4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
Featured in
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
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Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
Conveniently located on I-59/20, Meridian is known as the Queen City due to its rich history, vibrant community, and thriving economy. Meridian drivers pay slightly more for car insurance than the state average, possibly due to the fact that its motor vehicle theft numbers are higher than those in nearby Mississippi cities.[1]
The average cost of car insurance in Meridian is $73 per month for liability insurance and $201 per month for full coverage. Fortunately, many reputable car insurance companies offer affordable policies in Meridian, so comparing rates could help drivers find affordable coverage.
Meridian drivers pay an average of $2,414 per year for full-coverage insurance.
Drivers in Meridian with good and excellent credit can land lower rates than drivers with poor credit.
If you need help with car insurance in Meridian, you can call the toll-free Mississippi Insurance Department Consumer Help Line at 1 (800) 562-2957.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Meridian
To zero in on the right car insurance policy in Meridian, consider your budget, driving record, and personal needs. Here are a few of the best car insurance companies in Meridian to help you start your search for the right coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best for ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Progressive | 8.4 | $119 | $59 | Young drivers |
USAA | 9.4 | $74 | $37 | Military members and veterans |
Bristol West | 5.2 | $219 | $80 | High-risk drivers |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for young drivers: Progressive
JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 819 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $55/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $112/mo |
Drivers appreciate the professional service and accident forgiveness but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the professional service and accident forgiveness but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Denise
October 29, 2024
Awesome!
Priscilla
October 29, 2024
They Increased My Insurance Payment from $117 a Month to $199 a Month
Lisa
October 29, 2024
Disappointed
Many students and young people attend Meridian Senior High School and colleges like Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University-Meridian. Progressive offers great deals for these young drivers through discounts like the good student discount, distant driver student, and teen driver discount.
Advertises many discounts for students
Snapshot telematics program rewards safe driving
No anti-theft device discount advertised
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $35/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $69/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Kent
October 29, 2024
Excellent
Dorothy
October 29, 2024
Significant Increase in Policy Payment
Martin
October 29, 2024
My Opinion
Meridian supports veterans in the area through the East Mississippi Veterans Foundation. Veterans and military members can save money on car insurance with USAA, which focuses on serving the military community through insurance products and financial services.
Potential savings of up to 30% via the SafePilot usage-based insurance program
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
Only for military members and their families
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Bristol West
User Reviews | 3.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 5.2 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $87/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $213/mo |
Drivers appreciate the good rates and fast service but dislike the frequent price increases and difficulty in contacting customer support.
Drivers appreciate the good rates and fast service but dislike the frequent price increases and difficulty in contacting customer support.
Jennifer
October 28, 2024
Policy Change
Jeana
October 22, 2024
Feeling Overcharged by Bristol West!
Steve
October 21, 2024
The price for the insurance is a bit high considering I have a 2009 pickup. I feel the range is too high.
In 2021, Mississippi had 26.2 car accident deaths per 100,000 registered vehicles.[2] Drivers in Meridian who cause car accidents and have other traffic violations on their records like speeding tickets and DUIs may find insurance coverage with Bristol West, which caters to high-risk drivers.
Provides coverage for high-risk drivers
Can file an SR-22 on your behalf
Limited discounts advertised
Higher average premium costs than competitors
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Meridian
It takes time and effort to find cheap car insurance rates in Meridian. You’ll need to shop around, get free quotes, and compare your coverage options at different car insurance companies. Here are a few other tips that can help you find affordable coverage:
Look for discounts. Most of the top car insurance companies offer various discounts that can lower your car insurance costs. Visit an insurance carrier’s website or consult an insurance agent to learn about which discounts you might qualify for.
Take a defensive driving course. Some insurers reward drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course with lower premiums. You might be able to take a course online and get a cheaper rate.
Bundle insurance. If you combine your car insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or another type of insurance, you can potentially save some money on your auto insurance premiums.
Drive responsibly. A driving record with incidents like speeding tickets and DUIs can lead to higher car insurance rates. Drive safely and maintain a clean driving record so you can score the best deal.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Meridian: State Farm
Mississippi law requires drivers to purchase and maintain liability car insurance. This type of policy helps pay for the other driver’s property damage and medical expenses after an at-fault accident. Because of its limited coverage, liability-only coverage is often the cheapest car insurance available.
The cheapest insurer for liability-only car insurance in Meridian is State Farm, with rates of $34 per month.
Here’s a look at the cheapest average quotes for liability-only auto policies in Meridian.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $34 |
USAA | $35 |
Safeco | $53 |
Allstate | $54 |
Progressive | $55 |
Nationwide | $57 |
GEICO | $58 |
GAINSCO | $60 |
National General | $61 |
Travelers | $66 |
Shelter | $84 |
Bristol West | $87 |
Clearcover | $95 |
Liberty Mutual | $95 |
Foremost | $96 |
Dairyland | $99 |
Root | $101 |
Direct Auto | $120 |
The General | $134 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Meridian: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance is optional in Meridian and usually includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. It covers more situations and incidents, so it’s usually more expensive than a liability-only policy.
