Car insurance premium costs can vary based on unique factors like age, location and driving history. To find the best car insurance in Georgia, you need to get personalized quotes. MoneyGeek ranked the top car insurance companies in Georgia according to price, customer satisfaction and more. No matter your situation, these rankings can help you find the right coverage options and quotes. MoneyGeek's ratings highlight a potential savings of $1,292 when comparing car insurance costs from the best companies in Georgia.
bestauto insuranceGeorgia2021The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Georgia
Cheapest for minimum liability - GEICO
Cheapest for full coverage - Nationwide
Best company overall - Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - State Farm
Cheapest for drivers with a ticket - State Farm
Cheapest for drivers with bad credit - Nationwide
Cheapest for senior drivers - Country Financial
Cheapest for student drivers - Allstate
Auto liability insurance is mandatory for drivers in Georgia. A liability-only policy is the most affordable option and meets the state’s minimum requirements.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Georgia for minimum coverage are:
- USAA: $493 per year (serves only those with a military background)
- GEICO: $722 per year
MetLife is the most expensive carrier for minimum coverage, with average annual prices of $1,437.
Average Cost for Minimun Liability Coverage
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$493$41
- 2.$722$60
- 3.$780$65
- 4.$796$66
- 5.$841$70
Please keep in mind that these costs are only averages and should only be used to compare quotes across insurers.
These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Georgia driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.
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A minimum coverage policy in Georgia only covers bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. If you wish to protect against the cost of damages to your own car or want to increase the amount of liability coverage, you should consider a full coverage package.
Many factors decide which company offers the most affordable car insurance in Georgia for your specific needs. MoneyGeek ranked the most affordable companies according to comprehensive and collision coverage for the average driver. Taking the time to compare car insurance quotes can help you determine how much you could pay for insurance as you consider different providers.
The most affordable car insurance providers in Georgia for full coverage are:
- USAA: $931 per year (serves only those with a military background)
- Nationwide: $1,372 per year
The costliest carrier for full coverage is Progressive, with average rates of $2,223 per year.
Average Comprehensive and Collision Rates in Georgia
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$931$78
- 2.$1,372$114
- 3.$1,394$116
- 4.$1,414$118
- 5.$1,447$121
Please remember that your individual costs will vary from these examples. Premiums are for a plan with comprehensive and collision insurance and with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Georgia for 2021
According to MoneyGeek’s research. the best car insurance companies in Georgia for most drivers are:
- Best Overall: Auto-Owners
- Runner-up: Auto-Owners
USAA received the highest score in Georgia by MoneyGeek's rating system. However, because USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families, it is not listed as best overall.
MoneyGeek utilized several factors, including prices, customer service ratings, the ability to pay claims and financial strength to determine the best car insurance companies in Georgia.
To score each factor, MoneyGeek used information from J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study to assess customer satisfaction, claims ability and affordability, along with AM Best’s financial strength ratings. These studies and additional internal criteria combine for the final score out of 100.
1
USAA
Score:95
USAA is MoneyGeek’s top selection in Georgia as it gets high scores across multiple categories. However, only current and former military members and their families are eligible to buy policies.
More About USAA
USAA gets consistent rankings as one of the best and most affordable insurance providers in the nation. This holds true in Georgia as well. Its prices are further reduced by discounts such as those for military members who garage their vehicle on base or whose parents are also USAA customers.
Read MoneyGeek's USAA auto Insurance Review2
Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Score:90
MoneyGeek ranked Auto-Owners as the second best company in Georgia. This carrier gets impressive scores for user satisfaction, affordability and financial stability.
More About Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Auto-Owners offers several features such as 24/7 Road Trouble Service if you're stranded on the road due to a dead battery or flat tire. Your collision deductible will be waived if you're in an accident with another Auto-Owners customer. This provider also has multiple optional coverages such as rekeying locks, identity theft and replacing your mobile phone.
