Auto insurance Dalton, GA / automobile insurance Dalton, GA

Auto Insurance in Dalton, GA

What to Know About Car Insurance in Georgia
If you're driving in Georgia, you may find yourself caught in the busy traffic of Atlanta, touring the historic squares and roundabouts of Savannah, or discovering one of the many historic Civil War driving routes. Wherever you drive in the state of Georgia, you must have car insurance for your vehicle.

Important Facts about Georgia Auto Insurance and Driving Laws

• Georgia passed a Move-Over Law that requires drivers to move over one lane if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. If traffic is too heavy to move over safely, the law requires drivers to slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop. A violation of this law is considered a moving violation, which could result in points on a driver's record and a fine up to $500.
• Georgia has two state agencies related to motor vehicles. The Department of Driver Services handles driver's licenses and permits. The Motor Vehicle Division of the GA Department of Revenue handles vehicle registrations, license plates and certificates of title. Car owners in Georgia must show proof of insurance in order to register their vehicles.
• Texting while driving is banned in Georgia except in the case of emergencies or when drivers are fully parked. The fine for conviction is $150. Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any wireless device while driving. This includes cell phones, computers, and all texting devices.

Required Minimum Georgia Auto Insurance Coverage
Georgia law requires that all drivers must have at least the following required minimum auto insurance coverages for your vehicle:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury*: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage*: $25,000 with a $250, $500, or $1000 deductible

Due to the rising costs of healthcare and auto repair, your insurance agent may recommend higher liability limits to better protect your financial interests.

​Be sure to discuss all your options with one of our licensed agents if you're unsure of the best coverage levels for you.

​Why You Need Comprehensive Auto Insurance
It is not a hard task to determine whether you require comprehensive coverage for your car. However, before you make the decision to buy comprehensive coverage, you need to have a good understanding of how it works. Comprehensive coverage is intended to cover a variety of physical damage claims, such as windshield and body damage, vandalism, and contact with an animal. Here is some information about why you need comprehensive car insurance.
Do You Have a Loan on the Car?
Lenders usually require physical damage coverage on the cars they have financed to drivers. Comprehensive is usually a portion of such mandatory coverage.
When you sign the contract for a loan, you agree to protect the car against physical damage by buying both collision and comprehensive coverage. You can end up having to deal with expensive penalties if you fail to notify your lender about your insurance coverage. You should ask your auto insurance agent to add your lender as a loss payee for the car. Doing this will ensure your lender is immediately notified of the coverage in case an accident occurs.
What Is Your Level of Risk for Having a Comprehensive Claim?
If you have a high level of risk for having a comprehensive claim, you should get comprehensive auto insurance. Some factors that will put you at high risk of having a comprehensive claim include living in a tornado alley or packing your car under a half-dead tall tree every night. Indeed, any driver can benefit from this coverage. However, for some people it’s worth more than others.
You should take the time to evaluate your risks before deciding whether to get comprehensive car insurance. In general, one would file a comprehensive auto insurance claim for damage to your car caused by the following:
Falling objects like a tree limb
Explosions or fire
Lightning, floods, or hail from tornadoes, thunderstorms or hurricanes
Theft
Vandalism and certain civil disobedience
Hitting an animal
The higher the risk is for a comprehensive claim, the more you should consider getting the coverage.
What Is the Value of the Vehicle?
 If the value of your vehicle is high, this will help you decide whether it is worthwhile to pay for comprehensive auto insurance. If the vehicle isn’t worth much anymore, then coverage might not be worth the investment.
How Much Does Comprehensive Coverage Cost?
You will be happy to know that comprehensive coverage tends to be reasonably priced. As long as you are not considered a high-risk driver, comprehensive coverage is typically worth the price. Even an older car with minimal value is likely worth the replacement of a windshield from damage.
For more information about comprehensive coverage, don't hesitate to contact us.

​Don’t exchange personal information following an auto accident?
You generally only need give the other driver your name and information (name & phone number of your insurance company).

• Would you give a stranger your driver’s license number?
• Would you let a stranger photograph your driver’s license?
• Would you give a stranger your home address?
• Would you give a stranger your home phone number?
• Did you know that some accidents are staged just to steal your personal information?

Take steps to protect yourself, your property and your identity
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has developed a mobile application – “Wreck-Check” to help you take the guesswork out of what information to share. It’s free and available for both iPhone & Android smartphones. 
WreckCheck App for Smartphones
In the course of your lifetime, an auto accident is bound to happen. When it does, take some of the guesswork out of a tense situation with the NAIC's WreckCheck™. This free mobile app for iPhone® and Android® smartphones outlines what to do immediately following an accident and walks users through a step-by-step process to create their own accident report.
Don't have a smartphone? Download a printable accident checklist and other tips for staying calm, safe and smart on the road.