Mississippi is a state with a unique blend of history and modern conveniences. There is also a lot to see and do in the Magnolia State.

Boasting such sites as the historic Fort Massachusetts and the birthplaces of both Kermit the Frog and Elvis Presley, it is no wonder that Mississippi hosts around 23 million tourists annually.

While these visitors are great for the state’s economy, combining 23 million tourists with the nearly 3 million people who call the Magnolia State home can sometimes make traffic a nightmare. This is why it’s so important to have the right car insurance provider on your side.

How do you know which company will have your back if you ever need to file a claim? Keep reading to find out some of the best ways to find the right company to help you out if you ever find yourself in a jam.

Enter your zip code on our site to start comparison shopping today.

Mississippi Car Insurance And Rates

When shopping for car insurance the first things to consider are types and amounts of coverage that the Magnolia State requires you to purchase as a responsible driver on the Mississippi roadways.

Knowing where to find the state requirements and understanding what they cost and what they cover can sometimes be overwhelming. That is where we come in.

We have collected the data from places like the Insurance Information Institute (III), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the U.S. Census Bureau to help you get the most for your money when purchasing your car insurance policy.

Keep scrolling to find out what is required by law and about all of the types of coverage offered to you in the great state of Mississippi at the best prices in town.

– Mississippi Car Culture

Taking a ride along the Natchez Trace Parkway makes it obvious why the Magnolia State is so popular to drivers and cyclists alike. The morning fog that drifts up between the trees and the quiet seclusion that the Parkway offers is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle found on I-55 or I-20.

From highway to byway, the roads in Mississippi really are laid back compared to most states though. So laid back in fact that many people simply forget to use their blinkers at intersections and crossroads.

While this behavior is fine on the back roads paved with dirt, it can cause major issues in some of the larger cities and towns that make up the Magnolia State.

Another issue is the number of large passenger vehicles and pickup trucks found on the roads in Mississippi which can make seeing around into oncoming traffic difficult when attempting to pass.

Jacked-up pickup trucks aren’t just found on rural roads either.  You can expect to see a muddied up pick-up truck throughout the stet of Mississippi from Tishomingo to Jackson.

No matter what you drive or where you are headed in the Magnolia State, if you are driving a car you are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance coverage.

– Minimum Coverage in Mississippi

According to NOLO, all drivers in the Magnolia State are required to maintain the minimum coverage amounts:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage for bodily injury and/or death of one person in an accident which is caused by the owner or driver of the vehicle.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage for total bodily injury and/or death of all persons in an accident which is caused by the owner or driver of the vehicle.
• $25,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner or driver of the insured vehicle.

NOLO also notes that :

Mississippi vehicle owners can also post a bond in these same amounts, or make an equivalent cash of secirity deposit at these minimums in order to demonstrate financial responsibility.

If you chose to ignore the law and drive without insurance you could be subject to a misdemeanor conviction, a fine of up to $500, and a license suspension for up to one year.

– Forms of Financial Responsibility

According to the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration (HCMVA), as a general condition for operating a motor vehicle on any state’s roadways is acceptance of, and agreement to, the financial responsibility statutes put forth by that state.

In Mississippi, these statutes require that a driver must have proof of insurance in the vehicle that they are driving at all times.

Mississippi Statues allow drivers to carry the following forms of financial responsibility (proof of insurance):

• A paper copy of your car insurance ID card which is usually mailed to you or available to print through your car insurance provider’s website.
• An e-insurance card which can be accessed in electronic format as an image on a cell phone, tablet, or another electronic device.
• Proof of a Surety Bond in the same amount as the minimum liability requirements.
• A Self-Insurance Certificate which informs the requesting party that you have made a cash or security deposit that is equal to the minimum state requirements for car insurance.

Surety Bonds and Self-Insurance Certificates are an unusual way to go about maintaining financial responsibility which makes navigating the ins and outs of them difficult sometimes.

One of the major differences is that Self-Insurance Certificates and Surety Bonds are issued by the state rather than a car insurance provider. These certificates must include the following information:

• The effective date of the certificate
• The name of the driver covered by the certificate
• The make and model of the covered vehicle’A certificate number
• The certificate number
• The name of the company that issued the bond
• The Bond number
• the name of the driver on the bond.

