As a driver in Mississippi, you are required to have car insurance. Furthermore, you are required to have car insurance that meets certain minimum requirements. These requirements include at least $25,000 in liability for each person that is injured in an accident, $50,000 in liability for accidents where more than one person is injured, and at least $25,000 in general property damage. Obviously, these requirements are very low. They are made low on purpose so that even those on the smallest budgets can reasonably afford to drive their vehicles. However, these low auto insurance requirements are not enough to keep you truly protected if they are all that you opt for.

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Mississippi is a Tort State

What this means it that, when a car accident happens, one driver is deemed “at fault,” meaning he or she is liable for damages to both parties. If that driver happens to be you, then your auto insurance is responsible for paying for all damages that you caused to the other person’s car and to your own, as well as any medical expenses incurred by you and the other driver. If your insurance is not enough to cover all of this, then you will be responsible for paying the amount owed out of pocket. If you, like most people, are unable to do this, then you may face litigation in a court of law. Obviously, then, having adequate car insurance is extremely important. Accidents can and do happen anytime, and it’s up to you to be prepared. You should opt for as much insurance as you can reasonably afford, even if it means cutting back on spending in other areas.

Drivers also want to note that minimum auto insurance requirements generally only require liability insurance which does not coverage for damages to you or your vehicle in accidents where you are at fault. Most Mississippi drivers opt for a full coverage auto insurance policy consisting of liability, collision and comprehensive car insurance.

Average Car Insurance Rates in Mississippi

In Mississippi, the average premium paid for car insurance is approximately $1,339 per year. This is only slightly below the national average of $1,440 per year, making Mississippi one of the more expensive states in which to insure your vehicle. Unfortunately, auto insurance rates in the state have been on the rise for quite some time. In fact, in 2010, they were much lower at only $1,090 per year for most good drivers. This means that you must be diligent about choosing a car insurance company and spend time comparing auto insurance quotes from multiple providers. The good news is that knowing the average amount paid by most other Mississippi residents gives you the knowledge and power to make a smart, informed decision before selecting an auto insurance policy.

Stolen Vehicles

Something that has become a serious problem in Mississippi in recent years is having vehicles stolen and/or vandalized. When this happens to an insured automobile, the insurance provider ends up losing money. Thus, auto insurance companies often charge more to insure vehicles that are of a higher than average value or frequently parked in areas that are known for having high rates of car theft and/or vandalism. In fact, there is a compiled list of the ten most frequently stolen cars in the state, and if you happen to own one of these vehicles, you can bet you’re in for some high insurance premiums.

As of 2011, the 10 most commonly stolen and/or vandalized vehicles in Mississippi are the Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup, the Ford F150 Series, the Dodge Ram Pickup, the Ford Explorer, the Honda Accord, the Ford Taurus, the Chevrolet Impala, the Chevrolet Caprice, the Toyota Camry, and the Honda TRX350.  Of course, any sports car or luxury car also runs a higher risk of being stolen than the average vehicle and will come with higher premiums as well.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up your beloved automobile in order to save money on car insurance. Instead, you just have to make some smart choices. First of all, try and find an auto insurance company who offers affordable car insurance rates, even if it is a bit above the average. If you can find someone who isn’t looking to charge you an arm and a leg then you’re on the right track. Secondly, inquire about auto insurance discounts. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for factory installed safety features as well discounts for good driving record, good grades, good credit scores and more. These discounts can add up and offset the higher risk of owning a luxury or high risk vehicle.

Start your Mississippi car insurance comparison search today and Compare Auto Insurance Quotes online!