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 ruled 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 the state's public roads and highways.

Liability insurance minimums

In Georgia, liability car insurance is mandatory for all drivers. Liability insurance covers only the other car and/or that car's driver and passengers when the policyholder is found at fault for an accident.

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 the policyholder 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 the policyholder's car or property as a result of the accident.

Georgia uses an online database to verify drivers' insurance status. The Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS) can be accessed by law enforcement and other government agencies. While it is the insurance carrier's responsibility to report the driver's insurance status, drivers may want to verify their 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 for Bodily Injury Liability are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident. This means that if you are found to be at fault in an accident, your insurance will cover the medical expenses of the other driver or drivers, up to $25,000 per person, with a maximum of $50,000 total per incident. Bodily Injury Liability insurance is paid on a per-incident basis.

In addition to Bodily Injury Liability insurance, Georgia law also requires drivers to have Property Damage Liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per incident. This insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing the property of others that is damaged in an accident for which you are at fault.

While Georgia law sets minimum coverage requirements, drivers can choose to purchase more than the minimum amount of insurance coverage if they wish.

Property damage liability

It is important to note that property damage liability insurance does not cover damage to the at-fault driver's car. For that, you would need physical damage insurance, which is not required by Georgia state law but may be required by your lender or leasing company.

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.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in eight drivers on the road do not have auto insurance. In Georgia, this number is about 12%, while in neighbouring states like Florida and Alabama, the figures are 26.7% and 18.4% respectively. Given these statistics, uninsured motorist coverage is often crucial in obtaining anything close to full compensation for an injured party.

Georgia law requires all automobile drivers to purchase and maintain a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in vehicle liability coverage. Insurers must offer at least $25,000 in bodily injury to one person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. However, drivers can choose to purchase higher coverage or reject UM coverage altogether.

There are two types of UM coverage:

• Bodily injury: This covers 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.

UM coverage can help in a number of circumstances, such as when the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, when you are a pedestrian or a passenger in another car, or when you are the victim of a hit-and-run.

Collision coverage

In the state of Georgia, drivers are required to carry liability insurance that meets the minimum limits required by law to drive on public roads and highways. This includes Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. Uninsured Motorist Insurance is also mandatory in Georgia.

While not required by law, drivers may also want to consider collision coverage. This is a type of insurance coverage that pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is involved in an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object. It doesn't matter who is at fault for the accident; with collision coverage, you are covered for the most part. Collision coverage is available for most types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs.

When deciding whether to opt for collision coverage, consider the value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is brand new or still worth a significant amount, collision coverage can help you pay for expensive repairs or a replacement if it is damaged. Also, consider your ability to pay out of pocket. If you cannot afford to pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle, collision coverage can provide peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions