Cheap Car Insurance in Jefferson, GA

Jefferson is a hopping city – with plenty to do for residents and visitors alike. Whether you live here or are stopping in for the annual Boys State Track Olympics, you should be aware of trouble spots on the local roads and what state driving laws you need to consider.

Georgia requires car insurance to drive legally, so pony up for some affordable coverage at Southern Harvest Insurance. We are your neighbors, so we know how to find the best, most affordable policies.

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Georgia

Did you know that the doctor who discovered anesthesia has a museum located in Jefferson, showcasing the impact this new treatment had on medicine? Thank you, Dr. Crawford Long, for your contributions – you can visit the Crawford Long Museum yourself; it is located on U.S. Hwy. 129 in a large white Greek Revival building.

Jefferson is not far from the big metropolis known as Atlanta, 60 miles southwest. Besides a nod to modern medicine, you can visit an outdoor agricultural museum, the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, which allows you to peek into practices from yesteryear. This is a historic city, with plenty of architecture and more for history buffs.

For those who like the outdoors, check out Jefferson City Lake, a popular place for fishing, boating and more. In 2019, Jefferson had a population of 12,000, making it a small, family-friendly enclave with good schools and community feel.

Don’t forget to line up some cheap car insurance in Georgia before driving around Jefferson – it is required by law. At Southern Harvest, agents who live in your neighborhood are standing by to help you find the most affordable auto coverage for your needs.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Jefferson, GA?

An average cost for basic minimum liability car insurance in Jefferson hovers around $47, while increasing those limits and adding collision and comprehensive for a full coverage package runs about $147 monthly. Now, mind you, this is an average and it is probably not the quote you will get, which will be based on your individual factors, such as age and driving record.

Georgia’s average cost for full coverage is $248 per month and $87.50 for the lowest level of required liability, so quite a bit higher than what you’ll find in Jefferson.

Across the nation, averages are $66 for minimum and $223 for full.

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

Many drivers opt for carrying the bare minimum required by the state, which is the cheapest route. However, this strategy can leave you open to financial repercussions in the event of an accident or other unexpected occurrence. Some other types of car insurance coverage you may consider include collision, comprehensive, medical payments (MedPay) and uninsured motorist coverage (UM).

If you have financed your vehicle, your loan holder will require you to carry not only liability, but also collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. These two types of coverage will help pay for repairs or replacement after an accident, even if it is your fault, or in other circumstances, such as theft.

Uninsured drivers are a problem in Georgia. Although the Peach State does not require UM, it is relatively cheap – especially when you consider trying to recover financially after a hit-and-run driver has just totaled your car.

MedPay kicks in to help you pay for medical costs immediately following a covered event, such as an accident. For those who do not have health insurance, MedPay can be a real financial help. Even if you do not believe you are at fault in an accident, it may take time for the courts and insurance companies to agree with you – meaning you will not have access to any money to help pay medical bills until a court decision if you do not have a policy that includes MedPay.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Georgia

Jefferson is only an hour away from the congested roads of Atlanta, but that’s far enough to help residents get cheaper insurance. Here is a comparison of some cities in Georgia to Jefferson.

Affordable Jefferson Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code

There are only two zip codes associated with Jefferson. Many insurers are getting away from using zip codes to determine premium cost, anyway, but it is still a factor in some cases. Here is a table with some different Jefferson zip codes so you can compare.

Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Jefferson

We all dread that time when our children turn 15 and 16 and begin driving. Not only is it a scary proposition, but the insurance is also basically crazy high at this age. That’s because teens have the highest claim rate of any driving age group, so insurers are hedging their bets. Remind your teen that their insurance rates will drop as they get older, but only if they keep their record clean and have no claims.

This table shows the average monthly rate for insurance in Jefferson based on age.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Jefferson

Georgia requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance consisting of:

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

This means your policy will pay up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for medical bills and funeral expenses when you cause a crash that is covered. Your policy will also kick in to pay up to $25,000 to repair other people’s vehicles or property you damage in an at-fault accident.

Your liability will not pay anything for your own injuries and property damage if you are at fault for a wreck. For that, you would need to add collision coverage.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Jefferson?

Driving without insurance in Georgia is a risky move. In very extreme cases, you could go to jail and/or have your vehicle impounded. You could skate by for months or even years without getting caught, but if you get into an accident, even one that is not your fault, you’ll pay a steep price for not carrying the legally required car insurance.

And that’s not the end of it. Once you are caught driving without insurance, you’ll be labeled as a high-risk driver by insurance companies. This can increase the cost of your coverage by two, or even three, times. This is one costly mistake you’ll want to avoid when it comes to car insurance.

Other penalties you will face include fines (starting at $200 and going up to $1,000), suspended license, and having to file an SR-22 certificate (certifying you have 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 Jefferson Car Insurance Rates

Regardless of what type of insurance you are seeking, your potential carriers will want to examine a list of factors unique to you. Some have more weight than others, such as your previous driving record. Others include:

• Age: Inexperienced drivers in their teens get charged the most, but with a clean driving record, this tends to level out as you get older.
• Gender: Males were traditionally charged more than females, but that trend is changing.
• Type of Vehicle: Vehicles with easy-to-find parts and service are cheaper to insure than more exotic types.

Because your cheap insurance quote is based on criteria specific to you, it won’t be the same as your fishing buddy. The best way to save money is to shop around – or relax at Jefferson City Lake for a fishing excursion while your Southern Harvest agent does it for you.

What Happens if I Damage Property?

If you damage property in your vehicle your liability insurance should pick up the tab – up to policy limits. Let’s say you hydroplane during a rainstorm and slide sideways into someone’s nice fence, taking out several feet. This type of event should be covered, so you don’t have to pay for it out of pocket.

Likewise, if you accidentally mow down one of those big blue postal boxes on the corner. Same if you take out some guardrail on the highway.

Just keep in mind that your liability will not pay for the repairs to your vehicle; you’ll have to cover that out of pocket.

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