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Auto insurance rates got you down?

Whether it’s monthly, quarterly, or biannually, finding a letter in your mailbox or inbox from your insurance company is never a good thing. Folks in Georgia paid an average of $1048.40 for auto insurance in 2015. This number ranks Georgia in the top 15 of all states.

Were you one of them?

No one likes to pay too much for anything, let alone, paying too much for auto insurance. But where do you start? What if you could find all of the information you need in one spot? Would you invest the time? What if it would save you money? A LOT of money. I bet you would.

Start comparison shopping today using our FREE online tool. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.

Georgia Auto Insurance Coverage and Rates

The median household income in Georgia in 2016 was over $54,711. In 2015, drivers, on average paid over $1048 for auto insurance. Now, we’re no math genius or anything, but however you work it out, consumers in the Peach State are spending way too much of their hard-earned money on auto insurance. We know that drivers would rather spend that cash on seeing their favorite Atlanta sports team, trekking on the Appalachian Trail, or deep sea fishing off Tybee Island.

There has to be a better way to find the coverage that works for you. Let’s get started!

Below, we have provided information and helpful advice so you can get the best coverage options for your needs.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Georgia

Okay, you’ve read the numbers, but what do they mean?

What is 25/50/25?

Bodily injury?

Accidents?

We hope you never have to deal with any of these situations or end up in one of these:

But if you do, the basic minimum requirements in Georgia that all motorists must have for liability insurance are:

• $25,000 to cover the death or injury per person
• $50,000 to cover the total death or injury per accident
• $25,000 to cover property damage per accident

Liability insurance pays all individuals — drivers, passengers, pedestrians, etc. — who are owed compensation for property damage and/or injuries resulting from a car accident that you or anyone under your policy causes. If you cause a wreck, liability insurance pays everyone affected by the accident.

Georgia is an “at-fault” accident state. This means, if you are the at-fault driver during an accident, you will be held liable for any personal injury or property claims.

These required amounts are only for the minimum amounts. You may want to carry additional coverage because in the event of an accident your payout to injured victims could quickly run out.

Further below, we will show you additional coverage options to help you make the best decision.

Required Forms of Financial Responsibility in Georgia

Georgia law requires every driver and every owner of a vehicle to have proof of financial responsibility (proof of liability coverage) at all times.

Here are the six forms of acceptable proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage in Georgia:

1. Liability insurance policy
2. Rental agreement
3. Fleet insurance policy card
4. Bill of Sale, dated to within 30 days of the vehicles purchase date, and a valid insurance binder page issued by a Georgia licensed insurer
5. A valid Self-Insured Insurance Card/Certificate of Self-Insurance
6. Valid insurance policy information card for Georgia International Registration Plan (IRP)

Every time you get in a car to drive, you are required to have — on hand — one of the six above forms proving financial responsibility.

Premiums as Percentage of Income in Georgia

In 2017, the annual per capita disposable personal income in Georgia was $38,326. In Georgia, residents pay an average of $1,048 a year for auto insurance. To put this amount in perspective, the countrywide, annual average for auto insurance is $981.

It all adds up when you realize Georgia is one of the most expensive states for auto insurance.

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates in GA (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

The above table and chart illustrate the most recent data provided by the leading source on the matter, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Expect auto insurance rates in Georgia to be significantly higher for 2019 and on.

Additional Liability Coverage in Georgia

Med Pay, Uninsured, and Underinsured Motorist coverage are all optional coverages in Georgia, but you still might consider adding them to your policy. Why? In 2015, the nationwide average for uninsured motorists was 13 percent, in Georgia, that number was 12 percent, placing Georgia slightly under the national average. Without this additional coverage, medical bills and payments could reach well into the thousands of dollars for those affected by an uninsured driver.

Georgia ranked 25th in the nation in 2015 for uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Georgia has remained steady as far as loss ratio is concerned and on the higher end of how much is covered.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

Have you considered adding extra coverages to your policy? Do you even know what is available?  Choosing from a list of options can be daunting, and we know you want the best options for your family at the best price. Learn more here: where can I compare several affordable auto insurance rates.

To help you decide, we’ve made a list of affordable options to add to your policy. Click on the selections below to learn more about them:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Auto Insurance
• Modified Auto Insurance Coverage
• Classic Auto Insurance
• Low-Mileage Discount

Any of the above coverages would be great to add to a policy, so make sure to discuss any options you are interested in with your insurance provider.

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in GA

You may be surprised to learn that gender plays a large role in deciding how much your auto insurance rates are? In fact, females typically pay more than males for auto insurance, but Georgia is one of the states that this isn’t the case.

In fact, gender discrimination in auto insurance rates is such a problem that California and other states banned gender discrimination and created gender neutral insurance plans.

