Compare Auto Insurance in Georgia
Looking for auto insurance in Georgia? We have everything you need to know to get a sweet deal on car insurance in the Peach State.
This page touches on coverage requirements, state insurance laws, risks, and other useful info for Georgia drivers.
Average Georgia Car Insurance Rates
How much does car insurance in Georgia cost? Average rates in the state are a hair above the rest of the country. Auto insurance rates average $896.50 a year in Georgia. The national annual average is $889.01
The type of car you own, driving history, zip code, and number of claims can affect your rate.
| Coverage | Rates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability | $557.38 | ||
| Collision | $331.83 | ||
| Comprehensive | $159.18 | ||
| Total Cost Per Year | $896.50 | ||
| Price Per Month | $74.70 | ||
| Source: Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance | |||
This graph shows the increase in car insurance rates from 2011 to 2015, the most current data available. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Georgia car insurance rates went up from $754 in 2011 to $896 in 2015, an 18.89 percent jump.
In order to get the best quote available to you in Georgia, you'll have to shop around. Getting individual quotes from top insurance companies is a time-consuming process. But QuoteWizard makes it easy to compare rates from multiple companies.
Last year, 115,555 people used QuoteWizard to compare car insurance quotes in Georgia from multiple companies to get the cheapest rates.
Most Popular Auto Insurance Companies in Georgia
These are the most popular insurers reported by QuoteWizard users in Georgia last year. Out of all the Georgia drivers that used QuoteWizard last year, 11,251 were uninsured when they got a quote.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Georgia
Georgians have plenty of car insurance options when shopping for coverage. But with so many options, how can they narrow that list of choices down to just one? QuoteWizard analyzed each company and found that three companies stand above the rest. Here are, in no particular order, Georgia's best car insurance companies.
State Farm
State Farm holds 22.5 percent of the auto insurance market share in Georgia. That is 10 percent higher than the next insurer. With the recent rate cut they performed in Georgia, their popularity is understandable.
The rate cut isn’t the only point in State Farm’s favor. They have a good model for service as well. Consumer Reports states that State Farm has an 89/100 reader rating. Also, their ranking for agent access and courtesy is excellent.
According to the Better Business Bureau, State Farm has had 499 complaints filed in the last 12 months. With 1.5 million GA policyholders, this is below the average complaint ratio.
In partnership with Georgia State University, State Farm awards up to $160,000 in scholarships a year. This program encourages mentoring and student assistance in the area. State Farm’s policies are often on the pricey side, but the services they provide can be worth it. Their student discounts, for example, are very popular with parents.
GEICO
Berkshire Hathaway, GEICO’s parent company, consistently does well in customer reviews. According to J.D. Power, GEICO is the third best auto insurer for satisfaction in the Southeast region. And Consumer Reports readers rated them as excellent in multiple categories.
GEICO has embraced new technologies to provide their customers with better service. Usage-based insurance policies have become more popular of late. By using telematics to gauge how well and how often their policy holders drive, GEICO can provide coverage tailored to the individual. So far in 2018, ten percent of insured drivers held usage-based coverage. And GEICO tech-based approach includes virtual assistant, Kate. Through Kate, you can get policy info and answers to questions anytime.
In regards to financial strength, Moody’s gives GEICO a high Aa1 rating and considers them stable. A.M. Best Rating Services has consistently given GEICO a strong A++ rating. Millions of customers choose to use GEICO.
Progressive
Progressive carries 11.6 percent of the auto insurance market share in GA. This makes them the third largest auto insurance provider there.
And how do 11.6 percent of Georgia drivers feel about their insurance? Consumer Reports readers gave Progressive a satisfaction rating of 87 out of 100. They perform well in terms of agent quality and communication. In their 2017 claim study, J.D. Power ranks them as the 9th best auto insurance company in the Southeast region for customer satisfaction.
The Better Business Bureau gives Progressive a grade of A- overall. Progressive has closed 2,042 complaints in the last three years. They wrote 1,001,828 policies in Georgia in 2017 alone, so they are well below the average complaint ratio.
Part of Progressive’s popularity comes from their usage-based Snapshot program. Snapshot is almost a pay-as-you-go plan, based around when and how much you drive. If you sign on with the Snapshot program, it could land you a discount of around $130 at renewal time.
Best High-Risk Auto Insurance Companies
If you have marks on your driving record, insurers may consider you a high-risk driver. It costs more for insurance companies to cover high-risk drivers, and some may refuse a policy altogether. The Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan helps high-risk drivers get minimum coverage.
These companies offer insurance policies for high-risk drivers in Georgia:
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Allstate
- Esurance
- COUNTRY Financial
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- Farmers
- American Family Insurance
Best Insurance Car Companies for Teen Drivers
Insurers consider teens to be higher-risk drivers than most other groups. As such, teens tend to pay more for auto insurance. Between accidents and tickets, teens are an insurance liability.
Our study found that teens pay $438 a month for an individual policy. The amount drops to $278 if they get on a parent's plan. No matter how you approach it, insuring a teen driver is expensive. Fortunately, many companies offer a discount for students with good grades.
