What If the Driver Who Hits You Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance—or Any at All?
In Mississippi, a lot of people drive around with the bare minimum insurance—or worse, no insurance at all. If you end up injured in a wreck caused by one of those drivers, their policy might not come close to covering your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
That’s where Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage come in. These are part of your own insurance policy and can be lifesavers when the at-fault driver can’t pay what they owe.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: When the Other Driver Has Nothing
Let’s say you’re driving home from work and another driver blows through a red light, crashing into your car. You’re seriously injured, and your total damages are around $60,000.
But then you find out the driver who hit you has no insurance at all.
If you have $50,000 in UM coverage, here’s what happens:
Other driver’s insurance pays: $0
Your UM policy pays: Up to $50,000
If you have MedPay or health insurance: That might help cover the rest
Without UM coverage, you'd be left chasing a driver who likely has no money or assets to cover your damages. With UM, you’re not stuck footing the bill.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: When the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Enough
Now let’s change the facts. This time, the driver who hits you does have insurance—but only Mississippi’s minimum:
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
$25,000 for property damage
You still have $60,000 in total damages.
Here’s how it could play out if you have $50,000 in UIM coverage:
Other driver’s insurance pays: $25,000 (the max per person)
Your UIM policy pays: Up to $25,000 more (to bring your total recovery to $50,000)
Remaining losses: You’d still have a $10,000 gap, unless you have additional coverage or other sources of recovery
The point is: UIM is crucial when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage to make you whole.
Mississippi-Specific Tips
UM/UIM coverage is optional, but you should think twice before waiving it. It's inexpensive and incredibly valuable.
It may cover passengers in your vehicle too.
Stacking is allowed in Mississippi. If you have multiple vehicles on your policy, you may be able to combine the UM/UIM coverage limits to increase the total amount available.
Bottom Line
If you’re in a wreck and the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance—or just doesn’t have enough—your own UM or UIM coverage could be the only thing standing between you and financial disaster. It's one of the smartest protections you can carry, especially in Mississippi.
A good attorney can help you make sure every available policy (yours and the other driver’s) is used to your advantage.