If you finance or lease your car, your lender or lessor may require full-coverage car insurance to protect against financial losses from vehicle damages.
The average cost of full coverage in Meridian is $201 per month, but you may find cheaper rates with the insurance companies in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $68 |
USAA | $69 |
Safeco | $99 |
Allstate | $111 |
Progressive | $112 |
Nationwide | $114 |
GEICO | $116 |
National General | $121 |
Travelers | $132 |
Clearcover | $152 |
State Auto | $160 |
Root | $165 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $166 |
Shelter | $171 |
GAINSCO | $192 |
Liberty Mutual | $201 |
The General | $209 |
Bristol West | $213 |
Dairyland | $236 |
Foremost | $244 |
Direct Auto | $272 |
Cheapest recent rates near Meridian, Mississippi
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $36/mo for liability only and $72/mo for full coverage in Meridian and other Mississippi cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Meridian, Mississippi within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Meridian, Mississippi within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi is an at-fault, or tort, state, meaning the driver who causes a car accident is responsible for paying for the damages and medical bills of the other involved parties, typically through their liability auto policy. Drivers in Meridian must show proof of insurance to avoid fines and other consequences.
Here are Mississippi’s minimum car insurance requirements:[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
While liability-only insurance is the cheapest option, you might benefit from optional car insurance to protect you financially in different situations. Here are several policies you might want to explore for more protection as a driver in Meridian:
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage may apply after your vehicle gets damaged in non-collision events, like theft, vandalism, and fire.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident with another driver or stationary object, regardless of fault.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can save you from high out-of-pocket costs if a driver without car insurance or with insufficient coverage hits you.
Rental car reimbursement
If you can’t drive your vehicle because it needs repairs after a car accident, rental car reimbursement may pay for a rental car so you can get around.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance helps pay for emergency services, such as flat tire replacement, fuel delivery, and towing.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
A few examples of incidents that can make you a high-risk driver and increase your car insurance rates are at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. Meridian drivers with clean records usually pay the lowest premiums because car insurance companies view them as less risky.
Here’s an overview of the average cost of car insurance in Meridian, based on driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
Speeding can impair your ability to react quickly and avoid accidents. That’s why Meridian drivers with speeding tickets face higher car insurance costs. The overall average cost of car insurance in the city for drivers with a speeding ticket is $193 per month.
The table below shows the cheapest liability-only auto policies for Meridian residents with speeding tickets.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $34 | $44 |
USAA | $35 | $45 |
Safeco | $53 | $70 |
Allstate | $54 | $70 |
Progressive | $55 | $71 |
Nationwide | $57 | $75 |
GEICO | $58 | $75 |
GAINSCO | $60 | $84 |
National General | $61 | $80 |
Travelers | $66 | $86 |
Shelter | $84 | $113 |
Bristol West | $87 | $113 |
Clearcover | $95 | $125 |
Liberty Mutual | $95 | $133 |
Foremost | $96 | $135 |
Dairyland | $99 | $129 |
Root | $101 | $140 |
Direct Auto | $120 | $156 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
In 2021, Mississippi reported 772 car accident fatalities.[4] If you cause a car accident, car insurance companies view you as a greater risk on the road and likely charge you more expensive premiums.
The total average cost of car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident in Meridian is $198 per month, but you may be able to find cheap liability rates with the companies in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $34 | $46 |
USAA | $35 | $47 |
Safeco | $53 | $70 |
Allstate | $54 | $73 |
Progressive | $55 | $75 |
Nationwide | $57 | $78 |
GEICO | $58 | $79 |
GAINSCO | $60 | $78 |
National General | $61 | $83 |
Travelers | $66 | $90 |
Shelter | $84 | $118 |
Bristol West | $87 | $117 |
Clearcover | $95 | $138 |
Liberty Mutual | $95 | $138 |
Foremost | $96 | $139 |
Dairyland | $99 | $133 |
Root | $101 | $146 |
Direct Auto | $120 | $166 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
Mississippi reported 6,665 DUI arrests in 2021.[5] The Magnolia State takes DUIs very seriously and imposes consequences like costly fines and jail time. A DUI can also increase car insurance rates and require an SR-22 insurance form.
On average, drivers with a DUI pay $56 per month for liability car insurance in Meridian.
