Georgia law requires every driver to carry auto liability insurance with minimum limits of 25/50/25. That means $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Those numbers sound reasonable until you look at what medical care and vehicles actually cost in 2026.

What 25/50/25 actually covers

A single emergency room visit after a car accident can exceed $25,000 before any hospital admission, surgery, or rehabilitation. If someone is hospitalized after an accident you caused, the per-person limit is exhausted almost immediately. The per-accident bodily injury limit of $50,000 is split across all injured parties in the accident. A two-car collision with two occupants each can divide that $50,000 four ways.

On the property damage side, the median new vehicle price in Georgia now exceeds $45,000. A $25,000 property damage limit does not replace one vehicle, let alone two.

What happens when limits run out

Georgia is a fault state. When you are at fault in an accident and the damages exceed your policy limits, the injured parties can pursue your personal assets for the remainder. Your savings, home equity, and future wages are all potentially exposed. Your auto policy does not protect assets beyond its limits. That is the purpose of an umbrella policy.

What limits most Georgia families should carry

For most families with any meaningful assets, 100/300/100 is a reasonable floor. That is $100,000 per person bodily injury, $300,000 per accident bodily injury, and $100,000 property damage. For families with significant home equity, retirement savings, or high incomes, 250/500/250 with a $1 million umbrella on top is more appropriate.

The premium difference between 25/50/25 and 100/300/100 is typically $100 to $200 per year. The difference in protection is the difference between losing your savings and keeping them.

Uninsured motorist coverage matters in Georgia

Georgia consistently ranks in the top 10 states for uninsured drivers. Roughly 12 percent of Georgia drivers carry no insurance. If an uninsured driver hits you, your uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and lost wages. If you carry only the state minimum, your UM coverage is also capped at that minimum. Most families should carry UM limits matching their liability limits.