Drivers in Georgia are required to carry car insurance. The state follows fault-based liability principles, so auto insurance is essential for ensuring that drivers can be properly compensated if they are injured in a car accident. Georgia drivers have the option to customize their car insurance plans to meet their needs, but all plans must meet the legally-mandated minimum insurance requirements.
Liability Insurance
At minimum, drivers in Georgia are required to carry basic liability insurance. With this insurance, Georgia drivers are covered if they are found to be at fault for a collision. The minimum amounts of liability insurance that Georgia drivers must carry include bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident. Drivers have the option to increase their level of liability protection if they would like.
Personal Protection
Although the minimum insurance coverage in Georgia allows for the coverage of damages and bodily injury to others, it does not include coverage for your own injuries or damages resulting from a car accident. Again, Georgia is a fault-based state, so any compensation negotiations after a collision will require the involvement of another driver and their insurance company. However, adding on insurance plans such as personal property damage protection and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is an option that is available to all policyholders. Electing this kind of coverage may be required by your insurance company or through a lease agreement, even though it is not required by the state of Georgia.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is available to people who would like to protect themselves from drivers who do not follow the law and choose to forego even the minimum insurance coverage. This type of insurance provides coverage for your own damages if you are injured in a collision in which an uninsured driver is at fault, or if the at fault driver does not have sufficient coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is not part of Georgia’s basic insurance plan, and is an optional add-on policy for drivers.
The attorneys of Busch, Reed, Jones & Leeper, P.C. can represent you if you have been injured in a car accident. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case.