Below, we show you rates that various folks in Georgia pay for auto insurance.

Auto Insurance Rates by ZIP Code in Georgia

In addition to age and gender, where you live can affect your auto insurance rates. We’ve collected data on the least and most expensive ZIP codes, so search to see where your ZIP code lands on the list. You’ll also see providers’ costs next to the ZIP codes, providing a helpful snapshot into what you should be paying.

We’ve also collected data on auto insurance rates by city. Below are lists of the least expensive and most expensive cities for auto insurance.

As you can see from the tables, where you live can impact your wallet when purchasing auto insurance from hundreds, and in some cities, thousands of dollars.

Georgia Auto Insurance Companies

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve seen the ads. But what’s really behind the curtain of most insurance companies? Can you really save money with a 10-minute phone call?

But who wants to spend time doing all of that searching? That’s why we’ve researched the best insurance carriers from the north Georgia mountains to the Savannah coastline, and everywhere in between in Georgia, so you can make the best choice for your situation. We’ve looked at companies’ financial ratings, AM’s best ratings, and which companies have the most complaints.

Get started on your own search by entering your ZIP code into our FREE online tool.

Keep reading to learn about Georgia’s auto insurance providers.

Ratings of the Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Georgia

What does an A.M. Best rating mean? Essentially, an A.M. Best rating measures the financial health of an insurance company.

The table below shows the financial rating of the top auto insurance providers in Georgia.

Customer service is an important part of any company, from restaurants to auto insurance providers. That’s why we have looked at companies with the best customer satisfaction ratings.

Progressive ranks near the top of the list — showing that Progressive is great at customer satisfaction. One thing to consider, cost shouldn’t be your only concern when searching for auto insurance. You should also be looking at how the insurance provider treats its customers and resolves claims and complaints.

Companies with the MOST Complaints in Georgia

The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation collected data on complaint ratios for Georgia’s auto insurance companies.  The complaint index means the following:

• Average: complaint index of one
• Better than average: complaint index LESS than one
• Worse than average: complaint index GREATER than one

Keep in mind that a high complaint index doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid a company. Make sure to also look at a company’s customer satisfaction ratings because how a company deals with complaints is also important.

Georgia Auto Insurance Rates by Company

In order to save money on auto insurance, make sure you are shopping around for rates. Below is information about rates across different companies.

Looking at different companies can save a lot of money. For example, State Farm is more than $400 BELOW the state average, which, over time, could add up to over several thousand dollars.

Cost of Different Annual Commutes by Georgia Companies

At some companies, how far you drive each day influences your insurance rates.

Most company rates don’t change when the drive is shortened to a 10-mile commute, except for Geico and USAA, both of whom have rate reductions over a $100.

However, commute rates don’t affect your rates as much as other factors.

Up next, a break-down of coverage level rates in Georgia.

Coverage Level Rates

The more you pay, the better coverage you will receive. Don’t let higher rates discourage you from purchasing better coverage, as some companies have economical increases in rates. For example, the data below shows USAA has only a $300 increase from low to high coverage.

Credit History Rates

The quality of your credit score impacts your insurance rates. In Georgia, the average credit score is 654, which is slightly below the countrywide average of 675.

Specifically, this means Georgia residents have a smaller chance of getting great rates because of their below-average credit scores.

As you can see from the table above, poor credit scores can add thousands to your annual cost. A bad credit score at Liberty Mutual changes your annual cost from $6,923 to $14,403.

That’s an extra $7,500 a year.

Driving Record Rates

A clean driving record is the EASIEST way to keep rates down. As you can see from the information below, at Nationwide, just one DUI can raise your rate by over $4000.

A better record equals better rates. We encourage you to NOT drink and drive.

The 10 Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Georgia

Here’s a look at the top 10 largest insurance companies in Georgia.

Number of Insurers in Georgia

In Georgia, there are 23 domestic insurance providers but 988 foreign insurance providers. What’s the difference?  Domestic insurance means a company is formed under Georgia’s state laws, whereas a foreign provider is formed under the laws of any state in the U.S.

Georgia State Laws

Everyone likes to have a soak in a nice, relaxing hot tub, but in Georgia, it’s against the law to let your donkey in the tub with you.

And if you wanted to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket on a Sunday…well, you can’t do that either. We know, state laws are confusing and vary from state to state. New residents may sometimes receive tickets for laws they didn’t know existed.

We’ve done the work for you to help you discover what the laws are, so scroll down to read our roundup of Georgia’s state driving laws.

Georgia’s Auto Insurance Laws

In Georgia, texting while driving is now illegal. Plus, there is a ban on all hand-held devices for all drivers and a no cell phone policy for drivers under the age of 18. Georgia also enforces red-light stopping in some cities through the use of traffic cameras.

