In Georgia, motor vehicle owners and lessees are required by law to maintain continuous Georgia Automobile Liability Insurance coverage. This means that all drivers must have liability insurance that meets the minimum limits required by law to drive on the state's public roads and highways. Liability insurance helps pay for damages to others if they are injured or their property is damaged in an accident where the insured driver is at fault. To check if your auto insurance is active in Georgia, you can log in to your account on your insurance company's website or mobile app and check the policy status, or you can contact your insurance company directly. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) provides a service called DRIVES e-Services for Insurance, which allows you to check your insurance status online.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How to check if auto insurance is active in GA | Check your insurance status online or contact your insurance company |
Required insurance coverage to drive in Georgia | Liability insurance with minimum limits: bodily injury liability ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident) and property damage liability ($25,000 per incident) |
Proof of insurance | Insurance information must be sent electronically by your insurance company to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) |
Acceptable proof of insurance | Electronic proof or printed proof of insurance; insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times for self-insured, fleet, or IRP-registered vehicles |
Insurance lapses | If your insurance policy is removed from the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS), you have 10 days to update the system; after 30 days, your vehicle registration is suspended and fees apply |
What You'll Learn
Check your insurance status online
Checking your insurance status online is a straightforward process. Firstly, you need to navigate to the correct website. In Georgia, this is the Department of Revenue's DRIVES e-Services for Insurance. Here, you can look up your insurance status, cancel your vehicle registration, and find information on insurance requirements for operating a vehicle in Georgia.
To check your insurance status, you will need to log in to your account. This will require your insurance company login details. Once you are logged in, you can check the status of your policy. If you have any questions about your insurance status, you can contact your insurance company directly.
It is important to maintain continuous insurance coverage on any vehicles you own or lease with active registration. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including fines and the suspension of your vehicle registration. If your vehicle registration is suspended, revoked, or canceled, you must not drive the vehicle, or it may be impounded. Additional penalties will apply if you are convicted of driving a vehicle with a suspended or canceled registration.
If your vehicle is inoperable or otherwise not in service, remember to cancel the vehicle registration before canceling your insurance to avoid any fines or penalties.
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Contact your insurance company
If you want to check whether your auto insurance is active in Georgia, the best thing to do is to contact your insurance company. This is a straightforward process, and you have a few options for doing so.
Firstly, you can call your insurance company directly and ask them about your policy status. Make sure you have your basic information to hand, as well as your policy number. The insurance company will be able to confirm whether your insurance is active or not.
Secondly, you can check your insurance status online. Most insurance companies have websites or mobile apps where you can log in to your account and view your policy details. This is a quick and easy way to check your insurance status and confirm that your coverage is still active.
It is important to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage on your vehicle if it is actively registered in Georgia. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including fines and the suspension of your vehicle registration. Driving with a suspended registration is a criminal offence and can lead to your vehicle being impounded. Therefore, it is in your best interest to ensure your insurance coverage is active by contacting your insurance company and checking your policy status.
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Provide proof of insurance when purchasing a plate or renewing a decal
In Georgia, motor vehicle owners and lessees are required by law to maintain continuous Georgia Automobile Liability Insurance coverage. When purchasing a plate or renewing a decal, you must provide proof of insurance.
Insurance companies are required by law to provide proof of insurance electronically to the state. This is done by submitting the information to the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS). Any time you change or cancel your policy, your insurance company updates your policy automatically, which usually takes 24 to 48 hours.
If your insurance company has been slow or has had technical difficulties sending your insurance policy to GEICS, you may use printed proof of insurance. This can include a binder page or a declaration page valid within the last 30 days. If you have a fleet or self-insured policy, you will need your fleet card or self-insurance document.
If you are purchasing or renewing a vehicle registration, you must bring your card with you. If you are asked to show proof of insurance, this means your insurance company has not yet submitted your policy. Failure to submit your policy can result in insurance lapse fees. Contact your insurance company to verify that you have a Georgia-based policy, and check that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the policy matches the VIN on your registration.
