SR-22 rates and filing fees.[3]
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Mississippi drivers with an SR-22 certificate usually face much higher car insurance rates than people with a clean driving record. The state requires SR-22 insurance for high-risk drivers, such as people with DUIs or reckless driving convictions.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Mississippi?
Per Mississippi laws, you must maintain an SR-22 auto insurance policy and show proof of financial responsibility for at least three years. But your particular traffic violation and circumstances will determine the exact time period.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Mississippi?
To remove an SR-22 form in Mississippi, you’ll need to maintain continuous coverage for the required period of three years. Once it expires, you must contact your insurer and let it know you no longer need the SR-22.
What happens to your SR-22 in Mississippi if you move?
Each state has its own SR-22 requirements. But if you move from Mississippi before your SR-22 expires, the form will follow you. It’s a good idea to become familiar with different laws so you know what to expect.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Mississippi
Sources
- GEICO. "SR-22 & Insurance - What is it and how does it work?."
- Mississippi Legislature. "House Bill No. 548."
- Progressive. "What is an SR-22?."
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in