High-Risk Insurance

In certain cases, Georgia will require drivers to fill out an SR-22 form to purchase high-risk insurance. We have listed the main reasons below for why you may need to purchase high-risk insurance.

1. License suspension or revocation due to a DUI
2. Being involved in an accident without insurance
3. Getting labeled a negligent operator
4. Having too many points on your driving record

You’ll need to contact your insurance company to have your company include an SR-22 form on your policy and you may be required to pay higher rates because of the SR-22.

If you DO NOT file an SR-22 form your driving privileges wil not be reinstated. Your license will be suspended, additional fines will be assessed, and your vehicle’s registration will be suspended.

If you are a high-risk driver, remember to fill out an SR-22 form. Not doing so may result in the loss of the right to drive altogether.

Georgia’s Windshield and Glass Repair Laws

In some states, like Florida and Minnesota, a cracked or broken windshield is covered by your insurance. What about Georgia? Yes, but there are restrictions. In Georgia, insurance companies have the option of offering to repair your damaged windshield with aftermarket and used parts. If you decline, you’ll have to pay the difference in the cost of repairs to your windshield.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Georgia

What is automobile insurance fraud?

• Creating a claim for damages or injuries that NEVER occurred (such as faking an accident)
• Adding “extra” costs onto a claim that is legitimate

Committing insurance fraud can result in fines and/or jail time. Don’t risk it.

Statute of Limitations

In Georgia, if you are in a car accident, there’s a statute of limitations if you want to file a claim.

Specifically, a statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a claim after an accident. The clock starts ticking the day of your accident, so make sure that you’re familiar with Georgia’s statute of limitations.

Georgia’s Vehicle Licensing Laws

We all love the feeling of driving the open road, windows down and the smell of the Georgia coastline wafting in on a warm ocean breeze. But if you’re not careful, that bright glow you see in your rearview mirror won’t be from Georgia’s Golden Isles, but a highway patrol officer pulling you over for speeding, or worse, driving while uninsured.

 Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

In Georgia, there are penalities for driving without auto insurance:

• Suspended registration with $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due
• Within five years: Suspended registration with $25 lapse fee and $60 reinstatement fee. Pay any other registration fees and vehicle ad valorem taxes due

Georgia is also one of a growing number of states that allows electronic proof of insurance on your smartphone or other hand-held devices.

Any time you are pulled over or are in an accident, you must provide one of the following:

• Valid liability insurance ID cards
• Copy of your current car’s insurance policy
• Valid insurance binder (a temporary form of auto insurance)
• Electronic proof from a smartphone or other device is acceptable

If you operate a motor vehicle in Georgia with insurance, the state can also suspend your car’s registration.

Teen Driver Laws

Teenagers in Georgia can apply for a learner’s license (also known as a learner’s permit) at age 15.

After teenagers have gone through the mandatory learner’s license period and met all the requirements, they can apply for a regular or restricted license.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

Older residents in Georgia have the same renewal procedures as the rest of the general population. Every driver in the Peach State must renew their driver’s license every eight years. Also, each renewal requires drivers to pass an eye exam. Drivers may visit their local department of driver services to renew a license or can renew online every other renewal.

New Residents

You must apply for a Georgia driver license within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident. You can surrender an out-of-state license or expired (less than two years) license and exchange it for a Georgia license without having to take the road and written tests.

All applicants must provide adequate proof of vision.

Georgia Rules of the Road

Everyone should follow the rules, but if you’re new to the Peach State, there may be laws you’re unfamiliar with. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of several important laws to keep you in good standing and on the road.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Georgia is an at-fault state. This means you’ll be held liable for damages in an accident where you are the at-fault driver. This means that if you don’t have insurance OR the right coverage, your resources will quickly be drained. The last thing you want is to go bankrupt due to an accident.

Speed Limits in Georgia

Every state has different speed limits, and violating Georgia’s speed limits may result in tickets and fines. Below are Georgia’s maximum speed limits for different road types. Speed limits will vary from road to road and your speed could vary due to specific road and weather conditions.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Do you know the seat belt laws in Georgia? Different states have different laws, and knowing Georgia’s laws will help you avoid a fine.

Primary enforcement means police officers can pull you over if they see you aren’t following the seat belt laws.

There are also important rules in place regarding the safety of children. If you have kids, make sure to follow the laws below.

Georgia also has restrictions on young people riding in cargo areas. Young adults 17 and under aren’t permitted to ride in pickup trucks with covered cargo areas or any pickup truck off the interstate.

Ridesharing in Georgia

You may be familiar with ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber. If you want to rideshare, you must purchase ridesharing insurance from one of the following providers in Georgia:

• Allstate
• Farmers
• Geico
• State Farm
• USAA

In addition to ridesharing insurance, it’s also important to have the minimum coverage for auto insurance in Georgia. Ridesharing companies will also require that your vehicle is currently registered/inspected and is safe to drive.

