Georgia Car Insurance Requirements

Minimum car insurance in Georgia

Georgia requires only one type of auto insurance: Liability. But for many people the state-required insurance minimums aren't enough. If you have assets, such as savings, to protect in a car accident-related lawsuit, you want higher liability coverage. And if you want insurance to cover damage to your own car, you need extra coverage. Let's look at what's available in Georgia so you can make the right insurance choices.

Minimum auto liability insurance in Georgia:

Liability insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to others. If you have purchased only a low limit of liability insurance and cause a large accident, you can be sued for what your insurance won't cover. In Georgia you must have liability coverage for at least:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person.
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident.
• $25,000 property damage per accident.

This is often written as 25/50/25.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:

Insurers in Georgia must offer UM/UIM but you can turn it down. UM/UIM coverage is for injuries to you or your passengers if you're hit by a driver who has no liability insurance or not enough. If you're considering buying UM/UIM in Georgia, here's what to know:

• The minimum coverage limits are $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for injuries (25/50).
• In Georgia you can also buy a type of insurance called uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage. This pays for your car damage if an uninsured driver hits you. If you have collision coverage you don't need UMPD.
• UMPD in Georgia also covers damage to personal property that's in your vehicle.
• If you make a claim for either UM/UIM or UMPD, there's a $250 deductible. That's the amount deducted from an insurance check.
• In Georgia you can "stack" insurance if you have multiple policies with UM and UIM. Stacking means you can make a claim under more than one policy. This allows you to get a larger claim payment. Here's more on stacked auto insurance.

Comprehensive insurance: Covers the theft of your car or damage from flood, fire, hail, vandalism, falling objects and explosions. It also covers damage from hitting an animal, like a deer.

Collision insurance: For damage to your car from hitting another car or an object, like a tree.

Even though Georgia does not require comprehensive or collision coverage, you will likely have to buy them if you have a car loan or lease.

   More: Cheap car insurance in Georgia

Rental reimbursement: This coverage type pays for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop due to a car accident.

Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay covers injuries and funeral expenses anyone riding in or driving your car, no matter who caused the accident. It also covers you if you're hit by a car as a pedestrian. It's available in Georgia but not required.

You must show an insurance ID card (or other proof of financial responsibility) in Georgia when:

• Law enforcement requests it.
• You renew vehicle registration.
• Your vehicle is involved in a car accident.

Penalties for not having auto insurance in Georgia

• Misdemeanor, subject of a fine of $200 to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment; suspension of registration until proof provided and fee are paid.

Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

Complaints against car insurance companies in Georgia

A national "complaint ratio" number shows the number of complaints against a company relative to the insurer's size of business. Shown below are national complaint ratios for the largest auto insurance companies in Georgia.

DUI laws in Georgia

First offense

The first DUI offense is a misdemeanor in Georgia. If convicted, you could face the following fines and penalties:

• A fine between $300 to $1,000.
• Up to one year in jail.
• License suspension up to one year.
• $210 license-reinstatement fee.
• Mandatory minimum of 40 hours of community service.
• You may be able to do limited driving (such as work, school) with an ignition interlock.

Second offense

The second offense within five years of the first offense is a misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face:

• A fine between $600 to $1,000.
• Mandatory minimum of 48 hours in jail, with a possible 90 days to one year.
• License suspension for three years.
• $210 license-reinstatement fee.
• Minimum 30 days of community service.
• A mandatory clinical evaluation; if necessary, completion of a substance abuse treatment program at your expense.
• If you're on probation, you must install an ignition interlock for at least 12 months.

Third offense

The third offense within five years of the second offense is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. If convicted, you could get:

• Mandatory minimum of 15 days in jail.
• A fine of $1,000 to $5,000.
• License revocation for five years.
• Mandatory minimum of 30 days community service.
• Your name, photo and address published in the local newspaper at your expense.
• You'll be declared a habitual violator, and your license plate will be seized by the court and sent to the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.
• A mandatory clinical evaluation; if necessary, completion of a substance abuse treatment program at your expense.
• If you are on probation, you must install an ignition interlock system for at least 12 months.

  
  DUI penalty sources: Governors Office of Highway Safety in Georgia and the National Conference of State Legislatures

Distracted driving laws in Georgia

Updated July 10, 2018

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