If you choose to go the more traditional route then your paper insurance ID card and/or e-insurance card must have the following information on it:

• The name of the insurance company
• The policy number
• The effective dates
• the make, model, and VIN of the covered vehicle
• The name of the person(s) covered by the policy
• Insurance agent contact information

These forms of financial responsibility must be produced upon the request made by law enforcement should you ever be in an accident or get pulled over.

If you fail to show proper proof of insurance you could be subject to:

• First violation– a $300 fine
• Second violation– a $400 fine
• Third violation– a $500 fine

Violations after the third one could result in a suspension of your driver’s license for up to a year.

– Premiums as a Percentage of Income

Knowing what the state requires and how you can prove that you are in compliance with the law is only part of what you need to know when purchasing car insurance. The most important part of most people is knowing how much they will spend in the process.

The typical resident of the Magnolia State spends around 3.05 percent of their annual disposable income on car insurance premiums.

With a per capita disposable income of $31,365 per year earned by each resident of the Magnolia State, and $994.05 of that being spent to maintain insurance coverage on your vehicle this means that in average $83 is spent on car insurance from a monthly budget of $2,614.

Car insurance rates have been slowly and steadily creeping up in Mississippi over the last few years as well which is why it is so important to get the best price for your car insurance policy.

Thes savings are doubly important when you consider that Mississippi is slightly over the national average expenditure amount for car insurance which the Insurance Information Institute places at $935.80.

Residents of the Magnolia State are luckier than their neighbors in Louisiana though.  Residents there pay just over $1,300 for their car insurance premiums.  Residents of Tennesse might boast that they are the luckiest of all though because on average residents there only pay around $856 a year in car insurance.

Mississippians know better though.  Nothing can replace the smell of fresh magnolia blooms drifting on the crisp spring air or the laid back feeling that friends and neighbors have when sharing the road.

The beauty of magnolias and bragging rights over Louisiana aside, spending $995 a tear n average for car insurance could make you feel like you’re being treated like a red-headed stepchild.

You can avoid this by choosing the right car insurance provider who can help you understand exactly which types of car insurance coverage are for you.

– Core Coverage

Knowing what is required of you as a car owner in the Magnolia State can help you get the most for your money when you go to buy car insurance. Knowing your options and what these options will cost can go a long way too.

Rates in the table above reflect market prices for 2015 so rates for 2019 might be slightly higher. No matter how much rates might fluctuate though, shopping around and educating yourself on the car insurance requirements in the Magnolia State can go a long way towards saving you money.

Like all good investments, taking the time to do the background research can really pay off over the long haul. Understanding when and if you might need additional liability coverage on your vehicle can also pay big dividends.

– Additional Liability

While the Magnolia State may only require you to carry bodily injury liability and property damage coverage, looking into additional coverage options is always a good idea.  Some of the most popular options are:

• Collision-This type of coverage can help pay to repair or replace your car if it is damaged in an accident.
• Comprehensive-This coverage type protects you in case of an animal strike, natural disaster, or another total loss event.
• MedPay–This will cover the medical payments of all passengers in a vehicle that are injured in an accident. This includes the ambulance ride and treatment.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist-This coverage protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who isn’t carrying liability insurance.
• Personal Injury Protection-If you have this type of coverage it can help pay for lost wages and medical payments regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

When deciding which additional liability insurance types might be right for you it helps to consider the loss ratios of the companies that you are considering. Below are the loss ratio trends for Mississippi as a whole which can give you an indication of how the car insurance market in Mississippi is doing on the whole.

The table above contains data collected by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and what it reveals is that while there is room for a bit of improvement in the car insurance market of the great state of Mississippi over all the market is faring pretty well.

How can you tell as a consumer?  You can tell by understanding what the loss ratio means to you before you buy into the market.

The loss ratio works as follows:

• A High Loss Ratio (over 100 percent) indicates that the companies are losing money because they are paying out to many claims which might cause them to face bankruptcy.
• A Low Loss Ratio indicates that companies are paying to few claims which might result in you having your claim rejected by such a company should ever need to file one with them.

Putting this into context using the loss ratios for the Magnolia State means that because they are all below 100 percent, but not below 50 percent, the market is stable.  This stability could help you is you ever need to file a claim.

This is good to know considering that around 24 percent of drivers on Mississippi roadways are uninsured. Having an uninsured motorist bump into you in traffic could become a real headache if you don’t have the right car insurance provider on your side.

Keep reading to find out what else you can do to protect you and yours should you be involved in an accident with another driver whether or not they are covered by car insurance.

