Cheap Car Insurance in Macon, GA
Although it is a beautiful part of the country, drivers in Macon must contend with dangerous intersections such as Gray Highway and Shurling Drive and busy traffic on I-75, I-16 and I-45. If you regularly drive in Macon, you need car insurance you can count on to protect you, but it is also important to keep the budget in mind. We can help.
Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Georgia
Macon has a reputation. On the one hand, it is a pretty good one in terms of southern cities. The city has earned the handle “Where Soul Lives” due to a musical heritage that includes greats like Otis Redding, Little Richard and the Allman Brothers Band. Plus, visitors and residents alike can enjoy plenty of historical sites and parks, not to mention the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
On the other hand, Macon is also known for being somewhat perilous for drivers who must traverse I-75, Pio Nono Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway, some of the more dangerous roads in the city.
If you’ve chosen to live in this beautiful Southern gem or are just passing through, it is vital to have the type of car insurance to protect yourself. At Southern Harvest, all we do is insure Georgia drivers at affordable prices and with flexible options – even if your driving record is less than perfect.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Macon, GA?
In Macon, the cost for state minimum liability insurance, which includes bodily injury and property damage liability only, averages $54 per month, which is lower than both the Georgia average of $68 and the national average of $64.
Full coverage auto insurance, which includes increased liability, plus comprehensive and collision, costs around $152 per month in this city, significantly lower than Georgia’s $218 average and the national average of $222.
What Does it Mean That Georgia is an At-Fault State?
In an at-fault state, the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the injuries and property damage of other people. Drivers with insurance will have financial help from their insurer to pay for these items – up to the limit of the policy. If the fault is not cut-and-dry, the courts and insurance companies involved may split the fault with one driver perhaps having 80% of the blame and costs, for example, and the other driver having 20% of the responsibility.
This can happen if a wreck occurs between two vehicles, one which is speeding and one which runs a stoplight.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Georgia
Insurance underwriters feed a lot of factors into an algorithm to come up with your unique quote for car insurance. Where you live is important, since cities with increased traffic congestion and trouble spots, such as Macon, can mean higher auto coverage prices for its residents. Use this chart to see how Macon compares to other Georgia cities, both urban and rural.
| City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Macon | $152 | $54 |
| Dahlonega | $138 | $45 |
| Atlanta | $192 | $71 |
| Blue Ridge | $132 | $40 |
| Gainesville | $135 | $48 |
Affordable Macon Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
Insurers may even drill down into zip codes if the city is large enough, although that is a trend that may be going away. However, it is still a factor in Macon, which has around 12 different zip codes. Here’s how car insurance rates compare across Macon’s zip codes, showing how even small differences in location can impact what you pay for coverage.
| Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 31202 | $152 | $54 |
| 31207 | $152 | $55 |
| 31217 | $152 | $52 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Macon
Most people understand that young, inexperienced drivers will pay the most in car insurance. That’s because insurers feel more exposed with this group, which collectively does tend to file more claims. So, even if your teen is responsible, as far as the insurers go, they will be painted with the same brush as every other teen driver in your area. There are ways to save money during this time, so read up on what you need to know about auto insurance for teen drivers in Georgia. Here are the average monthly rates based on age in Macon.
| Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Teenagers | $701 | $282 |
| 20s | $347 | $137 |
| 30s | $152 | $54 |
| 40s | $140 | $50 |
| 50s | $132 | $47 |
| 60s | $129 | $47 |
| 70s | $147 | $56 |
*We use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, state minimum liability, and full coverage of 100/300/100.
Driving Conditions in Macon
As mentioned, driving in Macon can be perilous. With heavy traffic conditions, construction and shifting road patterns, plus distracted drivers, sometimes it might feel like you are taking your life into your hands every time you try to navigate Eisenhower Parkway or Gray Highway.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Macon?
Macon’s dangerous roads have a higher-than-normal incidence of fatal traffic accidents: In the past 5 years, they have increased by close to 67%. And the danger is not just to people in vehicles – in 2019, two pedestrians were killed on Pio Nono Avenue (otherwise known as Hwy. 247 or Hawkinsville Road).
From 2019 to 2023, there were 120 fatal crashes in Macon, with 126 people killed. Twenty-seven of those involved drivers between the ages of 15 and 24. During that same time period, there were 384 crashes that caused 747 people to experience serious injury.
From 2022-2023, there were 360 crashes, 6 of those were fatal and 527 caused injuries.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Macon?
Due to the dangerous nature of Macon’s roads (and other cities and counties nearby), the area has initiated the Vision Zero Action Plan, with a goal of eliminating traffic deaths in Macon-Bibb County by 2040.
