Short answer: Mississippi has two residual markets. The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) covers wind and hail in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George counties, and the Mississippi Residential Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MRPIUA) offers residential fire and extended coverage statewide, without wind and hail on the coast. For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, insurers must give 45 days' notice of non-renewal.
This guide is general information for Mississippi homeowners. It isn't legal advice. Your policy wording controls.
Step 1: Coastal and southern counties, sort out wind
Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) examination reports describe the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association's territory as Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George counties (MID: MWUA report). MWUA covers wind and hail. If you live there and a private insurer excludes wind, you'll pair an ex-wind homeowners policy with MWUA coverage. Compare deductibles on both. See hurricane deductibles explained.
Step 2: Statewide, MRPIUA
Mississippi law expanded the rural risk association into a statewide residual market for residential property in all protection classes, the MRPIUA. According to MID's MRPIUA report, it excludes wind and hail for the coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson, and an applicant must first try to place the coverage in the voluntary market. Expect a basic, named-peril policy.
Step 3: Buy flood separately
Neither MWUA nor MRPIUA covers flood. Quote a policy through FloodSmart or a private flood insurer.
Step 4: The new 45-day notice
Under Miss. Code §83-5-28, as amended by HB 1611, insurers must give 45 days' notice of non-renewal, cancellation or reduced coverage for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026. Details: Mississippi homeowners non-renewal rules.
Step 5: Claims
Mississippi law doesn't set a fixed number of days for property claims; insurers must act reasonably promptly. MID publishes a policyholder bill of rights that explains your rights after a loss. If you have both a homeowners and an MWUA policy, report wind damage to both. More: Mississippi insurance claim deadlines.
See our tables: non-renewal notice rules by state, insurance claim deadlines by state and home insurance claim and lawsuit deadlines by state.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Mississippi.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mississippi counties does MWUA cover?
Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George, according to Mississippi Insurance Department reports.
Does MRPIUA cover wind on the Mississippi coast?
No. MRPIUA excludes wind and hail in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.
How much notice before a Mississippi homeowners non-renewal?
45 days for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, under Miss. Code §83-5-28.
Does Mississippi set a deadline to pay home claims?
No fixed number of days. Insurers must act reasonably promptly.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.