Mississippi Car Insurance (Coverage, Companies, & More)

Known as the home to the largest river in the U.S. and as the Catfish Capital of the U.S., Mississippi is a state full of outdoor adventures. While it doesn’t get extremely cold in Mississippi, the state is known to have hot temperatures, rainy seasons, and tornadoes. So what is the best way to protect yourself on the road from these elements?

We know that researching car laws is a very time-consuming and daunting task. We’ve put together a detailed, comprehensive list of everything you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones while you travel on the road.

This article will provide you with information to answer all your car insurance questions about car laws, road laws, and requirements in Mississippi. So, keep reading to find out everything you need to know to make the best, cheapest car insurance decisions today!

Get started right now with our free rate calculator! Just enter your ZIP code above to start comparison shopping to find the best and cheapest price in your area now.

How much are auto insurance rates in Mississippi?

Do you need to have car insurance in Mississippi? The answer is yes.

The state of Mississippi requires every vehicle, whether it’s a fully operating vehicle, a broken-down vehicle, and/or a vehicle not being driven and just sitting in your driveway, to have car insurance.

There are a lot of factors that affect the price of your car insurance. Some of the factors that car insurance providers look at is your age, your driving record, where you live, your credit score, and more.

In Mississippi, the average cost for car insurance is $1,584. The national average cost for car insurance is $1,311.

If you’re having trouble finding cheap car insurance because you don’t have a clean driving record or a good credit history, make sure to look into insurance discounts.

Many auto insurance companies offer discounts for taking defensive driving courses, good student discounts, and usage-based insurance discounts.

A usage-based insurance program uses a mobile app or plug-in device to monitor your driving habits and rewards you with a discount for driving safely.

Some companies offer a discount if your car has anti-theft devices or certain safety features.

Additional discounts may be available, so make sure to ask any auto insurance provider you’re considering about your options so you can secure the lowest rates possible.

Why is Mississippi car insurance expensive? Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know, whether you are a resident of Mississippi or just driving through.

We know that insurance is confusing and an extremely daunting task, so we did the work for you, and have all answered all the questions you need about Mississippi car insurance.

Mississippi’s Car Culture

With its beautiful scenery and rich history, Mississippi has two main highways, I-55 and I-20, that will get you anywhere you need to go throughout the state. The open roads and lack of traffic make traveling a breeze.

However, this known “openness” on the roads has led to higher than the national average numbers of speeding, DUIs, and accidents.

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What are the minimum requirements for insurance in Mississippi?

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), in Mississippi, you are required by law to have bodily injury liability coverage (BI) and property damage liability coverage (PD), in the amounts of 25/50/25.

The minimum liability coverage numbers mean:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person that is injured in an accident you caused
• $50,000 for total bodily injury liability for multiple people that were injured in an accident you caused
• $25,000 for injury or destruction of property that you caused

Liability coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other costs of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who are injured or have their vehicle damaged in a car accident you cause, up to these coverage limits (25/50/25). Some important things to remember when looking at these coverage numbers are:

• These are the minimum coverages that a driver must have by state law
• If the amount were to exceed what is covered, you are personally responsible for the costs and must pay out of pocket if you caused the accident
• These coverage amounts only apply to the person/people whose car you hit and not to the damages of your vehicle

Mississippi has two other options to fulfill this required minimum car insurance coverage, which are:

1. An indemnity bond that guarantees payments in amounts and under the same circumstances as required in a motor vehicle liability policy
2. Deposit cash or securities in the amount of $15,000 to the State Treasurer

What happens if you are caught driving without car insurance?

The Mississippi Insurance Department states that not having car insurance or failing to maintain insurance results in a $1,000 fine and a suspension of your driving privileges for one year, or until the motor vehicle owner shows proof of insurance

If you cause a car accident and you don’t have insurance, you are financially responsible for all of the damages the other person suffered from the car accident.

This means that you must pay all medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and possibly mental pain and suffering. You can legally be sued to pay for all of these things.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

The State of Mississippi strictly enforces that anyone operating a motor vehicle must have proof of insurance readily available. The following are acceptable forms of proof of insurance, also known as proof of financial responsibility:

• Insurance ID Card
• Certificate of your insurance policy
• Certificate of Deposit showing cash or security deposited to the State Treasurer in the amount of $15,000
• Proof of your bond
• Electronic proof of insurance

Electronic proof of insurance is a valid form that satisfies the proof of insurance law in every state except New Mexico, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. However, not every insurance company provider has electronic formats available.

This is something you would have to discuss with your insurance provider. Typically if your insurance carrier has a mobile app, they support electronic formats.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

Look at your tax forms — your income is one of the factors that affect the price of your insurance premium. The average income per household in the State of Mississippi is $31,365.

This means that on average, most citizens of Mississippi make $2,613.75 per month after taxes.

Of this average yearly income, this means that three percent of your income goes to pay car insurance premiums.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (iii), many factors determine car premium rates. The most common factors are where you live in your state, your age, your gender, your driving record, how much you use your car, and the make and model of your car.

Let’s take a closer look at how the cost of premiums in Mississippi compares to the cost of premiums in surrounding states:

Mississippi has some of the highest car insurance premiums in its region. The only state with a higher car premium rate is Louisiana.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in MS (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

How much does Mississippi car insurance coverage cost?

In Mississippi, residents pay an average of $944.05 per year for car insurance coverage. The national average cost for car insurance is $1,009.38 per year.

That number only covers certain things. The more coverage you have, the more your insurance bill will be, but more coverage gives you and your loved ones more peace of mind, and it’s not extremely expensive.

The following table from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIA) states the average cost of car insurance coverage in Mississippi by coverage type.

These numbers from the NAIC are based on Mississippi’s state minimum car insurance requirements. The minimum is bodily injury liability plus property damage liability. However, the minimum coverage sometimes is not enough.

Many drivers choose to add comprehensive insurance and collision insurance to their policies. The combination of liability, comprehensive, and collision is called a full-coverage policy.

There are more coverage options you should consider as well.

Additional Coverage

There is a wide range of add-on coverage options that you should consider since Mississippi has the second-highest number of uninsured drivers in the U.S.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 23.7 percent of all drivers in Mississippi are without insurance or are underinsured and don’t have enough coverage.

If you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could end up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket to fix the vehicle or vehicles involved. The following table from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) shows how much money is being lost to injury protection:

A loss ratio shows how much a company spends on the types of claims compared to how much money they take in from premiums. A loss ratio of 70 means that the insurance company spends $70 on claims out of every $100 earned in premiums.

The closer the ratio is to 100, the more the claims are paid. However, this also means that insurance companies are losing money. A loss ratio of 60 – 70 is in the safe zone.

From the table, you can see that insurance companies in Mississippi are not doing the best when it comes to managing their loss ratios. This unsteadiness is one of the factors that affect premium rates and coverage rates to increase.

Add-Ons, Endorsements, and Riders

There are different types of additional coverage options that you can add to your required coverage. While the more add-ons will mean you pay more for your auto insurance coverage every month, it will save you more money in the long run if you get into an accident.

The Mississippi Insurance Department states the add-on coverages that you should consider to avoid paying out of pocket fees are:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Medical Payments
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage

For more details about each coverage, click on the coverage name.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in MS

Overall, in Mississippi, males pay more for car insurance.

Gender and age will affect your auto insurance. Younger drivers are often in a higher risk class. See if the gender stereotype (males vs female car insurance rates) holds true in MS.

The following table shows a comparison of car insurance rates for males and females.

This data is based on actually purchased coverage by the state population. This includes rates for high-risk drivers and drivers who choose to purchase more than the state minimum and get add-on coverages, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist, PIP, and MedPay, that are not required.

The cheapest car insurance for teenagers is USAA or Nationwide. The cheapest insurance for older drivers is USAA or Travelers.

Cheapest Rates by ZIP Code

We know rates vary by state, but did you know that rates vary within your state?

The following table shows the cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Mississippi:

Simply enter your ZIP code in the table to find the cheapest rate where you live. If your ZIP code is 39759, you’re paying the cheapest car insurance rate.

