Mississippi car insurance requirements

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Mississippi's compulsory liability insurance law is relatively young: it took effect on January 1, 2001, after House Bill 621 was signed in February 2000, and the current 25/50/25 limits have applied since 2006. The state does not require PIP or collision coverage, so the legal minimum is a bare liability policy that pays for injuries and damage you cause to others, not for your own car.

Mississippi does protect you against uninsured drivers, but in a way that is easy to miss. Auto liability policies must include uninsured motorist coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing on a form approved by the Department of Insurance. Under pure comparative negligence, your own share of fault reduces your damages instead of barring them. Since July 1, 2013, an electronic card on your phone counts as proof, but officers cannot stop you solely to check it.

Mississippi minimum liability limits

To register and drive a car in Mississippi you need at least this much liability coverage:

• $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
• $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
• $25,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.

Mississippi's compulsory liability law took effect on January 1, 2001, and the current 25/50/25 limits have applied since January 1, 2006.

Other required and offered coverage

Mississippi requires insurers to include uninsured motorist coverage in auto liability policies unless the named insured rejects it in writing on a Department of Insurance-approved form. A rejection does not carry over to renewal, replacement or transferred policies unless you ask for the coverage in writing.

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Is Mississippi a no-fault state?

Mississippi is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.

Mississippi uses pure comparative negligence: your own fault does not bar a recovery, but the jury reduces your damages in proportion to your share of fault.

Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.

Can insurers use your credit in Mississippi?

Status: Allowed.

See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Mississippi

The Mississippi Insurance Department lists a $1,000 penalty and a one-year suspension of driving privileges, or until the owner shows proof of insurance, for failing to maintain required liability coverage. The state's Safety Responsibility Division handles enforcement.

Drivers must carry a liability insurance card in the vehicle at all times, and since July 1, 2013 the card may be paper or electronic, including an image on a phone. An officer cannot stop you only to check for the card, but can ask for proof during a stop for another violation.

If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.

Tips for Mississippi drivers

• Look at your declarations page for uninsured motorist coverage. Mississippi includes it unless you signed a rejection on an approved form, and a rejection does not automatically carry over to a renewal, replacement or transferred policy.
• Keep a liability insurance card in your vehicle. Mississippi accepts paper or electronic cards, including an image on a phone, and officers may ask for proof during a stop for another violation.
• If your coverage lapses, act quickly: the Mississippi Insurance Department says the penalty includes a one-year suspension of driving privileges, or until you show proof of insurance, along with a $1,000 penalty.
• Because Mississippi uses pure comparative negligence, you may still recover after a crash even if you were partly at fault, but your damages are reduced by your share. Keep a police report and photos.
• If you need help with a coverage dispute, you can contact the Mississippi Insurance Department; call the Safety Responsibility Division at 601-987-1255 for questions about suspensions.

When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.

Official resources

• Insurance regulator: Mississippi Insurance Department
• Motor vehicle agency: Mississippi Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle

Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.

Frequently asked questions

What are Mississippi's minimum car insurance limits?

Mississippi requires liability limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. This is written 25/50/25. These limits have applied since January 1, 2006. They pay for injuries and damage you cause to others, not for your own vehicle or injuries.

Does Mississippi require uninsured motorist coverage?

Mississippi requires insurers to include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage in auto liability policies, but you can reject it. The rejection must be in writing on a form approved by the Department of Insurance, and a signed form binds everyone insured under the policy. A rejection does not automatically carry over to renewals, replacements or transferred policies.

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Insurance Department states the penalty includes a $1,000 penalty and a one-year suspension of driving privileges, or until the owner shows proof of insurance. The Department of Public Safety's Safety Responsibility Division enforces the law. If you cause a crash while uninsured, you may also be personally responsible for the damage.

Can I show my insurance card on my phone in Mississippi?

Yes. Since July 1, 2013, Mississippi insurance cards may be paper or electronic, including an image displayed on a phone. You must keep proof in the vehicle at all times. Officers cannot stop you only to check for the card, but they can ask to see it during a stop for another violation.

How does fault affect my claim in Mississippi?

Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence. If you are partly at fault for a crash, your own fault does not bar your claim; instead, the jury reduces your damages in proportion to your share of fault. For example, damages would be lowered by whatever percentage of fault is attributed to you. A lawyer can explain how this applies to a claim.

Sources

• Mississippi Insurance Department - Auto Insurance
• FindLaw - Mississippi Code 83-11-101 (uninsured motorist coverage)
• FindLaw - Mississippi Code 11-7-15 (comparative negligence)