You can also verify the status of a vehicle's insurance using the VIN. To avoid penalties, cancel your registration before cancelling your insurance policy. Cancelling your registration does not remove ownership, but it does notify law enforcement and the Department of Revenue that your vehicle is not, and will not be, on the road.
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File a police report to check insurance by license plate
In Georgia, police officers can instantly check if a vehicle is insured by running its license plate through their in-car electronic verification system. This system is efficient and ensures that all vehicles on the road comply with the state's insurance laws.
To file a police report to check insurance by license plate in Georgia, follow these steps:
- Dial 911: If you are involved in a car accident, dial 911 to report the incident and request a police officer be dispatched to the scene.
- Preserve evidence: After an accident, it is important to preserve evidence by taking photographs or videos of the scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and any other relevant details.
- Exchange information: Obtain the contact and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
- Render aid: If anyone is injured in the accident, call for an ambulance and provide reasonable assistance.
- Wait for the police to arrive: A police officer will be dispatched to the scene of the accident. They will conduct a brief investigation and prepare a report.
- Obtain a copy of the police report: Ensure you receive a copy of the police report for your records. This report will include the officer's findings, witness statements, and other relevant details.
- File a separate report with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS): In some cases, you may need to file an additional report with the DDS. This report requires you to swear an affidavit, notarized, stating that you were in an accident and believe you are entitled to recovery from another driver.
- Follow up with your insurance company: Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident and initiate any necessary claims processes.
It is important to note that under Georgia law, all car accidents resulting in more than $500 in damages or causing injury or death must be reported to law enforcement immediately. Failing to report an accident can have legal consequences and may impact your ability to file a lawsuit or insurance claim.
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Check with the DMV
To check if your car insurance is active in Georgia, you can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV can help you determine whether a vehicle has insurance, but you will need to provide a valid reason for the request, such as a collision involving that vehicle. Here is a step-by-step guide on checking your car insurance status with the DMV:
- Understand the Requirements: Before initiating the process, it's essential to know that insurance information is not public record. The DMV will require a valid reason for your request, typically related to a collision or accident involving the vehicle in question.
- Gather Necessary Information: To file a request with the DMV, you will need specific details about the vehicle and the incident. This includes the license plate number of the car in question. Additionally, you may need to provide other relevant information, such as the make and model of the car, the driver's name, and details of the accident.
- Submit a Request: Contact the DMV and submit a formal request for insurance information. You can do this by visiting their website, using their online services, or potentially by visiting a physical DMV office, depending on the state's procedures. Provide all the necessary information accurately and completely.
- Provide Collision Details: As part of your request, you will need to explain the reason for your inquiry. Describe the accident or collision involving the vehicle. This information will help the DMV process your request and determine the relevant insurance details.
- Receive Insurance Details: If your request is approved, the DMV may provide you with the name of the insurance company associated with the vehicle's license plate number. This information can be crucial in resolving issues related to accidents, collisions, or verifying insurance coverage.
- Understand State Variations: It's important to remember that laws and procedures may vary from state to state. The information provided by the DMV and the specific steps in the process may differ slightly depending on the state in which you reside. Always refer to the official websites and guidelines of your state's DMV.
Remember, while the DMV can assist in obtaining insurance information, it is not the only method. You can also contact your insurance company or the police, especially if the insurance information is needed in relation to an accident or collision. Keeping yourself informed about the insurance requirements and staying up to date with your insurance coverage can help you navigate these situations more effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
You can check the status of your insurance online using the DRIVES e-Services for Insurance. Alternatively, you can call your insurance company directly and ask them about your policy status.
If you don't have active auto insurance in Georgia, you may face penalties such as fines and the suspension of your vehicle registration. Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration due to lack of insurance is a criminal offense and may result in the vehicle being impounded.
In Georgia, insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times. However, these are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage for vehicles that are not self-insured, fleet, or IRP registered. In such cases, proof of insurance must be filed electronically by your insurance company with the Department of Revenue (DOR).