What Is the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan (GAAIP)?

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Written by Nick Versaw Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated October 19, 2022

To drive legally in most states, you’ll need to have a minimum amount of auto insurance – and the state of Georgia is no exception. Georgia drivers are required to carry proof of insurance with them. But what if nobody will cover you?

If you’ve tried to compare insurance quotes in Georgia only to come up empty-handed because you’re considered a high-risk driver, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone, and you can still get insurance – although it might be more expensive.

In this article, we’ll explain what the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan is – GAAIP for short – and how it can help you get Georgia car insurance.

How Much Car Insurance Do You Need in Georgia?

The amount of insurance coverage you need on your auto insurance policy varies from state to state. Under Georgia law, you’ll need the following coverage amounts to meet the state minimum insurance requirement:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability insurance per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability coverage per accident

Georgia drivers aren’t required to maintain underinsured motorist coverage or uninsured motorist coverage, but you may want to consider additional coverage options. Georgia is a comparative fault state, which means that the degree to which you were at fault determines your eligibility to claim damages after an accident.

Whether you live in Atlanta or Savannah, the same minimum coverage amounts apply – but the cost of insurance may be higher in some areas because location is one of the many key factors determining your auto insurance rates.

What is GAAIP and How Does High-Risk Auto Insurance Work in Georgia?

Let’s say you have a few black marks on your driving record: a DUI from a couple of years ago, a recent speeding ticket, and a two-month lapse in car insurance. You can expect to pay more for car insurance coverage than drivers with a clean driving record.

In a worst-case scenario, insurance companies may decide they don’t want to provide coverage for you at all because you’re too high of a risk. What should you do now?

All is not lost. The Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan provides high-risk auto insurance coverage to eligible people who can’t get insurance on the voluntary market.

Unlike well-known brands like Liberty Mutual and Nationwide, the GAAIP isn’t an independent insurance company. Instead, it’s a way for Georgia auto insurance companies to share the financial burden of providing coverage to high-risk drivers.

How Do I Know if I’m a High-Risk Driver?

First, you should know that being considered “high-risk” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a dangerous or bad driver. It’s not an assessment of your skill behind the wheel. It just means that, according to insurance companies’ computer algorithms, you may be more likely to file an insurance claim compared to a low-risk driver.

There’s no hard and fast rule of who counts as a high-risk driver, but there are certain factors most insurance companies consider. You may be high risk if you:

• Are a teen driver or a new driver who just got your driver’s license
• Have caused at least one at-fault car accident
• Have a bunch of speeding tickets or other traffic-related convictions
• Have been convicted of a DUI or DWI
• Have filed multiple auto insurance claims
• Let your car insurance lapse
• Have never had car insurance before
• Have a low credit score

How Do I Apply for GAAIP Insurance?

Any auto insurance agent holding a valid property and casualty license for the state of Georgia can provide a policy through the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan.

GAAIP insurance is a last resort for Georgia drivers. You’ll need to show that you’ve made a good-faith effort to get coverage from at least two insurance providers in the previous 60 days and that they’ve turned you down.

You’ll also need a valid driver’s license and a car registered in your name. If you meet these eligibility requirements, you’ll be assigned to an insurance company.

Every car insurance company that does business in Georgia – from Roswell to Warner Robins – must participate in GAAIP. If you don’t like the company that you’ve been assigned to, you can request a different one instead.

However, if you don’t like the high insurance rates, you’re probably out of luck. GAAIP rates will be expensive, no matter which company ends up insuring you, just because you’re considered a high-risk driver.

Also, GAAIP isn’t required to provide you with an insurance policy. If you have a history of not paying your premiums, for instance, or if your license is suspended, the plan may decline to offer you coverage.

How Long Will GAAIP Cover Me?

Once you get auto insurance through GAAIP, you can keep it for up to three years – but you don’t want to do that if you can help it! Remember, GAAIP policyholders pay more for car insurance than they would through the voluntary market.

So if you have a high-risk auto insurance plan in Georgia, you should frequently check to see if you can find better car insurance rates elsewhere.

Every six months or so, compare car insurance quotes to see if you qualify for cheaper car insurance rates. Make sure you’re honest about your driving history, or you’ll receive inaccurate quotes. Those speeding tickets won’t stay on your driving record forever. Eventually, car insurance companies will offer you lower rates again.

Once you find a better deal, switch insurance companies when your GAAIP policy ends. You can cancel your old policy and switch mid-term, but you may have to pay a cancellation fee of 10% of your unused premiums. The rest will be refunded.

How Long Will I Be Considered a High-Risk Driver?

There’s no magic solution for cleaning up a spotty driving record, but time is your friend. Most insurance companies have a five-year look-back period, which means they look at the last five years of your driving history when setting rates.

This varies by state. In Washington and Virginia, insurers can only look at your driving record for the last 36 months. In Georgia, insurers can see the previous seven years of your driving history, including any DUIs. Points remain on your license for two years.

If you’re a high-risk driver, you may want to take a defensive-driving class and work on improving behaviors that have gotten you in trouble before, like speeding or distracted driving. It goes without saying that you should never, ever drink and drive.

You can also try rebuilding your credit by paying your bills on time, although that can be tough when you have high auto insurance premiums. Compare.com can help you find the cheapest Georgia auto insurance you qualify for – so keep comparing quotes until you get a rate you’re truly happy with.

Compare Car Insurance Rates in Georgia Today

Whether you want full coverage car insurance or just the state minimum requirements, having sufficient car insurance coverage in George is a must. If you can’t get coverage from your preferred insurer because you’re a high-risk driver, the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan is there to help you out.

But GAAIP coverage can be expensive, so keep checking Compare.com to find better rates. Simply enter your ZIP code below to view multiple car insurance quotes at once and get the best car insurance rates for you.

Nick Versaw Managing Editor

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more.

As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.