Auto Insurance In Georgia: What's Legally Required?

In Georgia, drivers are legally required to have auto insurance. The minimum coverage includes liability insurance, which helps pay for damages to others if the insured driver is at fault in an accident. The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident for bodily injury liability, and $25,000 per incident for property damage liability. Georgia drivers must meet these minimum requirements to drive on public roads and highways.

Liability insurance requirements

In Georgia, liability car insurance is mandatory for all drivers. Liability insurance covers the other driver and their passengers when you are found at fault for an accident. It also covers damage to the other person's vehicle.

The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are:

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

Bodily Injury Liability coverage is mandated at a minimum and will provide financial protection for you and any passengers involved in the accident. Property Damage Liability coverage is also required by law and will help to cover the costs of damage done to your car or property as a result of the accident.

Georgia uses an online database to verify your insurance status. The Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS) can be accessed by law enforcement and other government agencies. While it is your car insurance carrier’s responsibility to report your insurance status, you may want to verify your information is accurate at the Vehicle Insurance State Inquiry Application.

Bodily injury liability

In Georgia, drivers are legally required to have liability insurance that meets the minimum limits. This insurance helps pay for the damage or injuries caused by motorists, protecting both the policyholder and other road users. The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are:

Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident.

Liability coverage is the type of auto insurance that pays any claim for damages asserted against the at-fault driver. In other words, if a person is injured due to your negligence, then your liability coverage will pay for their damages.

Georgia operates under a tort system, which means that the driver found at fault for an accident is responsible for paying the damage incurred by all parties. This framework can affect premium rates because insurers consider the likelihood of a driver being liable for damage in a crash.

Property damage liability

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. One of these minimum requirements is property damage liability insurance.

The most common claim under property damage liability insurance is damage to another vehicle. However, this type of insurance can also cover:

• Rental costs for renting a car while the damaged vehicle is being repaired
• Property damage to items inside a vehicle (often electronics)
• Property that is not related to a car, such as buildings and mailboxes

Georgia is a "fault state," meaning that the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the damages and injuries they have caused. Therefore, property damage liability insurance is required by law in Georgia.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

In Georgia, Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM Coverage) is a type of insurance coverage that you can purchase from your automobile liability insurer in addition to your general liability coverage. It is meant to protect you and your family in the event that you are injured by another driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover the costs of your damages.

In Georgia, about 12% of drivers do not have liability insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is often crucial in obtaining anything close to full compensation for an injured party. This is why many seasoned trial lawyers carry $2 million in UM coverage on their family vehicles.

Georgia law requires all automobile insurers operating in Georgia to offer uninsured motorist coverage to policyholders in the same amount as the liability coverage purchased: a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. Insureds may, however, elect to purchase uninsured motorist coverage in a lesser amount, to select tiers of coverage for different groups of insureds, or to reject it altogether.

There are two types of UM coverage:

• Bodily injury: This can cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages for you and your passengers.
• Property damage: This covers damages to your vehicle, house, fence, and personal items (e.g. cell phone, laptop).

Uninsured motorist coverage can help in a number of circumstances, including:

• The other driver is uninsured: If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, there would be no liability insurance from which to recover damages. If you have UM coverage, your insurance will pay for your medical bills and vehicle repairs.
• The driver is underinsured: Your policy may also contain underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. If the at-fault driver's liability coverage does not fully cover your damages, your UIM coverage may cover the difference.
• You are in a pedestrian accident: If you are hit by a vehicle driven by an uninsured motorist, you can claim compensation for lost wages and medical bills through your UM coverage.
• You are a passenger in another car: Your UM coverage covers you and your family members if you are a passenger in another car during an accident, and the at-fault driver is uninsured.
• You are the victim of a hit and run: Your UM coverage will cover you in place of the hit-and-run driver's liability insurance.

Collision coverage

In Georgia, drivers are required to have liability insurance that meets the minimum limits set by law to drive on public roads and highways. This 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. While collision coverage is not mandatory in Georgia, it is an essential component of auto insurance.

While collision coverage is not legally required in Georgia or any other state, it may be mandatory if you lease or finance your vehicle. In these cases, lenders or leasing companies usually require collision coverage to protect their investment. If you own your vehicle outright, you may choose to forgo collision coverage, but this could result in out-of-pocket expenses if you are involved in an accident.

When deciding whether to opt for collision coverage, it is important to consider your personal financial situation and the value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is new or has a high value, collision coverage can provide peace of mind and help cover expensive repairs or replacements. On the other hand, if your vehicle is older and has a lower value, the cost of collision coverage may outweigh the potential benefits.

In summary, while collision coverage is not mandatory in Georgia, it is an important option to consider when purchasing auto insurance. It provides financial protection in the event of accidents involving your vehicle, giving you peace of mind and helping to cover unexpected expenses.

Frequently asked questions