Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the state’s largest metropolitan area. For residents, that means access to a thriving music and cultural scene, great restaurants, and a lot of city pride. On the flip side, drivers in Atlanta pay considerably more for auto insurance than other Georgia drivers due to the higher incidence of accidents in urban areas. With two major highways combining into 10 lanes of traffic, there are more claims in Atlanta than other more suburban areas of the state.
Sure, there are ways to access cheaper-than-average auto insurance policies in the Peach State. Georgia requires only liability insurance, so opting for minimum coverage will lower your premium; however, in a state where 12 percent of drivers do not have auto insurance and the average personal injury claim is $18,417, we recommend getting the best auto insurance policy you can afford.
Auto insurance in Georgia is expensive. Georgia ranks as the eighth-most-expensive state for auto insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Georgia also ranks fifth in terms of average auto insurance expenditures as a percentage of median household income.1 If you live in Georgia’s capital, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth with the best auto insurance in Atlanta.
The Best Auto Insurance in Atlanta
- 1.
Best Overall: Nationwide
- 2.
Best for Teen Drivers: Allstate
- 3.
Best for a Poor Driving Record: State Farm
Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance in Atlanta
| Provider | What it’s best for | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction rating (out of 1,000)2 | Discounts available | Average annual cost of insurance | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Overall | 850 | Accident-free, annual mileage, defensive driver training, good student, multi-car, multi-policy, new car, paperless, safe driving, anti-theft equipment | $1,614 | Nationwide review |
| Allstate | Teen drivers | 833 | Driver training, good student, bundling, new car, good payer, paperless, safe driving, safety equipment | $1,673 | Allstate review |
| State Farm | Poor driving record | 855 | Accident-free, driver training, safe driving, good student, multi-car, multi-policy, student away from home, vehicle equipment, young driver | $1,419 | State Farm review |
Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Atlanta
1. Best Overall - Nationwide
855-961-1282
What We Like Most:
- Discounts for taking a defensive driver course
- Network of local agents
- Usage-based insurance program for low-mileage drivers
Nationwide began as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. After over 90 years in business, Nationwide continues to offer a wide range of auto insurance policy options and discounts that make it an excellent option for drivers in Atlanta. You can work with one of the more than 50 independent agents in the area or utilize the company’s website and mobile app to purchase and manage your policy.
Who It's Best For
Infrequent drivers
Safe drivers
People with bad credit
Who It's Not Best For
Drivers in Alaska, Louisiana, and Massachusetts
Drivers with an accident or DUI
Motorcyclists
Usage-Based Insurance
Nationwide rewards low-mileage drivers with its SmartMiles program. With SmartMiles, you can get up to 10 percent off your monthly premium by paying a base rate plus a rate per mile. The per-mile rate changes based on how much you drive, so if you aren’t commuting on a regular basis, then your rates will go down.
Safe Driving Benefits
SmartRide is an app-based telematics safe driving program that incentivizes safe driving. You get 10 percent off for signing up and up to 25 percent off your premium if you practice safe driving habits. The app tracks your driving using your phone’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS systems.
SmartRide isn’t the only discount benefit for safe drivers through Nationwide. The company offers a vanishing deductible — which means you get $100 off for each year without an at-fault accident on your record for up to 5 years (or $500) — and a safe driving discount.
Customer Satisfaction
Nationwide rates an 850 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction in the Southeast region from J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Its NAIC complaint index is 0.8, which means it receives fewer complaints than the average car insurance provider for private passenger policies.3 With robust mobile and online tools, Nationwide is well positioned to provide excellent customer service to Atlanta drivers.
HEADS-UP:
The average commute length in Atlanta is 49.93 minutes in the morning and 52.91 minutes in the evening.4 Take public transportation to avoid commuting and reduce the mileage you’re driving.
2. Best for Teen Drivers - Allstate
855-909-2371
What We Like Most:
- Three ways to earn a student discount
- Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
- No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness
Allstate offers affordable plans for almost every driver, including some groups that have higher costs on average, like teen drivers. The company offers numerous discounts and has a long history of providing affordable coverage. With optional coverages like glass, rental reimbursem*nt, classic car, and Mexico coverage, Allstate can tailor a plan to your needs.
Who It's Best For
Renters or homeowners who want to bundle insurance
Teen drivers and their parents
New-car owners
Who It's Not Best For
Hybrid or electric vehicle drivers
Military veterans and their families
Family policies
Teens and their parents can save money with a family auto insurance plan. Allstate has affordable full-coverage insurance and many add-on coverages that can help inexperienced drivers stay on the road, including roadside assistance and accident forgiveness.
