What happens if an uninsured driver hits you in Georgia?

Georgia does not require UM coverage but roughly 12 percent of Georgia drivers carry no insurance.

What happens if a Georgia crash costs more than my liability limits?

Your insurer pays up to your liability limit and stops. The remaining balance becomes a personal debt collectible through a court judgment.

What does a telematics app actually track?

Mileage, speed, braking and acceleration, time of day, and phone handling while the car moves. Carriers weight the factors differently, and the program terms disclose what is collected and how it is used.

What should I do if my car is towed to a shop I did not choose?

In Georgia, you have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. If it was towed to a facility you did not select, you can request a second tow to your preferred shop, though you may be responsible for additional tow costs.

What is the difference between towing coverage on my policy and roadside assistance towing?

Policy towing coverage reimburses a tow following a covered claim. Roadside assistance towing is a separate benefit that covers non-accident situations like breakdowns, dead batteries, or lockouts, often without requiring a claim.

Auto FAQs

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

All FAQs

Quick answer: If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

What is uninsured motorist coverage and when does it apply?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage work as a two-step backstop. UM applies when the driver who hit you carries no liability insurance at all. UIM applies when they carry some insurance, but the policy limit is too low to cover what you actually lost. Together they fill the gap between what the at-fault driver's insurer pays and what your losses total.

Both coverages can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Property damage under UM depends on how the coverage is written. In Georgia, you can add UM property damage coverage, which pays to repair or replace your vehicle when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Without it, you would rely on your own collision coverage, if you carry it, and absorb the deductible.

What is the difference between add-on and reduced UM in Georgia?

Georgia law structures UM in two ways: add-on and reduced. Add-on stacks your UM limit on top of whatever the at-fault driver's policy pays. Reduced (also called traditional) subtracts what their carrier paid first, then covers the remainder up to your UM limit. Add-on delivers broader protection because it treats your UM limit as a true supplement rather than a gap-filler. Insurers must offer add-on UM in Georgia, but they are not required to make it the default, so what you actually have depends on what was selected when the policy was written.

For example, if the at-fault driver carries $25,000 in liability coverage and your medical bills reach $60,000, add-on UM pays your full UM limit on top of the $25,000. Reduced UM pays only the difference between what their policy covers and your UM limit, which may leave a gap depending on how the limits compare.

Can I stack UM coverage across multiple vehicles?

Stacking is a separate question. If you insure more than one vehicle, some policies let you combine the UM limits across vehicles to create a higher effective limit. Whether stacking is available depends on your policy language and carrier. Confirm it when you review your declarations page.

When should I use UM coverage instead of collision or medical payments coverage?

Choosing when to use UM coverage versus your own collision or medical payments coverage is a practical decision. UM typically has no deductible for bodily injury claims, which makes it the better route when medical costs are the primary loss. For vehicle damage, you weigh the UM property damage limit against your collision deductible and whether pursuing the at-fault driver's insurer is realistic given that they carried no coverage.

Situations where UM coverage becomes the primary tool:

A hit-and-run driver causes an accident and cannot be identified
The at-fault driver's liability limit is $25,000 but your medical bills reach $60,000
You are struck as a pedestrian or cyclist by an uninsured vehicle
A multi-vehicle pileup leaves fault split among drivers with thin limits

How do I confirm my current UM coverage structure?

For example, a Georgia driver may assume their UM coverage is add-on when it was actually set to reduced at policy inception. A coverage review clarifies the structure and confirms whether the limits match actual risk exposure.

A coverage review can confirm whether your current UM limit and structure match your actual risk exposure. Schedule one at olivecover.com/coverage-review.