Southaven Car Insurance
Find the right car insurance policy for you.
It’s not hard to imagine the stress and financial burden you would face after a car crash. And even the most careful drivers are not immune. On the busy roads of Southaven, accidents from minor fender benders to multi-car pileups can and do happen. You can have peace of mind if you purchase a quality, reliable car insurance policy.
What’s more, Mississippi law requires all vehicle owners in the state to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage in case they cause an accident. Take the confusion out of shopping for car insurance. A local independent insurance agent can explain your options, obtain multiple quotes for comparison, and help you choose the best policy for your needs and budget.
Mississippi Car Insurance Requirements
If you own a vehicle in Mississippi, you are required to purchase auto insurance. But this isn’t the only reason to have car insurance. Without it, you are entirely unprotected from the financial consequences of causing a crash. The following are the minimum coverage requirements for Mississippi drivers:
- Bodily injury liability: Required
- Property damage liability: Required
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Not required
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Not required
- Minimum liability limits: 25/50/25; coverage up to $50,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $25,000 for one individual; and $25,000 coverage for property damage
It’s important to know that if you only purchase the minimum liability coverage, you could be seriously underinsured. If you cause a major collision, the expenses can include medical bills for other drivers and passengers, vehicle repair costs, and even attorney fees and settlements or judgments levied against you if you are sued for negligence. If these exceeded your coverage limits, how would you pay?
Purchasing liability limits that are higher than the state minimum is a good idea. For even more coverage, you can purchase a personal umbrella policy, which offers protection beyond the limits of your auto insurance policy. An independent agent can help determine how much liability coverage is necessary to adequately protect your assets should the worst happen.
How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in Southaven, MS?
Mississippi is the 12th most expensive state for car insurance, but rates in Southaven are a little lower than the state average. Shopping around for the best rate and taking advantage of discounts can help you save.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Mississippi average annual car insurance cost: $1,584
- Southaven average annual car insurance cost: $1,359
Remember, auto insurance rates often vary significantly from one driver to the next. This is because costs are calculated based on several individual factors, such as:
- Your age, gender, and marital status
- Your driving history and credit score
- Your car’s year, make, and model
- The approximate number of miles you drive each year
- The coverage limits, coverage options, and deductibles you choose
- Whether you are bundling your auto insurance with other policies like homeowners insurance or renters insurance
Every insurance company uses different criteria to calculate car insurance premiums. What’s more, most companies offer a variety of discounts that you can qualify for. An independent agent in Southaven can help you compare quotes, choose policy options, and maximize your discounts.
Number of Uninsured Motorists in Mississippi
Driving without insurance is against the law in Mississippi, yet many drivers continue to drive without coverage. Unfortunately, there are a lot of uninsured drivers in Mississippi. In fact, the state has the 2nd highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the US. Uninsured drivers in Mississippi face a $500 fine and a suspension of driving privileges for one year or until proof of coverage can be provided.
- How many US drivers are uninsured? 12.6%.
- How many Mississippi drivers are uninsured? 23.7%.
Uninsured motorist coverage is required in some states, but not in Mississippi. But without it, you could face serious financial consequences if an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver hits you. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you’ll be reimbursed for your vehicle damage and medical expenses, even if your insurance company can’t collect from the at-fault driver. If the at-fault driver can’t or won’t pay, your insurance company absorbs the costs instead of you.
Number of Auto Thefts in Mississippi
The auto theft rate across the state of Mississippi is lower than the national average. In Southaven, the auto theft rate is even lower.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.28
- Mississippi auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.34
- Southaven auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.64
While Southaven is relatively safe, that doesn’t mean that your car can’t be stolen or vandalized. Around 34 cars are stolen each year in Southaven, on average. If you are one of those 34 vehicle owners, a rare occurrence becomes a real-life nightmare. That’s why it’s important to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy. It will reimburse you for your lost or damaged car. And it also offers coverage for all kinds of “other than collision” vehicle damage, such as damage from falling objects, floods, structure fires and more. Talk to a local independent agent about comprehensive coverage, and how it can help you pay to repair your car in a variety of unforeseen circumstances.
Why Contact an Independent Insurance Agent?
Independent insurance agents are insurance professionals who can explain your coverage options, answer your questions, and provide you with customized car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. With the help of an independent agent, you can make an informed choice.
Start your search by contacting an independent agent in or near Southaven.
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
http://www.city-data.com