“Full Coverage” Car Insurance in Georgia

If you’re driving in Georgia, “full coverage” car insurance might be more than a smart move—it could be a financial lifesaver. While "full coverage" insurance isn’t an official policy, it typically refers to a mix of liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance that together offer well-rounded protection.

Whether you're leasing a car, driving a brand-new SUV, or just want added peace of mind against Georgia’s stormy weather, full coverage can help shield you from the unexpected.

It’s important to note that even though “full coverage” provides broader protection, it does not cover everything.

What is “Full Coverage” Car Insurance in Georgia?

“Full coverage” isn’t an official classification of car insurance, but rather an informal way to describe a policy that combines multiple types of coverage, typically liability, collision, and comprehensive. Liability insurance, which includes bodily injury and property damage coverage, is the only component required by Georgia law. Collision and comprehensive coverage, which protect your vehicle in the event of accidents, theft, or natural disasters, are optional under state law but often required by lenders when you lease or finance a car.

Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning drivers aren’t required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. The state operates under a traditional “tort” system, where the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the costs of injuries and damages resulting from an accident. Because of this, drivers are not mandated to carry PIP, but may choose to add Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage to help take care of medical expenses regardless of who is at fault.

Liability Coverages

Liability coverage is required by Georgia law. To legally operate a vehicle in Georgia, drivers must maintain continuous liability insurance with the following minimum limits:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in an accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

So what exactly do these minimums cover?

• Bodily injury liability: Pays for medical costs or lost wages of other people if you’re at fault in an accident.
• Property damage liability: Covers damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property.

While liability insurance is the only coverage mandated by Georgia law, it’s important to keep in mind that this doesn’t cover damages to your own vehicle. For that, you’ll need collision and comprehensive coverage—which we’ll touch on shortly.

Medical Coverages

In Georgia, MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage) is the only optional medical insurance available as part of an auto policy because the state follows a traditional fault-based insurance system rather than a no-fault model. It helps pay medical bills for you and your passengers after a covered accident, regardless of fault.

Uninsured Motorist Coverages

In Georgia, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is not legally required for drivers. However, insurance companies are mandated to offer it, and policyholders must explicitly reject it in writing if they choose not to include it in their policy.

UM/UIM coverage provides financial protection if you're injured or your vehicle is damaged by a driver who lacks insurance, has insufficient coverage, or flees the scene of an accident. Given that approximately 12% of Georgia drivers are uninsured, having this insurance can be a crucial safeguard against potential out-of-pocket expenses resulting from accidents with inadequately insured or unidentified drivers

UM/UIM can be broken down into two distinct coverage types:

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: Covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain/suffering.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: Covers damage to your vehicle or property.

Vehicle Coverages

While general liability insurance covers damages to other drivers, collision and comprehensive coverage protect your own vehicle. Collision coverage helps pay for repairs if you’re at fault in an accident or if you crash your vehicle into an object, while comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision events like theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage.

• Collision coverage: Helps pay for repairs to your vehicle after an at-fault accident or a single-car crash, such as hitting a guardrail or tree. While it’s optional under Georgia law, lenders typically require it if you lease or finance your car.
• Comprehensive coverage: Protects your vehicle from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, and collisions with animals. It’s often bundled with collision coverage to achieve “full coverage.”

Limitations in Full Coverage

Despite its name, “full coverage” doesn’t actually cover every situation a car owner might face. While it typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, it may not protect against things like routine maintenance or personal belongings stolen from your car. That’s why it’s important for drivers to carefully review their policy details and understand what’s included—and what’s not—so they can consider adding supplemental coverage if needed.

A few scenarios that full coverage might not extend to include:

• Theft of personal belongings: Full coverage typically protects the vehicle itself, but personal items inside the car, like electronics or bags, are usually not covered unless you have separate renters or homeowners insurance.
• Routine wear and tear: Full coverage won’t pay for regular maintenance issues, such as tire wear, brake pad replacements, or oil changes.
• Intentional damage: If you intentionally damage your own vehicle, such as setting it on fire or crashing it deliberately, full coverage will not apply.

Does Georgia Require “Full Coverage” Car Insurance?

In Georgia, full coverage car insurance is not required by law. However, lenders often require full coverage for vehicles that are financed or leased to protect their financial interest in the vehicle. Also, remember: Georgia operates under a fault-based system, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for damages and injuries resulting from an accident. This means it may be a good idea to add UM/UIM coverage to protect yourself in case you’re involved in an accident with a driver who lacks sufficient insurance.

Looking for a better idea of what your car insurance policy might cost? Our free coverage calculator tool can help.

Optional Add-Ons to “Full Coverage”

Beyond liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, drivers can customize their full coverage by adding various optional add-ons based on their unique needs. These can include options like roadside assistance, which provides help in case of a breakdown or flat tire, and rental reimbursement, which covers the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.

• Emergency Roadside Service: Provides help if you’re stranded due to a flat tire, dead battery, or breakdown.
• Rental reimbursement: Helps pay rental costs while your vehicle is being repaired as a result of a covered claim.
• Mechanical breakdown insurance: Covers costs from repairs if your vehicle breaks down, needs replacement parts, or suffers other types of mechanical problems.
• Rideshare Coverage (where applicable): Offers additional coverage while you're actively using your vehicle for ridesharing, supplementing the limited coverage offered by rideshare apps.
• Customized equipment coverage: Protects aftermarket enhancements made to your vehicle to help safeguard the investment you've made in customizing your car.

We suggest thoroughly evaluating your budget, driving habits, and state-specific factors to help determine which—if any—of these add-ons you might require.

Ways to Save on “Full Coverage” with GEICO

The best car insurance plans meet at the corner of well-rounded protection and affordability. That’s why GEICO offers an abundance of unique discounts designed to reward drivers who bundle coverage, practice safe driving, pay online, and more.

Some key savings opportunities include:

• Multi-policy: Unlock substantial savings when you bundle your property insurance, car insurance, and other coverages through GEICO.
• Safe driver: Maintaining a clean driving record can help lower your premium.
• Vehicle safety features: Simply owning a newer vehicle or having functional airbags and seatbelts can bring your costs down significantly.
• Good student: Full-time students with a good academic record can receive up to a 15% discount on certain coverages.
• DriveEasy*: Get rewarded for good driving by participating in the DriveEasy program through the GEICO mobile app.
• Auto pay: Choosing automatic payments means one less thing you need to remember each month and can help you secure savings as well.
• Early shopper: Securing a new policy from GEICO before your existing one expires may qualify you for a discount.
• Paperless payment: Save trees, save money. It’s that easy. Simply paying your bill online can reduce your premium.

Get a Georgia Car Insurance Quote Today!

Ready to take the next step in securing a car insurance plan that meets your specific needs? Getting your free online quote with GEICO is easy—it only takes a few minutes and can save you a ton of trouble down the road. Get your quote today!