Jane Dotson
In the state of Georgia, it is a legal requirement for motor vehicle owners and lessees to have valid insurance and to carry proof of this insurance in their vehicle at all times. This can be in an electronic format or as a paper copy. Failure to carry proof of insurance is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to $1000 and a year in prison.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is proof of insurance required in Georgia? | Yes |
| Is insurance mandatory in Georgia? | Yes |
| What is the minimum insurance coverage? | Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident |
| What happens if you don't have insurance? | Fines, suspension of the vehicle registration, and/or impoundment of the vehicle |
| What happens if you don't have proof of insurance? | Charged with a Georgia traffic misdemeanor, fines ranging from $200 to $1,000, and/or up to 12 months in jail |
| What is considered valid proof of insurance? | Insurance cards, electronic proof, or paper proof |
| Are insurance cards always considered valid proof? | No, insurance cards are not valid proof for non-self-insured, non-fleet, or non-IRP registered vehicles |
| When is an insurance card required? | When travelling to states that don't recognize the Georgia database, or when exchanging insurance information after an accident |
What You'll Learn
Driving without insurance in Georgia is a criminal offence
In Georgia, motor vehicle owners and lessees are required by law to maintain continuous Georgia Automobile Liability Insurance coverage. This means that any lapse in coverage can lead to severe penalties.
Insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times, although they are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage by themselves. Failure to have your card with you when operating your vehicle can result in penalties.
If you are caught driving without insurance in Georgia, you will be charged with a misdemeanor, which will remain on your record permanently. You will have to appear in court and pay a fine of $200 to $1,000. Your license will be suspended for 60 to 90 days, and you may also face jail time of up to 12 months.
If you are caught driving without insurance for the second time within five years of a previous violation, your license and registration will be suspended for 90 days. You will also have to pay a $25 lapse fee and a $60 reinstatement fee to get your license and registration back.
If the offense occurs for a third time within five years, your license and registration will be suspended for six months. You will have to pay a $25 lapse fee and a $160 reinstatement fee. In addition, you will have to prove you are insured with at least the minimum required coverage for six months to get your license and registration back. You may also be required to serve up to 12 months in jail.
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Failure to keep proof of insurance is a separate charge
In Georgia, motor vehicle owners and lessees are required by law to maintain continuous automobile liability insurance coverage. Insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times. Failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in penalties, including fines and possibly suspension of the vehicle registration. Driving a vehicle while the registration is suspended, revoked, or canceled is a criminal offense and may result in the vehicle being impounded.
Failing to provide proof of insurance is a separate charge from driving without insurance. While some states allow electronic proof of insurance to be shown on smartphones, most states still require drivers to carry their physical insurance cards and provide them upon demand to the police or at the scene of an accident. If a driver is unable to do so, they will be ticketed.
In Georgia, the maximum fine for not providing proof of insurance cannot exceed $25. When attending court, the prosecutor will ask the accused if they had valid insurance when they were ticketed. It is important to bring the insurance card or binder that was in effect as of the date of the charge, as court appearances can be weeks or months after the charge.
If the accused brings the correct insurance card to court, they will not need a lawyer if this is the only offense, and the court will reduce the fine to $25 or less. Many courts will simply dismiss the charge if the accused had insurance at the time of the ticket. In this case, the court clerk will not report the conviction to the Department of Driver Services or the insurance company.
In the state of Georgia, failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in penalties including fines and possibly suspension of the vehicle registration. Driving a vehicle while the registration is suspended, revoked, or canceled is a criminal offense and may result in the vehicle being impounded. Additional penalties will apply if convicted of driving a vehicle with a suspended or canceled registration.
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Insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times
In Georgia, it is mandatory to carry insurance cards in your vehicle at all times. Driving without proof of insurance is a criminal offence and can lead to fines, suspension of your license, or even jail time.
The state government has determined that driving a motor vehicle is an inherently risky activity. To ensure that all drivers can provide adequate compensation to injured parties in the event of a traffic accident, the government has made it mandatory to carry a minimum amount of insurance. This also helps enforce the requirement that all drivers in Georgia must have insurance.
While insurance cards are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage for non-self-insured, fleet, or IRP-registered vehicles, they are necessary when travelling in states that do not recognise the Georgia insurance database. Additionally, insurance cards may be needed to exchange insurance information in the event of an accident.
It is important to note that failure to maintain insurance coverage can result in penalties, including fines and the suspension of your vehicle registration. Driving a vehicle with a suspended or cancelled registration due to lack of insurance is a criminal offence and can lead to additional penalties.
To avoid any issues, always keep your insurance card with you when driving and ensure that your insurance information is up to date with the Department of Revenue.
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Georgia's minimum insurance coverage requirements
In Georgia, motor vehicle owners and lessees are required by law to maintain continuous Georgia Automobile Liability Insurance coverage. This means that drivers must have liability insurance that meets the minimum limits required by law to drive on the state's public roads and highways.
The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are:
- Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident. This is intended to provide a basic level of protection for a person who suffers a personal injury in a car accident.
- Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per incident.
It is important to note that these amounts are considered "minimum limits" and are not meant to be a cap on how much coverage a person can or should get. Individuals may opt for more coverage to protect their financial assets, their vehicle, and their passengers.
In addition to the minimum requirements, Georgia state law also recommends Uninsured Motorist Insurance. This is because there are drivers who do not follow the law or unknowingly allow their coverage to lapse or cancel. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, Uninsured Motorist insurance would protect the other driver.
Physical Damage Insurance is another type of coverage that is not required by Georgia state law. This type of insurance helps pay for loss or damage to your own vehicle. There are two types of physical damage insurance: Comprehensive, which covers theft, vandalism, and fire-related losses, and Collision, which covers losses associated with vehicle collisions. While not mandatory, physical damage coverage is usually required by lenders or leasing companies if you financed or leased your vehicle.
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What to do if you're caught driving without proof of insurance
In Georgia, it is a legal requirement to have motor insurance and to carry proof of this insurance in your vehicle at all times. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could face serious penalties, including fines, a year in jail, and losing your driving privileges.
If you are pulled over by the police and are unable to provide proof of insurance, you can be charged with a traffic misdemeanor. This is a criminal offence and carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to a year in prison. Your license will also be suspended.
If you had insurance at the time but did not have the proof with you, it is critical that you present the insurance card or binder that was valid on the date of the charge to the court. Most courts will simply dismiss the ticket if you can prove you had insurance at the time. Even if you have to pay the ticket, it will not be reported to the Department of Driver Services or your insurance company.
If you are unable to prove you had insurance at the time of the ticket, there are still ways to fight this kind of offence. A skilled and experienced Georgia traffic violation lawyer may be able to negotiate on your behalf or help you fight your case.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Georgia law requires that drivers maintain a minimum of motor vehicle liability insurance.
Yes, you must carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times. This can be in electronic format or as a paper copy.
Failure to keep proof of insurance in your vehicle is a separate charge from having no insurance at all. If you did have valid insurance at the time of the citation, the Judge must reduce the fine to $25 and not suspend your license.