Cheapest Rates by City

For a more broad spectrum of rates, the following table shows the cheapest car insurance rates by each city in Mississippi:

Use the search box at the top right-hand corner to find your city and your city’s rate quickly.

The city with the cheapest rates in Mississippi is Starkville.

What are the best insurance companies in Mississippi?

What is the best car insurance in Mississippi? There are many different ways to classify something as being “the best.”

Some people think the best means the best price, while other people think the best means the best customer reviews. The following is a breakdown of the different types of top car insurance companies in Mississippi, so you can find out what the best insurance provider is for you.

The Largest Companies’ Financial Rating

Financial rating is important because you want to be covered by an established insurance carrier that is doing well. The following table is a comparison of the top 10 largest insurance companies in Mississippi:

The lowest financial rating is an A rating, which is great. The companies with the best financial rating (there was a tie) are Geico and USAA.

Read More: Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company Car Insurance Review

Companies with Best Ratings

According to J.D. Power, a global leader in consumer insights, the company with the best rating in Mississippi is Farm Bureau Insurance – Tennessee.

J.D. Power's Power Circle Ratings – Southeast Region

Read more: Alfa General Insurance Corporation Car Insurance Review

This rating was determined through five different forms of customer satisfaction interaction: policy offerings, price, billing process and policy information, and claims. From a customer satisfaction rating, Farm Bureau Insurance – Tennessee has the highest customer satisfaction rating.

Companies with Most Complaints in Mississippi

The insurance provider with the most complaints in Mississippi is State Farm. The following table is a comparison of insurance companies and complaints:

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average complaint ratio is 0.50. The complaint ratio is defined as the total number of complaints, divided by the gross premiums written (in thousands of dollars).

Complaint ratios provide information about a specific company, while the total number of complaints represents the company’s market share.

This is an important factor to consider because you want an insurance provider that takes care of their customers.

Cheapest Companies in Mississippi

The cheapest insurance provider in Mississippi is USAA. What other cheap car insurance companies are available in Mississippi? Take a look at the list below to see where you can find the most affordable rates.

USAA is typically the cheapest insurance provider in the U.S. but is directed only toward active military and their families. USAA is perfect for military and other armed forces.

If you’re looking for cheap rates, make sure to get an auto insurance quote from multiple companies so you can compare them.

Commute Rates by Companies

The best insurance provider based on how much you drive in Mississippi is State Farm. The following table is a price comparison between different insurers:

For people who don’t drive a lot, it’s recommended to get State Farm insurance. You’ll save the most money with this option.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies

The following table shows a price comparison of insurance providers and their coverage level:

The more coverage, the higher the price your car insurance will be. But remember, if you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you’ll be saving more money with higher coverage.

The best auto insurance carrier for ever type of coverage level is USAA.

Credit History Rates by Companies

The following table is a price comparison of insurance rates based on credit:

• The cheapest car insurance for people with poor credit is Nationwide.
• The cheapest car insurance for people with fair credit is USAA.
• The cheapest car insurance for people with good credit is State Farm.

According to Experian, a leading credit score provider, the average credit score in Mississippi is 647. The national average credit score is 675.

The higher your credit score and the better your credit history, the lower the cost for your car insurance premium. Here are the average annual rates and percent increase you can expect:

• Good Credit (670+) = average annual premium cost
• Fair Credit (580 – 669) = 11 percent – 38 percent increase/premium cost
• Poor Credit (<579) = 51 percent – 182 percent increase/premium cost

You can build your credit and get cheaper car insurance rates by paying your bills on time and in full. This shows financial responsibility and gives insurance agencies confidence in you.

Driving Record Rates by Companies

The best car insurance for varying driving records in Mississippi is USAA. The following table shows a comparison of prices by driving record in Mississippi:

The cheapest car insurance for someone with a DUI, a speeding violation, or an accident is USAA. A close second is Nationwide.

Having any type of driving record will increase your car insurance rates. So, if you have any type of record, pick USAA or Nationwide.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Mississippi

Who are the largest car insurance companies in Mississippi?

The following table is a breakdown of the 10 largest insurance companies by market share in Mississippi:

The largest car insurance company in Mississippi is Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group. Typically, the larger the insurance agency, the more established an insurer is, and you want an insurance provider that has experience.