– Add-ons and Endorsements

Now that you know what the state requires and what additional types of liability coverage is available to you in the Magnolia State, it is time to start thinking about how to cater your policy to your lifestyle. This is where add-ons and endorsements come in.

Understanding what each type of add-on or endorsement is, and how each one protects you in case of an accident, can help make decisions about which ones are right for you easier.

Typical add-ons and endorsements include:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)–If your car is ever totaled or stolen GAP will pay any money that is remains owed on the lease or loan.
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)–When your underlying liability limits have been reached PUP kicks in to help protect you from lawsuits which may result from an auto accident.
• Rental Reimbursement–Should you ever need to leave your car in the shop, rental reimbursement will help you pay the costs of renting a car until your repairs are finished.
• Emergency Roadside Assistance–This is just what it sounds like. If your car breaks down or you have a flat emergency roadside assistance will be there for you to pay for the cost of roadside repairs or a tow if need be.
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance–This type of coverage helps pay for the cost of repairs to your car which did not result from an accident.
• Non-Owner Car Insurance–Don’t own a car, but still drive on occasion? This type of coverage is perfect for you then because it provides you with limited liability coverage even if the car you are driving isn’t registered to you.
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage–If a basic model just isn’t your style then modified car insurance should be. This type of insurance covers most modifications made to your vehicle that may not be covered by your general policy should you be involved in an accident.
• Classic Car Insurance–Just like a classic car needs special attention when it comes to its car and maintenance it also needs a special kind of insurance. Classic Car Insurance coverage helps ensure that if something happens to baby you both will be well protected. This type of insurance typically costs less as well since classic cars are generally not driven as much as their contemporary counterparts.
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance–This type of coverage is based on the way you drive. The insurance provider takes into account your speed, distance traveled, and other such factors and issues discounts based on that information.

Not all insurance providers will offer all of these options so be sure to ask your agent about the ones that you want before signing on the dotted line.

The type of car that you drive, the modifications that you have made to it, and whether or not you trust your mechanic skills in the event of a roadside emergency are not the only things that you should think about when looking for the right car insurance provider.

Sometimes just being who you are can cost you a few dollars extra on y our rates if you don’t shop around.

– Male Vs. Female Rates

In 2017 Consumer Federation of America conducted an interesting study when it came to the difference in price that men and women pay for car insurance rates.

What they found was:

That 40-year-old women were most likely to be charged more than men, and 60-year-old women were also penalized more often, facing higher premiums than their male counterparts in 58% of the instances in which companies used a driver’s sex to alter rates.

Gender isn’t the only thing that can impact your rates either. Sometimes just saying “I do” can raise or lower your rates, and so can having another birthday.

Looking at the table reveals that Mississippi treats men and women pretty equally when it comes to setting their car insurance rates even though it doesn’t have specific laws on the books requiring that car insurance companies forego using this factor as a determinant in setting car insurance rates.

That’s just Southern Hospitality for ya then.

No matter how polite Mississippians are you are still going to pay more if you are a teen driver though.

You might also be asked to pay more depending on the neighborhood that you call home too.

– Cheapest Rates by Zip Code

There is no denying that Southerners are some of the most neighborly people you will ever come across. Residents of Mississippi are no different.

Always there to lend a helping hand, sit tea on the porch with you, or share the latest recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie, you can always count on your neighbors to be warm and welcoming in the Magnolia State.

Sometimes what they do behind the wheel could end up costing you when it comes time to buy car insurance though.

Take a look at the table below to see how much.

Looking at the neighborhoods that surround the state’s capital Jackson illustrates how just moving a few blocks in one direction or the other could impact your car insurance rate.

A search of the zip codes that make up Jackson and its suburbs reveals that residents of Bradie pay around $60 more than their neighbors who reside in New Bryam.

Your neighborhood isn’t the only thing that could impact your rates though. Keep scrolling to see how the town you call home can cost you too.

– Cheapest Rates by City

Most Southerners love their home towns and Mississippi residents are no exception. From the Dudie Burger Festival held in Tupelo to the Pecan Festival in Beaumont, residents of the Magnolia State love to celebrate home town traditions as well.

Mississippians also love saving money which is why it is a good idea to know just what the carriers in your favorite neck of the woods are charging for car insurance. That’s where we can help. Take a look at the table below to see what the going rate is in the city that you love.

