Requirements and Options for Georgia Car Insurance?

Answer 1

The state of Georgia requires that all drivers carry car insurance, although there are exemptions for specific drivers. Drivers must maintain at least the minimum amount of liability coverage required by law. Every car driven in the state must carry insurance, including rental cars. Certain penalties are applied to individuals who fail to comply with Georgia car insurance laws.

Minimum Amount of Coverage in Georgia

Georgia requires drivers to maintain insurance policies with at least $25,000 of coverage per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for two or more persons injured and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers renting cars must purchase liability insurance if their current insurance policy or credit card does not cover rental cars. The typical amount paid for rental car insurance is $7 to $14 per day. Georgia motorists are not required to purchase Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage or Personal Injury Protection coverage, although these options can be added to insurance policies for additional coverage.

Allowing Policies to Lapse

Georgia assesses stiff penalties for drivers who allow their car insurance policies to lapse. The state of Georgia may also suspend your vehicle insurance if your policy lapse. Under Georgia car insurance laws, a lapse in coverage is defined as 10 or more days without continual coverage. Drivers who allow their policies to lapse must pay a $25 lapse fee and a $65 reinstatement fee before being allowed to renew their vehicle registrations. Reinstatement fees increase for multiple lapses in coverage, and drivers can be charged up to $160 as a reinstatement fee.

Obtaining Car Insurance in Georgia

The state of Georgia allows insurance companies to pull consumers' credit reports when applying for car insurance. Georgia drivers with good driving histories and credit reports may receive lower premiums than drivers with bad credit reports and driving histories. When a driver purchases car insurance, the state of Georgia requires the insurance company to submit policy paperwork to an electronic state database. Certain individuals are exempted from having to obtain car insurance. Drivers who have moved to another state, had a lease that expired on a vehicle or have sold are transferred ownership of their vehicles are not required to maintain car insurance. Drivers of vehicles that are wrecked, junked, salvaged, repossessed or stolen are also exempt for state car insurance laws.