Number of Insurers in Mississippi

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), there are 907 foreign insurance companies in Mississippi and 15 domestic (in-state) car insurance companies. Foreign insurance tends to be more expensive than domestic.

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State Laws

Laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to know what Mississippi laws are. Read on to find out the Mississippi car insurance laws, driving laws, safety laws, DUI laws, road laws, and more.

Car Insurance Laws

There are many important questions that you have about car laws in Mississippi. This section covers the most frequently asked questions that Mississippi drivers have.

Let’s take a closer look at Mississippi car insurance laws.

How State Laws for Insurance are Determined

According to theNational Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), each state laws are determined in that state: the type of tort law and threshold (if any) that applies in the state, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.

In addition, the states have enacted varying auto seat belt requirements, drunk driving laws, and maximum speed limits.

Mississippi laws are determined by the Mississippi Insurance Department

Windshield Coverage

What is windshield coverage? Windshield coverage repairs your windshield if your windshield gets damaged.

It’s important to ask your insurance provider about your policy and their windshield policy and procedures because you need to know what your policy covers. Some insurance providers have windshield coverage included in their comprehensive coverage with no deductible.

Now, there are guidelines for fixing or replacing a cracked windshield. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) discourages the use of aftermarket parts even though some insurers may require it.

Your insurance provider must state the aftermarket crash parts on the estimate for it to be approved by the MID.

Some insurers may require you to get repairs at a specific shop while others may not. It’s important to clarify this with your insurance provider to avoid having to pay any out-of-pocket expenses.

High-Risk Insurance

High-risk insurance, or SR-22, is for people who are deemed as high risk, unsafe drivers.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), some of the more common reasons that you need SR-22 insurance is if:

• You get a DUI or DWI
• You get cited for a lot of violations
• You fail to respond to traffic violations
• You perform a hit and run
• You get into an accident without auto insurance

Even if these incidents happened in another state, you still need SR-22 insurance in Mississippi.

If you are denied coverage from an insurance provider, it’s likely due to being a high-risk driver, and you should see if you qualify for the Mississippi Automobile Insurance Plan (MSAIP).

You are eligible for the MSAIP under the following conditions:

• You have a valid Mississippi driver’s license and valid Mississippi vehicle registration
• Proof that you have been unable to find auto insurance in the last 60 days
• You have no outstanding or unpaid auto insurance premium/bills

If approved, the MSAIP provides car insurance coverage that is valid for three years. The following table lays out the mandatory coverages and amounts under the MSAIP:

There are optional coverages to consider, such as the Medical Payments Coverage, which covers medical bills regardless of who is at fault, and Physical Damage Coverage, because there are situations where MSAIP does not cover physical damage.

To apply for the MSAIP, you can contact the Mississippi Insurance Department Helpline toll-free at 800-562-2957.

Low-Cost Insurance in Mississippi

Even though Mississippi has a program to help high risk-drivers, it does not have a program to assist low-income drivers.

California, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the only three states that have government-funded programs to help low-income families pay for car insurance.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Mississippi

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there are many different types of fraud that can happen.

Hard fraud is when someone purposefully claims or fakes an accident. Soft fraud or opportunistic fraud is when people pad claims, like under-reporting information to pay cheaper premiums.

In 2007, auto insurance fraud and claim buildup tallied to over $4.8 billion. The Mississippi Insurance Department reported that arson-for-profit insurance fraud exceeds $62 million each year.

To report insurance fraud in Mississippi, call the Mississippi Insurance Department Consumer Help Line toll-free at 800-562-2957 or call the Insurance Integrity Enforcement Bureau of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office at 888-528-5780.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the time frame you have to settle your claim or file lawsuits and other civil actions. The “clock” starts on the day of the incident or the day that you discover the harm or damage done.

In Mississippi, you have three years to file a claim from the day the incident occurred.

State-Specific Laws

According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, there are laws specific to Mississippi under Title 63 “Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations.” This includes Mississippi vehicle laws, seat belt laws, cellphone laws, and more.