The table below shows the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI in Meridian.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $34 | $56 |
USAA | $35 | $58 |
Safeco | $53 | $87 |
Allstate | $54 | $89 |
Progressive | $55 | $91 |
Nationwide | $57 | $94 |
GEICO | $58 | $96 |
GAINSCO | $60 | $99 |
National General | $61 | $101 |
Travelers | $66 | $109 |
Shelter | $84 | $138 |
Bristol West | $87 | $143 |
Clearcover | $95 | $157 |
Liberty Mutual | $95 | $157 |
Foremost | $96 | $158 |
Dairyland | $99 | $163 |
Root | $101 | $166 |
Direct Auto | $120 | $198 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Because senior drivers have higher fatality rates in car accidents than younger drivers, their car insurance premiums tend to be more expensive.[6] Average rates typically decrease at age 35 and increase a bit again around age 70, but seniors still typically have lower-than-average rates at $103 per month in Meridian.
Senior drivers may be able to find cheap car insurance rates in Meridian with the companies in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $25 | $50 |
USAA | $27 | $53 |
Progressive | $37 | $76 |
Allstate | $41 | $85 |
Nationwide | $41 | $81 |
Safeco | $43 | $80 |
GEICO | $44 | $88 |
National General | $45 | $89 |
GAINSCO | $48 | $154 |
Travelers | $49 | $99 |
Shelter | $57 | $116 |
Bristol West | $67 | $163 |
Foremost | $73 | $185 |
Clearcover | $75 | $121 |
Dairyland | $75 | $180 |
Liberty Mutual | $76 | $160 |
Root | $80 | $131 |
Direct Auto | $89 | $203 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Due to their limited experience and knowledge while behind the wheel, teens and young drivers in Meridian tend to pay higher car insurance rates. On average, they pay $261 per month for car insurance in the city. However, they can save on a policy by staying on their parent’s auto policy and taking advantage of a good student discount.
This table shows the cheapest car insurance for teen drivers in Meridian.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $61 | $121 |
USAA | $61 | $121 |
GEICO | $97 | $193 |
Allstate | $100 | $205 |
Progressive | $102 | $208 |
Nationwide | $103 | $206 |
GAINSCO | $109 | $350 |
Safeco | $110 | $206 |
Travelers | $124 | $249 |
National General | $125 | $248 |
Shelter | $149 | $303 |
Bristol West | $154 | $377 |
Root | $160 | $262 |
Dairyland | $170 | $406 |
Liberty Mutual | $176 | $372 |
Foremost | $178 | $453 |
Clearcover | $190 | $304 |
Direct Auto | $228 | $517 |
Meridian car insurance quotes by credit tier
Unlike some states, Mississippi allows car insurance companies to consider credit when underwriting policies and determining rates.[7] Because insurers believe drivers with good and excellent credit are less likely to file claims, they often offer them the lowest premiums.
A Meridian driver with excellent credit will pay an average of $170 per month, while someone with poor credit can expect an average of $302 per month.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Meridian?
Car insurance premiums for full-coverage policies in Meridian are a bit higher than the national average. It’s important to understand that rates can vary by ZIP code and city within Mississippi as a result of differences in population, crime rates, weather conditions, and other factors. For example, the average cost of car insurance is cheaper in Meridian than in Jackson.
More cities in Mississippi
Here’s a look at the average quotes for full-coverage car insurance in Meridian compared to other cities in Mississippi.
City ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Columbus | $71 | $214 |
Hattiesburg | $84 | $228 |
Jackson | $90 | $244 |
Madison | $79 | $213 |
Oxford | $71 | $184 |
Southaven | $87 | $256 |
Tupelo | $73 | $189 |
Meridian car insurance FAQs
Check out this guide on shopping for car insurance, and read the answers to common questions about auto coverage in Meridian below.
How much is car insurance in Meridian?
The average cost of car insurance in Meridian is $73 per month for liability insurance and $201 per month for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Meridian?
State Farm, USAA, and Safeco are the cheapest car insurance companies in Meridian, with liability rates as low as $34, $35, and $53 per month, respectively.
But what’s cheapest for your neighbor or friend may not be cheapest for you, as rates vary depending on driver profile. That’s why it’s important to compare car insurance quotes with multiple companies to find the one that offers you the best price for the coverage you need.
What are the best car insurance companies in Meridian?
Some of the best car insurance companies Insurify identified in Meridian are Progressive, USAA, and Bristol West. These auto insurers cater to specific driver profiles or offer low average rates to drivers.
What is the minimum car insurance for the state of Mississippi?
Mississippi requires drivers to purchase and carry 25/50/25 minimum car insurance. This translates to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability.[3]
Is Mississippi car insurance expensive?
Car insurance isn’t expensive in Mississippi compared to the national average. The average overall cost of car insurance in Mississippi is $157 per month, while the national average is $158 per month.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Mississippi
Sources
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Crime Data Explorer."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "State by state."
- Mississippi Department of Insurance. "Auto Insurance."
- III. "Facts + Statistics: Highway safety."
- Mississippi Office of Highway Safety. "Annual Report Federal Fiscal Year 2021."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021: Older people."
- Mississippi Insurance Department. "Credit Scoring: How Does It Affect You?."
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Featured in