Auto insurance premiums in Georgia have been rising steadily, with the typical driver paying $1,347 in 2022—20% higher than the U.S. average. This increase has contributed to the state’s ranking as one of the least affordable for auto insurance.
The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce recently surveyed local business leaders, finding that more than 95% reported rising insurance costs, with many expressing concern about future increases. Nearly 85% of respondents supported tort reform to address the litigation-driven hikes.
Local business leaders and experts point to the state’s legal environment as a significant factor in rising costs. Georgia has been named a top "Judicial Hellhole" by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) for two consecutive years, surpassing California.
ATRA reports that the increase in “nuclear verdicts”—large awards in personal injury and wrongful death cases—has led to higher litigation costs, which are reflected in higher premiums for consumers. Georgia’s courts, known for their plaintiff-friendly rulings, have become a focus for trial lawyers, whose advertising and tactics like "anchoring" damage awards are driving up the cost of claims, according to ATRA.
“This will continue to be a hot-button issue for us,” Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jimmy Arnold said, according to The Brunswick News.
Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ralph Staffins III added that Georgia cannot continue to be the number one state in the nation for business without tort reform.
A report from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) shows that between 2014 and 2022, auto insurance expenditures in Georgia grew at an annual rate of 5.6%, which is nearly double the national average.
Additionally, Georgia’s rate of uninsured and underinsured motorists is among the highest in the country, making it more expensive for drivers to secure adequate coverage. The report notes that more drivers are purchasing uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, which is contributing to higher premiums.