Georgia, requires that all drivers have minimum auto insurance. Although mandatory car insurance can be overwhelming at times, it is necessary to protect yourself and other road users. Georgia has more than 25 million traffic accidents each year. Without proper car insurance, many of these accidents can lead to drivers spending far more than they can afford.
It is important to be familiar with Georgia’s auto insurance requirements when driving in Georgia. These laws will prevent you from being cited, and can also help to prevent financial disasters.
Georgia’s Car Insurance Laws
Georgia mandates that all drivers have basic liability auto insurance. These policies must cover bodily injury and damage. Each category has minimum coverage according to Georgia car insurance laws. Bodily injury refers to bodily injuries caused by other drivers and any associated medical costs. Property damage is the cost of repairing or replacing another driver’s vehicle. These coverages have minimum requirements.
- Minimum Bodily Injury: $25,000 Per Person and $50,000 Per Incident
- Minimum Property Damage: $25,000 Per Incident
Georgia Liability Insurance
Basic liability insurance is required by Georgia’s car insurance laws. Liability insurance helps the at-fault party pay for the accident expenses. They will also be responsible for any damages to their car or medical expenses.
If you hit another driver at a stop sign, you are responsible for any damages to their vehicle and you. Georgia’s minimum auto insurance policy would cover $25,000 to pay for bodily injury and $25,000 for damage to property.
You could run into financial difficulties if you have minimum insurance. If you are at fault, you will be responsible not only for the expenses of the other driver but also for your own expenses. Georgia’s minimum insurance coverage would not cover the expenses of the other driver in this instance. If the accident costs are greater than the minimum, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying any excess costs.
It is a smart idea to buy additional car insurance that goes beyond the minimum required.
Is Georgia a No Fault State?
Although there are some no-fault states out there, Georgia is not one of them. Georgia, like most of the country is at-fault (also known as a tort system) state. An auto accident can result in one or more parties being held responsible for damages. This is important for drivers as it means that the driver responsible for an auto accident will be responsible financially. This system emphasizes the importance of minimum auto insurance.
Georgia Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Georgia law may impose severe penalties on those who drive without insurance. They could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up $1,000. Their license may also be suspended for 2 to 3 months. This could lead to up to one year in jail. These penalties can have a variety of consequences, as with many states. The penalties for first-time offenders tend to be lower than those for repeat offenders.
Georgia offers additional options for auto insurance coverage
Georgia’s insurance laws have very low minimums and do not cover injuries sustained by at-fault drivers. Many people extend or add to their auto insurance policies because of this. You can make these changes by increasing the coverage limits of a liability policy, or adding additional protections such as comprehensive, collision, and uninsured driver insurance. These are the most popular additional coverages available in Georgia.
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle while it’s in use. Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle caused by collisions with other cars, trees, or debris. It is available for as long as the vehicle was still in use at the time of the accident. The average cost for collision insurance is $290/year.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle while it isn’t in use. Comprehensive insurance could pay for the costs of repairs if a branch falls onto your vehicle while it is parked in a driveway. Comprehensive would not cover you if a limb falls on your vehicle while you are driving it. Comprehensive insurance costs about $134 per annum.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Uninsured motorist insurance is a type of insurance that protects you in an accident involving a driver who doesn’t have insurance. This policy acts in a similar way to an additional liability policy, which protects you and not others. These policies can be expensive, but they are usually much less than basic liability policies.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Which Georgia car insurance company is best?
The best auto insurance company can vary based on the driver and their circumstances. Experts recommend that you shop around before choosing a policy and a company. Consider things such as independent ratings, rates and discounts available, and financial stability of the company.
What is Georgia’s cheapest auto insurance?
Rates can differ greatly between drivers and companies. It’s best to compare rates from several companies to get the best deal. It’s a smart idea to compare affordable car insurance. This will allow you to avoid paying more for lower quality.
