Car Insurance Laws And Penalties in Georgia

If you own a car registered in Georgia, you must carry certain car insurance. Driving without car insurance is illegal in Georgia, and you will face serious penalties if you are caught. Drivers must understand Georgia's car insurance laws and the penalties for driving without insurance.

Georgia State Law Requirements

Car insurance requirements differ from state to state. In Georgia, you must have auto insurance if you own or lease a vehicle. There is a strict requirement, as in most states, that you maintain your coverage. The general rule in Georgia is straightforward: to legally drive, register their vehicles, and obtain, renew, and replace their license plates, all vehicle owners and lessees in the state must maintain continuous mandatory liability insurance on their vehicles. The keyword here is "consistently," which means that any lapse in coverage can result in severe penalties. Because insurers must electronically notify the DMV of any terminations, additions, or deletions to your policy, the Georgia DMV will be aware of your insurance has lapsed. Furthermore, Georgia drivers must carry a policy information card issued by their insurer while driving. While driving, failure to have your card with you can result in penalties, so keep your insurance card.

Insurance Law

Georgia car insurance laws require drivers to have insurance and keep it current to operate their vehicle legally. Drivers must have 25/50/25 personal liability insurance, which includes:

• Per person, $25,000 in bodily injury coverage is provided.
• Per accident, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage is provided.
• Property damage coverage of $25,000 per accident

Georgia law also requires drivers to keep proof of insurance in their vehicle. If a law enforcement officer requests proof of insurance and you cannot provide it, you will face penalties. Physical and electronic proof of insurance is both acceptable in Georgia.

Proof of Car Insurance

When driving, you must have a copy of your auto insurance. If you're forgetful, make an electronic copy and save it on your phone for reference. Although driving without proof of insurance results in a less severe penalty, a traffic officer will issue you a $25 ticket. Before settling the fine in court, the prosecutor must see your insurance card. If the dates on your insurance card show that they were valid when the officer issued the ticket, the judge may reduce the fine or dismiss the entire charge. A court clerk does not report you to your insurance company or the DDS, where charges are dismissed. All drivers who have suspended licenses due to driving without insurance must complete an SR-22 form. SR-22 records are kept on the DDS system for three years in Georgia. This certificate imposes high auto insurance rates on you and will only be changed after its three-year term expires.

Lapses In Car Insurance

What are the ramifications of a simple lapse in coverage? They're not too bad. If your insurance is canceled or expires, your carrier will notify the DMV electronically. You will have 30 days after the expiration date to provide proof of new insurance. You're good to go if proof is received within 30 days and there was no lapse in coverage. A lapse is defined as 10 days or more without insurance coverage. If proof of insurance is received within 30 days, but coverage has lapsed, you must pay a $25 lapse fee. But be cautious. If your insurance expires and you do not provide proof of insurance within 30 days, the DMV will notify you of a pending suspension. If you do not provide proof of insurance during the second 30-day period, your vehicle's registration will be suspended. Driving with a suspended registration is a misdemeanor. To have the suspension lifted at that point, you must provide proof of insurance, pay the $25 lapse fee, and a $60 reinstatement fee. Of course, if you no longer drive, you no longer need insurance, and you should cancel the policy and cancel the vehicle registration for the car for which the insurance policy is no longer required.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance

If your insurance is canceled or expires, your carrier will electronically notify the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You have 30 days from the expiration date to provide proof of new insurance. There are no penalties if the new insurance information is received within 30 days and there is no lapse in coverage (a "lapse" is defined as ten or more days without insurance coverage).

First Offense

You will be charged with a misdemeanor if you fail to show valid proof of active insurance when requested or if you are found driving a suspended vehicle. At traffic stops or the scene of an accident, any law enforcement officer has the authority to request your ID card or other evidence. Your license and registration are suspended for the first offense for 60 days until you obtain a six-month insurance policy that meets the state's minimum requirements. You must pay a $25 lapse fee and a $60 reinstatement fee to get them back. Depending on the circumstances, you could also face up to a year in prison.

Second Offense

Your license and registration are suspended for 90 days if you are caught driving uninsured or with an expired registration for the second time within five years of a previous violation. Georgians must provide proof of at least a six-month minimum insurance policy to regain their driving privileges. You'll have to pay a $25 lapse fee and a $60 reinstatement fee to get them back. A year in prison is also possible, depending on how the second offense is handled.

Third and Subsequent Offenses

In Georgia, drivers must avoid a second conviction within five years. If you are caught driving without insurance for the third time, your license and car registration will be suspended for 90 days. Each subsequent conviction increases the reinstatement fee, suspension days, and jail term. Repeat offenders risk having their licenses permanently suspended. They are unable to register their vehicles in Georgia and are unable to renew their vehicle registration. Also, in Georgia, lying about having insurance when you don't is a misdemeanor.

Civil Penalties

A person in an accident without insurance may face a civil lawsuit and criminal penalties. The driver's home and savings could be forfeited. Furthermore, if the driver cannot pay for the other person's vehicle damages, their license will likely be suspended.

Avoid The Penalties

Here is a list of best practices to avoid this happening to you:

• Keep your insurance information up to date. Make sure your insurance payments are made on time and that there are no gaps in coverage.
• Check that your policy covers all of your vehicles. If you buy a new car, you must include it in your policy as soon as possible.
• Put all of your insurance information in an easily accessible location in your car. If a police officer pulls you over, you must be able to locate your insurance information.
• Be courteous to the officer. If you know you have car insurance but can't find your card, being polite to the officer may persuade him not to write you a ticket. Instead, he might give you a warning.