Cheap Car Insurance in Gainesville, GA

Gainesville is just northeast of the metropolis of Atlanta, but that doesn’t mean it is not a city in its own right. Most people familiar with this area of the Peach State know Gainesville is called the Poultry Capital of the World, due to its large number of poultry processing plants, but there is much more to this beautiful gem that provides easy access to a myriad of natural wonders.

As is true across the state of Georgia, you must have car insurance to drive legally. If you are looking for a way to find the protection you need at a budget-friendly price, look no further than Southern Harvest Insurance.

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Georgia

Gainesville has a couple of other nicknames that better describe its proximity to the lush green landscape, forests and mountains that reside in the boundaries of Georgia. Another nickname is Queen City of the Mountains, because the Blue Ridge Mountains look down on this charming town, Yet another handle is Hospitality Capital of the World – visitors and residents alike will find plenty of adventure, great food and attractions, all served with a smile.

State parks, hiking trails, water activities and gardens are all available in Gainesville, including Don Carter State Park, Lake Lanier, Holly Park (with a small beach) and Elachee Nature Science Center, where you can find hands-on activities to interact with reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Downtown Gainesville offers an arts scene, historical places and a busy nightlife. If you are planning a trip to any of these places, make sure you are driving legally with cheap car insurance. The agents at Southern Harvest can help you find a policy that fits your budget.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Gainesville, GA?

The average cost of minimum required liability insurance in Gainesville is $48 per month, while the enhanced protection of full coverage averages $135 monthly. Georgia’s average cost for full coverage at $248 per month and $87. 50 for the lowest level of required liability.

Nation-wide averages are $66 for minimum and $223 for full.

What Types of Coverage are Recommended for Georgia Drivers Beyond the Minimum?

Georgia drivers can add various types of auto coverage to their policy to protect themselves financially at a higher level. The basic required insurance is liability, which is used to help you pay for injuries and damages you cause others when you are at fault for a wreck. Every driver is required to have this coverage.

However, you can raise the limits, so you have a better level of protection. You may not think you will ever cause a wreck; after all, you are a good, safe driver. However, all it takes is one incident of hydroplaning on a wet street or sliding on ice to demonstrate how easy it is to damage someone’s car and/or injure someone else.

Your liability insurance will never kick in to help you pay for your own repairs. For that, you’ll need to add collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Both of these protections kick in to help you recover from vehicle damages or total loss, regardless of fault.

You may also consider uninsured motorist coverage (UM). Uninsured drivers are a problem in Georgia and you need to protect yourself. This inexpensive add-on will kick in to help you recover from damages if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Georgia

Although Gainesville is close to Atlanta, it does not have the same traffic congestion and accident rates, which makes it cheaper for those who live here to buy insurance. Where you live plays an important part in your quote. Here is a comparison of some cities in Georgia to Gainesville.

Affordable Gainesville Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code

Many insurers still use zip code as a factor when determining rates, but it isn’t as popular as it once was. After all, your zip code may contain a dangerous highway that sees a lot of wrecks – that doesn’t mean you will even be driving there. Nevertheless, here is a table with some different Gainesville zip codes so you can compare.

Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Gainesville

As parents of young drivers understand all too well, car insurance for teens is highly expensive. This is due to the fact they don’t have a driving record yet, so insurers don’t know how they will behave behind the wheel, as well as a tendency among this group to file more claims than any other group. There are ways to save on this drain on the family budget by researching what you need to know about auto insurance for teens in Georgia.

The best news is that as they get older and more experienced – and keep their driving record clean – their rates will drop, as shown in this table.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Gainesville

Georgia requires all drivers to carry a minimum liability of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

Many drivers choose to increase these limits since it may not be enough to cover damages and medical bills if you cause an accident. Anything not covered by insurance will come out of your pocket, or you could be sued and have your assets seized.

Remember, this type of coverage will not pay for your own car repairs. Without collision coverage, you’ll be paying for those out of pocket, as well.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Gainesville

Georgia is very strict about drivers who do not have insurance. If you think you cannot afford insurance, you may want to consider the costs if you get caught driving without it. The reality is: You cannot afford to not have it.

Here are some of the consequences of being caught driving without insurance in Gainesville:

• Fines: A first offense will generally cost $200, without extenuating circumstances like a wreck. That increases up to $1,000 for subsequent convictions.
• License Suspension: In Georgia, when you lose your license for this offense, you cannot get it back until the time is up – even if you run out and immediately purchase insurance. First-time offenders lose their license for 60 days minimum. After that, it could be 90 days or more. You’ll need to pay a reinstatement fee of $200-$410 to get it back.
• Jail: You can go to jail for multiple occurrences of driving without insurance. In some cases, you may be sitting in a cell for up to 1 year.
• SR-22 Certificate: You’ll need to file an SR-22 certificate with the state, certifying you have purchased coverage. An SR-22 requirement tells potential insurance agencies that you are a high-risk driver. These drivers pay more (sometimes much more) for their insurance.

It is possible to find affordable insurance with an SR-22 in Georgia, especially if you use an independent agent, like the ones at Southern Harvest.

Factors Allowed in Gainesville Car Insurance Rates

As we’ve discussed, there are many factors that go into determining your quote, including age and location. That’s the tip of the iceberg, however, since carriers use their own proprietary software to decide who pays what. Some of the factors you’ll be submitting include:

• Level of Education: It may not seem fair, but people who have higher degrees tend to get better rates than those with a high school diploma.
• Gender: This used to be a standard measurement with males being charged more, but in recent years, this is leveling out with females and males being equal.
• Type of Vehicle: Flashy, exotic sports car? Expect to pay more since parts and skilled repairmen are harder to come by.

Your specific circumstances will dictate the quote you are given. Remember, you can always shop around and you should – or you can relax at Lake Lanier and lets the experts at Southern Harvest do it for you.

Insurance that Helps You Prepare for the Future

You may not think about your monthly or annual insurance bill as a savings account – after all, the money is going out, not coming in. However, when you need help repairing your car (or replacing it if it is stolen or totaled) or you’ve caused an accident and have damages and medical costs to pay for, you’ll be glad you have that insurance policy so you don’t have to dip into your savings.

If you are like most people, it’s hard to even save for things like a summer vacation, a move to a permanent home or that college education that is coming up. But even socking away a little bit every month is something. The last thing you want to do is dip into that to pay costs associated with a wreck or a loss.

That’s how an insurance policy can protect you and help you prepare for the future.

Your independent Southern Harvest agent will help you decide what you may qualify for and run the numbers across several carriers to see who is offering the best deal.