On January 1, 2009, a new statute took effect in Georgia that allows purchasers of auto insurance to increase their uninsured motorist insurance coverage. Under Georgia’s old law, if the responsible driver had any available liability insurance coverage, that amount was set off against the uninsured motorist coverage available under your own auto policy. For example, if your policy provided uninsured motorist coverage of $50,000 but the responsible driver had $25,000 in coverage, you were only entitled to recover $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage after the set off for liability coverage. Under the new law, however, there is no set off for liability coverage. This allows an injured auto accident victim to recover the $25,000 in liability coverage from the responsible driver and the whole $50,000 in uninsured motorist insurance coverage. 

Premiums are not likely to be substantially effected by this new coverage and we encourage auto insurance purchasers to obtain at least $100,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage will provide valuable protection in the event of an accident with an uninsured motorist.