Role of Insurance for Driving in Georgia

When it comes to driving, the first thing that must ring a bell is – insurance. In particular, if you are planning to drive in the state of Georgia, insurance is a must. The consequences of driving without insurance in Georgia could be severe, resulting in heavy financial losses. To understand the legal implications in-depth, you can seek professional guidance from an Athens, GA car accident lawyer.

Georgia Car Insurance Laws

According to Georgia state’s car insurance laws, drivers must have insurance and should continuously maintain it to use the vehicle legally. As per the law, drivers must carry 25/50/25 personal liability insurance, which comprises –

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

In addition, it’s a mandate that drivers must always carry proof of insurance. Georgia allows both physical and electronic formats of proof, and whenever an authority requests for it, the driver must produce the same. If a law enforcement authority asks for proof of insurance and you aren’t able to provide it, it could attract heavy penalties.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance In Georgia

While you might be tempted to save money by avoiding purchasing insurance, the consequences of facing the penalties are much higher. In most states, drivers whose license is suspended for an insurance offense often get it back once they produce proof of the insurance.

However, in Georgia, the rules are stringent. If a driver’s license gets taken away, they cannot drive during the entire suspension period. In addition, they must pay a license reinstatement fee after the suspension period to be able to legally drive again.

Furthermore, if a driver loses the license on account of an insurance-related offense, they must file an SR-22 form. This form confirms that the driver satisfies the minimum liability insurance requirements of the state. In Georgia, the drivers have to file the SR-22 form for three years, though in some cases, the court may extend it by another year.

If you require any further details or legal inputs on this, consult an Athens, GA car accident lawyer.

Getting Into An Accident Without Insurance In Georgia

Some points to keep in mind regarding meeting with an accident without insurance:

• You would have to pay a hefty sum in addition to the legal fees or the cost incurred in setting right the damages or treating the injuries. Sometimes, you may be forced to sell your property or use your retirement savings.
• In Georgia, if you are hit by an insured driver but don’t have your insurance, you can still sue the driver for your damages. There’s a ceiling on the amount you can retrieve from the insured driver.
• You can’t legally sue an insured driver for losses in an accident if you are at 50% or more fault for the crash.

FAQs

Which is the best car insurance in Georgia?
No best insurance company would suit everyone. Nevertheless, as a driver, one must look for the best liability coverage, discounts, and other features. You might want to request quotes from various insurance providers, compare them, and then make a decision.
Is Georgia a no-fault state?
Georgia is not a no-fault state. If a driver gets into a fault state in an accident, then the at-fault driver’s insurance provider needs to compensate for the losses of the other driver.
How much is the penalty or ticket for no insurance in Georgia?
The exact amount of penalty or ticket for not having insurance varies in Georgia; however, it ranges between $200 and $1000. Further, if you have already been convicted of driving without insurance, the ticket amounts will be much higher. In addition, you need to pay a $25 insurance lapse fee and a registration reinstatement fee between $60 and $160. That said, car insurance rates would be considerably higher if you don’t have continuous coverage.