Auto Insurance for Uninsured Drivers in Georgia: Requirements and Options

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In Georgia, drivers who are caught driving without insurance can face severe penalties, including fines and license suspension.

If you're caught driving without insurance, you'll need to provide proof of insurance to the court within 30 days to avoid additional penalties.

One option for uninsured drivers in Georgia is to purchase a liability-only policy, which meets the state's minimum insurance requirements.

This type of policy is often less expensive than a full-coverage policy, but it still provides essential protection in the event of an accident.

Georgia Auto Insurance Laws

In Georgia, you're required to have auto insurance that meets the state's minimum liability coverage requirements. This is to protect you from financial problems if you're involved in an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to others.

The minimum liability insurance requirements in Georgia are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for two or more people per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

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If you live in Georgia, you know how crowded the roads can get, especially in the summer with all the vacationers. Many motorists will be on the highways, some without insurance.

The average number of accidents per year in Georgia exceeds the national average, which is a sobering reminder of the importance of having adequate insurance coverage.

Here are the minimum liability insurance requirements in Georgia in a quick reference format:

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 for two or more people per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage

Types of Coverage

In Georgia, your insurer is required to provide UM/UIM coverage in an amount equal to the liability insurance limits of your policy. If you wish to purchase UM/UIM coverage that is lower than your liability limits, you must put that choice in writing when you sign up for the policy.

The default under current Georgia law is for add-on coverage, which means you can stack your UM/UIM coverage on top of the negligent driver's insurance coverage. If they have $25,000 in bodily injury insurance and you have $25,000 in UM/UIM insurance, you can stack both policies on top of each other, giving you $50,000 in available funds.

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You may also have the option of choosing UM/UIM coverage higher than your liability limits. If you have more than one UM/UIM insurance policy available to you, you may be able to stack them on top of each other.

Here's a breakdown of the minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law:

  • Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
  • Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per incident

Liability

Liability insurance is a must-have for drivers in Georgia. It helps pay damages to others if they're injured or their property is damaged in an accident or incident where you're ruled at-fault.

The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are quite specific. Bodily Injury Liability is set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident.

You can also consider purchasing more coverage if you choose, but these minimum limits are the bare minimum to drive on public roads and highways. Property Damage Liability is set at $25,000 per incident.

Here are the minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law:

  • Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
  • Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per incident

Physical Damage

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Physical damage insurance is a type of coverage that helps pay for loss or damage to your own vehicle. It's not required by Georgia state law, but if you financed or leased your vehicle, the lender or leasing company will usually require it.

There are two types of physical damage insurance: Comprehensive and Collision. Comprehensive coverage, also known as "other than collision coverage", covers theft, vandalism, and fire-related losses.

Comprehensive and Collision are the two main types of physical damage insurance, and they cover different types of losses.

As a policyholder, you are allowed to file a claim under your own Physical Damage coverage even if someone else may have caused the accident.

Physical damage insurance helps pay for loss or damage to your own vehicle, and it's a good idea to understand the different types of coverage available to you.

Understanding UM/UIM Coverage

In Georgia, you have two options for UM/UIM coverage: traditional and add-on. Traditional UM/UIM coverage applies when your damages exceed the defendant's policy limits, but your own UIM coverage must be more than the defendant's limits.

Credit: youtube.com, Uninsured Motorist Car Insurance explained by Georgia Lawyer Ken Crosson

If you have traditional UM/UIM coverage, your insurer must have explicitly proved that you chose this coverage. If not, you have "stacking", which means you can stack the coverages for each vehicle of your own that is separately covered or those of your resident relatives. For example, if you have two vehicles and your spouse has one, you can stack the coverages for all three vehicles.

Add-on UM/UIM coverage means you can add your UIM insurance to the amount you collect from the defendant. This coverage will provide you with additional UM/UIM coverage in the event the defendant driver had insufficient policy limits.

In Georgia, insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, and if you don't wish to purchase it, you'll have to put your rejection in writing when signing up for a policy. Your UM/UIM coverage must be for at least $25,000 in bodily injury to one person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

There are two types of UM/UIM coverage: "add-on" and "reduced-by" coverage. The default under current Georgia law is for add-on coverage, but if you wish to purchase reduced-by coverage, you must put that selection in writing when you buy the policy.

Accident and Costs

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Accidents can happen anywhere, and in Georgia, the roads are particularly crowded, especially during summer months with all the vacationers. The average number of accidents per year in Georgia exceeds the national average.

