Mississippi FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does Mississippi have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. Mississippi's FAIR Plan is the MWUA: Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association ('Wind Pool'); MRPIUA: Mississippi Residential Property Insurance Underwriting Association ('FAIR Plan'). Both administered under the 'MS Plans' umbrella., official site www.msplans.com ↗. It exists as the insurer of last resort for property owners who can't get coverage in the standard ("admitted") market.

What does it cover?

MWUA (Wind Pool): windstorm and hail ONLY — hurricane, tornado, severe thunderstorm wind/hail — for eligible property in 6 coastal counties. Does NOT cover fire, theft, liability, or flood. MWUA wind-only policies must be paired with a separate ex-wind homeowners/dwelling policy. MRPIUA (FAIR Plan): residential fire and extended coverage (fire, lightning, wind, hail, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism/malicious mischief) for eligible dwellings in all 83 Mississippi counties. However, MRPIUA does NOT provide wind and hail for properties in Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties — those perils must be placed with MWUA. Neither covers flood or personal liability.

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is MWUA: $1,000,000 (dwelling, 1-4 family) + $250,000 (contents) per location. Hurricane deductible: typically 2% of dwelling coverage (minimum); requests above 5% reviewed by management. MRPIUA: $200,000 (dwelling) + $75,000 (contents). Standard deductible: $1,000 per claim. (MS Plans — MWUA, verified 2026-05-11).

Who is eligible?

MWUA: Property in one of 6 eligible coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, George, Stone); applicant unable to obtain wind/hail from private market; property meets MWUA underwriting standards. Wind mitigation premium credits for documented improvements (FORTIFIED roof, secondary water barriers, opening protection). MRPIUA: Eligible dwellings in all 83 Mississippi counties; applicant unable to obtain residential fire/extended coverage in standard market; application must include two current color photographs (front and back of dwelling); payment in full required at application. MRPIUA will not cover any dwelling built over water. No fixed numeric declination count published by either plan.

How do you apply?

Through a Mississippi-licensed insurance agent resident in Mississippi. Neither MWUA nor MRPIUA sells directly to consumers. Agents find information and submit applications through msplans.com. MRPIUA requires payment in full at time of application.

Need a broker who writes the MS FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

MWUA: more expensive than private wind market for most coastal properties; hurricane percentage deductibles (2-5%+ of dwelling value) add to effective cost. After the January 2026 +16% rate increase, coastal premiums rose further. For high-risk shoreline properties, MWUA is often the only wind/hail option regardless of price. MRPIUA: more expensive than the standard market for narrower coverage; $1,000 standard deductible applies to all claims.

What is changing right now?

Per III FY2024 reporting: approximately 2,237 policies in force (habitational only; III excludes MS commercial policies), total exposure approximately $138 million. Key 2025-2026 changes: (1) MWUA implemented a +16% rate increase effective January 1, 2026 — first significant increase in several years, driven by elevated hurricane reinsurance costs. (2) MWUA published an updated Plan of Operation effective April 1, 2025. (3) Wind mitigation credits and FORTIFIED roof requirements continue as premium offset mechanisms. Post-Hurricane Katrina (2005) restructuring added state appropriations and reinsurance to MWUA funding stack.

Do you also need a wrap (DIC) policy?

Yes — coastal Mississippi homeowners typically carry a three-policy stack: (1) MWUA wind-only policy; (2) separate ex-wind homeowners or dwelling fire policy for fire/theft/liability from a private insurer or MRPIUA; (3) NFIP or private flood policy. This three-policy stack is the standard approach in the 6 coastal counties and approximates comprehensive homeowners coverage at higher combined cost.

What to do this week if you just got a non-renewal notice

1. Read the notice fully. Note the cancellation date — that's your runway.
2. Call your current agent and ask why. Some non-renewals are reversible (a minor issue, a missed inspection); most aren't.
3. Get quotes from at least three other admitted carriers before going to the FAIR Plan. If you're rural / WUI / coastal you may strike out; that's normal.
4. If admitted carriers decline, contact a broker who writes the MWUA: Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association ('Wind Pool'); MRPIUA: Mississippi Residential Property Insurance Underwriting Association ('FAIR Plan'). Both administered under the 'MS Plans' umbrella.. They can submit on your behalf the same week.
5. Don't let coverage lapse. A lapse triggers force-placed insurance from your lender — much more expensive and worse coverage.

For the full playbook see I just got a non-renewal notice →