Home insurance in Mississippi

The average cost of Mississippi home insurance premiums is $3,670 for a home with a replacement cost value of $350,000^*. Mississippians pay some of the highest rates in the country, but your home’s premiums and risks depend on its location and other characteristics, so the best way to see if you can save is to get a quote.

^{*Based on data from the Consumer Federation for America.}

Some of the most significant factors that impact home insurance costs in Mississippi include: 

• Where you live. Average home insurance rates in Mississippi differ based on your location, down to your ZIP code.

• Home’s replacement cost. You should have enough dwelling insurance to cover the cost to rebuild your home if it’s destroyed. As such, the square footage and age of your home, and the cost of labor and materials, affect home insurance premiums. 

• Claim history. If you’ve filed home insurance claims in the past, your home insurance premium could be more expensive. Your insurer may also take into consideration any claims related to the property, even if you weren’t living there at the time. 

• Type and amount of coverage. The higher your coverage limits are, the more you’ll spend on homeowners insurance. Similarly, additional coverages, or endorsements, also affect your costs. 

• Your deductibles. The deductibles you choose impact your rate. Policies with higher deductibles have a lower premium, and policies with lower deductibles have a higher premium.

• Your credit history. Insurers in Mississippi can use your insurance-based credit score when determining your rates. A low score may lead to a higher premium. 

Mississippi homeowners aren’t legally required to have home insurance. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will probably require you to have it.

You should consider purchasing home insurance even if you aren’t required to carry a policy. A standard home insurance policy can provide financial protection against a range of perils, such as fire, theft, or storms. Without it, you’ll need to cover repair, rebuilding, or replacement costs out of pocket. 

Mississippi homeowners should consider their personal situation and risk tolerance to decide how much home insurance is necessary. Here’s an idea of how much coverage you should have for each component of your policy:

• Dwelling insurance. Your dwelling insurance limit should cover 100% of the cost of rebuilding the physical structure of your home after a covered loss.

• Other structures coverage. Typically set to 10% of your dwelling limit, this part of your policy can help you repair or rebuild detached garages, sheds, and other structures not attached to your primary residence. 

• Personal property insurance. Your personal property insurance coverage limit should match the total value of your belongings, such as decor, clothing, furniture, and small appliances.

• Personal liability insurance. You should choose a personal liability insurance limit that would cover the total value of your personal assets, like savings, real estate, vehicles, and investment accounts.

• Medical payments insurance. Regular home insurance policies usually provide $1,000 to $5,000 for medical payments coverage. If you want more financial protection in case a guest gets injured in your home, you can raise your policy limits.

• Loss of use insurance. Your loss of use coverage limit should be roughly 20% of your dwelling insurance coverage limit.

A standard homeowners insurance policy in Mississippi typically excludes coverage for the following:

• Flooding. Homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for flood damage.

• Earth movement. Home insurance doesn’t pay for damage caused by earthquakes, landslides, or sinkholes.

• Pests and infestations. Home insurance excludes coverage for pest and rodent infestations.

• Mold, mildew, and rot. Your policy may exclude or limit coverage for damage caused by mold, mildew, or rot. 

• Water backup damage. Home insurance typically excludes coverage for water damage caused by sump pump failures or sewer backups. 

• Empty homes. Your policy may exclude or limit coverage if your home is unoccupied for an extended period.

Many Mississippi homeowners can benefit from adding optional coverages to fill gaps in their standard home insurance policy, like flood insurance. Here are some optional policies to consider:

• Flood insurance. Flood insurance covers damage to your dwelling and personal items after a flood and can be a wise addition if your property is in or near a flood zone. If you have a mortgage and live in a designated flood zone, your lender will likely require you to carry coverage. 

• Water backup coverage. This endorsement will help cover the cost of damage caused by a failed sump pump or sewer backup. A standard policy typically excludes this type of damage. 

• Ordinance or law coverage. Covers the added expense of updating damaged parts of your home to meet current building codes after a covered loss. A smart add-on for older Mississippi homes or areas with strict rebuilding standards, since standard policies usually don’t include these costs.

• Extended replacement cost coverage. This endorsement will extend your dwelling coverage, often by 25% or more. This can be a valuable endorsement if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, as the cost of labor and materials often surges after a widespread disaster.