Uninsured motorist coverage protects you. It pays what you are legally owed for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Mississippi policies also carry it for damage to your car. Every Mississippi auto policy includes it unless you turn it down in writing.
You may need it here more than anywhere. The Insurance Research Council estimated that 28.2 percent of Mississippi drivers were uninsured in 2023, the highest rate of any state. Nationally the figure was 15.4 percent.
Scott Insurance Services is an independent agency in Flowood, Mississippi, here since 1954. We write auto insurance for families and businesses across the state.
What does uninsured motorist coverage pay?
Mississippi law says an auto policy must pay you what you are legally entitled to recover from an uninsured driver. That covers bodily injury or death. A separate part covers property damage, such as damage to your car.
The law lets the property damage part leave out the first $200 of damage. Your limits can be raised up to your own liability limits. These figures were checked in October 2026.
Can I turn down uninsured motorist coverage?
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Every policy includes it unless you turn it down
Every Mississippi auto policy includes it unless you turn it down in writing.
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Only in writing, on a form the state approves
Yes, but only in writing, on a form the state approves. The named insured, or someone on their behalf, must sign it.
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Renewals do not have to include it
Once you reject it in writing, your renewals do not have to include it. That holds unless you ask for it in writing.
Mississippi had the highest share of uninsured drivers of any state in 2023, so think it over before you sign.
This rule was checked in October 2026.
What are Mississippi's minimum auto limits?
Mississippi requires at least 25/50/25 in liability coverage. That is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. The Mississippi Insurance Department says those minimums may not be enough.
Mississippi requires at least 25/50/25 in liability coverage
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
Source: Mississippi Insurance Department, Auto insurance (consumer page)
Driving without proof of insurance in the car is a misdemeanor. The fine is $100, and your license can be suspended for one year or until you show proof and pay the fines and fees. These figures were checked in October 2026.
Is Mississippi a no-fault state?
No. Mississippi is a fault-based state, so the at-fault driver's liability coverage pays the other side's damages. Twelve states and Puerto Rico have no-fault auto laws, and Mississippi is not one of them.
That is why an uninsured driver is such a problem here. If the driver at fault has no coverage, there is no liability policy to pay you. This rule was checked in October 2026.
| After a crash | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Mississippi is a fault-based state | The at-fault driver's liability coverage pays the other side's damages. |
| If the driver at fault has no coverage | There is no liability policy to pay you. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you. |
Sources: Allstate, Mississippi car insurance coverages; Insurance Information Institute, Background on: no-fault auto insurance
Did Mississippi change uninsured motorist limits in 2026?
No. House Bill 383 would have set uninsured motorist limits equal to liability limits unless the insured chose otherwise. It died in committee in February 2026, so it is not law. This rule was checked in October 2026.
Questions Mississippi drivers ask about uninsured motorist coverage
Can I turn down uninsured motorist coverage in Mississippi?
Yes, but only in writing, on a form the state approves. Every Mississippi auto policy includes it unless the named insured signs that rejection. This rule was checked in October 2026.
What is the minimum car insurance in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires 25/50/25. That is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. These figures were checked in October 2026.
What happens if I drive without proof of insurance?
It is a misdemeanor with a $100 fine. Your license can be suspended for one year or until you show proof of insurance and pay the fines and fees. These figures were checked in October 2026.
Who pays after a crash in Mississippi?
Mississippi is a fault-based state. The at-fault driver's liability coverage pays the other side's damages. This rule was checked in October 2026.
Compare before you sign
Cheaper is not always better, especially when the cut is to your own protection. If you have an online quote, bring it and we can compare it with quotes from other companies. An independent agent can quote more than one insurance company without any pressure. We also explain what you are signing up for before you buy. If you have a claim and your policy is with us, we will go to bat for you.
See our auto insurance, commercial auto insurance and umbrella insurance pages.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute, Facts and statistics: uninsured motorists (Insurance Research Council data)
- Mississippi Code 83-11-101
- Mississippi Insurance Department, Auto insurance
- Mississippi Code 63-15-4
- Insurance Information Institute, Background on no-fault auto insurance
- Mississippi Legislature, House Bill 383 (2026) history
