Collisions can turn your day upside down in an instant. Rather than waiting until your car looks more like a crumpled accordion than a sleek ride, why not take control now? Connect with a friendly, local Southern Harvest Insurance auto insurance agent today to explore how collision coverage can protect you from unexpected repair costs and keep you on the road with peace of mind.
What Is Collision Coverage and How Does It Work in Georgia?
What is collision insurance? If you’re driving in Georgia and get in a fender bender, your collision coverage will have your back. Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your own vehicle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Liability insurance, on the other hand, helps cover damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or property. Your liability will help pay for damages you cause to another person’s property, while collision will help pay for repairs for your own damages.
Collision vs. Comprehensive Insurance in GA: What’s the Difference?
Collision and comprehensive work together to offer drivers solid financial support when their cars are damaged for any reason, and they’re usually bought as part of full coverage alongside liability insurance.
Collision coverage matters when you have an accident behind the wheel, while comprehensive coverage handles nearly every other way your car might be damaged.
Comprehensive car insurance in Georgia is a great choice, as well, and handles off-road loss or damage such as car theft, vandalism, fire, floods, severe weather, getting your vehicle tossed around in a Georgia tornado, or having a tree limb drop on it while your car’s parked in your driveway.
It’s also optional and often costs less than collision coverage.
Why Collision Coverage Is Important for Georgia Drivers
When it comes to the types of car insurance in Georgia, it’s cheaper (and legal) to only have liability insurance. The downside is that liability only financially protects others in an accident where you’re at fault. For the damage done to your vehicle, the only choices are to either fix the car out of pocket or don’t fix it.
Now, here are top seven reasons for carrying collision coverage on your auto insurance policy.
7 Key Benefits of Collision Coverage in Georgia
1. Everyday Driving in Georgia Comes with Real Accident Risks
You likely get behind the wheel so frequently that you don’t even think of the risk. That’s true whether you’re dropping the kids off at school, meandering around on a few errands, or driving halfway across the state for work.
Wherever you’re headed in the Peach State or beyond, the risk of anything from a fender bender to a serious accident is always present. You might not be injured, but you could sustain thousands of dollars in damages in the blink of an eye.
2. Car Repair Costs in Georgia Can Be Expensive
Let’s consider just one small fact: the cost of repairing a single airbag can be $2,000 or more. If more than one airbag goes off in a simple bump, well, that’s just the opening round in your repair estimate.
Do you have that kind of cash on hand? Few of us do.
If the accident was not your fault, but the other driver has no insurance or not enough, you could be left with maxed-out credit cards to make the repairs unless you can file a claim to get them paid.
What if you were the cause of the accident and you’ve got other drivers and property owners sending you bills for damages? Your liability insurance will help pay those bills – but only up to your policy limits. There won’t be any money to pay for your own repairs.
Collision coverage is the hero to the rescue in both scenarios because it helps protect you from expensive repair costs after an accident. You would file a claim with your insurer, pay your auto insurance deductible, and then receive payment for covered repairs up to the policy limit so you aren’t left without wheels or a maxed out credit card.
3. Not All Georgia Drivers Carry Enough Insurance Coverage
Georgia is an at-fault state. That means the driver who is found at fault is financially responsible for damages caused in the accident.
Fair enough. But what if the person at fault is an uninsured driver or doesn’t carry enough to pay for all damages? What if it’s a hit-and-run driver at fault who’s never found? Uninsured motorist coverage is a good idea, but only collision will kick in even if the accident is your fault.
The point is that not every driver is as responsible as you. In situations where there’s no possibility of a financial settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, your collision coverage will handle the damages. You’re covered even when it’s not your fault.
4. You Could Be Found at Fault in an Accident
Ouch. The truth hurts, but sometimes you’re the guilty party. Whether you’re in bumper-to-bumper traffic in downtown Atlanta or visiting relatives on unfamiliar roads in Ty Ty, Georgia, you could be the party at fault.
Yes, you could cause an accident without making stupid or irresponsible mistakes. That’s why they are called accidents. Whether it’s poor driving in miserable weather, a stressed-out situation in congested city traffic, or a fence post in your blind spot, you’re suddenly in a bad situation.
What will you do if the officer who investigates to determine who is at fault in the accident pins the fault on you, and you’re suddenly responsible for thousands of dollars in damages?
The primary purpose of collision coverage in Georgia is to provide vehicle repairs to your auto, even if you are at fault. If the damage is a total loss, the most your policy will pay is the vehicle’s actual cash value, minus your deductible.
5. Losing Your Car Can Disrupt Your Daily Life
After an accident involving a wall that wasn’t supposed to be there (or at least that’s your argument), your mechanic gives you an estimate of $3,000 to get your car running again.
That’s a hefty bill, and most people don’t have that kind of cash readily available. Maybe you could save up over a few months, but in the meantime, you’re left stranded.
If you’re close to public transportation or can walk or ride a bike to most places, you might manage for a while. But realistically, can you imagine biking in the pouring rain? The truth is, you need your vehicle to be in good running condition as soon as possible.
Your collision coverage will kick in to save the day, but keep in mind you’ll still need to pay your collision deductible, which commonly ranges from $250 to $1,000 before coverage pays the rest of the repair bill.
6. Lenders May Require Collision Coverage for Financed Vehicles
Do you need collision coverage to satisfy the requirements of the State of Georgia? Nope, but it might still be mandatory in your case. That’s because many finance companies and companies involved in leasing may require you to buy collision coverage, and if your vehicle is financed or leased, your lienholder may also require comprehensive coverage.
7. You Can Customize Collision Coverage to Fit Your Budget
Collision coverage costs more than liability, but it offers much more financial protection, and that extra protection affects your premium. The good news is that you can largely control the cost of the benefit.
Your auto insurance agent can show you how to reduce the cost by taking on a higher deductible or a lower coverage limit; a higher deductible usually lowers the premium, while a lower deductible raises it. Choosing a higher deductible also means you will pay more out of pocket if you file a claim. Pick a deductible based on your financial situation and what you could afford to pay after an accident. And if you’re dealing with an independent auto insurance agent, they can go shopping for the most affordable coverage from a large selection of insurers, with rates also varying based on factors such as age, gender, and driving record.
That’s because independent agents don’t work for just one insurance company. Instead, they contract with several insurers so they can compare rates and bring their customers the best deals in comprehensive and collision coverage.
