Starkville Car Insurance
(Everything you need to know - and more)
Even the most experienced drivers can sometimes cause accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Starkville are required to have car insurance. From fender benders on Highway 12 to multi-car collisions on Route 82, a reliable auto insurance policy can prevent you from facing a large financial loss because of an accident.
Shopping for car insurance is easy when you work with one of Starkville’s independent insurance agents. These agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from a variety of reliable insurers. That way, you can be sure you are getting the coverage you need at a competitive price. Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Starkville, MS?
The average cost of car insurance in Mississippi is higher than the national average. However, in the city of Starkville, the average cost tends to be lower. This is great news for Starkville vehicle owners who are looking for a car insurance policy at a great price.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Mississippi average annual car insurance cost: $1,584
- Starkville, MS average annual car insurance cost: $1,195
Of course, these average rates can only give you a general idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Car insurance costs vary from one driver to the next because they are based on several different factors. When calculating your rate, insurance companies will take into account such things as:
- The make, model, trim, and year of the vehicles you are insuring
- Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
- Your claims history and credit score
- Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
- Whether you own or rent your home
- The amount of coverage you are purchasing
- The size of your deductible
Frequently, you can get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies like home insurance or renters insurance. Comparison shopping lets you obtain the coverage you need at the lowest offered price. Contact an independent agent in Starkville to easily review customized quotes from a variety of highly-rated insurers.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Mississippi?
Every state mandates its own minimum coverage requirements for auto insurance. In Mississippi, all car insurance policies must only include liability insurance. This is designed to cover other people’s damage and medical bills if you cause an accident. Mississippi requires your liability coverage levels to be at least:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
While these required amounts may seem rather high, if you are responsible for an accident that results in serious injuries to others, their medical costs can easily exceed what your insurance policy will cover. In that event, you would be expected to make up the difference out of pocket.
That is why many Starkville drivers opt to purchase car insurance that has higher-than-required liability limits. Some residents of this city also purchase umbrella insurance in order to get even more liability coverage than their policy will allow. Your local insurance agent can help you find the liability coverage you want at a price you can afford.
What Else Can Starkville Car Insurance Cover?
In addition to the mandatory liability coverage, your car insurance provider will also offer a variety of coverage options that you may want to include in your Starkville auto insurance policy. These options include:
- Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if is it damaged or totaled in a collision, even if the accident was your fault. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle.
- Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a windstorm, hail, or vandalism. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This covers medical treatment for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision for which you were at fault.
- Uninsured motorist insurance: This covers your damage and medical treatment if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Roadside assistance and towing: This covers the costs of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are away from home, such as if you get a flat tire or run out of gas.
- Gap insurance: This covers the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe for it in the event that it is totaled. New cars depreciate quickly, so this coverage may be necessary for the first year or so of ownership.
- Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired following a covered event.
Talk to your local insurance agent for help determining which, if any, of these coverage options is a good fit for you.
Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance Important?
Although driving without insurance is a misdemeanor in Mississippi, some drivers in this state do it anyway. If caught, first-time offenders can face a fine of $500 as well as suspension of their driving privileges until proof of insurance is provided. The $500 fine can be reduced to $100 if proof of insurance can be provided prior to the hearing date.
- Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
- Percentage of Mississippi drivers who are uninsured: 23.7%
If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for resultant damage and necessary medical treatment. Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you can you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action against the at-fault driver.
Though it is required in some states, uninsured motorist insurance is optional in Mississippi. This insurance can cover you whether you are in a collision with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver. After compensating you, your insurance company will try to collect the money owed from the at-fault driver, and will absorb the costs if unsuccessful.
Does Starkville Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?
The auto theft rate in the state of Mississippi is lower than the national rate. And in Starkville, the risk is even lower. Residents of this city only report about 20 vehicle thefts every year.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.28
- Mississippi auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.34
- Starkville auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.96
While it is unlikely that your car will be stolen in Starkville, chances are good that you occasionally drive to more risky areas. You should therefore be aware that you can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage.
If you are leasing your car or you are still paying on an auto loan, chances are good you already have comprehensive coverage, since lenders will require it. If not, talk to an independent insurance agent for help determining whether this coverage is right for you and to find out how much it will cost to include it in your Starkville car insurance policy.
Why Let an Independent Insurance Agent in Starkville Help You?
You can ask a local independent agent for assistance when you are looking for the best auto insurance to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at a price you can afford.
Contact an insurance agent in or near Starkville to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
http://www.city-data.com