Best Car Insurance in Georgia for 2024

Georgia auto insurance rates hang pretty close to the national average, but a lot depends on the driver themselves and the insurer they choose to work with. We did some digging into the most popular providers in the state to determine which offers the best car insurance in Georgia for several common driver profiles.

Read on to learn more about our top picks, as well as some key factors all Georgia drivers should know before getting behind the wheel.

• Best overall: Country Financial
• Best budget pick: Country Financial
• Best for typical drivers: Country Financial
• Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm
• Best for minimum coverage: Progressive
• Best for military veterans: USAA
• Best for teen drivers: Country Financial
• Best for drivers with one speeding ticket: Progressive

Best overall: Country Financial

Country Financial was our pick for the best Georgia car insurance overall because it offers comprehensive coverage with affordable rates for drivers of many backgrounds. It also has one of the highest claims satisfaction ratings of any insurer nationwide in J.D. Power's most recent U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Best budget pick: Country Financial

Country Financial also emerged as the insurer with the cheapest average premiums in Georgia according to our data. Drivers pay about $1,763 per year on average for Country Financial auto insurance, which is well below the state's $3,009 average.

Best for typical drivers: Country Financial

The typical female driver in Georgia with a clean record pays $2,306 for auto insurance while her male counterpart pays $2,346. Here again, Country Financial came in well under the average at $1,584 for drivers with clean records, and this insurer backs it up with flexible policies and strong claims handling.

Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm

Though Country Financial has strong claims satisfaction ratings, it was State Farm that ranked among the top providers in the Southeast region of J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study. It also scored just behind Country Financial in claims handling and has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Best for minimum coverage: Progressive

Minimum coverage costs the average Georgia driver around $900 per year, but Progressive offers the same coverage for $447 per year. While its customer satisfaction ratings aren't as high as State Farm or Country Financial, Progressive is pretty close to the regional average, according to J.D. Power.

Best for military veterans: USAA

USAA offers competitive car insurance to military veterans in Georgia, with the average annual premium falling around $1,810. The company also offers impeccable customer service, as well as a host of other insurance and banking products. But it's only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their family members.

Best for teen drivers: Country Financial

Country Financial's auto insurance rates for teen drivers are pretty affordable to begin with at just $2,552 per year on average compared to the $6,516 state average. The company also offers several discounts targeted at teens to help them save even more. This includes savings for being a good student, completing a safe driving course, and completing a driver training program.

Best for drivers with one speeding ticket: Progressive

Progressive charges Georgia drivers with one speeding ticket about $1,993 per year. That's a modest savings compared to the state average of $2,825 for these drivers. It also offers perks like the Name Your Price Tool to help drivers find a policy that fits their budget if money is tight for them.

How much does car insurance cost in Georgia?

Auto insurance rates in Georgia depend on several factors, including the driver's history, their location within the state, and their vehicle make and model. But rates tend to be pretty close to the national average of $3,017 per year.

Average car insurance cost

The following table breaks down the average monthly and annual premiums for a variety of common driver personas in Georgia:

Georgia auto insurance laws

Here are a few Georgia auto insurance laws that drivers should be familiar with.

Georgia is an at-fault state

Like most of the U.S., Georgia is an at-fault state, which means the driver found to be at fault for the accident must pay for the medical bills and repairs for both parties. Expenses for serious accidents can easily exceed state minimum coverage. If this happens, the driver must pay for the remainder out of their own pocket, so it's best to purchase more insurance coverage whenever possible.

Consequences of driving without car insurance in Georgia

Driving without auto insurance is a misdemeanor in Georgia. Those who are found guilty of doing so could face the following consequences:

• Vehicle registration suspension
• Fines of up to $25 while the vehicle is actively registered
• Fines of up to $160 in addition to the $25 fine if the lapse of coverage fine isn't paid within 30 days

What is the minimum car insurance required in Georgia?

All Georgia drivers must have at least the following car insurance in order to drive legally:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

No auto insurer in Georgia will enable drivers to purchase a policy with lower limits than these. However, all enable drivers to purchase higher coverage limits if they want them.

Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in Georgia

Here are a few other things Georgia drivers should keep in mind when shopping for car insurance.

Georgia is a hotbed for auto theft

Georgia had the 10th most vehicle thefts in the nation in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Thieves nabbed more than 26,500 cars, up slightly from the year before. Minimum coverage doesn't protect drivers against this. Those who want to be reimbursed for a stolen or vandalized vehicle need to invest in comprehensive coverage as well.

Minimum coverage has a lot of holes

Georgia's state minimum auto insurance requirements are pretty typical, but they have a lot of holes. They don't provide any protection for animal-vehicle collisions or the driver's own vehicle if they cause an accident or get into a single-car accident. Drivers who want the greatest protection should add collision and comprehensive coverage to their policies and invest in more liability coverage whenever possible.

How to find the best car insurance in Georgia

Here are a few tips that can help Georgia drivers find the best coverage at a price they can afford:

• Shop around: Auto insurers evaluate risk differently, which is why they offer the same driver different rates. Comparing quotes from several providers is the best way to find a great deal.
• Take advantage of discounts: More car insurance discounts doesn't always correspond to a lower premium, but it doesn't hurt to check. Drivers who qualify for a special circumstance, like being a veteran or owning a hybrid or electric vehicle, may do better by going with a company that offers discounts catering to these audiences.

Choose a higher deductible: Raising an auto insurance deductible lowers monthly premiums. However, those who go this route will need to save for their deductibles in an emergency fund to avoid being caught off guard in the event of a claim.