The campaign involves a public awareness aspect, as well as sidewalk additions, bike lanes, and improved lighting in certain hotspots.
In the meantime, learn defensive driving techniques to help stay safe. Avoid distracted driving (put the cell phone down) and travel alternate routes when possible.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Macon
The state of Georgia requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. This includes property damage liability and bodily injury liability and is intended to help pay for damages you cause when you are at fault in an accident. Your liability coverage will not pay for your own damages in any situation. The minimum coverage requirements are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
What this means is you will have up to $25,000 available to help pay for the medical bills and more of anyone you injure if you cause a wreck. If the injuries are serious (or include funeral costs), your $25,000 probably will not go far. You’ll be on the hook for the rest. Likewise, if you hydroplane in a sudden rain storm and crash into someone’s brand new Mercedes, your $25,000 property damage liability may not be enough to pay for repairs, leaving you with out-of-pocket costs. Many drivers choose to increase their limits for these reasons.
Keep in mind, your liability will never pay for your injuries or damages. There are many reasons to include collision coverage in your policy – this is one of them. Some drivers include collision and comprehensive, otherwise know as full coverage, to help pay for these costs.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Macon?
Because drivers without insurance are such a large problem in the Peach State, lawmakers are serious about the penalties when someone is caught driving without coverage. Driving without insurance conviction doesn’t just cost money in fines and fees – your insurance company may jack up your rates to double or even triple what you were paying before.
Here are some of the probable results of being caught driving without insurance in Macon:
- Fines: The fine for a first offence is usually $200. However, that jumps up to $1,000 for subsequent convictions.
- License Suspension: First-timers may lose their license for 60 days minimum. After that, it could be 90 days or more. Can you afford to not drive for two or more months?
- Jail: Yes, you can go to jail for multiple occurrences of driving without insurance. In some cases, you may be sitting in a cell for up to 1 year.
In Georgia, if your license is taken away due to driving without insurance, you cannot get it back until the entire suspension period if over – even if you immediately go out and purchase a policy. When the time is up, you’ll need to pay an additional reinstatement fee of $200 to $410, depending on circumstances. And don’t forget, your rates will go up because you will need to file an SR-22 certificate, labeling you as a high-risk driver. However, it is possible to find affordable insurance with an SR-22 in Georgia, especially if you use an independent agent, like the ones at Southern Harvest.
Factors Allowed in Macon Car Insurance Rates
As mentioned when talking about location and zip code, there are many different factors that insurers use to come up with a personalized quote for you. This is why it is said no two people will have the same quote. Even if you and your neighbor have many of the same factors, there will typically be some differences that will cause different quotes. Here are just a few of the factors insurers use:
- Driving History: This is the most important factor that will be taken into account. New drivers do not have a driving history, which is why their insurance is so high. Your driving record and history of claims plays an important part.
- Type of Vehicle: If your vehicle is wrecked and you have the appropriate coverage (collision), your insurer will base your rates partly on how much parts and repairs for that vehicle will cost in your area.
- Location: Insurers love to look at statistics that show the number of claims and lawsuits, accidents, thefts and vandalism in certain areas.
By understanding these factors, you can take steps to lower your car insurance premiums and find the coverage that best fits your needs.
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Here’s What You Need to Know When Driving in Georgia
Georgia’s cities are congested nightmares for drivers, with plenty of well-known danger spots. With a mixture of heavy traffic, construction zones, shifting traffic patterns and confusing intersections, as a driver you should approach driving here with the right frame of mind.
This includes being attentive the whole time you are behind the wheel and driving defensively. Georgia has one of the highest numbers of uninsured drivers and you need to protect yourself, so it’s best to include uninsured motorist coverage in your policy, even though it is not required.
What are the Best Discounts for Car Insurance in Macon, GA?
Insurers offer car insurance discounts to build loyalty and stay competitive. The trick is to find an independent agent who can research the top companies for discounts for you. If you are wondering if you should bundle your home insurance and auto coverage, you should. The discount for this can be as much as 25% off your policy. Other discounts include:
There are plenty of discounts – there is something for everyone. To find out if you qualify for discounts, check in with your independent Southern Harvest agent.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance Coverage in Macon Today!
Although driving in Macon is notoriously difficult and can be dangerous, finding the right cheap car insurance to protect yourself is easy. You may be cursing the heavy traffic and confusing intersections, but your Southern Harvest agent can help you find relief.
At Southern Harvest Insurance, you can find affordable coverage that also keeps you safe. Get started with a quote online, visit us at an office nearest you, or call us at 877-831-4677.
