Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Mississippi: Why It Matters Here

You can do everything right, carry good coverage, and drive carefully, and still get hit by someone who has no insurance at all. In Mississippi, that’s not a rare scenario. The state has long ranked among those with the highest share of uninsured drivers in the country, according to the Insurance Research Council. That’s why uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most important lines on a Mississippi auto policy.

What it covers

• Uninsured motorist (UM): pays for your injuries, and in some cases your car, when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
• Underinsured motorist (UIM): kicks in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your costs. If they carry the 25/50/25 minimum and your medical bills hit $80,000, this coverage helps close the gap.
• Hit-and-run: depending on your policy and the circumstances, UM coverage may also apply when the driver who hit you can’t be identified.

It covers more than your car

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage generally follows you, not just your vehicle. Depending on your policy, it can protect you and your household members as passengers in someone else’s car, and sometimes as pedestrians or cyclists.

Don’t reject it without thinking

In Mississippi, uninsured motorist coverage is generally included on auto policies unless you reject it in writing. Signing that rejection form saves a little on your premium but leaves you exposed to one of the most common risks on Mississippi roads. If you’ve ever signed one, it’s worth reconsidering.

How much do you need?

• A simple rule: match your UM limits to your own liability limits. If you’d protect others up to $100,000 per person, protect yourself at the same level.
• If you have more than one vehicle, ask your agent whether your policy allows “stacking,” which can combine UM limits across vehicles.
• Ask about UM property damage too, which can help repair your car if you don’t carry collision.