Georgia Automobile Insurance Requirements

Georgia drivers must have automobile liability insurance for at least the minimum limits required by law to drive on the Georgia public roads and highways. The minimum limits of liability required under Georgia law are Bodily injury Liability of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per occurrence and Property Damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence. Liability insurance is insurance that pays damages to others, on behalf of an insured, for injury to or damaged property of others, up to the policy limit, which an insured may have caused by his negligence or may protect him against claims made against him by someone who alleges he was at-fault.

What Georgia Drivers Need to Know About Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Beginning January 1, 2009

Currently, when you purchase UM/UIM coverageand are in an accident with an “underinsured” vehicle, the at-fault party’s liability insurance coverage may be deducted from your UM/UIM coverage when determining the amount of your UM/UIM coverage available to pay for injuries and property damage. Starting in 2009, a new coverage option will be available in addition to the two current options. Choosing the new option will give you additional coverage if an “underinsured” driver or vehicle is responsible for your damage or injuries.

If you already have UM/UIM coverage and take NO action prior to your next policy renewal on or
after January 1st, you will receive – and pay for – the new, enhanced UM/UIM coverage. If you do not want the enhanced UM/UIM coverage, you must OPT OUT of it using a form provided to you by your insurance company or agent.

If you have a private-passenger automobile policy that is in force on January 1, 2009, your insurer should send you notification of this law change at least 45 days prior to the first renewal after that date, and you will be asked to select a coverage option. If you previously refused UM/UIM coverage in writing regarding your policy, you will continue to not have UM/UIM coverage and may not receive a notice from your insurer regarding this law change.

Motor vehicle owners and lessees in this state are required to maintain continuous mandatory liability insurance coverage on their vehicle(s) to:

  * Legally drive the vehicle(s);
  * Register and obtain Georgia license plates (tags); and,
  * Renew, replace, or transfer their existing Georgia license plates (tags).

Non-motorized vehicles, i.e. trailers, campers, etc., and vehicles exempt from registration in this state, i.e. snowmobiles, bicycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, etc., do not require insurance coverage.

Insurers must be licensed with the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office (ICO) to be able to issue Georgia motor vehicle liability insurance policies. Insurers are required by law to electronically transmit insurance information to this Department’s GEICS insurance database within thirty- (30) days of the date the insurance coverage is to begin.

Insurers must also electronically report insurance information for terminations and additions or deletions of vehicles from existing policies. Vehicles registered in this state under the International Registration Plan (IRP), self-insured vehicles and fleet vehicles must have Georgia liability insurance coverage but are exempt from the electronic reporting requirements.

The vehicle identification numbers (VIN) that are electronically transmitted by the insurers to this Department's GEICS insurance database are cross-referenced with the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) on this Department's tag and title database.

If a transmitted VIN matches a VIN on the tag and title database, a valid insurance coverage indicator is placed on the vehicle’s record. Law enforcement and County Tax Commissioner office personnel in this state have access to the tag and title database and can easily check the insurance status of any vehicle registered in Georgia.

When a valid insurance coverage indicator is not on your vehicle’s record on this Department's tag and title database and you do not have acceptable proof of coverage as shown under the heading "Acceptable Proof of Georgia Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance", you will be unable to:

  Register your vehicle and obtain a Georgia license plate (tag);
 
  Renew, transfer, or replace your existing Georgia license plate (tag); and,
 
  You will be subject to fines and/or vehicle impoundment if detected by law enforcement or if the vehicle is involved in an accident.

Only insurers can add, delete or modify insurance information on this Department’s insurance database
Insurance Policy Information Cards

Your insurer is required by law to issue you, their insured, an insurance policy information card for each vehicle they insure. Your insurance policy information card must be carried in your vehicle at all times when the vehicle is driven, even now when insurance cards are no longer acceptable proof of insurance for all vehicles except:

  * Vehicles registered in Georgia under the International Registration Plan (IRP);
  * Self-insured vehicles; and,
  * Vehicles insured under a fleet insurance policy.

In addition to being a requirement of law, an insurance policy information card may be needed in the following situations:

  * When traveling in other states where they may not recognize the information on our database.
  * If you are involved in an accident, your valid insurance card can be used to easily exchange insurance information, i.e. Your Insurance company’s name, policy number, agent’s name and telephone number, etc.
  * A valid self-insured insurance information card and a certificate of self-insurance issued by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office (ICO) are acceptable proof of liability insurance coverage for a self-insured vehicle when both are issued in the registered owner’s name.
 
If you allow someone else to drive your vehicle, you must provide the driver with acceptable proof of insurance coverage as shown under the heading “Acceptable Proof of Georgia Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance” and your valid insurance policy information card.

Acceptable Proof of Georgia Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance

  A valid insurance coverage indicator on your vehicle’s record on this Department's tag and title database is acceptable proof of insurance coverage. You may check on the insurance status of your vehicle from our web site with your vehicle's identification number (VIN) and title or control number. Your vehicle's identification number (VIN) and title or control number may be found on your vehicle's current Georgia registration certificate, a/k/a tag receipt. When no Georgia title has been issued for the vehicle in the registered owner's name, a fifteen digit control number beginning with "17" or "99" will appear on the vehicle's current tag receipt instead of a title number.
 
 
  A valid binder issued by an insurer, licensed in Georgia, showing the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is temporary proof of Georgia liability insurance coverage for thirty days from the binder’s issue date. The binder must be carried in the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is being driven until a valid insurance record is received by this Department electronically transmitted by the insurer. A binder is issued by an insurance agent when someone purchases "new" insurance. A binder used as proof of insurance is only valid for thirty days. A binder cannot be issued to a vehicle owner who already has an insurance policy in effect.
 
  A bill of sale dated within thirty days of the vehicle’s purchase date and a valid insurance declaration page, usually the top page of an insurance policy, issued by an insurer, licensed in Georgia, are acceptable proof of insurance for a recently purchased or acquired vehicle. The bill of sale and insurance declaration page must be carried in the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is being driven until a valid electronically transmitted insurance record is received by this Department from the insurer. A bill of sale and an insurance declaration page used as proof of insurance are valid for only thirty days.
 
  A self-insured insurance information card and a certificate of self-insurance issued by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office (ICO) are acceptable proof of insurance for a self-insured vehicle. Both this card and the certificate of self-insurance must be issued in the registered owner's name and be carried in the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is being driven.
 
  A valid insurance policy information card issued by a insurer, licensed in Georgia, in the registered owner’s name reflecting the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is acceptable proof of liability insurance coverage for a vehicle registered in this state under the International Registration Plan (IRP). This card must be carried in the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is being driven.
 
  If the vehicle is rented, the person renting the vehicle, not leasing, must carry the rental agreement in the vehicle while the rental vehicle is being driven.

If the vehicle owner does not have acceptable proof of insurance coverage as shown under the heading "Acceptable Proof of Georgia Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance", they will be unable to register and purchase a Georgia license plate (tag) for their vehicle; unable to renew, replace or transfer their existing Georgia tag; and will be subject to fines and vehicle impoundment if detected by law enforcement or if the vehicle is involved in an accident.

Note: State Car Insurance regulations can change. Please check with your state's Motor Vehicle Department for the most current regulations.