Georgia Car Insurance Requirements: What Every Driver Needs to Know
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As in most states, car insurance is mandatory in the Peach State. Knowing Georgia car insurance requirements will not only help you stay compliant with state-mandated minimums but ensure you're getting the best coverage for your budget.
Here we break down Georgia car insurance so you can make the best choices for your vehicles. Whether you are simply looking to meet the minimum coverage requirements or want more comprehensive protection, this guide has what you need to know.
The Importance of Auto Insurance in Georgia
Having auto insurance coverage isn't just necessary to stay legally compliant. It's vital to protect yourself in the event of an accident.
Meeting Georgia minimum car insurance requirements ensures you avoid penalties like fines or jail time, but you may want more comprehensive coverage to pay for damage to your vehicle or medical payments if you're in an accident. After all, you can't see the future, and an insurance policy helps you prepare for the unexpected.
Overview of Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Georgia
There are several minimum limits for Georgia auto insurance. The state requires all motorists to have liability insurance, which includes both bodily injury and physical damage liability. However, it does not require drivers to purchase additional protections like collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, nor does it mandate uninsured motorist insurance.
Driving without car insurance in Georgia can land you a misdemeanor charge. If you are convicted of driving without insurance, you may face a fine between $200 and $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. You'll also lose your license for anywhere from 60 to 90 days.
Types of Coverage Required by Law
Auto insurance requirements in Georgia are less stringent than in some other states. These are the required coverages.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is the only type of insurance legally required in Georgia. This type of insurance helps pay damages to others on your behalf if you are at fault for an accident. Georgia's minimum limits of liability coverage are:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per incident
The state requires all drivers to have insurance coverage that meets or exceeds these minimums in order to register a vehicle or purchase a new vehicle.
Physical Damage Insurance
Georgia law does not require physical damage insurance, but lenders or leasing companies often demand it if you have financed or leased your vehicle. Moreover, experts generally recommend this coverage to help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle after an unexpected event.
The two types of physical damage insurance are:
- Collision coverage, which covers losses associated with vehicle collisions, including with other cars or stationary objects.
- Comprehensive coverage, which covers non-collision-related incidents like theft, vandalism, and damage due to fires, flooding, and other natural disasters.
Though both of these coverage types are optional add-ons, most drivers choose to get them. One study found that 80% of American drivers have comprehensive insurance today.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Another type of coverage not required by Georgia law, uninsured motorist insurance protects against those drivers who do not comply with the law. Uninsured drivers are an issue everywhere, and this type of coverage protects you in the event that someone who is knowingly or unknowingly driving without insurance coverage causes an accident with you.
Most auto insurance companies in Georgia supplement this with underinsured motorist coverage, which protects against motorists with car insurance that does not meet legal minimums. If a driver cannot produce proof of insurance, there's a decent chance they're uninsured.
Additional Georgia Car Insurance
While Georgia car insurance requirements are relatively light, add-ons are worth exploring. There is one more additional coverage type that may make sense for Georgia drivers.
Medical Payments Coverage
An insurance policy with medical payments coverage helps pay for medical expenses after an accident involving your vehicle. It covers you, your passengers, and pedestrians injured by your car regardless, of who is at fault for an accident.
Possible expenses covered include doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, X-rays, and ambulance rides. If you're injured in an accident, medical payments coverage can save you a lot of money during your recovery.
Compare Georgia Car Insurance Requirements and Find Your Best Rate Today!
For drivers from Atlanta to Macon, meeting the minimum Georgia auto insurance requirements is the easy part. What's more difficult is finding an insurance policy that fits your budget and gives you the optional coverage you need to feel safe when driving your car.
This guide is a good start to knowing what coverages are available. To find the best insurance rates in Georgia, EverQuote can help. By using EverQuote's comparison tools, you can compare insurance quotes based on coverages, your driving record, and other key factors to find the best insurance company and policy for your individual needs.