Automation on the Road in Georgia

What is automation? IIHS defines it as the following:

“Automation is the use of a machine or technology to perform a task or function that was previously carried out by a human. One example is adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set speed.”

Georgia does allow for the deployment of autonomous vehicles on their roadways. Georgia does not require a licensed operator to be in the vehicle when the automated driving system is engaged. Georgia law also requires all autonomous vehicles to have liability insurance.

Start your search for insurance by entering your ZIP code in our FREE online search tool.

Impaired-driving Laws in Georgia

Drunk driving has catastrophic results for everyone involved, that’s why strict laws are in place to prevent such occurrences. In Georgia alone, drunk driving caused 366 deaths in 2017. Each state differs in how they address drunk driving and therefore have different penalties.

Below, we’ve listed the details about Georgia’s impaired driving laws.

The penalties get worse with each successive offense. Please don’t drink and drive.

As for marijuana-impaired driving in the state of Georgia, the state has a ZERO tolerance policy for THC and metabolites.

Distracted Driving Laws in Georgia

If you’re distracted and not watching the road around you, an accident could happen at any time. Georgia has restricted cellphone use inside the car, and texting in the vehicle is now prohibited. Here’s a look at the specific cell phone laws in Georgia.

All drivers can no longer text or use hand-held devices when operating a motor vehicle. Drivers younger than 18 are banned from all cellphone use. Primary law enforcement can pull you over for being on your cellphone.

Up next, we look into some facts about Georgia you might not know.

Georgia Can’t-Miss Facts

Now that you have a good understanding of the laws in Georgia, let’s jump into some facts that you might not know. It’s difficult to remember all of the risks associated when driving your favorite sports car, and really, who wants to? While insurance is important, it’s also crucial to know what to keep your eyes out for on the road.

We’ve laid out everything you need to know about the risk factors in Georgia, from vehicle theft to crash reports, so you can drive safely and enjoy your drive on the road.

Vehicle Theft in Georgia

Here are the top 10 stolen cars in the state of Georgia:

Where you live also plays a role in the number of vehicle thefts. The FBI created a 2013 report on Georgia’s vehicle thefts by cities, which are listed below.

Road Dangers in Georgia

Road type does affect the number of fatalities. Generally, rural roads see more fatalities than city roads. This is partly because of the greater speeds reached on rural roads, which mean the impacts are far greater and far deadlier.

Another factor which shows trends in fatalities is the type of person. We don’t mean demographic information, but rather the type of vehicle being driven and if the person is an occupant in the car, a pedestrian, or a cyclist.

The type of crash can also play a role in fatality rates.

Up next, we have a five-year trend for Georgia’s top-10 counties that have the highest fatality rates.

Did you know speeding is a major cause of driving fatalities?

Below, are listings by county of speed-related fatalities in Georgia.

Have you ever wondered how your county compares to other counties in Georgia for drunk driving related crashes? Check out the table below to see fatalities in crashes that involved an alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC over .08.

Let’s move onto the last depressing statistic — teen drinking and driving. In 2016, law enforcement arrested 89 teenagers (under the age of 18) for drunk driving.

This number ranks Georgia as the 42st worst state in the U.S. for underage drinking and driving.

In the U.S. the average number of underage drinking deaths per 100,000 people is 1.2 deaths. Georgia has 1.0 underage drinking and driving deaths per 100,000 people. This number is less than the national average, so please keep it that way, and don’t drink and drive.

EMS Response Time

If you or someone you know is in an accident, you want help to arrive as FAST as possible.

Response times in Georgia are good overall, however, in rural areas, times are longer because of access to healthcare facilities in some locations.

Transportation in Georgia

When you drive through your neighborhood, do you ever notice how many cars are sitting in your neighbors’ driveways? In Georgia, the average homeowner owns two personal vehicles.

Car Ownership in Georgia

How long does it take you to get to work every day? In Georgia, the average commute time is 26.9 minutes, which is higher the national average of 25.3 minutes. Additionally, 3.12 percent of the workforce in Georgia have “super commutes” in excess of 90 minutes.

Commute Time in Georgia

Transportation in Georgia

Finally, let’s take a look at methods of commuter transportation in Georgia.

As in most states, the most common transportation method is driving alone to work, followed by carpooling and working from home.

Now that you’ve read through this comprehensive guide about the Peach State, you’re ready to hit the backroads in the north Georgia mountains and trek to the coast to enjoy the sandy beaches along the Georgia coast. Start comparing auto insurance today by entering your ZIP code below in our FREE online tool!

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07.10.2020 / auto insurance comparison / auto insurance comparisons / auto insurance quotes / auto insurance rates / cheap auto insurance