Auto Insurance In Georgia: What's The Law?

Auto insurance is required in Georgia, with drivers needing to carry both bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. The minimum coverage required is $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident. This is to ensure that drivers can pay for any property damage or bodily injuries incurred from an accident that they cause.

Minimum liability coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per incident, and $25,000 per accident for property damage

In Georgia, drivers must have liability insurance that meets the minimum limits required by law to drive on the state's public roads and highways. This means that drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per incident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per incident.

The minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury helps cover medical bills or funeral expenses for any individual harmed in a car accident. If the costs of these expenses exceed $25,000 for a single person, additional funds can be drawn from the per-accident limit, up to $50,000 in total. This per-accident limit acts as a cap, ensuring that the insurance company will not pay more than $50,000 collectively for all individuals harmed in a single incident.

The property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per incident covers any damages inflicted on another individual's property in an at-fault auto accident. This includes damages to another person's vehicle as well as other types of property, such as buildings or structures.

While Georgia law sets these minimum requirements, drivers can choose to purchase additional coverage. Increasing liability limits beyond the minimum amount is strongly suggested, as serious injuries or extensive property damage can quickly exceed these minimum thresholds.

It is important to note that liability insurance only covers injuries or property damage caused to others and does not extend to the policyholder's injuries or damage to their own property. To protect against these risks, drivers can consider optional coverages such as collision and comprehensive insurance, which are typically required by lenders or leasing companies if the vehicle is financed or leased.

Proof of insurance is mandatory and must be shown to law enforcement officials

In Georgia, it is mandatory to have proof of insurance and to show it to law enforcement officials when asked. This is to ensure that every driver on the road has a certain amount of car insurance coverage to protect themselves and other drivers. Failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in penalties, including fines and the suspension of the vehicle's registration. Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration is a criminal offense and may result in the vehicle being impounded.

Insurance cards must be carried in the vehicle at all times, especially when travelling in states other than Georgia, or when exchanging insurance information after an accident. For vehicles that are not self-insured, fleet, or IRP-registered, insurance cards by themselves are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage. In these cases, a Bill of Sale dated within 30 days of the purchase, along with a valid insurance binder page, is required. For rented vehicles, the rental agreement must be carried in the vehicle while being driven.

For fleet-insured vehicles, a Fleet Insurance Policy Card must be kept in the vehicle at all times while it is being driven. Similarly, a valid Certificate of Self-Insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times for self-insured vehicles. A self-insurer is any vehicle owner with an approved self-insurance plan that provides coverage and benefits equal to those of an automobile liability insurance company. A certificate of self-insurance information issued by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Commissioner's Office (ICO) is also required to qualify as acceptable proof of insurance coverage.

For vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP), a valid insurance policy information card must be kept in the vehicle whenever it is being driven. This information card is issued in the registered owner's name by a Georgia-licensed insurer and must display the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in fines and possible suspension of vehicle registration

Driving without insurance in Georgia can have serious consequences, including fines, suspension of your vehicle registration, and even jail time.

Failure to Maintain Insurance Coverage

If you fail to maintain insurance coverage on your vehicle, you will be subject to penalties under Georgia law. These penalties are designed to enforce the requirement that all drivers have liability insurance, which helps protect you and other drivers in the event of an accident.

Fines

If you are caught driving without insurance, you will be subject to fines. The exact amount of the fine can vary depending on the circumstances and your driving history. For a first offense, you may be required to pay a $25 lapse fee. If you don't pay this fee within 30 days, your registration will be suspended, and you will have to pay a $60 reinstatement fee. For subsequent offenses, the fees can increase, and you may also face additional penalties.

Suspension of Vehicle Registration

If you fail to provide proof of insurance within the specified time frame, your vehicle's registration will be suspended. This means that your vehicle will no longer be legally allowed on the roads, and you will need to take steps to reinstate your registration before you can drive again. Driving with a suspended registration is considered a misdemeanor and can result in further penalties, including fines and jail time.

Jail Time

In some cases, driving without insurance or with a suspended registration can result in jail time. This is especially true for repeat offenses. For a first offense, you may face up to 12 months in jail, depending on the circumstances.

Other Consequences

In addition to the direct penalties, failing to maintain insurance coverage can have other negative consequences. Your insurance rates may increase, as insurance companies may view you as a higher-risk driver. Additionally, if your vehicle is financed or leased, your lender or leasing company may require you to maintain physical damage coverage, and a lapse in insurance coverage may violate the terms of your agreement.

To avoid these penalties and consequences, it is important to maintain continuous insurance coverage on your vehicle and provide proof of insurance to the state of Georgia as required.

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor, punishable by jail time, a fine, and license suspension

Driving without insurance in Georgia is a misdemeanor, and those convicted will face penalties. The Georgia Department of Driver Services operates an electronic insurance compliance system, which means that if your insurance is terminated or expires, your carrier will electronically notify the state. You are then given 30 days to provide proof of new insurance. If you do not provide this within 30 days, you will receive a "Notice of Pending Suspension", and your vehicle's registration will be suspended at the end of the second 30-day period if proof of insurance is still not provided.

If you are caught driving without insurance in Georgia, you may face the following penalties:

• A fine of up to $1,000 (plus a $25 insurance lapse fee and a registration reinstatement fee of $60-$160).
• Jail time of up to one year.
• License suspension for 60 to 90 days.
• Vehicle impoundment.
• Reinstatement fees for your license.

Accidents resulting in serious injury or death may lead to felony charges, triggering incarceration or fines.

If you are convicted of driving without insurance and your license is suspended, you will not be able to drive for the entire suspension period. Once the suspension period is over, you will need to pay a license reinstatement fee to drive legally again. Reinstatement fees range from $200 to $410, depending on violation history and payment method.

Liability insurance does not cover injuries or damage to your own property

In the state of Georgia, auto insurance is required for all drivers. The minimum coverage is liability insurance with the following limits:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per incident

Liability insurance is a general term for insurance coverage that protects you financially if you are found legally responsible for property damage or personal injury to a third party. This means that liability insurance covers injuries caused to another person or damage to someone else's property. It does not cover injuries to yourself or damage to your own property.

For example, if you are in a car accident and are found to be at fault, your liability insurance will cover the cost of repairing the other person's vehicle, but it will not cover the cost of repairing your own vehicle. Similarly, liability insurance will cover the other person's medical expenses if they are injured, but it will not cover your own medical expenses if you are injured in the accident.

Liability insurance is typically included in most auto insurance policies and is required by law in almost every state. In Georgia, failure to maintain the minimum liability insurance coverage can result in penalties, including fines and suspension of your vehicle registration.

While liability insurance is essential, it is important to recognize that it has limitations. To protect yourself and your property adequately, it is recommended to consider additional coverage options, such as collision and comprehensive insurance, which can provide further protection for your vehicle and personal injuries.

Frequently asked questions