Mississippi · Uninsured driver · Updated Oct 2026

Hit by an uninsured driver in Mississippi: coverage, penalties and what to do

Your coverage, the penalties and how to claim your losses.

Short answer

If an uninsured driver hits you, you may not be able to collect from them; uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy lets you claim through your own insurer (Mississippi Insurance Department). Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage lets you claim through your own insurer if an uninsured driver hits you; the Insurance Department describes it as coverage you can purchase.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
Not required
Minimum liability
25/50/25
Insurance system
Fault (tort)

Uninsured motorist coverage in Mississippi

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage lets you claim through your own insurer if an uninsured driver hits you; the Insurance Department describes it as coverage you can purchase.
Liability minimum
25/50/25
Official text
Read the official text

Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

If the other driver has no insurance in Mississippi

  • If an uninsured driver hits you, you may not be able to collect from them; uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy lets you claim through your own insurer (Mississippi Insurance Department).
  • An uninsured at-fault driver must buy insurance and file proof for 3 years (MDPS Driver's Manual).

Penalties for driving uninsured in Mississippi

  • The first penalty for not having an insurance card is $1,000 and suspension of driving privileges for one year or until the owner shows proof of insurance.
  • A driver who can't show insurance after a crash can have their license suspended unless they show they were insured, post security, or show a release or payment of the damages.

More facts for Mississippi

  • You can be cited for not having proof of insurance at a crash even if you weren't at fault (MDPS Driver's Manual).
  • The officer can't stop you only to check for an insurance card, but can ask for it during a stop for another violation (Mississippi Insurance Department).

Claiming from the uninsured driver in Mississippi

Small claims limit for car damage in Mississippi: $3,500 in Justice Court (unchanged since 2008; 2026 bills to raise it did not pass). Mississippi small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Step by step if an uninsured driver hits you in Mississippi

  1. Report the crash to the police. Stop and help anyone hurt; call 911 if needed. Reporting a crash in Mississippi and getting the police report
  2. Write down the other car's plate and get witness names.
  3. Claim under your uninsured motorist coverage; in Mississippi it is not required.
  4. If your coverage doesn't pay everything, sue the driver before the deadline: 3 years for both property damage and injury.

Free help in Mississippi

Questions about uninsured drivers in Mississippi

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Mississippi?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage lets you claim through your own insurer if an uninsured driver hits you; the Insurance Department describes it as coverage you can purchase.

What happens if you drive without insurance in Mississippi?

The first penalty for not having an insurance card is $1,000 and suspension of driving privileges for one year or until the owner shows proof of insurance. A driver who can't show insurance after a crash can have their license suspended unless they show they were insured, post security, or show a release or payment of the damages.

What can I do if an uninsured driver hits me in Mississippi?

If an uninsured driver hits you, you may not be able to collect from them; uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy lets you claim through your own insurer (Mississippi Insurance Department). An uninsured at-fault driver must buy insurance and file proof for 3 years (MDPS Driver's Manual).

What is the minimum car insurance in Mississippi?

25/50/25

How long do I have to sue an uninsured driver in Mississippi?

3 years for property damage and 3 years for injury.

More for Mississippi drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.