Read MoneyGeek's Auto-Owners Insurance Co auto Insurance Review3
ALFA
Score:88
4
GEICO
Score:85
5
State Farm
Score:83
6
Nationwide
Score:80
7
Travelers
Score:80
8
MetLife
Score:80
9
Safeco
Score:78
10
Progressive
Score:78
11
Liberty Mutual
Score:78
12
Allstate
Score:75
13
National General
Score:73
While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
List of the Largest Insurance Companies in Georgia
Based on market share, the three largest insurers in Georgia are State Farm, Progressive and GEICO. Market share is computed as the number of premiums sold by an insurance company divided by the total number of premiums sold in the state. Larger providers may not always have the best policies, but they will likely have the financial stability to pay out claims.
- CompanyMarket Share
- 1.21.6%
- 2.13.1%
- 3.13.0%
- 4.9.3%
- 5.8.6%
How to Compare Cheap Georgia Car Insurance Quotes Online
Leading insurance firms in Georgia offer a convenient online quote tool to help drivers easily get accurate quotes.
- When comparing quotes, use consistent limits that meet your needs. For example, if you get a quote from a carrier for $300,000 in bodily liability insurance per accident, you should use the same limit while comparing rates with other insurers.
- Enter your ZIP code below to compare premiums or use MoneyGeek’s price data for guidance on which company’s websites to visit.
- In Georgia, the three cheapest companies for liability coverage are USAA, GEICO and State Farm. You can begin your research by getting rates from these providers.
What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Georgia?
Several unique factors play a role in deciding insurance premium costs. For the sake of this study, MoneyGeek calculated the average costs for a 40-year-old male with a clean record driving a Toyota Camry. The costs are for 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision insurance. Your costs can be higher or lower based on the coverage level you choose and your age, location and driving record.
- Average Driver: $1,638
- DUI: $2,929
- Speeding Ticket: $2,110
- Poor Credit Score: $2,695
- Seniors: $1,756
- Students: $4,256
A severe driving offense in Georgia, like a DUI, can raise your car insurance costs. Georgia drivers with a DUI on their record are charged an average of $2,929 per year for their auto insurance coverage compared to $1,638 for those without violations.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Georgia for a driver with a DUI and full coverage are:
- State Farm: $1,545 per year
- USAA: $1,805 per year (serves only those with a military background)
Although Nationwide is the second cheapest insurer for Georgia drivers with a clean record, State Farm has lower rates for those with a DUI.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,545$129
- 2.$1,805$150
- 3.$1,891$158
- 4.$2,383$199
- 5.$2,566$214
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 3,241 people died in Georgia due to alcohol-involved crashes from 2009-2018. The rate of deaths per 100,000 people due to drunk driving sits higher than the national average. In addition to facing prison time, fines, fees and license suspension, those convicted of a DUI can also expect their insurance to go up. The following table looks at approximate costs of car insurance for those with a DUI conviction.
Finding cheap car insurance with a DUI in Georgia can feel nearly impossible since there are many costs associated with a DUI, but keeping a pristine driving record and taking part in an alcohol awareness driving course can help. DUIs currently stay on your record for a decade in Georgia, after which time your rates should reduce further.
Even a minor driving violation like a speeding ticket can increase your auto insurance prices in Georgia. Drivers with a speeding ticket in Georgia need to shell out $2,110 per year on average as compared to $1,638 for clean drivers.
The most affordable auto insurers in Georgia for a driver with full coverage and a speeding ticket are:
- USAA: $1,074 per year (serves only those with a military background)
- State Farm: $1,545 per year
In comparison, USAA and Nationwide offer the most affordable rates for drivers with no violations.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,074$90
- 2.$1,545$129
- 3.$1,578$132
- 4.$1,579$132
- 5.$1,675$140
If you get a ticket in Georgia for speeding or distracted driving, finding cheap car insurance may take some extra work, but it can be done. Georgia instituted a new law in 2018 prohibiting motorists from using their cellphones while driving, causing distracted driving tickets to increase. First-time offenders must pay a $50 fine and receive a point on their license. Getting such a ticket can impact your insurance rates. The following table looks at a few approximate costs for coverage for those with tickets.
The high toll of distracted driving can add up, but it will go away in time – provided you don’t get another ticket. The Georgia Department of Driver Services assigns various points for driving infractions, but residents can obtain a points reduction of up to seven points once every five years.
A healthy credit score can lower your car insurance costs. In Georgia, a driver with poor credit is charged an average annual rate of $2,695 for auto insurance coverage compared to $1,638 for the average driver with good credit.
