Georgia Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Georgia law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Georgia must hold 25/50/25 in liability coverage. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Georgia

The minimum car insurance requirements in Georgia^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to auto accidents. That means that if you’re in an accident that someone else caused, their insurance will pay for damages.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Georgia.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Georgia.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Georgia?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Georgia provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. For example, the minimum insurance requirements only include $25,000 for property damage coverage. An accident involving multiple cars could easily do more than $25,000 in property damage.

If you’re at fault and your insurance hits its liability limits, you’re still responsible for the rest of the damages you caused—and other drivers may sue you to collect it. Trying to save money by merely meeting the minimum limits required for Georgia auto insurance can be a risky proposition.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Georgia

Georgia drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Georgia, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Other Supplemental Coverage

An auto insurance policy with supplemental coverage can come in handy if you’re ever in an accident. One of the most popular add-on coverages is rental car reimbursement. This would pay for a rental car for you if you’re in an accident and your car has to be repaired.

Roadside assistance that includes towing can also give you peace of mind during an accident by paying to tow your car to a repair facility.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Georgia

It is illegal to drive in Georgia without the minimum car insurance coverage. If you don’t maintain continuous proof of insurance that meets the Georgia minimum amount, you can be fined and lose your registration^[2].

• A $25 fine if your coverage lapses while the vehicle is registered

• An additional $160 fine if you don’t pay the lapse of coverage fine within 30 days

• Suspended or revoked registration of any uninsured vehicle

In addition to these fines, the state of Georgia considers driving a vehicle with a suspended, revoked or canceled registration to be a criminal offense. There are additional penalties if your registration is suspended and you’re caught driving.

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Georgia

Depending on their specific offense, high-risk drivers must clear a few hurdles to get back on the road. For example, people who are repeatedly caught driving without insurance typically have to file an SR-22A. Also known as a Georgia Safety Responsibility Insurance Certificate, this form has to be filed for three years^[3].

You may also have to file an SR-22 if you’re convicted of a DUI. The form, which is filed by your insurance company with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, is proof that you are maintaining car insurance. If your insurance lapses, you can lose your SR-22 and your license.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Georgia

DUI Insurance in Georgia

SR-22 Insurance in Georgia

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Georgia

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Georgia.

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How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Georgia

Looking for affordable liability insurance in Georgia? Compare car insurance quotes to see which insurance companies are offering the best deals and discounts. Comparing quotes is the best way to find a cheap car insurance policy.