In Mississippi it is mandatory to have liability insurance on a car being driven on a public road.  There are also multiple other coverages available for purchase.  In the event of a car accident these different coverages can interact with each other and affect you in different ways.

Types of Mississippi Automobile Coverages:

• Liability Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
• Coverages for Your Car

Below is an in depth look at these coverages and how they apply in certain situations.

Liability Coverage

In Mississippi, liability coverage is a type of car insurance meant to protect you in the event you are at fault for a collision.  This is the type of coverage another person must have for their insurance company to pay you for damages when they are at fault.  There are 2 main types of liability coverage in Mississippi, Bodily Injury Coverage and Property Damage Coverage.

• Bodily Injury Coverage:  If you have been injured as a result of a car wreck the person who injured you needs to have this is the type of insurance to pay you for your injuries and pain and suffering.  This is also the type of coverage that protects you in the event you are pursued by another party for their injuries.
• Property Damage Coverage:  This is the type of coverage that needs to be present for you to get your car or property damages paid for by the at fault party’s insurance.  This is also the type of coverage that protects you when you are pursued by another party for damages to their car or property.

In Mississippi, liability coverage is mandatory and must be carried by any car being driven on a public roadway.  The minimum limits for liability coverage in Mississippi are $25,000 per person and/or $50,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage and $25,000 for property damage coverage.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical Payments coverage is coverage available on your own policy to pay for medical bills as a result of a car wreck or, potentially, another incident involving injuries.  This is a type of coverage you pay for to protect yourself, but it does not compensate you for any pain and suffering as a result of your injuries.  This coverage only pays medical bills and only pays those bills up to the dollar amount of coverage you have purchased.

• Death Benefits:  One potential form of medical payments is a death benefit.  This is an added coverage available in the event you are killed as a result of a collision.  Again, this benefit will only pay up to the dollar amount of coverage you have purchased.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

In Mississippi Uninsured Motorist Coverage is a coverage you can purchase to protect yourself in the event you are struck by a motorist with no insurance.  In this situation the uninsured motorist carrier will step into the shoes of the at fault party and pay you for your damages, just as the at fault party should.  This coverage is available after a car wreck when it is determined that the at fault party had no insurance or, at times, not enough insurance coverage.  Just like liability insurance above, Uninsured Motorist Coverage is generally split into two parts:

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage:  This is coverage to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages in the event you are struck by a person with no insurance or not enough insurance.  The limits available for uninsured Motorist coverage can be affected by numerous factors including the number of cars on the policy, the policy language and the people you live with.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage:  This coverage is the second piece of Uninsured Motorist coverage and covers the damage to your car or other property in the event it is damaged by a person without liability coverage as listed above.

Coverages for Your Car

• Collision:  This coverage protects your vehicle in the event of a collision.  If you have collision coverage your own insurance company may pay the damages to your vehicle as a result of a collision.
• Comprehensive:  This cover protects your vehicle in the event it is damaged by something other than a collision.

It is important to note that all insurance coverages are governed by applicable law and the insurance policy in place. Knowing exactly what coverages apply in the event of a car collision can involve intensive research and interpreting the policy in place at the time of the collision. If you have been involved in a car accident in Mississippi and need advice on what coverages you have and what coverages may be available to you call the Laura Law Firm at 601-517-9911.  We offer a free initial consultation and can discuss all applicable coverages to determine what may be available for you to recover.