An at-fault accident can raise your car insurance rates by an average of 38% in Georgia, according to Insurify data. That raises the average cost of full coverage from $260 per month to $356.
Accepting a higher rate from your current insurance company isn’t your only option. Comparison shopping after a car accident can help you find a more affordable insurance policy. Learn which Georgia insurers offer the most competitive rates after an accident and how to lower your costs.
Georgia drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay an average of $356 per month for full coverage and $215 for liability insurance.
Auto-Owners and State Farm are the two cheapest insurers in Georgia for drivers with an accident on their record, at $97 and $105 per month, respectively.
Georgia recorded 373,135 car crashes in 2023, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.[1]
Cheapest car insurance companies in Georgia after an accident
Insurance companies raise rates after an accident because it indicates that you’re a higher-risk driver and more likely to cause another accident. Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is the best way to find the cheapest coverage in Georgia after an accident.
Auto-Owners offers the lowest average liability and full-coverage rates for Georgia drivers with an accident on their record, at $97 and $176 per month, respectively.
The table below shows the average monthly rates from several Georgia insurance companies for drivers with an accident on their record.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $97 | $176 |
| State Farm | $105 | $188 |
| Country Financial | $110 | $197 |
| Allstate | $116 | $209 |
| Mile Auto | $124 | $216 |
| USAA | $125 | $223 |
| Progressive | $140 | $294 |
| Root | $187 | $283 |
| Mercury | $190 | $324 |
| Bristol West | $197 | $389 |
| GEICO | $197 | $367 |
| GAINSCO | $202 | $416 |
| Direct Auto | $218 | $376 |
| Clearcover | $221 | $402 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $226 | $365 |
| The General | $231 | $489 |
| National General | $239 | $374 |
| Trexis One | $245 | $467 |
| Safeco | $253 | $335 |
| Mendota | $255 | $463 |
| Nationwide | $258 | $463 |
| First Acceptance | $264 | $513 |
| Trexis | $271 | $513 |
| Liberty Mutual | $426 | $520 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Georgia
Monthly rates start at $97 for drivers with an accident
How much does car insurance in Georgia increase after an accident?
Georgia drivers who were at fault in an accident pay an average of $285 per month for car insurance compared to $208 for drivers with a clean record. That’s about a 38% increase over average rates for drivers with a clean record. This increase is slightly steeper than the national average increase of 34%.
The severity of the accident, your previous driving record, and who was at fault matter. A minor fender bender will likely affect your rates less than an accident involving significant property damage and injuries.
If you already have a speeding ticket or prior accident on your record, you’ll likely see a larger rate increase after an accident than someone with a clean driving record. Insurance companies may view multiple incidents as a pattern of risky driving behavior.
But if you didn’t cause the accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about your rates going up because of the crash. Under Georgia law, insurance companies can’t raise your rates for an accident you didn’t cause.
The table below shows the average monthly auto insurance rates in Georgia for drivers with a clean record compared to drivers with an at-fault accident.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record in GA | $208 |
| At-fault accident in GA | $285 |
How long does an accident stay on your record in Georgia?
In Georgia, an accident can stay on your record and affect your car insurance rates for several years — especially if you were at fault or involved in a serious violation like driving under the influence (DUI).[2]
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) assigns points for many moving violations tied to accidents, including speeding and reckless driving. For example, the state may suspend your driver’s license if you’ve accumulated 15 points within a 24-month period.
Insurers may also review your Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which tracks your insurance claims history for up to seven years. These reports can affect your Georgia auto insurance rates.[3]
Most insurers only look back three to five years when rating your policy, though serious offenses may affect your rates for longer. At-fault accidents generally have a greater effect on insurance premiums than not-at-fault accidents.
How to get cheaper Georgia car insurance after an accident
A rate increase after an accident is common, but you won’t be stuck paying your current insurance company’s price. Here are a few things you can do to reduce your costs:
Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Rates for drivers with an accident vary by company and local factors like where you live in Georgia. For example, drivers in Atlanta have higher accident rates than drivers in Dalton after an at-fault accident.
Enroll in a telematics program. Programs like State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save and Progressive’s Snapshot track your driving habits. You may earn a discount based on being a safe driver.
Consider a usage-based policy. Georgia drivers’ average annual mileage is 17,508, according to Insurify data. If you drive quite a bit less, a low-mileage or usage-based policy through Mile Auto, Nationwide, or USAA could lower your rate.
Bundle your policies. Many Georgia insurance companies offer discounts for bundling your car insurance with your homeowners or renters policy. This can reduce your overall premium and help offset the post-accident increase.
Ask about other discounts. Completing a Georgia DDS-approved defensive driving course may qualify you for a discount. Your insurance company may also offer a good student discount if you have teen drivers on your policy.
Increase your deductible. Increasing your deductible from $250 or $500 to $1,000 can offset the rate increase after an accident. Just make sure you can cover the higher out-of-pocket costs if you need to file another claim.
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What is accident forgiveness, and do you need it in Georgia?
Accident forgiveness is a policy feature that prevents your rates from increasing after your first at-fault accident. Several Georgia insurers, including Allstate and Progressive, offer it either as an optional add-on or a loyalty reward for accident-free driving.
The main advantage is that these programs protect you from a post-accident rate increase. But you may have to pay to add this to your car insurance policy. If you don’t get in an accident, you pay for a feature you don’t use.
Accident forgiveness can add as little as $5 per month to your premium, but the exact cost varies depending on the company and your driver profile.
Car insurance after an accident in Georgia FAQs
Getting affordable car insurance in Georgia after an accident doesn’t have to be confusing. Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions to help you weigh your options.
How much does insurance increase after an accident in Georgia?
Georgia drivers pay an average of 38% more for auto insurance after an at-fault accident, according to Insurify data. Rate increases depend on accident severity and your driving history.
What is the best insurance company in Georgia?
The best car insurance companies depend on your unique driver profile and coverage limits. For example, J.D. Power ranks companies like Nationwide, GEICO, and State Farm highly for customer satisfaction in Georgia. Nationwide and State Farm also have above-average claims satisfaction. Price-wise, Auto-Owners offers the lowest average rates in Georgia after an accident.
Which company is the cheapest in Georgia after an accident?
Auto-Owners offers the lowest average rates for liability only and full coverage for Georgia drivers. Drivers pay an average monthly rate of $97 after an accident.
Which insurance has the best accident forgiveness?
The best accident forgiveness coverage depends on what you qualify for and the insurance company you choose. Progressive stands out because it offers three tiers of accident forgiveness. Its first tier gives all new customers small accident forgiveness, meaning your rate won’t go up after your first small claim of $500 or less.
Insurers like Allstate and GEICO also offer accident forgiveness, but eligibility rules and availability vary by state.
How much does car insurance cost in Georgia?
Georgia drivers pay an average of $208 per month for car insurance, according to Insurify data. After an accident, that rate increases to about $285. Actual rates depend on your location, age, credit, and the liability limits you choose.
Sources
- Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). "Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2023."
- Georgia Department of Driver Services. "Suspension Disqualification Offenses."
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). "LexisNexis C.L.U.E. & Telematics OnDemand."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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