Unfortunately, the time when many Georgia residents first learn about Georgia auto insurance laws is after they’ve had an accident— and that’s a problem. While many drivers are covered up to the state’s minimum liability requirements, they find themselves underinsured in other areas or not sure about how to handle an accident.
Experiencing a car accident, damage to your vehicle, or personal injury relating to a traffic incident is frightening enough without facing uncertainty about Georgia auto insurance requirements and laws. At Freedom National, we take our role as a trusted insurer beyond just providing insurance— we want to provide the knowledge that will help you face stressful situations like car accidents with confidence.
Georgia, like many states, has its own specific regulations when it comes to auto insurance requirements and laws. The better informed you are about those Georgia auto insurance requirements, the more equipped you’ll be when facing a claim or incident. Knowing these requirements will also help you make more empowered decisions when it comes time to choose your first Georgia insurance company— or switch companies in order to access better premiums or coverage.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the details of Georgia auto insurance requirements and what they mean for your premiums and coverage.
Do You Have to Have Car Insurance in Georgia?
You are legally required to have some kind of auto insurance in order to legally drive in Georgia. And like all states, Georgia sets its own limits for the minimum amount of coverage required and which types of coverage you need to have in order to legally drive. Just remember that being caught driving without insurance is a serious offense, and can result in major fines as well as financially liability in the event of an accident. Remember— insurance is there to protect you from potentially devastating financial losses in the event of an accident.
So, how much coverage do you need according to Georgia auto insurance laws? We’ll cover that information in the next section.
What Insurance is Required in Georgia?
Georgia residents are required to carry the following insurance coverages to legally drive in the state: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured motorist bodily injury, and uninsured motorist property damage. Further, each type of coverage has a minimum coverage limit you must meet to be legally considered fully insured. Here are the minimums for each type of coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury*: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage*: $25,000 with a $250, $500, or $1000 deductible
Remember— these are the minimum requirements in Georgia. There’s nothing to stop you from adding additional coverage in other areas, or boosting your coverage limits to further protect yourself. We’ll talk about optional coverage in a later section.
Is Georgia a No Fault State for Car Insurance?
Unlike some states, Georgia is considered an at-fault state when it comes to car insurance. That means that when there’s a car accident, the officer who responds will conduct a report and then assess fault to either one or both of the people involved in the incident.
In at-fault states, fault can be assessed on a sliding scale. That means that, for example, one person may be determined to be 75% at fault while the other is then considered to be 25% at fault. If another person is at fault, that person is responsible for compensation for damages or injuries.
What Else You Need to Know About Car Insurance in Georgia
One of the best tips for car insurance in Georgia is to know the best ways to lower your insurance premiums. There are several ways that you can do it, but here are some of the most effective and accessible.
Improve Your Driving
One of the best ways you can get lower premiums is by ensuring that you have a positive driving record. The more safely you drive, and with fewer incidents or tickets, the lower premium you’ll be able to access. You can also save on premiums by driving your vehicle less often, too.
Leave Out Unnecessary Coverage
There are all kinds of insurance options available as part of your policy, but not all of them are essential or even important for your specific circumstance. Any good insurance company will let you customize your coverage so that you can select only the things you need (assuming you have at least the minimum legally required coverage).
Get Help
Don’t know the best way to save money on your car insurance? You don’t have to be in it alone. It’s in the best interest of your car insurance provider to provide you with affordable rates, because then you’re more likely to become a customer and remain one while being able to pay your premiums. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, ask your insurer. They may be able to find an alternative for you.
What Does Car Insurance Cost in Georgia?
In Georgia, the average annual cost of car insurance is around $1,400 per year. This is 2.8% less expensive than the national average, which is good news for Georgia references. That said, your insurance costs can vary widely based on other circumstances, such as you vehicle, driving record, specific coverage, and more. Optional coverages can raise your rate, as can lower deductibles, higher minimums, and more. Identifying how much your coverage will cost can be as simple as getting a quote, something that can be done at Freedom National in a matter of minutes.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Georgia
In Georgia, driving without insurance is a serious offense. You’ll be charged with a misdemeanor that will likely remain on your record forever. You’ll also be required to appear in court, and you could be fined between $200 and $1,000. This could be even more severe if you have been caught driving without insurance previously.
The other risk of driving without insurance is that you’ll be involved in an incident where you are at fault, which can result in you being personally financially liable for any costs that occur as a result of the accident.
Always keep yourself protected from legal and financial issues— never drive uninsured in Georgia or anywhere else in the United States. Insurance is required for all drivers in the U.S., regardless of how safe of a driver you are. The good news? Freedom National can help get you covered for less.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about car insurance in Georgia, including state regulations, insurance coverage minimums, and more, head to our page and discover everything that Freedom National has to offer. You can also check out our car insurance blog to learn more about specific car insurance related terms, information about driving in individual states, and much, much more.
Once you’re ready to find cheap car insurance that will keep you covered and allow you to easily customize your plan based on your unique needs, head to our page to start your free quote. It takes just a few minutes to enter some basic information and get a custom quote. From there, you can customize your policy so that it has everything you need— and nothing you don’t. We pride ourselves on offering some of the most accessible & affordable car insurance in Georgia even for those with a few driving incidents on their record. Get started with Freedom National today.
