Georgia Car Insurance Requirements: Minimums, Fault Rules & Penalties

Minimum liability requirements

Georgia law requires every motor vehicle registered and operated in the state to carry at least the following liability limits:

Coverage	Minimum limit
Bodily injury per person	$25,000
Bodily injury per accident	$50,000
Property damage per accident	$25,000

These limits have been in place for years and reflect a basic floor, not a recommended level of protection. Medical costs for a serious injury can exceed $25,000 quickly, and vehicles damaged in multi-car accidents can push property damage bills well past the minimum. Drivers with savings, a home, or other assets should consider limits above the state minimum to protect against personal liability exposure.

Georgia does not mandate uninsured motorist coverage, but insurers are required to offer it. Given that a meaningful percentage of Georgia drivers carry no insurance, adding UM and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is a practical safeguard.

Fault system

Georgia is an at-fault state. When a collision occurs, the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the other party's injuries and property damage. The injured party files a claim against the at-fault driver's liability policy up to that policy's limits.

Georgia uses modified comparative fault with a 50% threshold. Fault is divided proportionally among all parties. If your share of fault is 49% or less, you can recover damages from the other party — but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, Georgia law bars you from recovering any compensation from the other driver.

For example, if a court finds you 30% at fault for a collision and your damages total $80,000, you can recover $56,000 (70% of $80,000) from the other party. Understanding this rule matters when deciding whether to accept a settlement offer after an accident.

SR-22 requirements

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurance company with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). It confirms that your active policy meets state minimum coverage requirements. Georgia requires an SR-22 after:

• A DUI or DWI conviction
• Accumulating serious traffic violations that lead to license suspension
• Causing or being involved in an accident while driving without insurance
• Other violations for which the court or DDS orders proof of financial responsibility

The standard filing requirement is 3 years from the date your license is reinstated. One of the more consequential rules in Georgia is that if your SR-22 policy is cancelled or lapses at any point during this period, your insurer must notify the DDS immediately. That notification triggers an automatic suspension of your driving privileges, regardless of how much of the three-year period you have already completed.

Reinstating after a cancellation-related suspension requires a new SR-22 filing and additional fees, and may restart or extend the filing period depending on the circumstances. Keeping the policy active and in good standing for the full three years is the most straightforward path to completing the requirement.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Offense	Fine	Reinstatement requirement
First offense	$200–$1,000	Proof of insurance + $25 fee
Repeat offenses	Higher fines	Proof of insurance + higher fees; longer suspension possible

A first offense results in license suspension that remains in effect until you file proof of current insurance coverage with the DDS and pay the $25 reinstatement fee. Courts set fines within the $200–$1,000 range depending on the circumstances.

Repeat offenses escalate both the fine and the length of suspension. Georgia also operates an online insurance verification system that cross-references vehicle registrations with insurer records, which means lapses in coverage can be detected outside of traffic stops. A registration suspension may be added on top of the license action.

Beyond the legal penalties, driving uninsured in Georgia leaves you personally responsible for every dollar of damage and injury you cause. Civil judgments in serious accidents routinely reach amounts that no fine schedule captures. Maintaining continuous coverage is both a legal obligation and a financial safeguard.

For help finding affordable coverage that meets Georgia's requirements, visit the AIS auto insurance quote page.