Finding cheap car insurance in Georgia can be quite a challenge. Insurance costs can vary wildly depending on your age, gender, credit history, driving record, where you live and other factors. Prices can differ dramatically from one insurer to the next for seemingly no reason at all, which is why shopping around and comparing quotes is worth your time.
To help drivers find cheap car insurance in Georgia, NerdWallet researched the two cheapest car insurance options in the state for the following categories:
- Cheapest for safe drivers
- Cheapest for young drivers
- Cheapest for high-mileage drivers
- Drivers with imperfect records
Cheapest for safe drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
- $76/month
- $114/month
For Georgia drivers, Geico is almost always the cheapest car insurance option — in some cases, by quite a bit. Safe drivers will save almost $40 per month by going with Geico over USAA, and may also benefit from specialty options, like mechanical breakdown coverage. However, for drivers who can take advantage of USAA’s discounts, superior customer service may be worth the extra cost. USAA is available only to active and retired military and their families.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers younger than 25
- $108/month
- $212/month
For young drivers, Geico and USAA are, again, the two cheapest options, but this time, Geico beats USAA by over $100 a month. At this price difference, new drivers — especially if they’re paying for their own policies — will probably want to choose Geico.
Cheapest for high-mileage drivers
For those who drive more than 40 miles a day
- $81/month
- $129/month
Geico is also the least expensive choice for high-mileage drivers, and those who spend a lot of time in their cars may especially appreciate mechanical breakdown coverage. On the other hand, USAA drivers can take advantage of uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and an accident forgiveness program, which is free to many safe drivers, as well as a large number of discounts and top-rated customer and claims processing service.
Cheapest for drivers with imperfect records
For drivers who have had at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations
- $157/month
- $159/month
Drivers with a violation or two on their records will pay a similar price at State Farm and USAA. Although USAA slightly edges out State Farm in ratings — and its accident forgiveness policy may protect first-time offenders — both insurers have similar discounts that may help with higher premiums. Those eligible should choose USAA, but for other drivers, State Farm is also a great pick.
Visit NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more detail on optional coverages and limits you might want for your Georgia policy.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Georgia
Georgia drivers are required by law to carry auto insurance. Specifically, they must carry bodily injury liability coverage per person and by accident, as well as property damage liability per accident.
Here are the minimum amounts needed to drive legally in Georgia:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Experts recommend getting more than the minimum coverages because an at-fault crash could easily result in injury or repair bills higher than the amounts listed above. You may also want to consider common add-ons such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection.
Alternative car insurance in Georgia
Drivers who are unable to buy Georgia car insurance through the open market may qualify for coverage through the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan (GAAIP), which assigns high-risk drivers to insurers. Because those drivers tend to be in more accidents and make more claims, they will pay significantly higher rates than for coverage in the open market.
If you have to use GAAIP as a last resort, it’s a good idea to improve your driving record so that you become eligible again for auto insurance on the regular open market and for cheaper car insurance rates in Georgia.
To be eligible for GAAIP, Georgia requires drivers to demonstrate they couldn’t find auto insurance coverage from at least two companies within the last 60 days. Drivers must also have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle registered in Georgia.
If you’re searching for cheap car insurance in Georgia you can also use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool, which lets you review quotes side by side and even find out how discounts and violations affect your premium.
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet ran rates from the largest insurers in Georgia across several ZIP codes. We tested for drivers with no accidents or violations, drivers younger than 25, drivers who travel more than 40 miles per day, and drivers with violations or accidents on their record. We used a Toyota Camry as our sample vehicle, the most popular car in Georgia. These are just sample rates; your own rates will vary.
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