Athens Car Insurance

If you would have asked someone what Athens, Georgia was known for a decade ago, they probably would've said it's college atmosphere full of students and nightlife.

While Athens is still a popular town where college-bound students attending the University of Georgia travel to, it's become a place that young adults, families, and even retirees can enjoy.

While Athens is am inexpensive cultural hub full of amenities you don't usually find in a small town, it's a dense place where the streets are packed and the probability of having an accident is high.

While it's possible to go car-free in Athens, a majority of modern-day people still want the luxury of going as they please. If you want to own a car, here's what you need to know about car insurance laws in Athens, Georgia.

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Auto Insurance is Mandatory

Athens might have one of the best public transportation systems in Georgia but that doesn't mean there aren't private passenger vehicles going up and down the highway.

Even though it's a unique town, all residents in Athens with a vehicle that's registered in the state of Georgia are obligated to comply with the state insurance laws.

Since Georgia state legislatures have mandated that personal auto insurance is mandatory, you have no other option but to satisfy the requirement to legally drive. In fact, in the state of Georgia, the Insurance Code says that you can't even license a vehicle until you've furnished proof of insurance.

Not only do you need to furnish it, you must maintain it.

Who can you buy your auto insurance from?

The law doesn't just say that you need continuous auto insurance, it also says how much insurance you have to have and who you can purchase it from. All vehicle owners must buy their policy from a licensed carrier that's been approved to sell personal lines insurance in Georgia.

You'll need to check a company's licensing status before you assume anything.

There are currently 33 companies licensed to sell property and casualty products in the state. That means you still have a lot of freedom when making a choice.

How much insurance do you need to carry?

State minimum requirements are just a starting point when you're building a policy.

As long as you have the required limits of liability, you'll be in compliance with the law. Since Georgia is a tort state that uses fault to determine which insurer pays for damages, you're only required to buy third-party liability insurance. Here are the requirements:

• Bodily Injury Liability - $25,000 per person, up to $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability - $25,000 per accident

Are you required to carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured Motorist coverage is a requirement in many states with fault-based insurance systems.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been made a requirement in Georgia where the rate of uninsured drivers is high. While UM isn't required, carriers are required to offer you the option to buy it in limits that match Bodily Injury requirements.

Should you elect to carry UM coverage?

Even though it's optional, Uninsured Motorist Protection is a coverage that you should seriously consider.

Based on the latest statistics released, Georgia as a whole is ranked 26th on the list of states with the highest percentage of uninsured drivers. About 11.7% of the population doesn't have an active liability policy.

What you might not know is that this percentage is more than likely higher in towns like Athens because the population is made up of transplants and young students with limited budgets. Since you can't ever tell if someone has active insurance, it's best to protect yourself by paying a small cost to add UM to your policy.

How does the state know when you don't have insurance?

One of the main reasons why the rate of uninsured drivers became such a huge problem a decade ago is because officials couldn't really tell that coverage wasn't active until after someone was in a crash.

It is possible for the department to check the status of your coverage at any given time with the GEICS system.

GEICS stands for the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System. It's an electronic reporting platform that insurance companies update to notify the state when a policy begins or when it terminates.

To sell products in Georgia, insurers must register with the Department of Revenue so that they can report VIN's, policy numbers and coverage info.

What's the penalty if you're caught without insurance?

You don't just get a slap on the wrist for violating vehicle code.

Since you're actually putting others at risk by making the decision, courts consider being uninsured a misdemeanor. You can only be charged with a misdemeanor if you're caught by law enforcement, but you can still face penalties even if you're just fined by the DMV.

Here are penalties a person could face in Georgia:

• Fine of $200 to $1000 for first offense
• Imprisonment for up to 12 months
• Suspension of License for 60 days and until you can prove you have insurance
• Reinstatement fee of $200
• Suspension of License for up to 90 days for subsequent offenses
• Reinstatement fee for second suspension of $300

Is there coverage to pay for your medical bills?

If you're in an accident with an uninsured driver and you have Uninsured Motorist Protection, your medical bills will be covered up to the limits that you carry.

The question is what happens if you don't have UM or if you're at-fault in a loss? In this scenario, you'd need to carry Medical Payments coverage on your policy.

Medical payments is a first-party coverage that will insure you and your family against medical bills that you can accrue in a crash. It also pays if you're a pedestrian and you're hit by a vehicle. The great thing about medical payment is that it's available to you regardless of fault so that you can get immediate treatment.

Is Medical Payments worth the added premium?

Whenever you add optional coverage to your policy it comes at a cost to you. The cost for adding medical payments depends on your driving record and the vehicle that you drive.

Generally, premiums are very affordable because the limits of coverage are fairly low.

Since accidents happen and minor injuries can occur in just a small fender-bender, you should price the cost of Medical Payments. There are a few reasons to consider the coverage before writing it off. Here are some reasons it's a good idea to add it:

• It will pay for your health insurance deductible and co-pay
• You don't have health insurance
• It will cover chiropractic care that may be excluded on your health plan
• You ride with guests on a regular basis who might not have insurance

Other Types of Coverage Available

In addition to third-party liability coverage, you can build a policy that includes coverage that pays for your own damages. Here's a list of the full coverage options that can be added to a basic policy to make it plan with broader protection:

• Uninsured Motorist
• Medical Payments
• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Rental reimbursements
• Towing
• Emergency roadside assistance
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• GAP coverage

How much does auto insurance in Georgia cost?

Auto insurance rates vary from company to company and from consumer to consumer.

If you're trying to price the cost of insurance that you'll pay, looking at average expenditures in Georgia could be a start. Based on survey responses, Georgia is ranked 19th in auto expenditures. The average person spends $800 per year for full coverage.

How are your rates determined?

Even though the averages give you a general idea, they don't really tell you how much you'll pay because auto insurance rates are so personalized. Companies use several different rating factors and their own base rates to calculate quotes.

Here are the most common insurance rating factors that are used:

• The driver's age
• The number of years a driver has been licensed
• The vehicle type and safety ratings
• Credit history
• Garaging zip code
• Driving history and accident history
• Years of insurance without lapses
• Annual mileage
• Vehicle usage (pleasure, business, commute)

The only way that you can really budget the cost of Athens insurance is to get auto insurance quotes.

Once you compare the insurers and you have a list of reputable options, the next step is the quoting process. Use an online quote system to compare instant quotes, enter your Athens zip code, enter your personal info, and select the coverage that you'd like.

In fact, you can get started searching for the best rates on car insurance right now by simply entering your zip code below!