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If you get pulled up in Georgia without proof of insurance, you might get a huge fine. Worse, you might get your license revoked. And if you’re caught a couple of times for the same violation, you might do some jail time.

So the next time you’re tempted to save a few bucks by not getting auto insurance, better think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Keep reading to find out about the possible penalties you might face if caught driving without proof of insurance in Georgia.

Driving Without Insurance Law

It’s illegal to drive a motor vehicle in Georgia without adequate insurance on the vehicle. Georgia law states that:

·    Every driver must carry insurance, regardless of who owns the car.

·    If you don’t want to buy insurance from a carrier, you can self-insure your vehicle.

·    You must have continuous liability insurance on all vehicles with an active registration status.

·    You must provide your liability insurance information when replacing your drivers’ license, car plates, and during car registration

·    Insurance companies transmit your insurance information electronically to the Georgia Division of Driver Service (GDS) during addition, termination, deletion, purchase, and immediately it lapses.

·    Your minimum insurance cover must cater for $25,000 for a single-person injury, $50,000 for accidents involving two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in each collision.

What Is the Minimum Insurance in Georgia?

In the state of Georgia, the minimum car insurance requirements are 25/50/25. These numbers refer to the minimum liability limits for injury and property damage per accident. Here is a quick breakdown of how these figures work.

Bodily Injury Liability Requirements

This type of insurance coverage protects you from potential lawsuits in case of an accident. In Georgia, the minimum liability requirement for bodily injury is $25,000 for a single-person accident and $50,000 for accidents involving two or more people.

This money represents the maximum amount of compensation that may be paid to the other parties involved in the accident, i.e., other drivers or passengers.

This means that in case of an accident, each injured person will receive a $25,000 maximum allowance. However, a $50,000 maximum allowance is allowed per accident.

So, what happens if compensation for the injured parties exceeds $50,000? Well, if you’re at fault, then the accident victims have the option to sue you for the remaining money.

Property Damage Liability Requirements

This is the maximum amount of money that the insurance company can pay to repair or replace any property damaged during an accident. In Georgia, the minimum property damage liability requirements are $25,000 per accident.

Again, if the total damage caused during an accident exceeds this amount, you might face possible lawsuits from the aggrieved parties.

Penalty for Driving Without Proof of Insurance

You must carry proof of insurance within the vehicle whenever you’re on the road. If you often forget to carry your insurance card, you can download an electronic copy and save it on your phone. Failure to provide proof of insurance can land you a $25 ticket.

That being said, once you get to court, the prosecutor will ask to see a copy of your insurance information before allowing you to settle the fine. If the details on your card show that your coverage was valid when you received the ticket, the judge might lower the fine or dismiss the charges altogether.

If your charges are dropped, then you don’t have to worry about being reported to your insurance provider or the DDS. But, if your license gets suspended, then you’ll need to fill out an SR-22 form.

In the state of Georgia, these records remain in the DDS system for three years. And these records often attract higher insurance rates until the three-year period lapses.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Georgia

In the state of Georgia, first-time offenders and repeat offenders get different penalties. Here is a quick breakdown of the penalties you might face in both cases.

Penalties for First-Time Offenders

Regardless of the situation, you must provide an insurance copy when asked. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor. This might lead to a 60-day suspension of your car registration and driver’s license.

Additionally, if you don’t have proof of insurance yet your insurance is valid, you pay a fine of $25. That’s not all. If serious circumstances were leading to your arrest, you might also get a 12-month jail term.

If your license and car registration get suspended, you’ll need to produce proof of insurance coverage. The coverage should have been valid for at least six months before the day that your license and car registration got reinstated. You’ll also get classified as a high-risk driver, which translates to higher insurance rates.

Penalties for Second-Time Offenders

If you’re arrested for the second time within five years, the state of Georgia will suspend your license and car registration for 90 days. You’ll need to produce copies of insurance coverage of not less than six months before you’re allowed to drive again.

You’ll also need to pay an $85 fine before your license and registration are reinstated. Failure to do so might lead to a 12-month jail term.

Penalties for Subsequent Offenders

When you’re driving in the state of Georgia, you should avoid being arrested again before the end of five years. If, by any chance, you are arrested, you’ll face a 90-day suspension. The more times you are caught driving without a license, the more your fines, suspension days, and jail terms increase.

Subsequent offenders are at risk of having their license permanently suspended. They are also not allowed to renew their registration or register new vehicles in Georgia. Lying that you have insurance coverage is also considered a misdemeanor.

Stay Away from Trouble on the Road

At times, letting your car’s insurance lapse might seem like a good way to save money, especially if you don’t use your car frequently. But, if you live in the state of Georgia, that’s a remedy for disaster.

To avoid all fines and potential jail time that come with being caught driving without insurance, you should have proof of insurance in your car whenever you’re on the road.