An Overview of Georgia’s Uninsured Motorist Laws
July 8, 2014
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you in the event that you are hit by a driver who was not insured at the time of the accident. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in the state of Georgia, however, it is common for drivers to add UM/UIM coverage to their auto insurance policy at a limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Georgia’s uninsured motorist coverage laws can be found in ยง 33-7-11 of the Georgia Statutes and Codes.
Similarly, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you in the event that you are hit by a driver that didn’t have enough insurance to cover the cost of damages. UIM essentially makes up the difference. UM and UIM could provide the financial relief you need if you’re hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver. If you do not purchase either of these policies, in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you would probably have to pay out of pocket for many accident related expenses.
Why You Should Consider UM/UIM Insurance
Some benefits of uninsured and underinsured motorist policies include:
- You are covered (up to your policy limits) for injuries caused by uninsured drivers.
- You are covered (up to your policy limits) for medical expenses that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
- You are covered (up to your policy limits) for damage resulting from hit-and-run accidents.
In Georgia, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage policies only provide financial relief for medical expenses, not property damage. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, or enough insurance, then the cost to repair or replace your vehicle could be paid through collision insurance. If you carry collision insurance, then you would simply have to pay the deductible to receive this coverage.
Approximately 14% or one out of every seven drivers is uninsured, making it more important now than perhaps ever before to purchase UM and UIM policies. If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, we invite you to contact an Atlanta car accident attorney at Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C. today to discuss your case. We provide free consultations and can even come to you for an appointment. Call us at (404) 800-6356 today.
