Georgia drivers know they need car insurance, but they also know they don’t have to pay rates that are unaffordable. With more than 6.5 million drivers living in Georgia, there are numerous insurance options for anyone who needs to add it to their monthly expenses. The cost to insure your vehicle in the Peach State is around $1,300 per year, but that is affected by many outside influences. To find out how you can find the best rates, the best insurance, and the best policy for you, there are things you must know before you assign yourself to a car insurance company in Atlanta, Georgia and the nearby cities throughout Georgia.
Auto Insurance Statistics in Georgia
According to NAIC.org, the auto insurance premiums in Georgia have been fairly close to the national average for each year between 2005 and 2012. The data reflects that Georgia’s auto insurance premium rate is set to exceed the national average.
Average Car Insurance Premiums State Vs. National
Source: NAIC.org
Drunk Driving Fatalities
When shopping for car insurance, it helps to be aware of the level of risk you take on while on the road. Drunk driving is a risk factor to consider when driving in the state of Georgia.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has done a tally of the number of drunk driving fatalities in Georgia vs. nationwide.
Drunk driving fatalities in Georgia from 2010 to 2014
Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Teen Drinking and Driving
Teen drinking and driving in Georgia has remained lower than the nationwide average. The legal drinking age is 21 years old, however, often teenagers drink and drive, breaking two laws simultaneously. It is important to speak to teens about the potential dangers of drinking and driving. The below statistics represent the percentage of Georgia drivers that are teenagers who are drinking and driving when compared with national averages.
Teen Drinking & Driving in Georgia vs. Nationwide
Source: www.NHTSA.gov
Car Theft in Georgia
Car theft in Georgia is something to consider when picking an automobile policy. With comprehensive auto insurance coverage, drivers can be protected in the event of car theft.
The below data shows how Georgia ranks against other states nationwide in the number of car thefts.
Vehicle thefts by rank nationwide vs. Georgia
Source: www.FBI.gov
Uninsured Motorists in Georgia
Driving on the public roads of Georgia mandates protection against damage caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists. Obtaining uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will keep you from having to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident. The below data shows how well Georgia ranks in the total number of reported uninsured motorists in the state in the year 2015.
Percentage of uninsured drivers (Top States in 2015)
Source: Insurance Information Institute
The Best Insurance Companies for Cheap Rates
According to national statistics, Georgia residents have the best option to pay lower premiums for their car insurance by choosing specific companies. While it’s not true for all drivers in all situations, it’s true for many that these companies offer the best prices and the best policies.
- Geico
- USAA
- Auto-Owners
- Country
- Encompass
Each of these companies is rated highly with their insured customers, and they all have features they offer to help you lower your rates. Some allow you to lower your rates if you buy a new car with more safety features, if you’ve been a long-time customer, and if you have a safe driving record. Others take more into consideration, and they want to know if you are someone worth insuring for less.
Driving Record and Credit
Insurance companies in Georgia take a gamble on insuring you. Your job is to be a safe driver and avoid needing to use your insurance for any reason. One way for insurance companies to tell if you’re an ideal candidate for this is to check your credit and your driving record. Good credit indicates you’re a good candidate to pay your bills on time and stay out of trouble. Bad credit means you probably struggle financially and might be a risk.
Your driving record tells the insurance company how you drive. Numerous tickets and accidents you’ve caused make you look like the least likely candidate for a cheap auto insurance policy. Auto insurance companies check your driving record in the most recent months, but your entire driving record is considered when it comes to choosing a policy price.
Age, Sex, and Marital Status
Many people might consider this discrimination, but it’s not. Businesses are not permitted to discriminate against people who come to work for them, whom they serve, and who they do business with, but insurance companies have the right. It’s because certain drivers are less likely to cause accidents than others. Typically, married couples receive lower rates. Additionally, young women are less expensive to insure. Older men are less expensive to insure than older women, so it does balance out in the long run. You can’t change many of these factors, but you can use them to gather an idea of what it might cost to insure your car when the time is right.
Lowering Rates
You have the power to negotiate the cost of your insurance premium in Georgia. If you have an insurance company already and you’ve been with them for a long time, it’s worth calling to see if they’re willing to work with you to lower your rate. If you have never made a late payment, you don’t have any accidents, and you’ve never used your policy with them, you have no reason to assume they will deny you this opportunity.
You can compare rates with numerous companies around the state, too. Each one is willing to consider your business as promising, and this means they’re willing to work with you. Compare rates, find the best policy for the least price, and go with that one. You’re in charge of what you pay.
Auto insurance isn’t fun to pay, but it’s one of the most necessary expenses in your life if you own a vehicle. Georgia residents have many options, but it’s important you know how to utilize those options to make the most of what you’re paying for your vehicle’s insurance. You want the best policy, and sometimes it’s not going to be the cheapest plan.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage in Georgia:
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance
- Property Damage Liability Insurance
Minimum Requirements For Car Insurance in Georgia
There are minimum requirements for car insurance in the state of Georgia. According to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, it is mandatory to have at least liability coverage for every registered driver in the state of Georgia.
Liability Coverage minimums for the state of Georgia:
$25,000 personal injury protection for each person
$25,000 for property damage coverage
$50,000 personal injury protection for multiple individuals in a car accident
Source: Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Cheap Auto Insurance Discounts
Auto insurance discounts can help you to save on the price of insurance that you will have to pay each month. At CheapAutoInsurance.co, we want to help you save as much as possible on the auto insurance you pay. Below are some discounts you can ask your insurance provider about to help you save on the amount of your auto insurance premium.
- Anti-theft discount
- Mature driver discount
- Military or Veteran discount
- Bundling insurance policies discount
- Senior citizen discount
- Car safety features discount
- Good student discount
- Defensive driving discount
- Low-mileage discount
- Multi-car auto insurance discount
- Infrequent usage discount