The following section gets into detail about the laws that are specific to Mississippi.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

If you are new to the state, you have a lot of questions about the Mississippi law. If you are a long-time resident of Mississippi, it’s important to know the new Mississippi laws that are in place.

According to the State of Mississippi Department of Revenue, to properly license and register your vehicle, you need to go to your local county Tax Collector’s.

According to the Mississippi Department of Motor Vehicles states that the vehicle licensing fees for vehicle registration and license plates is $14 plus tax. It’s $12.75 plus for renewal.

REAL ID

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the state of Mississippi is compliant with the REAL ID Act. The REAL ID Act was created following the tragedy of 9/11 as an increased security measure.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, REAL ID cards are typically branded somewhere in the upper portion of the card. It’s the law to have this signature specifically in the upper portion of your driver’s license.

As stated by the Department of Homeland Security, without this specific branded seal on your driver’s license and state-issued ID card, you will not be able to board an aircraft, enter a federal facility, or enter a nuclear plant.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

There are severe fines and consequences for operating any motor vehicle without insurance.

If you drive any motor vehicle without insurance in Mississippi, you will be fined $1,000 and your license will be suspended for one year.

If you’re pulled over and you actually have car insurance but you just don’t have acceptable proof of insurance, you can bring these proper documents to your hearing and the $1,000 fine will be reduced and your license will not be suspended.

Teen Driver Laws

This is very important for both teen drivers and parents to be aware of since teen driver laws vary from state to state. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these are the teen driver laws in Mississippi:

What is the curfew for 16-year-old drivers? Teen drivers cannot drive during these times:

• Sun. – Thur. from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• Fri. – Sat. from 11:30 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, older drivers do not have any specific requirements for renewing their licenses. They follow the same license renewal procedures as everybody else.

The following table shows the license renewal procedures for residents of Mississippi.

Older drivers can conveniently renew their driver’s license online, by mail, or by visiting the nearest licensing office. All you need to bring is your valid driver’s license when you go to renew your license.

The cost of renewing your license is either $24 (valid for four years) or $47 (valid for eight years). You’re free to choose any option; it’s simply personal preference.

New Residents

As a new resident, the only way to get a Mississippi driver’s license is to visit the nearest driver’s license office. You must bring the following documents to get a Mississippi driver license:

• A valid out-of-state license
• A certified state-issued birth certificate
• An original social security card
• Two proofs of residency (lease/purchase agreement, utility bill, bank statement, Mississippi car tag receipt)

Also, there is a written and skills test that can be waived, but that is determined by the state when you go to one of the offices to apply for a Mississippi license.

License Renewal Procedures

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the process for renewing your license in Mississippi is simple. You can renew it on the department website any time of the year except for major holidays and between two a.m. – three a.m.

To renew your license online, you need valid photo identification. If you don’t have one, you will be issued a letter to go into a driver’s license station to have your picture taken for records.

Another requirement to renew your license online is that you cannot change your address or duplicate transactions.

If you have an address change, you need to physically go to a driver’s license station.

Also, by Mississippi law, credentials cannot be mailed to post office boxes. All credentials must be mailed to your physical address. Other requirements include:

• Be at least 16 and a half years of age
• Be renewing a Class D (light commercial) or Class R license
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be a U.S. citizen
• You may renew online as early as six months before your expiration or up to one year past your expiration
• Payment is by credit or debit card only

If you are a regular standard driver (Class R driver), the cost to renew your license is either $24 and valid for four years, or $47 and valid for eight years.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

Those points on your driver’s license you get for traffic violations, tickets, and accidents are what’s called the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS). According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the NOTS is a point system that keeps track of all tickets and sanctions on your driving privileges.

The NOTS points system generates a series of warnings and progressive sanctions against your driving privilege. You can find out by contacting the Mississippi Division of Motor Vehicles.

Points can stay on your record for more than three years, depending on the incident and the type of conviction. Too many points will result in the suspension, and possible revocation, of your license.

Rules of the Road

To avoid any traffic violations and to promote safe driving, it’s important to know the rules of the road. In this next section, we will review the road laws in Mississippi.

