Cheap Car Insurance in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta has a lot going for it: Over the years, this southern mainstay has continued to flourish and grow its music and food scene, incorporating many attractions and career opportunities, while never forgetting its historical and important roots in the Civil War.

Driving in Atlanta can be a trial, since it has been called one of the worst cities in the nation for traffic. That’s one important reason why it is vital to keep yourself and your finances protected with solid, yet affordable, car insurance.

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Georgia

As the capital of Georgia, Atlanta covers a sprawling 132 square miles under a large tree canopy. The population is more than 510,000. Plenty of people decide to forego the bustling streets and live in a surrounding town, but if you work and drive in Atlanta everyday, it is truly a time to bring your patience with you.

With that said, there is so much to do and see in this lush and beautiful city. For those in the know, living “inside the perimeter” or ITP, is desirable, with neighborhoods such as Buckhead, downtown and Castleberry Hill being top spots. But you don’t have to live in Atlanta to enjoy its special charms, such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia Aquarium (one of the largest in the Americas), a true foodie scene and a home for all kinds of music.

If you live and/or work in Atlanta, you’ll want to invest in some cheap car insurance that will protect you financially. Keep reading to find out more about Atlanta and car insurance options.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Atlanta, GA?

In Atlanta, the average cost for state minimum liability insurance is $68 per month, the same as the state’s average and $6 more than the national average of $62.

Full coverage auto insurance averages $180 per month in Atlanta, lower than Georgia’s $218 average and the national average of $215.

What Types of Coverage are Recommended for Georgia Drivers Beyond the Minimum?

Since Atlanta is notorious for traffic congestion, there are several auto coverage options drivers may consider to increase their protection. In addition, approximately 12% of drivers in Georgia are uninsured, meaning they probably won’t have the funds to help you recover from injuries and damages they cause if you get into a wreck with one of them. This figure means out of 10 cars around you on I-20, at least one of them is driving without insurance.

In addition to the basic required liability, which helps pays for injuries and damages you cause if you are at fault, you can add uninsured motorist coverage for pennies per day. Some people ask is uninsured motorist coverage is required in Georgia. It is not, but it is a good idea. Other types of insurance to consider include:

• Collision coverage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle regardless of fault. It comes with a deductible.
• Comprehensive: This pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle when it is damaged or lost in an event beyond your control, such as a bad storm that drops a tree on your pickup truck.

Your agent may ask if you want to increase your minimum liability past the required limits. This is a good idea since today’s repair costs and medical bills are often higher than the minimum limits.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Georgia

Your location matters. Insurance companies check the area where you live and work to see if there are more claims and auto accidents than other places. Since Atlanta is a congested city with lots of traffic and accidents, the chances are good your rates will be higher than someone living in a smaller suburb, such as Alpharetta or Fayetteville.

Affordable Atlanta Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code

We’ve said location is important to your cheap car insurance quote in Atlanta, but it goes even deeper – right down to your zip code. Although some states are moving away from allowing insurers to use zip codes in their rate calculations, it is still relevant in Georgia. It works the same way as your city data – the more accidents and claims in your zip code, the higher your quote.

Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Atlanta

It doesn’t really matter where you live – teen drivers are always going to pay more for their car insurance than mature drivers. This is because they don’t have an established driving history the insurance company can look at, as well as having a not-great reputation for filing claims as a group. Many parents put their new driver on their policy, so it is important to make sure you are carrying the correct amount of auto insurance for your teen driver.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Atlanta

Just like every state, Georgia wants its drivers to be able to accept financial responsibility if they cause damage or injuries to others on the roads. This is what your required liability is designed to do. The bodily injury portion helps pay for injuries you cause others, while the property damage part helps pay for damages you cause to other people’s property.

Georgia’s minimum liability limits are:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000

Remember, liability will never pay for your own injuries and damages in a wreck you cause. Many drivers also increase the limits to be more in line with today’s medical and repair costs.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Atlanta?

People who are caught driving without insurance face financial hassles and more. Like most states, Georgia is serious about these laws and the consequences of breaking them, which can include losing your vehicle to the state if you are caught numerous times or under very serious circumstances.

First-time offenders will pay fines, possibly lose their license and pay more to get it back. Repeat offenders may be required to get a special type of insurance so make sure you understand what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in Georgia.

This type of insurance is reserved for high-risk drivers. Being identified as a high-risk driver or driving with gaps in your coverage are two things that will cause your rates to double or even triple.

Factors Allowed in Atlanta Car Insurance Rates

The information insurers collect from you and use to come up with your quote is known as factors. Because no two people have all of the same factors, no two insurance quotes are the same. The two most important factors are your age and your driving history. The less activity on your driving record or points on your license, the better.

In Georgia, you can get points on your license for breaking the law while driving. You may wonder if points on your license affect your auto insurance. The answer is, they might. Potential insurers will be examining your record to see if you are a safe driver that follows the rules. Multiple offenses for speeding or running red lights or stop signs may indicate to the company that you are not a safe driver, and therefore, the likelihood you will get into an accident and file a claim is higher.

Some factors you can change and some you are stuck with, at least for awhile. Here are a few of the items your insurer will examine:

• Your age: Not something you can change, so if you are a young driver, expect higher rates. Keep in mind, as you get older and keep a clean record, those rates will drop.
• Your location: If you live in an area with a high incidence of accidents and claims, your rates may suffer. However, you can change this by moving.
• Your marital status: Single folks, listen up. You can potentially get a lower rate by getting married. However, the amount you save may not be worth changing your lifestyle that dramatically.

These are just a few of the factors insurers use to set your rates. Because these items are personalized to you, your quote will be also.

What Happens if I Damage Property in Atlanta?

In the majority of cases, your property damage liability insurance will kick in to help you pay for damages you cause when you are driving. In some instances, if you are driving while impaired, your insurance company may deny your claim. Let’s look at a few examples of how you might damage property and how much that might cost.

• A fence: You swerved to miss someone who suddenly turned in front of you and took out your neighbor’s fence, or mailbox or other decorative lawn fixtures. Your insurance will pay up to your policy limits to fix the issue and hopefully smooth over any neighborhood ire.
• Government property: Let’s say you take out one of those blue mailboxes or possibly a highway guardrail. These types of items are owned by some government entity or another. Your insurance should pay for repairs or replacement up to your policy limits.

For the most part, if you destroy someone’s property, your liability will help you pay for the damages.