Guide to SR-22s in Mississippi

If you need to get car insurance in Mississippi with an SR-22, you may end up paying around 72 percent more than you would without an SR-22. On average, the cost of SR-22 insurance in Mississippi is $2,989 per year for full coverage. However, the rate you pay can vary widely depending on your insurance carrier, as you can see in the table below.

Average Annual Cost of Full Coverage Car Insurance by Company

You’ll generally be required to file an SR-22 if your license is suspended. This can happen if you get a certain number of points on your license within a few years or if you’re convicted of a more serious offense, like a DUI. You need to ask your insurer to file it with the appropriate state department (Mississippi doesn’t have a DMV) to prove that you have at least minimum liability coverage and get your license reinstated.

Non-owner SR-22 Insurance

Non-owner car insurance is available if you don’t own a car but need to prove you have insurance for your SR-22. A non-owner policy is comparable to regular minimum coverage insurance in that it includes only liability coverage. It will cover damages to the other party if you get into an accident while driving someone else’s car. Although you would usually be covered under the owner’s policy, their policy may not cover you if you are considered high-risk. A non-owner’s policy will fulfill the SR-22 requirement.

Most insurance providers don’t advertise this policy type on their websites or offer it for purchase online, so you’ll have to call to inquire about your options. Non-owner car insurance costs an average of $365 per year in Mississippi.

Here’s what you need to know about SR-22s in Mississippi.

When You’ll Need an SR-22

An SR-22 serves as proof that you carry at least the minimum insurance required by the state, so you’ll need to file one to get your license reinstated. The state won’t give your driving privileges back unless it can verify that you have adequate insurance.

There are many reasons your license may be suspended, including being convicted of a DUI or hit-and-run, getting too many points on your license within a few years (for example, getting several speeding tickets), driving without insurance and failing to pay tickets or child support.

How to Get an SR-22

If your license is suspended, you’ll be informed of the steps to reinstate it, which may include filing an SR-22. If this is the case, you’ll need to ask your insurance company to file it with the state. Depending on the severity of your offense, your insurer might refuse to cover you, in which case you’ll need to find a new company to file the SR-22 with the state and provide coverage.

Some major providers — like Progressive, Nationwide and State Farm — often accept drivers with SR-22s, depending on the situation. There are also auto insurance companies in Mississippi that specialize in high-risk drivers who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere; these companies include Direct Auto (which recently acquired SafeAuto), The General, and Acceptance Insurance.

Cost of an SR-22

When your insurance company files an SR-22 on your behalf, it will charge you a fee, which may be between $15 and $40 but is most commonly about $15. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay additional fees, which are separate from the insurance company fees, to the state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). For a DUI, for example, you’ll need to pay $175 to the DPS to reinstate your license.¹

How Long to Maintain an SR-22

An SR-22 period generally lasts between three and five years, depending on the severity of the offense. For very serious offenses, you may need to keep it on file for seven to 10 years. Keep in mind that this is separate from any other penalties you may face as a result of the driving offenses, including fines and potentially jail time.

Does an SR-22 Cover Any Car You Drive?

An SR-22 is not insurance in itself; it just certifies that you have insurance. As such, the insurance that you get to comply with the SR-22 requirement will work as normal insurance does. In other words, it covers the car(s) on your policy, not the driver. The exception would be if you got a non-owner policy.

When you have an SR-22 on file, your insurance rates will inevitably be higher than they would be if you had a clean driving record. However, there are still some ways to save on your premium.

1. Look for discounts. Certain common auto insurance discounts, such as safe driving discounts, will not be an option for you if you have an SR-22 policy. However, you can still take advantage of other discounts your insurer may offer, including bundling, paperless billing and multiple-car discounts.
2. Opt for minimum coverage. Getting minimum coverage is sufficient to fulfill the SR-22 requirement and will be your cheapest option. However, if you have a history of accidents, you may be better off getting full coverage to protect against damages to your own car.
3. Sign up for a usage-based insurance program. If your insurance company offers it, a usage-based insurance program can be a great way to save money if you drive safely. It can be particularly useful for high-risk drivers because it can help you become more mindful of and improve your driving habits.

These are Mississippi’s minimum insurance requirements:

• Bodily injury per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury per accident: $50,000
• Property damage per accident: $25,000

You may be required to file an SR-22 to prove you carry adequate insurance if you commit certain driving violations. This will categorize you as a high-risk driver and cause your insurance rates to increase. You may even need to find another insurer if your current provider refuses to cover drivers with suspended licenses.