Short answer: Georgia requires 25/50/25 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage, which you can reject in writing. Georgia UM is "added-on" by default, meaning it pays on top of the at-fault driver's insurance, unless you choose cheaper "reduced-by" coverage.
Georgia's minimum
The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire lists the required liability coverage:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
That's it for mandatory coverage. Everything else, including uninsured motorist, medical payments, collision and comprehensive, is a choice.
The UM choice most Georgians don't know they made
Under O.C.G.A. §33-7-11, insurers must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at your liability limits unless you reject it or select lower limits in writing. Georgia's UM also covers underinsured drivers, and since January 1, 2009 it comes in two types:
Added-on (the default). Your UM limits stack on top of the at-fault driver's liability coverage. If they carry $25,000 and you have $100,000 of added-on UM, up to $125,000 may be available for your injuries, as long as your losses are that high.
Reduced-by. Your UM limit is reduced by what the at-fault driver's insurer pays. With $100,000 of reduced-by UM and a $25,000 payment from the other driver, your UM pays up to $75,000 more. Reduced-by coverage generally costs less, and you only get it if you choose it in writing.
Check your declarations page. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars after a serious crash.
The 50% bar
Georgia is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence. Under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you're 50% or more at fault, you can't recover. Georgia also has an "avoidance" rule: if you could have avoided the consequences of the other driver's negligence with ordinary care, recovery may be denied.
Proof and lapses
Georgia's electronic insurance verification system links insurance to vehicle registrations. When a policy lapses and isn't replaced, the registration can be suspended and reinstatement fees charged. Keep coverage continuous, even when you're switching insurers.
Why $25,000 often isn't enough in Georgia
- Long commutes. Metro Atlanta drivers spend hours on interstates where high-speed crashes produce serious injuries.
- Expensive vehicles. Totaling a newer pickup or SUV can exceed $25,000 in property damage on its own.
- Uninsured drivers. If you're hit by someone with no coverage, added-on UM is your main protection.
- Personal exposure. Damages beyond your limits can lead to judgments against your savings and wages.
Common scenarios
A driver with minimum coverage causes a crash that leaves you with $150,000 in damages. With $100,000 of added-on UM, you could receive their $25,000 plus up to $100,000 from your policy. With reduced-by UM, your policy pays up to $75,000.
You rear-end a delivery van and damage its cargo. Property damage includes the van and what's inside it, which can quickly exceed $25,000.
You're found 50% at fault. Under Georgia's rule, you can't recover from the other driver.
Key terms
- Added-on UM: UM that pays in addition to the at-fault driver's liability limits.
- Reduced-by UM: UM that's reduced by what the at-fault driver's insurance pays.
- 50% bar: you can't recover if you're 50% or more at fault.
- Declarations page: the summary of your coverages, limits and UM type.
Questions to ask your broker
- Do I have added-on or reduced-by UM, and what's the price difference?
- Are my UM limits equal to my liability limits?
- What would it cost to raise liability to 100/300/100?
- Do I need an umbrella policy?
Bottom line
Georgia's 25/50/25 minimum is a starting point. The most important decision on a Georgia policy may be your UM type, so keep added-on UM at limits that match your liability coverage if you can. Compare other states in our car insurance minimums by state table, and see how much umbrella insurance do I need.
Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Georgia and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Georgia?
25/50/25 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Georgia?
Insurers must include it at your liability limits unless you reject it or choose lower limits in writing.
What is added-on UM coverage?
UM that pays in addition to the at-fault driver's liability coverage. It's the default in Georgia unless you choose reduced-by in writing.
How does fault work in Georgia?
Your damages are reduced by your share of fault, and you can't recover if you're 50% or more at fault.
What happens if my Georgia insurance lapses?
Your registration can be suspended, and you may owe reinstatement fees.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.