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Guide to auto insurance in Georgia

Georgia requires the following insurance coverage or financial responsibility at a minimum, so you should make sure, that your auto insurance quote will comply, if your vehicle is primarily garaged in Georgia:

25/50/25 – This is shorthand for the liability policy limits required which means you need a minimum coverage of:

  • $25,000 for death or injury to one person;
  • $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people; and
  • $25,000 for property damage to others

Nearly all car insurance policies have a provision that will adjust your coverage from the minimums required in your state to the minimum insurance or proof of financial responsibility in another U.S. state. So you do not need to get a new insurance policy for each state you are driving through.  However, if you buy a policy in a low limits state (like Georgia or Florida) but live in a high limits state – Alaska would be an example here -, insurers will only write a policy where your car is principally garaged. So if your home is in Alaska, you should buy the legal requirements for Alaska.

Georgia’s required insurance limits are low, considering the cost of repair and damages likely to occur in an accident.  If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage. You might consider purchasing additional coverage.

Car Insurance Law in Georgia

Georgia is a modified comparative fault state with a 50% rule.  This is a legal defense that means that a plaintiff can recover for an injury, reducing the amount that the plaintiff can recover based on the percentage of which the plaintiff is at fault if it is determined that his or her fault in causing the injury is less than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault level reaches 50% or more, he or she cannot recover any damages resulting from the accident.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Georgia

In Georgia, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a misdemeanor offense.  If you are 21 years or older, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)  level of .08% or higher while driving, Georgia law presumes you are driving under the influence.  If you are under 21, a lower BAC may apply to you.

1st DUI – Georgia

If caught when driving under influence, your license will be suspended for 1 year. You may be sentenced to 10 days -12 months of jail time, with a mandatory 24 hours in jail. Fines can vary from $300.00 to $1000.00.  Mandatory public service of a minimum of 40 hours will be required.  You will be required to complete a Risk Reduction Program. You will be on probation for 12 months. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.

2nd DUI – Goergia

Your license will be suspended for 3 years.  You may be sentenced to 90 days -12 months of jail time, with a mandatory 72 hours in jail. Fines can vary from $600.00 to $1000.00.  Mandatory public service of a minimum of 30 days will be required.  You will be required to complete a Risk Reduction Program. You will be evaluated for an alcohol or drug treatment program and completion of such program is part of your sentence.  You will be on probation for 12 months. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.

Top Ten Car Insurance Companies in Georgia

Georgia’s top ten car insurance companies as ranked by market share in the state are the following:

  1. State Farm
  2. Allstate
  3. Progressive
  4. Geico
  5. USAA
  6. Liberty Mutual
  7. GA Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
  8. Travelers Insurance Companies
  9. Nationwide Insurance
  10. Country Financial