There are a lot of expenses associated with owning and operating a car. Here in Mississippi, it is estimated that to keep your car running and filling it with gas will cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 each year. That doesn’t include any loan payments, but it does include insurance, which would roughly cost anywhere between $1,395 and $2,008, according to Farmers Insurance.
Sometimes, when a person is on a tight budget, they’re looking for ways to cut, and that might mean foregoing car insurance. After all, they’re a good driver and have never gotten into an accident, so why would they need insurance?
That is faulty logic because there are many scenarios where you could be liable for a car accident. It is also against the law.
What Are the Mississippi Auto Insurance Requirements?
Mississippi law mandates that each driver carry a minimum of the following:
- $25,000 per person (limited to a single accident)
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
You can always opt for coverage that exceeds the minimums, which many drivers do.
What if someone decides not to get insurance, or they let their insurance lapse? They would be considered an Uninsured Motorist (UM), and that could spell disaster for you if you’re the unfortunate victim of a car accident caused by an uninsured motorist.
Suppose you get into an accident, and the driver has the minimum amount of mandated insurance coverage, but your damages and medical bills far exceed $25,000. In that case, they would be an Underinsured Motorist (UMI) and can present you with the same challenges as an uninsured motorist.
Fortunately, there is an option to protect you, but it must be put in place before the accident.
Mississippi law does not mandate that you carry this type of coverage, but it does require insurance companies to offer UM/UMI coverage. This coverage protects against hit-and-run drivers when the at-fault party cannot be identified.
While it is true that adding UM/UMI coverage to your existing insurance policy will make your premiums go up, it is an added expense that can protect you in the long run. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Mississippi has the highest rate of uninsured drivers in the country at 28.2%. That increases your chances of getting into an accident with an uninsured driver.
What Does UM/UMI Coverage Provide?
Many drivers don’t fully understand the comprehensive protection that uninsured motorist coverage provides until they need it. This coverage acts as a safety net that protects Mississippi drivers from significant financial losses after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Your UM/UMI coverage can provide benefits for the following expenses related to a car accident:
Medical Expenses
Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for your current and future medical care after an accident. That includes everything from your first trip to the emergency room to your last prescribed physical therapy session. It will also cover everything in between, such as surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and follow-up treatments.
Lost Income Protection
While you recover from the accident injuries, you might not be able to go back to work. Uninsured motorist coverage helps replace lost wages during that recovery time. This coverage can prove especially valuable for self-employed individuals or those without substantial sick leave benefits. If you can’t return to work because of the injury, the coverage may also compensate for diminished earning capacity.
Vehicle Damage Coverage
An uninsured or underinsured policy will help cover the cost of repairs to your car or its replacement value. This policy will also cover damage from hit-and-run accidents. That provides you with protection when the at-fault driver who caused the accident cannot be identified.
Pain and Suffering Compensation
Beyond tangible costs like medical bills and lost wages, uninsured motorist coverage can provide compensation for pain and suffering. This includes physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from accident injuries. Mississippi law recognizes these non-economic damages as legitimate components of accident claims.
Understanding these protections helps explain why Mississippi car accident attorneys consistently advise clients to maintain adequate uninsured motorist coverage. While no one expects to become an accident victim, having proper coverage ensures financial protection when the unexpected occurs.
Remember that insurance companies may attempt to minimize claim payments or dispute coverage. Working with experienced legal representation helps ensure you receive the full benefits your policy provides after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Speak with a Gulfport Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver in Gulfport or anywhere along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you do not have to face the insurance process alone. The experienced car accident attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC understand how uninsured motorist claims work and know how to push back when insurance companies delay, deny, or undervalue valid claims.
Our legal team will review your policy, investigate the accident, gather supporting evidence, and fight for the full compensation you are entitled to under Mississippi law. We handle all communications with the insurance company so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
