Does Georgia law require drivers to have insurance?
Yes. Georgia law requires owners and operators of motor vehicle to maintain insurance. O.C.G.A. § Section 40-6-10 requires owners and operators of motor vehicles to carry the following minimums:
- $25,000 liability for injuries or death of one person, and
- $50,000 liability for injuries or death of more than one person, and
- $25,000 property damage
Although Georgia law requires owners and operators to carry insurance on their motor vehicles, it does not bar an uninsured driver from recovering for injuries caused by someone else.
Will I face any consequences for not having insurance?
O.C.G.A. § Section 40-6-10 provides that failure to comply with the requirement of maintaining at least minimum insurance coverage is a misdemeanor. It is punishable by a fine between $200 and $1000 and/or imprisonment for no more than 12 months. This requirement applies to both the owner and the operator of the vehicle.
By way of example, Jane owns a car. She has a duty under Georgia law to maintain at least minimum insurance coverage on the vehicle. Jane lets her sister, Teri, borrow the car while Teri’s car is being repaired. Teri gets into an accident while driving Jane’s car. Both Jane and Teri can be guilty of of violating Section 40-6-10 of the OCGA if it turns out that Jane’s vehicle does not have currently valid insurance.