Looking at the cost of car insurance premiums by city, it is interesting to note that even though Jackson is the largest city in the Magnolia State it is not the one with the highest rates. That honor goes to Hermanville which only has a population of around 1,600 people.

Starkville, which has a population of about 25,000 people, also has lower rates than Hermanville.

Starkville residents can expect to pay average car insurance rates that are over $1,000 less than the residents of Hermanville will pay. Jackson residents are also paying about $400 less than the people who live in  Hermanville and its outlying areas.

Sometimes bigger is better just because there is more competition in the market.

Bigger companies also have more claims though which could raise your car insurance rates which is why it is so important to find the car insurance provider that is best for you.

Best Mississippi Car Insurance Companies

The bigger they are the harder they can fall sometimes. This is why it is so important to understand how the biggest car insurance companies on the Mississippi car insurance market are doing.

With so many car insurance providers to choose from in the Magnolia State, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between them. We are are here to help you with that by collecting all of the data you need and putting it in one convenient place.

– Largest Companies Finacial Rating

Choosing the right provider means understanding just which companies in your area are the best at what they do. You don’t have to do this on your own.

We have looked at the ratings of the 10 largest companies in the Magnolia State and how they have been rated by AM Best.

As the only worldwide credit agency to have a particular focus on the insurance industry, AM Best has become the most trusted agency to use when determining the overall health and viability of insurance providers globally.

Looking at the ratings that they have given the top 10 largest car insurance companies in the Magnolia State can give you an indication of the likelihood that you claim would be denied if you should ever need to file one.

Those companies with the best ratings are less likely to reject your claim or go bankrupt which means that competition is strong and rates are fairly good on the Mississippi car insurance market.

– Companies with Best Ratings

AM Best has rated the largest car insurance companies in the Magnolia and found that the market overall is strong. They are not the only ones keeping an eye on car insurance markets though.

JD Power has also been watching out for you, and what they have found is that customer satisfaction among customers of automobile insurance is at a record high.

As encouraging as the study from JD Power is, not all customers in Mississippi are satisfied with their car insurance purchase.

– Companies with the Most Complaints

When choosing the right car insurance provider you should consider just how many complaints have been filed against each one of your choices. This is where the complaint ratio comes in.

This ratio can tell you where each of the car insurance providers in your area stands in relation to their competitors in more ways than just how many complaints have been filed against them when the data is put in context.

Part of deciphering this meaning is understanding how the complaint ratio works.

The baseline for the complaint ratio is 1.0. This means that a company with a complaint ratio of 1.0 has an average number of complaints. The higher the complaint ratio the higher the number of complaints lodged against the company then.

Below is a list of the top 10 best car insurance companies in Mississippi along with their complaint ratios so that you can see how each one compares.

Looking at the data may make it seem as if Liberty Mutual Group is a company to be avoided. This company has a great loss ratio though which means that it is highly likely to pay out your claim should you ever need to file one.

Should you ever need to file a complaint against your car insurance provider the Mississippi Insurance Department has a few ways that you can do so.

• You can file a complaint online at their website.
• Or you can download a printable copy of the proper forms and mail them to the Mississippi Insurance Department, Attn: Consumer Services Division, P.O. Box 79, Jackson, MS, 39205
• You can also fax these form to 601-359-1077
• Or you can send an email to consumer@mid.ms.gov

Now that you are beginning to understand what the loss ratio and complaint ratio mean to your wallet when purchasing your car insurance policy it is time to start comparing rates.

– Cheapest Companies in Mississippi

From flea markets to yard sales, Mississippians are always on the hunt for a good bargain. Residents of the Magnolia State also pride themselves on their ability to find great deals. When it comes to purchasing your car insurance policy we are here to help you with that.

Take a look at the table below to see who the cheapest car insurance companies in the Magnolia State are.

These numbers tell you just how much purchasing power you have when shopping for car insurance in Mississippi. It is also important to know just how each of these car insurance providers determines your rates once you become their customer.

Sometimes your rates can be determined on how far you drive and in other cases, the price of your premiums is determined by how much coverage you purchase you the type of car you drive. Keep reading to find out just which factors might cause you the most concern.

– Commute Rate by Company

The more you drive the higher your chances of having an accident are. This is why car insurance companies look at the length of your commute as they begin to set your rates.

Comparing the annual rates based on commute distances in Mississippi can help you figure out just what you will pay. Take a look at the table below to see who is the cheapest company based on the miles you put behind you each year.

