Searching for the cheapest car insurance rates in Mississippi is easier for people with good driving records than it is for people with a few too many points on their driver’s license. Drivers under 25 and new/inexperienced drivers will also find it more difficult to get car insurance cheap. All is not entirely lost if you fall into the latter category.

First, know how much insurance you are required by law to carry. Drivers in Mississippi must have no less than $25,000 of Bodily Liability Injury coverage per injured person up to $50,000 per accident; and a minimum of $25,000 of Property Damage Liability coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverage is optional except for most new and leased vehicles when it is required by the lienholder. You may also want to consider purchasing Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage to cover injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, but it is not mandatory in the state of Mississippi.

Second, assess what you’re working with in terms of coverage and your own situation. As mentioned, if you have some major convictions (i.e., DUI or DWI) on your driving record, getting the cheapest car insurance rates in MS is out of the question, at least for the time being. Even with a good driving record, there are still some things that may raise your premiums instead of lower them. Driving a vehicle that is considered a high-risk vehicle, like a sports car; driving less than three years, living and/or regularly parking your in a high-crime area, living and/or working in the city or even having bad credit decrease your chances of getting the cheapest car insurance rates in Mississippi.

If getting the cheapest car insurance rates in Mississippi aren’t in the cards for you right now, you may still be able to get discounts on your insurance premiums. Many car insurance companies offer good student, good driver, low-mileage, resident student, multiple-vehicle discounts. You may get a discount for having maintained auto insurance for a specified amount of time or for completing a defensive driving or driver safety course. You’ll never know if you don’t ask. Once you have a shortlist of companies, contact an agent from each one and inquire not only about discounts and policy information, but also how they handle claims. Hopefully you will never need to file a claim, but it’s good to know what to anticipate if and when it ever happens. While it may be tempting to skip speaking to an agent and risk enduring a sales pitch, this is one step that could save you a lot of money annually on your insurance premiums.