Car Insurance

You must maintain a minimum of liability insurance on all of your vehicles, and you must also carry proof of insurance in your car at all times.

The minimum coverage allowed by law includes:

• $25,000 per person (single accident)

• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

• $25,000 per accident for property damage

For a first-time offense, you will be fined $1,000 and your license will be suspended for one year, or until you provide proof of insurance. Stiffer penalties occur on second and subsequent offenses if you fail to get coverage.

Accidents

Automobile accidents are headaches. Here are some quick tips to help you:

• Call the police, even if you think an officer is not needed.

• Be sure to get names, addresses, phone numbers, tag numbers and insurance information from the other parties involved in the accident. If possible, also take down driver's license numbers of the other drivers.

• Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after the accident.

• To help jog your memory at a later date, write down everything you can about the accident as soon as you can, your version of what actually happened, position of the cars, weather and road conditions, traveling speeds, and damage done to all vehicles.

• Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.

Insurance Tips

Mississippi provides a list of tips for helping to keep your automobile insurance affordable:

• Keep a good driving record―avoid accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence.

• Choose a higher deductible.

• Ask your agent about multi-car, students, safe-driving, and educational discounts. You may also get discounts for purchasing your homeowner's and automobile insurances from the same company. Depending on your age, you may also qualify for a Senior discount.

• Pay your premiums regularly and on time. Late payments affect rates.

• Before you buy a car, research insurance costs. Some cars have higher rates than others because of performance or safety. Sports cars are notorious for having higher insurance rates.

• Teen drivers will save money by staying on their parent's policy as long as possible, rather than setting up a policy themselves.

• If your vehicle does not have a loan against it, consider buying only liability insurance, rather than comprehensive and collision. You might end up paying more in insurance than your car is worth. Check values and talk with your agent before making this decision.

Complaints

If you are involved in an accident and feel your insurance company has not provided what you have been paying for, you can contact the Mississippi Insurance Department to hear your complaint. Call or write:

• Mississippi Insurance Department

• 1001 Woolfolk State Office Building

• 501 North West St.

• Jackson, MS 39201

• Toll-free: (800) 562-2957

• Jackson area: (601) 359-2453