Mississippi Auto Insurance Requirements
by Doug Cohen

The cost of auto insurance in the "Magnolia State" while certainly not the worst in the nation, does bear its burden on drivers in Mississippi. For this reason, one must continuously comparison shop rates to find the cheapest auto insurance you can without sacrificing quality. But before you do, know what's required versus what’s optional to help make a more informed decision. And that’s where we can help!

So what is the Mandatory Auto Insurance Law?

Mississippi requires all drivers, whether in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi or Haittiesburg to have an auto insurance policy with at least the following minimum limits.

Liability Coverage (mandatory):

$25,000 per person, for bodily injury,
$50,000 per accident, for bodily injury, and
$25,000 per accident, for damage to another’s property, usually their car.

Comprehensive (optional):
Covers physical damage to your auto that results from non-collision damage, subject often times to a deductible.

Collision (optional):
Covers damage to your car that results from a collision with another car or object, subject to a deductible.

Proof of Insurance

Mississippi drivers must carry proof of auto insurance in the car at all times in case you get stopped my law enforcement. The penalty for not having proof is $1,000 and can also subject you to suspension of your drivers license for one year or until you can provide proof that your car is insured.

Where can I find a licensed Mississippi Auto Insurance Company?

You will find a "Quote Now" box at the top of this page to help you find, first, who has the lowest price on auto insurance in Mississippi.  By simply completing this one application we will check through 15 auto insurance companies at once, and confidentially display to you the 4 cheapest quotes on auto insurance in Mississippi. We guarantee your information is secure and will never be shared with anyone else!

How and Where Can I Register my Auto (and other FAQs):

For a typical automobile (weighing less than 10,000 pounds), register the vehicle and receive your license plate from your local county Tax Collector's office. You will need to register the vehicle in the county where the vehicle is owned, or where it is parked (garaged) overnight.

If you have further questions or are still unsure what to do, you may contact the Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau (MVLB) at (601) 923-7100 and speak with a customer service representative.

How to Find the Best Auto Insurance Rates in Mississippi?

It is very important to shop for the best coverage in Mississippi at the lowest price. Let's face it, Mississippi auto insurance is not cheap. But there are many online resources that provide free quotes from licensed Mississippi insurance companies approved by the Mississippi MVLB. If you think you may be paying too much for auto insurance, Mississippi residents can save time and money by comparing car insurance quotes quickly and anonymously between all the top name auto insurance carriers simply by logging on to InstantCarInsurance.com.

Remember, the State of Mississippi requires minimum car insurance limits of 25/50/25 as long as you have a valid Mississippi auto registration. Keep this in mind when shopping for basic coverage and evaluate it against car insurance quotes with higher coverage limits for a little more money. Cheap car insurance is not always the best car insurance.

Mississippi recommends the following tips to lower your auto insurance bill:

Shopping for Automobile Insurance

Gather information you'll need before you begin to shop. Keep in mind that the cheapest deal isn't always the best deal. Real "value" is achieved by finding the right (affordable) price for you, with the most coverage, from a carrier that gives quality service.

Answer all questions truthfully and correctly. Check to see what discounts can save you money. Make sure the premium charge quotes you get are for the same term and coverage. For example, not all companies will offer the same options and deductibles. Decide what you need before shopping.

• Tips For Lowering Your Premium
• Shop around and compare prices.
• Maintain a good driving record.
• Choose the highest deductible you can afford on collision and comprehensive coverage.
• On cars with market value less than $3,000, consider carrying only liability coverage.
• Pay your premium well in advance of due date. No grace period applies to automobile insurance.
• Review your auto policy periodically and update coverage accordingly.

For parents of teen-aged drivers: If your teenagers don’t own cars, name them on your policy as occasional operators of your least expensive cars. They may be named as an occasional driver if they don’t drive to and from school or work. If they do own cars, cover them under your policy. This would also qualify you (and them) for a multi-car discount. It is important that you report actual driving habits to the company. But beware, it’s not uncommon for auto insurance companies to have juveniles automatically assigned to your most expensive car on the policy.

Check into discounts for a driver’s ed course or good academic record. If the young driver goes to school more than 150 miles away (without a car) another discount may apply.

Young singles on their own: Avoid high performance or "turbo cars." A turbo engine can add more than 15 percent to your premium.

Older people: Take a defensive-driving course that’s approved by the State Board of Education or National Safety Council. You may earn a 5 to 15 percent discount off your premium.

Ask About Discounts

Ask your agent or company if you are eligible for any other discounts. Here are some discounts you should ask about:

• Two or more cars on a policy (multi-car discount)
• Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course
• Drivers Education Courses
• Good Student Discount
• Mature Driver Discount (even between 40 and 65 years of age)
• Airbags, anti-lock braking (ABS) system, and other safety equipment discounts like Daytime Running Lights, Dual (or multiple) Airbags discounts, etc.
• Anti-theft devices like Lo-Jack, On Star, and GPS auto tracking systems
• Low Mileage Discount
• Carpool Discount
• Clean driving record Discount
• Accident free record Discount
• Auto/home insurance on same policy or with same company (Mulit-policy Discount)