4/5/05-Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill April 4 raising the minimum coverage requirement for vehicle insurance in Mississippi.
Current state law requires drivers to have $10,000 for bodily injury, $20,000 for personal injury and $5,000 for property damage.
The new law, previously HB722, requires drivers to have $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 for personal injury and $25,000 for property damage. It will apply only to policies issued on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
A provision added by Senate lawmakers is intended to boost enforcement of motor vehicle insurance laws by giving Mississippi towns a cut of fines collected for failure to provide proof of insurance.
It allocates 25 percent of fines collected from drivers to cities and counties.
The violation is one of the only traffic fines that local agencies do not receive a portion of.
Drivers who fail to show proof of insurance could be ticketed by law enforcement. Officers can only ask for proof of insurance if a motorist is stopped for another infraction, such as speeding.
The fine for the first-time offenders who fail to provide proof of insurance when pulled over is $1,000. The new law drops the fine to $500.
If they purchase insurance before their court date, the fine is $100. If an offender can prove they had insurance at the time of ticketing, the fine would be removed.

4/1/05-A bill that would raise the minimum coverage requirement for drivers in the state who have vehicle insurance has been forwarded to Gov. Haley Barbour.
Current state law requires drivers to have $10,000 for bodily injury, $20,000 for personal injury and $5,000 for property damage.
HB722, sponsored by Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, proposes $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 for personal injury and $25,000 for property damage. It would apply only to policies issued on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
A provision added to the bill is intended to boost enforcement of motor vehicle insurance laws by giving Mississippi towns a cut of fines collected for violations.
It would allocate 25 percent of fines collected from drivers who cannot provide proof of vehicle insurance to cities and counties.
The violation is one of the only traffic fines that local agencies do not receive a portion of.
Currently, law enforcement officers can only ask for proof of insurance if a motorist is stopped for another infraction, such as speeding.
The fine for the first-time offenders who fail to provide proof of insurance when pulled over is $1,000. The bill sent to the governor would drop the fine to $500.
If they purchase insurance before their court date, the fine is $100. If an offender can prove they had insurance at the time of ticketing, the fine would be removed.
For bill status, call (601) 359-3719.

3/8/05-The Senate has approved a bill that would raise the minimum coverage requirement for drivers in the state who have vehicle insurance.
Current state law requires drivers to have $10,000 for bodily injury, $20,000 for personal injury and $5,000 for property damage.
HB722, sponsored by Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, proposes $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 for personal injury and $25,000 for property damage. It would apply only to policies issued on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
The bill has been sent to the House for final approval before heading to Gov. Haley Barbour. For bill status, call (601) 359-3719.

2/10/05-The House approved a bill Feb. 3 that would raise the minimum coverage requirement for drivers in the state who have vehicle insurance.
Current law requires drivers to have $10,000 for bodily injury, $20,000 for personal injury and $5,000 for property damage.
HB722, sponsored by Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, would up the amounts required to $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for personal injury. The bill suggests $25,000 for property damage.
It has been sent to the Senate for consideration. For bill status, call (601) 359-3719.
A similar Senate bill – SB2328 – has been forwarded to the House.