Auto Insurance Laws and Trends in MS

Mississippi follows the tort system of insurance. This means that the party who is found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for paying all medical expenses, as well as property damages incurred.

Mandatory auto insurance in Mississippi

Because of the tort system, as well as the staggering 28% rate of uninsured motorists in the state, Mississippi has mandated that all drivers purchase minimum liability limits. These limits are:

• Bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage: $25,000 per accident

Failure to provide proof of insurance will result in a $1,000 fine, as well as a one-year suspension of all driving privileges. If an individual can secure insurance, then the fine will be reduced to $100. If an individual can prove that he or she did have valid insurance at the time of the offense, then the fine and all court costs will be waived.

Mississippi teen drivers

Mississippi has one of the highest teen-crash rates in the entire country. They are consistently in the top ten. This is due to teen alcohol consumption, excessive speed, poor seat belt laws, and poor road visibility (many of the roads are tree lined).

Mississippi has implemented strict driver's licensing laws for teenagers in an effort to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Cell phones – hand-held or hands free – are prohibited and, if caught, teenagers will be subject to fines and suspension of driving privileges. The state has also implemented strict DUI laws:

• 1st offense: 90 -day suspension, $250 fine
• 2nd offense: 1 -year suspension, $500 fine
• 3rd offense: 2 -year suspension (or until age of 21), $1,000 fine, mandatory alcohol abuse program. Offenders will be prosecuted as adult and may even receive jail time.

Adding a teenager onto your auto insurance policy in Mississippi can increase your premiums anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 per year. If your teenager maintains a B average in school and completes an approved driver's training course, you can receive a discount of 10% to 15%.

Request a free quote for Mississippi auto insurance today!