The least expensive car insurance carriers in Georgia for a driver with poor credit and full coverage are:
- USAA: $1,627 per year (serves only those with a military background)
- Nationwide: $1,906 per year
These two insurers also offer the cheapest full coverage for drivers with good credit.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,627$136
- 2.$1,906$159
- 3.$2,086$174
- 4.$2,223$185
- 5.$2,232$186
Credit scores act as an important component for insurance companies when developing quotes because the scores help them assess an applicant’s ability to pay their monthly premiums. Experian states that a credit score of 670 serves as the lowest number considered “good.” As of 2019, Georgia holds an average credit score of 682. The higher your credit score, the lower the auto insurance premiums you will likely have to pay.
Check out the above estimates on what Georgia drivers with low credit scores may have to pay for auto insurance.
Improving your credit score takes time, but it can be done. Making timely payments, keeping your credit card utilization rates down and using credit responsibly can help raise your score.
Senior drivers in Georgia are typically charged slightly higher rates by car insurers. In Georgia, senior drivers need to pay $1,756 per year on average for their car insurance compared to $1,638 for the average adult driver.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Georgia for senior drivers with full coverage are:
- USAA: $1,072 per year (serves only those with a military background)
- Country Financial: $1,369 per year
While Nationwide’s full coverage rates are cheaper for the average 40-year-old driver, Country Financial offers lower premiums for senior drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,072$89
- 2.$1,369$114
- 3.$1,369$114
- 4.$1,398$117
- 5.$1,404$117
Georgia seniors accounted for 13.5% of the 2,283 drivers involved in fatal Georgia crashes during 2017. This equates to 308 seniors total.
While the majority of seniors are competent and safe drivers, Georgia auto insurance companies sometimes charge this demographic higher rates. Factors such as the driver’s age, the type of car they drive, the amount of driving done and their driving record all affect senior auto insurance rates. The following table showcases what seniors in Georgia can expect to pay for car insurance.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services requires residents aged 64 and older to pass a vision screening test each time they renew their license. There are other car insurance basics for seniors to be aware of, like choosing a safe vehicle and enrolling in a safe driving course.
Car insurance companies consider young student drivers riskier to cover as they are inexperienced. In Georgia, a student driver is charged an average annual cost of $4,256 for their auto insurance coverage compared to $1,638 for the average adult driver.
The most affordable car insurers in Georgia for student drivers with full coverage are:
- Allstate: $3,383 per year
- GEICO: $3,803 per year
In comparison, USAA and Nationwide are the most affordable providers for adult drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Students
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$3,383$282
- 2.$3,803$317
- 3.$4,012$334
- 4.$4,547$379
- 5.$5,420$452
Georgia uses a graduated driver's license program for drivers aged 18 and younger. The Teenage and Adult Driving Responsibility Act (TADRA) was passed in response to the high number of fatal vehicle crashes involving young drivers in Georgia. The program provides a way for teens to gain experience driving under the safest conditions and avoiding high-risk situations.
To graduate from a learner's permit to an intermediate license in Georgia, you must complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least six hours at night. If you want to get your intermediate license at age 16, you must complete a driver education course approved by the Department of Driver Services. Anyone under age 18 who wants a driver's license must also be enrolled in school.
To keep insurance rates as low as possible, AAA advises Georgia parents to ask their insurance agent about raising their deductible, seeing if their teen qualifies for a good student discount, and signing a parent-teen driving agreement. This may help keep rates down and children safe by preventing collisions and DUIs.
Even though your child is going off to college, don't expect your insurance premiums to decline quite yet. Unfortunately, statistics show that drivers under age 25 — especially males — are more likely to get in accidents, so expect their insurance rates to remain high for quite a while.
Students can help offset those costs by getting good grades. In Georgia, insurance companies must offer discounts on liability, first-party medical, and collision coverage to good students. The requirement extends to college students. Qualifying learners must rank in the upper 20% of their class, have a "B" or 3.0 GPA or better, or make the Dean's list or honor roll. If your child meets the criteria, ask your insurer about the discount.
Georgia drivers under the age of 20 accounted for roughly 8% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes during 2019. Young drivers do not possess the depth of experience held by those who have been behind the wheel longer. Because of this, expect auto insurance rates to sit higher for teens than adults. The table below gives a few approximate costs for young drivers in Georgia.
Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans
Georgia currently has nearly 130,000 active, reserve and civilian-military personnel. If you are in the Armed Forces, ask your insurance agent how the company handles military deployments and insurance. Make sure you stay on top of premiums and renewals and ask if you will be penalized for allowing your policy to lapse while on deployment.
In Georgia, you may cancel your registration while on deployment as long as the vehicle will not be driven on public roads during your absence. You must submit a form to the Tax Commissioner's office in your home county and have your commanding officer certify your deployment.
The following table features estimates of what military drivers and veterans can expect to pay for auto insurance in Georgia.
Average Rates for Georgia service members
25 years$1,604
50 years$1,235
50 years$1,235
25 years$1,441
50 years$1,273
50 years$1,273
Car Insurance in Georgia: What You Need to Know
If you own a car, you must hold liability insurance to drive on Georgia’s public roads and highways or to register a vehicle in this state.
Proof of Insurance in Georgia
By law, your insurance company must issue an insurance card for each vehicle it insures. You must carry this card in your vehicle at all times, but it no longer suffices to prove that you have insurance in Georgia. For that, your insurance policy will have to show up as active in the Electronic Insurance Compliance System's database. Law enforcement and vehicle registration officials have access to the database and can check your insurance status on the spot. You can also check your own insurance status through the Georgia Drives e-Service.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Georgia
Georgia's minimum limits for liability insurance are:
- Injury liability of $25,000 per person
- Injury liability of $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $25,000
Note that these are the state's legal minimums. Experts strongly recommend you consider higher limits and additional coverage.
How Much Coverage Do You Need in Georgia?
Georgia law requires you to carry liability insurance, but that only covers the other party's expenses if you cause an accident. It won't cover your medical costs or damage to your vehicle.
If you have a new vehicle with a loan, your lender will probably require that you carry collision and comprehensive insurance to cover damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident, theft or natural disaster. On the other hand, if your car is old and you don't owe money on it, you may choose to forgo this insurance.
You may want to consider uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself from other drivers who skirt the law. "About 20 states require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage," says Michael Barry, Vice President of Media Relations at the Insurance Information Institute. "And it is a good idea to do so, even in states where it is not mandatory to do so. About 1 in 7 U.S. drivers are uninsured, so your uninsured motorist coverage gives you financial protection if you're involved in an accident with someone who meets that criterion."
Average Insurance Rate by City in Georgia
FAQs About Car Insurance in Georgia
MoneyGeek answers frequently asked questions about car insurance coverages and premiums in Georgia to help drivers make an informed buying decision.
Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Georgia
To help you find trustworthy and accurate information on car insurance in Georgia, MoneyGeek collected expert advice from proven professionals. The views and opinions shared are those of the individual contributor.
- What are the key factors drivers in Georgia should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
- What steps can drivers in Georgia take to find affordable car insurance?
- How do regulations and rules in Georgia impact insurance pricing and how consumers might shop for coverage?
Wendy Habegger
Lecturer at James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University
Jeffrey Diamond
Adjunct Professor, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
Richard McGrath
Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern
Harold Weston
Clinical Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University, Robinson College of Business
Jill Duncan
State Farm Insurance Agent in Carroll County, Georgia
About the Author
sources
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- Defense Manpower Data Center. "Military and Civilian Personnel by Service/Agency by State/Country." Accessed March 9, 2020.
- Driving Laws. "DUI Laws by State." Accessed March 9, 2020.
- Experian. "2019 Consumer Credit Review." Accessed March 3, 2020.
- Georgia Department of Driver Services. "Points and Points Reduction." Accessed March 10, 2020.
- Georgia Department of Driver Services. "Senior Drivers." Accessed January 18, 2021.
- Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. "2019 Georgia Traffic Fatality Data." Accessed January 13, 2021.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2018 Market Share Reports." Accessed March 10, 2020.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Traffic Safety Facts." Accessed March 10, 2020.
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Georgia’s distracted driving law turns 1: Has anything changed?." Accessed March 10, 2020.
- The Schneider Law Firm. "How Long Will a DUI Conviction Stay On My Record?." Accessed March 9, 2020.