Many of Allstate’s discounts are geared toward helping young adult and teen drivers save money. The company has a driver training discount to apply if you are under 25 and unmarried. Good student discounts reduce premiums for students under age 25 who are unmarried and maintain a B- or above grade average. If you are a student but you live away from home, you get a discount if you live at least 100 miles away from where you garage your car.
New-car replacement
The best auto insurance providers for people who own new cars are those with new-car replacement coverage. Allstate offers a full-coverage policy with optional new-car replacement. If your car is two years old or newer, Allstate will cover the amount you need to get a new car. That, coupled with its new car discount, makes Allstate a great option to protect your new prized possession.
Bundles of joy
Allstate’s bundling discount is one of the best in the industry. If your renters or homeowners insurance policy is with Allstate, or you’re willing to switch, you can get big savings if you also insure your vehicle. Renters, condo owners, and homeowners will save up to 25 percent by bundling home and auto insurance policies under Allstate.
FYI:
On our list of cheapest auto insurance in Georgia, Allstate has the lowest rates for all teen drivers.
3. Best for a Poor Driving Record - State Farm
855-942-2891
What We Like Most:
- Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
- Local agents
- Discounts for multiple cars
State Farm is the best insurance for Atlanta drivers with a speeding ticket, accident, or DUI on their driving record. It scored the highest on this list for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s annual study, and it’s actually the cheapest premium on our list (though yours will increase after a traffic offense). With coverages like roadside assistance, towing and labor, and rental reimbursem*nt, State Farm is a great option for not-so-great drivers.
Who It's Best For
Drivers with a speeding ticket, accident, or DUI on their driving record
Rideshare drivers
People who want to work with a local agent
Who It's Not Best For
Infrequent drivers
New-car owners
Military and federal employees
Driving record
State Farm is the best car insurance for drivers with a bad record in Atlanta because it offers relatively cheap rates after an accident, as well as discounts that apply to all covered drivers. The cost of auto insurance after an accident increases by an average of 42 percent. We analyzed the numbers across auto insurance companies and found that State Farm premiums go up by only 26 percent on average.
Local knowledge and service
State Farm ranked high on our list for best provincial insurance because of its sophisticated network of local agents. These exclusive agents know your city, and they work with State Farm products only, so they know those too. There are 25 State Farm agents in the Atlanta area who can help you access the best rates and discounts for your personal situation.
Financial security
AM Best rates auto insurance companies’ claims-paying ability and credit quality. State Farm holds an AM Best rating of A++, meaning it is financially solvent and strong. This is relevant to any potential customers who want to know if their auto insurance company can provide the proper payout on time for a claim.
FYI:
We named State Farm best auto insurance overall because of its customer service, customizable discounts, and numerous coverage options.
Methodology
We use a tried-and-true three-pronged approach to research the best auto insurance providers in each city. Here’s our criteria:
- Company information: We analyze consumer data about each company’s policy offerings and discounts. This includes third-party customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings from AM Best, J.D. Power, the NAIC, and industry insiders.
- Proprietary data: We use our proprietary data set of over 20 years of transactions to find out which customers had the most success with which companies. This helps you eliminate companies from consideration that won’t cover you for whatever reason.
- Institutional knowledge: After covering the auto insurance industry for over two decades, we’ve amassed institutional knowledge regarding each insurance provider. Paul Ford, the president of insurance at Centerfield, AutoInsurance.com’s parent company, has three decades of experience in the insurance industry. We leverage his knowledge of car insurance to connect customers to their perfect policies.
Auto Insurance FAQ
What is the recommended auto insurance coverage in Georgia?
We recommend full-coverage auto insurance in Georgia. While the legally required minimum liability limit is $25,000 in bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident) and $25,000 in property damage liability, you should elect comprehensive and collision coverage limits and make sure your liability limits cover the value of your assets.
How do I get cheap car insurance in Atlanta?
You should shop around for multiple quotes before you purchase a policy to get the cheapest auto insurance rate. Minimum coverage will be cheaper than full coverage, and make sure you ask what discounts are available from each provider you speak to.
Is Georgia a no-fault state?
No, Georgia is not a no-fault state. Georgia is a fault state, meaning the at-fault party pays injury claims and property damage for the car or object struck.
Where does Georgia rank in car insurance rates?
Georgia ranks as the eighth-most-expensive car insurance state in 2020 according to the NAIC. The average annual rate was $1,255, which is 20 percent higher than the national average.