Looking at the numbers reveals that if you have a long commute it could cost you almost $800 more a year than a short one will if you choose to go with Liberty Mutual. If you chose USAA then the commute might only cost you about $60 extra.

Just remember that the more time you spend on the road the higher your chances are of getting in an accident and being forced to file a claim. This means that you will want to choose a cheap company that has a good loss ratio as well.

The length of your commute and the loss ratio are just two factors to consider when shopping for car insurance. You will also want to think about your coverage level as well.

– Coverage Level Rates by Company

If you thinking about adding more liability coverage to your policy one of the things that you will want to consider is who has the best price for those types of options. The table below can help you sort t hat out.

As you can tell from the table, the more coverage you purchase the higher your rates will be. That should make you shy away from purchasing options like comprehensive or collision though.

You never know what mother nature or the hands of fate will bring you so it is always best to be prepared.

Part of being prepared means understanding that older cars may not need as much coverage as that brand spanking new car fresh off the lot. It also means keeping an eye on things like your driving record and your credit score.

– Credit History Rates by Company

In 2015 Consumer Reports released an article that came as a shock to many people looking to purchase their car insurance policy. What this article revealed was that car insurance companies were looking at their customers’ credit scores as a means for determining car insurance rates.

Take a look at the table below to see how this could impact you as a shop for the best price on car insurance.

One of the reasons that people with good credit scores get better car insurance rates is because car insurance companies assume that people with higher credit ratings are less likely to submit a claim should they become involved in an accident.

Your credit score isn’t the only thing that you might need to clean up in order to get a better rate for car insurance. Your driving record is also considered so it is best to keep it as clean as possible.

Keep scrolling to find out just how much being a safe driver in the Magnolia State can save you.

– Driving Record Rates by Company

In Mississippi what you do behind the wheel really makes a difference in the lives of yourself and your fellow drivers. It also has a huge impact on your wallet. Just one speeding ticket or car accident could leave you paying big bucks on car insurance for years.

Just because Mississippi does not have a point system like most states doesn’t mean that you can drive like a maniac and get away with it.

According to the Mississippi Department of Safety, tickets go on your record and are accessible to potential employers as well as to insurance companies.

This means that it is not just car insurance companies who can find out what you have been up to behind the wheel.

Just one DUI could cost you hundreds of dollars on average no matter which car insurance provider you choose. Putting the pedal to the medal will also leave a sizeable dent in your wallet.

If either one of these things leads to an accident then the costs could be more than just monetary so slow down and always designate a driver.

Now that you have discovered how much money you could lose by marking up your credit score of driving record its time to consider why bigger isn’t always better when it comes to choosing which car insurance provider is right for you.

– Largest Car Insurance Companies in Mississippi

We have looked at how things like your commute rate and the loss ratios and complaint ratios can impact your rates. Now it is time to consider how a company’s market share can also make a difference.

Market share is the percentage of the overall market that is controlled by a single company.

The table above also included the Direct Premiums Written because new policies are the most direct driver of growth for car insurance companies according to Investopedia.

Looking at the Direct Premiums Written by State Farm which holds over 25 percent of the market share in comparison to the Direct Premiums Written by Shelter Insurance Group which holds just around 3 percent reveals that the car insurance market in Mississippi is both stable and poised for strong future growth.

Strong growth translates into lower premiums overall.

– Number of Insurers by State

Strong growth potential attracts new competitors to the car insurance market. The more competitors there are trying to win your business the lower your car insurance premiums will be.

Here are 15 domestic insurance providers in the state of Mississippi and 907 foreign ones. This means that you have 922 providers to choose from as you shop for the best rates and coverage in the Magnolia State.

What is the difference between a foreign or domestic provider?

• A Domestic insurer means is one which has been formed under the laws of the state of Mississippi.
• A Foreign insurer means is one which has been formed under the laws of any state, district, territory, or commonwealth of the United States other than the state of Mississippi.

Both types of insurers must follow all laws and statues put forth by the Mississippi Legislature and various other governing bodies which regulate car insurance in the Magnolia state so it really is up to you which to choose which type that you feel the most comfortable doing business with.

Dealing with either type is easier after an accident if you know the laws that they are formed under. Keep reading to get a brief overview of them in the next section.

Mississippi State Laws

Maneuvering through the legal lingo and various state laws that regulate car insurance in the Magnolia State can be time-consuming and frustrating. We are here to help.