If you're involved in an accident, you'll want to know that states require drivers to carry liability insurance, which will help cover medical bills and repair costs. Unfortunately, if an accident happens with an uninsured driver, you may have to shell out the funds for your own expenses.

In Georgia, the roads can get quite chaotic, which increases the risk of accidents. The summer months are especially busy, with many motorists on the highways, some without insurance.

If an accident happens to you involving an uninsured driver, you may face financial hardship to cover your own medical bills and repair costs. This is why having the right insurance coverage is crucial to protect yourself from such unexpected expenses.

For another approach, see: Auto Service and Repair Insurance

Insurance Options and Benefits

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Having the right insurance coverage is crucial in Georgia, especially when it comes to dealing with uninsured drivers. Uninsured motorist coverage can provide financial protection in case you're involved in an accident with someone who doesn't have insurance.

You can purchase an uninsured motorist policy that extends beyond the mandatory minimum liability insurance, which can help you out in case of an accident. This type of policy can be a lifesaver, especially in Georgia where driving uninsured is a serious issue.

There are different types of uninsured motorist coverage, including stacked and unstacked options. Stacked policies can provide more comprehensive coverage, but they may also increase your premiums.

Underinsured motorist coverage can also help in case the at-fault driver's policy doesn't cover all the damages. This type of coverage can help bridge the gap between what the other driver's policy pays and the remaining bills.

Here are some scenarios where uninsured motorist coverage can help:

  • The at-fault driver is uninsured.
  • The at-fault driver is underinsured.
  • You're a pedestrian hit by an uninsured motorist.
  • You're the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
  • You're a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage applies not only to you but also to other family members residing with you, including your spouse or children, relatives living with you, a house guest who is a passenger in your car, and anyone driving your vehicle with your consent.

Insurance Requirements and Statistics

Credit: youtube.com, What Are the Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Georgia? - InsuranceGuide360.com

In Georgia, drivers are required to maintain minimum insurance coverage, including liability coverage, if they're at fault for an accident. The minimum insurance coverage amounts are $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage, $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.

These are only the minimum coverage amounts, and drivers can choose to purchase more coverage. This means that even if you're not at fault for an accident, you'll still be protected up to the minimum coverage amounts.

The average number of accidents per year in Georgia exceeds the national average, making it a good idea to have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself and others on the road.

Georgia Requirements

Georgia has specific requirements for auto insurance, which you should be aware of. To avoid legal problems, you must carry the mandatory minimum liability insurance coverage.

The minimum liability insurance requirements in Georgia are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for two or more people per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This is the bare minimum to protect yourself and others.

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If you're at fault in an accident, you'll want to have the right coverage to avoid financial burdens. Georgia's minimum insurance coverage is as follows:

  • $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage;
  • $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage; and
  • $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.

It's worth noting that these are the minimum coverage amounts, and you can choose to purchase more coverage if you want to be better protected.

Accident Rate in Georgia

The roads in Georgia can be quite crowded, especially during the summer months. Unfortunately, this leads to a higher average number of accidents per year in Georgia, exceeding the national average.

Many motorists will be on the highways, and some of them won't even have insurance. This is a significant risk, especially when you consider the number of uninsured vehicles on Georgia roads.

If you live in Georgia, you know how common it is to encounter uninsured drivers. Some people take their chances operating a motor vehicle without insurance, which can put you at risk of getting into a collision with someone who doesn't have any insurance.

Georgia requires all drivers to have Liability Insurance to drive, but there are still some drivers who don't follow the law or unknowingly allow their coverage to lapse or cancel. These drivers are considered "uninsured."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers in Georgia?

In Georgia, insurance companies may pursue uninsured drivers to recover claim costs, but the process can be complex and time-consuming. If you're involved in an accident as an uninsured driver, seeking legal counsel promptly can help protect your rights and explore possible compensation options.

How does uninsured motorist coverage work in GA?

In Georgia, uninsured motorist coverage steps in to cover damages when an at-fault driver lacks liability insurance. This coverage essentially replaces the missing liability insurance to protect you financially.

Victoria Funk

Junior Writer

Victoria Funk is a talented writer with a keen eye for investigative journalism. With a passion for uncovering the truth, she has made a name for herself in the industry by tackling complex and often overlooked topics. Her in-depth articles on "Banking Scandals" have sparked important conversations and shed light on the need for greater financial transparency.

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