Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia?

Yes, in practical terms you need uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia. The law does not force you to keep it, but it requires insurers to offer it, and you must reject it in writing to go without. UM/UIM coverage pays for injuries the at-fault driver cannot, which is why many Georgia drivers keep it on the policy.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, usually shortened to UM/UIM, pays for your injuries and sometimes your vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses. This matters in Georgia because a meaningful share of drivers on the road carry no coverage at all, and many who do carry only the state minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury. That minimum can vanish after one trip to the emergency room.

Georgia offers two forms of UIM:

• Reduced (traditional) UIM subtracts the at-fault driver’s limit from yours, so you collect the difference.
• Added-on (stacking) UIM sits on top of the other driver’s limit, giving you more total recovery. It usually costs a little more and is the stronger choice.

Here is a real-world example. You are hit by a driver carrying Georgia’s $25,000 minimum, but your medical bills and lost wages reach $80,000. With $100,000 in added-on UIM, you collect the other driver’s $25,000 plus up to $100,000 from your own policy, covering the full loss. Without UM, you would be chasing a driver who likely cannot pay, and you would absorb the $55,000 gap yourself.

Matching your UM limit to your liability limit keeps your protection balanced, and a licensed advisor can review it any time your income or assets grow. Remember that you are buying this coverage to protect yourself and your passengers, not the other driver, so it pays off exactly when the at-fault party cannot. See our auto insurance overview for how the pieces fit together. To review your UM type and limits for Georgia roads, request a free coverage review with our team.