We have researched the laws and regulation and provided you with an overview of the most pertinent information below. Keep reading to discover how a good grasp of Mississippi car insurance and driving laws could save you money on the purchase of your car insurance policy.

– Car Insurance Laws

We have already told you that the state of Mississippi requires all drivers to carry minimum amounts of car insurance before taking to the open road in the Magnolia State. There is a lot more to the laws that govern car insurance and its uses in Mississippi though.

Car insurance is required for registering your vehicle, getting your driving permit, and it is a privilege, not a right, according to Mississippi law.

The privilege of driving in the great state of Mississippi can be taken away in an instant if you don’t know or follow the prescribed laws that pertain to insurance and safety. Keep scrolling to find out what some of these are.

– How Laws are Determined

The Mississippi Insurance Department, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and the State Legislature all work closely to ensure that the laws which govern car insurance and highway safety protect all of the residents in the Magnolia State.

The Mississippi Department of Insurance also sets certain types of drivers in the Magnolia State such as Transportation Network drivers and commercial drivers as those who must purchase specific types of coverage.

Knowing what is expected of you as a driver based in how you use your car, or what type of car you drive, can save a lot of headaches if you are ever pulled over or involved in an accident.

– Windshield Coverage

One of the biggest questions that Mississippi drivers have is whether is not their windshield is covered by their car insurance policy should it become damaged as a result of road debris or falling objects.

According to Carwindshield.org, if you should need to have your car windshield replaced:

Aftermarket Crash Parts…may be used, if the insurer stste so on the estimate.

Insurers do not have to require that the repairs be done at a specific repair shop either.

Be aware that if you chose a different vendor than your car insurance provider recommends you could be responsible for paying the difference in costs.

Mississippi state law also requires that all vehicles on the road in the Magnolia State have a windshield unless they were not originally manufactured with on.

The driver’s field of vision must also be clear of obstruction, and only ono-reflective tint may be used on the windshield above the AS-1 line.

Chips in the windshield cannot obstruct the driver’s view either, and multiple chips or areas of shattering are not allowed by law.

Filing a claim for a cracked, chipped, or broken windshield may raise your rates but it is a small price to pay for safety.

– High-Risk Insurance

To many tickets, accidents, or insurance claims could leave you sitting in the high-risk category when it comes to purchasing car insurance.

If you find yourself in the high-risk category then purchasing car insurance could prove difficult. The state of Mississippi knows this so in an effort to ensure that all residents of the Magnolia State who are eligible have access to car insurance ut has established the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan (MAIARP).

According to the Mississippi Insurance Department:

The Mississippi Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan…is an agreement among insurance companies for granting automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance to risks unable to secure it for themselves.

This means that if you live in the Magnolia State and you need car insurance the state has worked with car insurers to help you get it.

For more information on the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan you can request assistance from the Mississippi Insurance Department the following ways:

• Email– consumer@mid.ms.gov
• Fax- Send your fax to601-359-1077
• In Person– You can visit the office located at Woolfolk State Office Building, 10th Floor, 501 North West Street, Jackson, MS.
• By Mail-You can send your request through snail mail to the Mississippi Insurance Department, Consumer Services Division, P.O. Box 79, Jackson, MS, 39205

With all of this help, there really is no reason to drive without car insurance in the Magnolia State.

– Low-Cost Insurance

While the state of Mississippi does have a specific plan for drivers in the high-risk pool it does not have a specific option for those who might find themselves unable to purchase car insurance due to financial constraints.

What the Mississippi Insurance Department does have is an entire page dedicated to helping you understand how to get the best policy possible for the lowest price.

You should also ask your agent or contact the Mississippi Insurance Department if you qualify for the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan (MAIARP).

– Automobile Insurance Fraud in Mississippi

Just because you are following the letter of the law when it comes to purchasing and maintaining your car insurance does not mean that everyone else is.

Sometimes unscrupulous people think that they have found a way to make a buck off the backs of others by committing insurance fraud. Some of the ways that this can occur are:

• Pocketing-This is when your agent pockets the money that you have paid for your car insurance policy instead of turning it into the company.
• Sliding-This occurs when an agent adds more expensive aspects of coverage into the policy unbeknownst to the policyholder in order to make more commission.
• False Claims-This is when someone intentionally files a claim for damages not incurred in the way that it was claimed.
• Vendor Fraud-This occurs when a repair shop or other repair vendor adds in costs for repairs that are unnecessary or were the result if a previous incident.
• Medical Cost Fraud-WHen your doctor charges for treatments that did not occur, or that were unnecessary, so that he can make more money he is committing fraud.
• False Reporting-If you knowingly give your agent, the doctors, the repair shop or vendor, or anyone else involved in your car insurance claim or policy false information you are committing fraud.

