Cheap Car Insurance in Atlanta, GA
Do you need cheap auto insurance in Atlanta, GA? At AutoInsuranceEZ.com, you can get the best insurance rates in your area. To receive free car insurance quotes from the top rated providers today, key your zip code into the quote box on this page.
Atlanta isn’t just the capital city of Georgia; it is also the most populous. The city is rich in both cultural diversity and finance-based business. Together with its agreeable climate and business-friendly environment, many agree that Atlanta is a great place to live. Learn more about Georgia car insurance requirements here.
- Fun fact:Did you know Atlanta is #7 on the list of “Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: Financial specialists: (population 50,000+)”? Learn more about Atlanta.
Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements in Georgia
If you want to drive legally in Georgia, you must purchase at least:
Coverage | Requirements | Most Common |
Bodily Injury Liability | 25,000/50,000 | 100,000/300,000 |
Property Damage Liability | 25,000 | 50,000 |
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | Not required | 25,000/50,000 |
Medical Payments | Not required | 5,000 |
Collision | Not required | 500 deductible |
Comprehensive | Not required | 100 deductible |
However, keep in mind that liability insurance is extremely limited in what claims it will pay out. For theft, vandalism, or an accident that is the other driver’s fault, your insurance will not cover you.
The state average in Georgia can range around $183 per month, but rates in Atlanta can be as low as $49/mo* for many drivers. Depending on your personal circumstances, you can get great coverage for a low monthly rate, too.
The Hartford, Nationwide, and State Farm are competing to offer the lowest rates in Atlanta right now. But you have to pause and ask yourself what else they have to offer besides a low monthly premium. You’ll want a company with good customer service, and a claims service second to none. All in all, your monthly premium is only part of what you’re shopping for.
Auto insurance carriers consider different factors when calculating insurance quotes, including geography, zip code, marital status, occupation, and theft protection devices. In addition, premiums differ from provider to provider. To verify you’re still paying the cheapest rate, compare cheap Atlanta auto insurance quotes online.
Major Car Insurance Factors in Atlanta
Insurance companies take many factors into account when creating an auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, many of these factors are difficult or impossible to change, such as your credit score or where you live. Other variables your car insurance company may consider include:
Your Zip Code
The cheapest car insurance is usually found in cities with a lower population density. Because there are fewer automobiles on the road, there are fewer opportunities for you to get into a major car accident with another driver. The population of Atlanta is 447,841 and the median household income is $46,485.
Automotive Accidents
Anywhere with high accident statistics is going to cost more to insure your car. Unfortunately, Atlanta has some pretty high fatal accident statistics, as you can see from the chart above. You might want to talk to your insurer and see if they offer any safe driver discounts to counteract this.
Auto Thefts in Atlanta
Finding cheap auto insurance can be difficult if you are at risk for auto theft. Certain popular vehicle models are attractive to thieves, as well as vehicles which are parked often in large cities. The total number of stolen vehicles in Atlanta was 4,432 back in 2013. Did you know that the only form of insurance coverage which protects against auto theft is Comprehensive? It can be pricey, but it might be worth it in the long run if your car gets stolen.
Your Credit Score
There are many things which are determined by your credit score – and, for better or for worse, car insurance is one of them. The better your score, the lower your monthly rate will be. Unfortunately, motorists with poor credit are charged significantly higher rates, and the chart below shows.
Your Age
Young drivers face a particularly harrowing burden when paying for their first auto insurance policy. Because of their inexperience, they are significantly more likely to get into a serious accident. That’s why some companies charge them 2x-3x higher premiums than someone twice their age.
Your Driving Record
Having several violations on your record, or having serious violations such as Drunk Driving, will significantly raise your monthly rate. It may make you ineligible to get covered at all depending on the company. But if you only have one or two minor citations in the last few years, look into your provider’s “Accident Forgiveness” policy. Your provider will basically ignore a minor violation when calculating your premiums if you qualify.
Your Vehicle
The thing most people don’t realize about insuring luxury cars is that it isn’t the vehicle itself that costs more to insure – it’s the numerous types of coverage (and in higher amounts) which you must purchase in order to protect your investment that raise the price tag, as you can see in the chart.
Minor Car Insurance Factors in Atlanta
But don’t forget about these other factors, and how they can influence your rate:
Your Marital Status
Did you know that married couples can significantly lower their premiums by bundling their policies with the same company? Of course, you have to make sure you’re insured by the same provider first. And if that insurance company also does homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you can save even more.
Your Gender
Are you afraid you’ll be forced to pay higher rates because you’re female, or because you’re male? Odds are that you won’t have to worry that much. Many providers these days don’t charge different rates based on gender at all. And those who do might only charge 1-2%.
Your Driving Distance to Work
While most work commutes can average 17-31 minutes for Atlanta residents, it isn’t unusual for the commute to last up to 35 minutes. About 65% of workers take their own automobile to work, whereas another 11% either carpool or take the bus.
Some insurers want to make a big deal out of how many miles you drive yearly, or why you’re driving (work/school vs. recreation). But in truth, unless you’re driving a business vehicle (which can see rate hikes as high as 10%) or more, your reason or distance won’t drastically alter your rate.
Your Coverage and Deductibles
Most auto insurance providers offer some flexibility when it comes to your policy. For example, you can reduce your monthly payments and increase your coverage by asking to raise your deductible. Yes, it may make repairs or replacements more expensive, but you can save up the extra money with lower payments.
Education in Atlanta, GA
Nearly one-quarter of all motorists have not yet completed their high school diploma, while a similar fraction of drivers have either a high school diploma or some equivalent. And speaking of education, did you know that having a higher education can get you cheaper rates on your auto insurance? It’s an easier way to get discounts than even having a prestigious job, or getting paid a high salary.
There are many different universities and technical schools to choose from in the Atlanta area. There are nearly 50 schools which offer either bachelor’s or graduate degrees in a wide range of fields, from business to medicine to liberal arts. Additionally, the Atlanta Technical College educates its students in more than seventy different specialized trades.
Unfortunately for most insurance companies, a simple internet search can reveal many of their trade secrets. But even with the proper information, it can still be difficult for you as an individual to figure out your risk profile and find low-cost insurance. Make sure you do your due diligence before you commit to your next car insurance policy.
How We Conducted Our Car Insurance Analysis
*We calculated our average rate based on the following metrics: a married, 34 year old male with good credit, a 12-month history of maintaining auto insurance, a clean driving record, who owns his own home. Miles driven annually were based on the national average. The average rate was also calculated based on a financed 2015 Honda Accord with a pre-installed anti-theft device.
Sources:
Georgia Department of Law Consumer Protection Unit
Georgia Department of Human Services Office of Financial Services
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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