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Georgia Car Insurance

If you live in Georgia and happen to get into an accident while driving, your southern charm won’t help escape fines if you don’t provide proper insurance.

Failure to provide proper insurance can result in fines or a suspension on your driver’s license.

Georgia Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance

If you are caught driving without car insurance in the state of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Revenue is required by law to suspend and/or revoke the registration of your vehicle. To cancel the suspension, you must pay the $25 lapse fee and a $60 reinstatement fee. This penalty applies for a first-time occurrence. It’s important to remember that driving a vehicle with a cancelled, suspended or revoked registration in Georgia is a misdemeanor.

Penalties for a second occurrence of suspended registration include:

• Suspension of vehicle’s registration for 90 days after 2nd occurrence during any five-year period
• Owner must obtain and keep continuous Georgia liability insurance coverage on the vehicle for it to be reinstated
• Pay a $25 lapse fee, a $60 reinstatement fee plus any vehicle registration fee and ad valorem taxes that may be due if it is during their registration period
• Suspension of driving privileges for 90 days after the registration was suspended

Penalties for a third or subsequent occurrence of suspended registration include:

• Suspension of the vehicle’s registration for six months for a third or subsequent occurrence within any five-year period
• Owner must obtain and keep continuous Georgia liability insurance coverage on their vehicle
• Pay a $25 lapse fee, a $160 reinstatement fee plus any vehicle registration fee and ad valorem taxes that may be due if it is during their registration period
• Suspension of driving privileges for six months after the registration was suspended

What is Considered Full Coverage Auto Insurance in Georgia

According to Georgia‘s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, all Georgia residents must have automobile liability insurance for all registered vehicles in order to drive on the roads and highways. Drivers must have at least the minimum requirements under Georgia law that includes:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to two or more people
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

In addition to the minimum limit’s levels above, drivers can also purchase comprehensive or collision coverage to protect their vehicle from additional damages such as theft, vandalism, fire and inclement weather. All these types of coverage are optional and not required by Georgia law.

Georgia DUI/DWI Laws and Penalties

Georgia has strict laws regarding drinking and driving. The BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level for a DUI for persons under 21 is 0.02, while the level for adults is 0.08. The penalties for a DUI/DWI can result in fines, community services, loss of driving privileges and even jail time. Here are additional penalties for driving under the influence according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety:

First Offense

• Possible jail time up to one year
• Fines from $300 to $1,000
• License suspension up to one year
• Minimum mandatory 40 hours of community service
• $210 license reinstatement fee

Second Offense (Within Five Years of First Offense)

• Minimum mandatory 48 hours in jail, possible 90 days to one year
• Fines from $600 to $1,000
• License suspension for three years
• Minimum mandatory 30 days of community service
• $210 license reinstatement fee
• A mandatory clinical evaluation and, if indicated, completion of a substance abuse treatment program at the offender’s expense

Third Offense (Within Five Years of Second Offense)

• Minimum mandatory 15 days jail time
• Fines from $1,000 to $5,000
• License revocation for five years
• Minimum mandatory 30 days of community service
• Offender’s name, photo, and address published in local newspaper at offender’s expense
• Declared as habitual offender, the license plate for his/her vehicle will be seized, sent to the court and forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety
• Face a mandatory clinical evaluation and, if indicated, completion of substance abuse treatment program at the offender’s expense

Georgia Cell Phone Driving Laws and Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Georgia, using a mobile device for both texting and calling while driving is prohibited

Georgia SR-22 Insurance Documents

The state of Georgia uses the SR-22 insurance document to help drivers reinstate their suspended licenses. An SR-22 form may be required if you are a high-risk driver, have DUI convictions or have serious traffic violations. An SR-22 verifies a driver’s financial responsibility, but it is not an insurance policy. Your insurer can electronically file SR-22 insurance documents to the state of Georgia.