Penalties for committing insurance fraud in the Magnolia state could include fines and jail time.

If you feel that you or someone you know has been the victim of insurance fraud you should contact one of the following agencies to report it:

• The Mississippi Insurance Department at  800-562-2957
• The Insurance Integrity Enforcement Bureau of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office at 888-528-5780

Reporting insurance fraud helps keep the costs of car insurance down by cutting out the overhead paid by consumers for the loss incurred because of the actions of others.

– Statutes of Limitations

As with all claims, there are statutes of limitations when it comes to filing a car insurance claim.

In the Magnolia State, you have 3 years from the date of the incident to file an insurance claim for personal injury or you forfeit your right to do so forever.

Mississippi does not have a cap on damages in personal injury cases either but does require that you file within the allotted time period.

Be aware that injury claims which are filed against the Mississippi government must be filed within 90 days. These types of claims must be filed with the state’s Attorney General.

– Mississippi Specific Driving Laws

Most states have unique driving laws and Mississippi is no exception. Sometimes these driving laws are statewide, and sometimes they are just local.

For instance, in Brandon, it is illegal to block the progress of a pedestrian with your pick-up truck. Kinda makes you wonder how many times the wealthiest man in town had his walkway obstructed before he complained to city hall huh?

In Oxford, you can’t cruise around the town square more than 100 times in a single go or you will be breaking the law.

The Magnolia State doesn’t just have obscure laws. The state legislature is passing new laws every day which regulate everything from seat belt use to which lane you drive in. Keep reading to find out more.

– Vehicle Licensing Laws

In an effort to keep everyone on the road safe the state of Mississippi has enacted legislation which mandates that all motorized vehicles on the roadways in the Magnolia State be registered.

If you are a new resident to Mississippi you have 60 days to register your vehicle in the MAh=gnolia state unless you are exempted because you are active duty military or you are an out-of-state college student.

If you are exempted you must still maintain car insurance and valid registration from your home state on your motor vehicle to be in compliance with Mississippi State laws.

In order to register your vehicle in the Magnolia State, you must present:

• A valid state driver’s license
• The title of the vehicle and/or lien paperwork
• Your out-of-state registration paperwork
• An odometer reading for the car

To register your vehicle in the Magnolia State you need to go to your local tax office unless the vehicle is over 10,000 pound GVW.

Failure to maintain a valid vehicle registration could result in result in financial and legal penalties.

– Real ID

Driving with an expired tag is not the only way to get in trouble with the law on Mississippi roadways.

The Magnolia State also requires that all drivers who operate a motor vehicle in Mississippi be licensed through the state unless exempted because of military service or college attendance.

If you are military personnel who claimes residency in another state, or you are a college student from out of state, you are still required to have a valid driver’s license from your home state to drive your car in Mississippi though.

If you are a new resident who is not a tourist, active duty personnel, or out-of-state college student then you have 30 days from the time of established residency to change over your license over.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau has generously provided a list of Driver’s License Office locations for residents of the Magnolia State on its website to make things as convenient as possible for you.

If you are over 18 years old and want to become a licensed driver in Mississippi you will need to bring the following to one of these locations:

• Proof of Insurance
• The completed Driver’s License Application Form
• Two proof of residency documents
• Your original birth certificate
• Your out-of-stet driver’s license if applicable

Once at a licensing office, you must also pass the vision screening. A written test or road test might also be required if this is your first time getting your license.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also has an online portal for drivers to renew their license, request a driving record, or pay fees related to licensing.

If you are a Non-U.S. Citizen then Magnolia State also requires that you bring the following to obtain your driver’s license:

• Your birth certificate which has been translated by an approved translator or stet-run university
• Your passport
• Your I-94 print out
• Proof of address
• And your alien residency card if applicable

The Magnolia State also participates in the REAL ID program. This means that according to the Department of Homeland Security:

Federal Agencies can accept driver’s licenses and identifucation cards from Mississippi at federal facilities and nuclear power plants.

There are penalties for driving without a license in Mississippi as well.