Fault vs. No-Fault

According to the Insurance Information Institute, Mississippi is a “fault” state. This means that whoever is at fault for the accident is financially responsible.

This is important since Mississippi has the second-highest number of uninsured motorists on the road.

So, if you don’t have insurance and you get into an accident, you might have to pay thousands of dollars in damages.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Mississippi seat belt law states that there is primary enforcement. The age requirement states you must be seven or more years old to sit in regular seats. Not following this law results in a $25 fine.

All children aged three years old and younger must be in a child restraint. All children aged four to six years old must be in a booster seat.

Children less than 57 inches or less than 65 pounds must remain in a booster seat until they surpass these measurements. Mississippi law states no preference for seat location.

Children who are six years and younger who weigh 65 pounds or more, or who are 57 inches and taller, can use a regular adult seat belt. Not following these laws will result in a $25 fine.

Mississippi does not have a law stating any restrictions on riding in cargo areas of trucks.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

In Mississippi, law 63-3-603 states that it is required for drivers to keep right. Also, if you are moving more slowly than traffic, you must keep right. Most keep right laws are for three-or-more-lane roads.

Passing on the right is allowed in very few unique situations, but when in doubt, keep right.

Speed Limits

According to the Mississippi Division of Motor Vehicles, the cost of a speeding ticket is between $150 – $300.

To avoid getting a speed ticket and to avoid getting into an accident, it’s important to know the speed limits on the road. The following are the speed limits in Mississippi by road type and location:

• Rural Interstate = 70 mph
• Urban Interstate = 70 mph
• Other Limited-Access Roads = 70 mph
• Other Roads = 65 mph

These speed limit laws are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Ridesharing

You need ridesharing insurance if you drive for a ridesharing company like Uber, Uber Eats, Lyft, DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, or Instacart.

While ridesharing companies like Uber have their own driver’s insurance coverage policy, ridesharing insurance fully covers you for any possible accident. The average price for ridesharing insurance is $15 – $20, depending on location.

The only ridesharing insurance provider in Mississippi is State Farm.

Automation on the Road

Autonomous vehicle laws, or self-driving vehicle laws, vary from state to state. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Mississippi doesn’t have any autonomous vehicle laws.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the only type of autonomous vehicle regulation that Mississippi has is truck platooning.

This pertains to commercial truck drivers, because platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in convoy, using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems.

Safety Laws

This section will cover the different laws and consequences for operating a motor vehicle under distracted driving circumstances.

DUI Laws in Mississippi

There are serious consequences for a DUI. The following table from the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety states the jail time, fines, and other penalties for driving under the influence.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

Smoking marijuana and then operating a motor vehicle is against the law.

Marijuana, even medical marijuana, is fully illegal in Mississippi borders.

If you are caught driving under the influence of marijuana, you will face the same penalties as a DUI.

Distracted Driving Laws

Cellphone use while driving has led to many injuries and fatalities nationwide. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there is no handheld cell phone ban.

However, Mississippi law states that there is a complete ban on texting that is enforced for all drivers.

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Driving in Mississippi

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a national government program that works with each state and local government to provide motor vehicle information to help reduce the number of motor vehicle–related injuries, deaths, and economic losses.

All information cited from this government database will be noted as data from the NHTSA.

This section will give you information about the most stolen vehicles in Mississippi (by make, year, and model), where the most crashes and fatalities occur in Mississippi by city and county, and the most common causes for crashes and fatalities in Mississippi.

Vehicle Theft in Mississippi

The following table states the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Mississippi:

The most stolen car in Mississippi is a 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck (Full Size).

Vehicle Theft by City

The following is a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation of all motor vehicle thefts in each city in Mississippi:

Overall, the data support a correlation between population and the number of vehicle thefts. The higher the population, the more vehicle thefts.

There are a few select cities like D’Iberville and Greenwood that are exceptions to this pattern.

Road Fatalities in Mississippi

It’s important to know the statistics and where the most fatalities occur in Mississippi, that way you can plan your route accordingly.

The following section covers the number of driving fatalities by county in Mississippi, types of accidents, vehicles involved, time of day, and weather conditions.