These insurance companies offer good policies for Georgia teens:
What company suits your needs best? You can study auto insurance companies side by side on our company comparison section. We've compiled guidelines for the 30 biggest insurance companies in America. Getting educated is the first step to getting the right policy. What better way to compare auto insurance quotes in Georgia?
Top 10 Vehicles
These are the most commonly owned cars of Georgia drivers wanting car insurance quotes through QuoteWizard last year.
- Ford F150
- Honda Accord EX/LX
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Ford Ranger
- Ford Explorer
- Toyota Camry LE/XLE/SE
- Ford Mustang
- Nissan Altima 2.5 S
- Ford Taurus
- Chevrolet Impala
Georgia Car Insurance Rate Factors
Why is car insurance so expensive in Georgia? With sprawling communities and few public transportation options, commutes are longer for Georgians. This leads to more time on the road and, subsequently, higher insurance rates.
Georgia also ranks 25th in the nation for the most uninsured drivers. Twelve percent of Georgian drivers being uninsured is going to affect rates statewide.
Georgia Car Insurance Laws
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Georgia
Georgia state law requires drivers to carry minimum coverage of 30/60/25. This means your auto policy must have at least:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $60,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $25,000
Recommended Coverage Levels
Georgia’s auto insurance rates are higher than average. Why? One reason is the high rate of accidents. Unfortunately, high car crash rates affect all drivers. Not only does it hike up your premiums but puts you at greater risk. In order to protect yourself from the financial woes that come after a crash, add collision coverage.
Minimum auto insurance covers pretty much what the name says -- the minimum. It’s unwise to think it’s all you need. Should you have an accident, liability will cover the other driver’s damages, but you’re on the hook to pay for your own. Even then, it’s easy to exceed minimum liability levels.
As a base amount of coverage, we recommend:
- Individual Body Injury Liability: $100,000
- Total Bodily Injury Liability: $300,000
- Property Damage Liability: $100,000.
Required Proof of Car Insurance
Georgia drivers need to have an insurance identification card when driving. You'll get the ID card when you get your insurance policy. The card must include the following:
- Your full name
- The vehicle's identification number (VIN)
If you cannot show proof of insurance, fines can be as much as $160. If you don’t have minimum insurance coverage, you'll risk suspended or revoked registration.
SR-22 Requirements
Georgia drivers with suspended licenses must file an SR-22 form. "SR" is short for safety responsibility. It certifies that a driver has the minimum required amount of insurance.
Georgia State law requires the carrying of an SR-22 for three years. Failure to pay your premium during this time will result in an invalid SR22 and a suspended license.
Totaled Cars with Rebuilt or Salvage Titles
In Georgia, a formula is used to calculate total loss. Combine the repair costs with the car's salvage value. If that number is greater than the car's actual cash value, your insurer will consider it a total loss.
Buying insurance for a rebuilt or salvage title in Georgia is tricky. Some insurance companies won't cover such vehicles. Expect to pay higher rates if your car has a rebuilt or salvage title.
Best and Worst Drivers in Georgia
Our study shows that Georgia has the 11th worst drivers in the country. On top of that, Atlanta is the 26th worst driving city in America. Rankings account for accidents, DUIs, speeding tickets, and citations in Georgia.
If you live in an area with bad drivers, expect to pay more for car insurance. Sharing the road with bad drivers makes you more likely to file a claim.
State of Georgia Traffic Safety Laws
Distracted Driving Laws
To cut down on distracted driving accidents, Georgia outlaws the use of handheld devices while driving. Law enforcement can pull you over and cite you if they see you driving with a phone in hand. The same applies to texting while driving. Driving with a hands-free device is the safest way to go.
Georgia's distracted driving laws are more extensive than other states. Other activities they consider distracted driving include:
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the stereo
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
DUI Laws and Penalties
If you drive in Georgia with a Blood Alcohol Content level of 0.08 percent or higher, you're guilty of DUI. Penalties for DUI include jail time, fines, license suspension, and an ignition interlock device. If you get multiple DUIs, punishment is more severe.
On top of that, a DUI will raise your insurance premiums. Our study shows that drivers can expect to pay an extra $830 per year for car insurance after a DUI.
Senior Drivers
Car insurance rates normally increase once a driver turns 65. In Georgia, once you turn 64 you're required to pass a vision screening each renewal period. Drivers must have at least 20/60 vision in one eye, and field vision of at least 140 degrees. If drivers can’t pass the vision test, they'll need to obtain paperwork from an optometrist.
Vehicles Registered in Another State
When driving a vehicle registered out-of-state in Georgia, you must have the type of insurance required by that state as well as correct proof of insurance.
Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Website:
- https://www.oci.ga.gov/
- Insurance Commissioner:
- Ralph T. Hudgens
- Mailing Address:
- Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
West Tower, Suite 704
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Contact Consumer Services
- Phone:
- (404) 656-2070
- Toll Free:
- (800) 656-2298
- Email:
- Consumer@oci.ga.gov
File an Insurance Complaint
- Website:
- Complaint Portal
Sources:
- Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
- National Insurance Crime Bureau
- Governors Highway Safety Association
- Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
- Georgia Department of Driver Services - DDS
- Georgia Auto Insurance Market Share
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