Some of these include:

• A fine of between 4200 to $500 and/or jail for 2 to 6 month
• a fine of $5 to $250 if you have a valid driver’s license but it is not on your person when operating a motor vehicle

Why lose money on such an easy thing as carrying your license with you though?

– Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Just like there are penalties for driving without a license there are penalties for driving without car insurance in the Magnolia State.

Being caught behind the wheel without proper car insurance coverage in Mississippi will result in a fine of $1000 and could see your driving privileges suspended for a year for your first offense.

You can protect yourself from people who choose to drive without car insurance by adding uninsured/underinsured motorist to your policy for just a few dollars more on your premiums.

– Teen Driving Laws

Just as there are laws and regulations for getting and keeping your regular license in Mississippi there are also specific laws that deal with teenage drivers in the Magnolia State.

Some of these laws deal with the graduated licensing process in Mississippi that teenaged drivers must navigate on the way to their freedom of the open road.

AAA has listed the stages of the graduated licensing program in the Magnolia State as follows:

• Learner’s Permit-at this stage the driver must be 14 if they will use the permit for driver’s education, but they must provide proof of enrollment. If they are not enrolled in a driver’s education program they must wait until age 15 and then present themselves to the local driver exam office for vision and written testing.  These teen drivers will not be permitted to drive without a licensed driver who is 21 years old or older in the front seat.
• Intermediate License-At age 16 the teen driver can apply for this type of license if they have had their learner’s permit for at least 12 months. They cannot drive between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday or between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday through Thursday unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older.
• Unrestricted License-When the driver turns 16 1/2 they may drive unrestricted if they can prove enrollment in school and have no prior offenses.

– Older Drivers

No one likes to admit it but we are all getting older. As we age our ability to do certain things deteriorates as well. This can often lead to a loss of independence which can be frustrating.

If you have been driving all of your life and suddenly objects begin to scar you or you find yourself in one too many near misses it might be time to think about hanging up your keys.

If you still want to hold onto your independence a bit longer though then the Mayo Clinic offers the following tips for staying safe behind the wheel:

• Stay physically active because the more physically active you are the more cognitively active you are.
• Schedule and keep regular hearing and vision test appointments.
• Put your cellphone out of sight and out of mind.
• Drive when road conditions are favorable and only if you are feeling up to it mentally and physically

All of these things can keep you safe for years to come.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that if you are a resident of the Magnolia State who is an older driver you can renew your driver’s license every 4-8 years depending on what you opted into when you renewed it the last time.

You can also renew your driver’s license online every other renewal.

– New Residents

The application for a driver’s license if you are a new resident to the Magnolia State are the same as those for anyone 18 years of age or older who is applying for their first license.

The only difference in the procedure is that you will be asked to bring your license from your previous state of residence for surrender to the Department of Public Safety in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has a FAQ page for any new resident who is still confused as to where to go or what to bring with them.

 – Licensing Renewal Procedures

The Magnolia State does not allow for mail-in renewal of your driver’s license.  It does allow you to pay a difference in fees to determine whether you would like your renewal period to be every four or eight years though.

NO matter which time limit you choose you will be required to maintain a valid driver’s license in order to operate your motor vehicle legally on the Mississippi roadways.

Unless you are a teen driver your renewal options and periods are the same regardless of age according to AAA.

If you let your driver’s license expire you have 18 months to renew it for a fee before you have to start the whole process over again.

AAA also states that:

Any person in the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents who are out of state due to military service at the time of expiration may renew the license any time within 90 days after being discharged from such military service or upon returning to the state.

With the convenience of renewing online, why would you let your driver’s license expire at all?

– Negligent Operator Treatment System

There is no point system in the Magnolia State. That doesn’t mean that driving without care won’t cost you.

There are fines and penalties for various types of moving violations, and you could even have your driver’s license suspended or revoked.

Some of the major moving violations in the state of Mississippi include:

• DUI which includes both drugged and drunk driving offenses
• Reckless driving
• Inadequate or non-existent car insurance coverage

– Rules of the Road

As with all states, there are rules of the road in Mississipi. Knowing what they are could help you save time and money when it comes to shopping for car insurance.

Knowing what is required to be a responsible driver in the Magnolia State can also help you keep your fellow citizens safe and your rates down.

Keep scrolling to find out all you need to know to be a well-informed shopper and driver as you look for your policy and hit the open road.

– No-Fault vs At-Fault

When you are looking for the right car insurance provider you will inevitably come across the terms “no-fault” and “at-fault,” but what do these terms mean?