As a driver in the Peach State, you need to understand the minimum car insurance requirements. If you don’t meet the coverage requirements, you could face fines or even license suspension.
Here’s what you need to know about Georgia’s car insurance requirements.
Georgia car insurance requirements
Georgia law requires drivers to carry liability car insurance. This includes two types of insurance — bodily injury and property damage — and the state sets certain coverage limits for both.1 If you’re responsible for an accident, liability car insurance helps pay for the other driver’s vehicle damage and medical bills.
But it doesn’t cover your vehicle repairs and medical costs. Liability insurance ensures drivers take financial responsibility for accidents they cause — you can’t drive without it in most of the country.2
Bodily injury liability
Bodily injury liability coverage pays for the other driver’s and their passengers’ medical expenses when you cause an accident. The coverage limit you select in your policy determines the maximum your insurer will pay. You’re responsible for paying the rest if a claim exceeds your coverage limits.
Georgia drivers must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage.
Property damage liability
Property damage liability insurance covers vehicle repairs for the other driver when you cause an accident. Your policy specifies the amount your insurer agrees to pay for a property damage claim. Depending on your policy, the maximum amount might be more than the state minimum.
Drivers in Georgia must have at least $25,000 of coverage for property damage liability.
Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan
Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Georgia?
It depends. Every driver needs to carry the state-minimum liability coverage in Georgia. While the law doesn’t mandate that you carry comprehensive and collision coverages, if you took out a loan to buy your car or lease it, your lender may require them. These two coverages, along with liability coverage, are often referred to as “full coverage.”
Full-coverage car insurance usually costs more than liability-only coverage because it provides more thorough protection. Many drivers opt for full coverage because the extra monthly cost is small compared to the cost of medical bills and vehicle repairs without insurance.
You may not need full coverage if you don’t drive much, own an older car, or you can afford to pay for accident expenses out of pocket. If you’re unsure, ask an independent insurance agent for their opinion.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Georgia
It’s illegal to drive without liability insurance in Georgia. If the police catch you driving without insurance, you could face severe consequences, including fees, license suspension, and even jail time.4
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Georgia
The average cost of liability insurance in Georgia is $164 per month. If you cause an accident, this coverage helps pay for medical expenses and vehicle repairs for the other driver. But it doesn’t cover any of your costs associated with the incident.
Below are some of the best car insurance companies for liability-only insurance in Georgia.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Georgia
Georgia drivers pay an average of $250 per month for full-coverage car insurance. Full coverage typically includes comprehensive and collision, which protect you after accidents and other incidents, such as theft, flooding, fire, and vandalism.
Below are the cheapest insurers for full-coverage insurance in Georgia.
Optional car insurance coverages to consider
Even though Georgia doesn’t require the following coverages, they’re worth considering. Each policy provides additional financial protection. Depending on your coverage needs and budget, one or all of these could be a good fit.5