Most Fatal Highway in Mississippi

According to a study by GeoTab and NHTSA, the most dangerous highway in Mississippi is the US-61. There were 120 crashes and 139 fatalities on US-61.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Typically, you would think that more accidents would happen at night or in rainy conditions.

Surprisingly, most motor vehicle accidents in Mississippi happened in normal weather conditions and during the day.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

The two counties with the most motor vehicle fatalities, by far, are Harrison County and Hinds County.

These counties are not geographically near each other and are not the most populated cities in Mississippi. However, they are both rural areas, so it seems there is a higher risk driving in rural areas than in urban areas in Mississippi.

Traffic Fatalities

In Mississippi, more accidents occur in rural areas than in urban areas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 430 rural accidents and 259 urban accidents.

Fatalities by Person Type

The following table from the NHTSA shows the number of fatalities by people in vehicles, operating motorcycles, and pedestrians.

Over the past five years, the number of fatalities has generally steadily increased.

Fatalities by Crash Type

The following table from the NHTSA shows the number of fatalities by crash type.

The most vehicle crashes occurred when a motor vehicle was exiting a roadway, turning, or making any type of lane switch.

Five-Year Trend For the Top 10 Counties

The following is a five-year trend of all car fatalities for the top 10 largest counties in Mississippi.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

We have all seen gruesome pictures of cars that look unrecognizable because they were involved in an accident where people were speeding.

Fortunately, in the state of Mississippi, the number of fatalities involving speeding has gone down significantly and is below the national average.

In a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Control, the number of fatalities involving speeding went from 327 fatalities in 2008 to 59 fatalities in 2017.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver (BAC = .08+) by County

Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is against the law. The following table shows the number of fatalities by an alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC of .08 or higher by each county in Mississippi:

Harrison County has the most fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC = .08+. Harrison County had 10 fatalities. (For more information, read our “Car Insurance for Impaired Drivers“).

Teen Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving is a big issue in every state. But is there an age group that is more prone to DUI convictions and accidents? Let’s take a look.

Statistically, the state of Mississippi is in the middle when it comes to DUI convictions, DUI arrests, and DUI accidents. The age group that contributes the most to all things DUI-related are people aged 18 years and older.

Mississippi ranks 22nd with the most underaged DUI arrests, coming in at 66 arrests.

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mississippi is above the national average for the number of people who are drinking underaged.

EMS Response Time

Knowing the EMS response time is very useful. In an urban versus rural comparison, EMS response time categories are faster in urban areas than in rural areas. There are also significantly more accidents in rural areas than there are in urban areas, but far more fatalities in rural areas due to the longer response time.

Transportation

Getting around Mississippi can be a challenge. The following section covers transportation statistics for the state of Mississippi.

In each graph, the orange bars represent the numbers in Mississippi, while the grey bars represent the numbers nationwide, so you can see how Mississippi compares to the rest of the nation.

Car Ownership

In Mississippi, just under 40% of households own an average of two motor vehicles with just below 25% of households owning 3.

Commute Time

In Mississippi, people claim to have a shorter commute time. The average commute time for a U.S. worker is 25.5 minutes, while in Mississippi, the average commute time is 24.4 minutes.

Commuter Transportation

More people drive in Mississippi than any other method of travel at 80% of the population. Only about 10% commute via carpool.

Traffic Congestion in Mississippi

This traffic information is provided by the NUMBEO database. Traffic Index is a composite index of time consumed in traffic due to job commute, accidents, blocked roads, construction, and all other possible inefficiencies in the traffic system.

The Time Index is simple. It is the average time needed, in minutes, to get from point A to point B.

The Inefficiency Index is an estimation of inefficiencies in traffic in Mississippi. High inefficiencies are usually caused by the fact that people drive a car instead of using public transport or by long commute times. It can be used as a traffic component measurement in economies of scale.

Conclusion

Now you know everything about Mississippi car insurance laws, vehicle laws, and road laws. We hope this article has helped you save money on your car insurance and helped you to find the right car insurance.

So spread the word! It’s important to use and share this information about Mississippi driving and car insurance to your friends and loved ones to ensure their safety on the road. Enter your ZIP code below to get more information!

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