Cheapest Auto Insurance in Athens, Georgia (2024)

Drivers in Athens can expect to pay an average of $171 per month for car insurance. The city’s rates are less than Georgia’s average of $196 but higher than the national average of $158 per month.

Athens is the fifth-largest city in the state, and it’s home to the University of Georgia, which has more than 37,000 students. The city’s size and large number of students on the road may partly explain why its car insurance rates are more expensive than some other Georgia cities, though it’s much cheaper than Atlanta.^[1]  

Rates can vary drastically between companies, so it’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Athens

Various factors affect how much you pay for car insurance, including your age, gender, the type of car you drive, and even your ZIP code. Your rates will also vary by insurer, as each uses slightly different formulas to calculate insurance rates.

Ultimately, the insurance company that’s best for you depends on your financial situation and coverage needs. Below are Insurify’s picks for the best car insurance companies in Athens to help you get started. Quotes are based on the monthly averages for Georgia drivers.

Best insurer for affordability: Hugo

Best insurer for students: Auto-Owners

Best insurer for families: State Farm

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How to get the cheapest car insurance in Athens

Every insurer determines car insurance premiums differently, so you’ll need to shop around to find the cheapest car insurance in Athens. Here are some ways to find the most affordable option for your situation:

• Apply for discounts. Auto insurance companies typically offer several discounts that can help you save money on a policy, such as good student and defensive driver discounts.

• Bundle your home and auto insurance policies. If you bundle your car insurance with homeowners, renters, or even life insurance, you could land a discount on your coverage.

• Select a higher deductible. A higher deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage means a lower premium. Make sure you can afford to pay the deductible out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

• Maintain a clean driving record. Drivers with clean driving records pay the cheapest premiums. Do your best to drive responsibly and avoid traffic violations.

• Shop around. Get quotes from at least three car insurance companies before deciding on a policy. Insurance companies weigh factors differently, so you may find cheaper rates for the same coverage from certain companies.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Athens: Hugo

All Georgia drivers must carry liability-only car insurance, which covers another driver’s property damage and injury costs from accidents you cause. Because it only meets the state’s minimum requirements and offers no additional coverage, it’s usually the cheapest auto policy available.

The cheapest insurer for liability-only car insurance in Athens is Hugo, with an average premium of $51 per month. The table below outlines the cheapest liability-only policies for drivers in Athens.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Athens: Auto-Owners

Full-coverage car insurance is optional and usually consists of liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers the cost of damage to your car if you collide with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive insurance covers damages from non-collision events, like theft, fire, or vandalism.

The cheapest insurer for full-coverage car insurance in Athens is Auto-Owners, with an average cost of $86 per month. Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Athens.

Car insurance requirements in Georgia

Georgia drivers must carry liability insurance coverage and meet the state’s minimum limits. Driving without insurance can result in license and registration suspension, fines, and other penalties. If you’re pulled over or get into an accident, you must provide proof of insurance.

The table below shows Georgia’s minimum car insurance requirements.^[2]

While liability coverage is enough to drive in Georgia legally, it may not be enough coverage for you. You’ll want to consider additional auto insurance coverages, such as:

• 

  Collision coverage

  Collision coverage pays for physical damages to your car from a collision or with another vehicle or stationary object like a tree or light pole. Collision also covers damage from rollover accidents or hitting a pothole.

• 

  Comprehensive coverage

  Comprehensive coverage pays for damages to your car from non-collision events, including theft, vandalism, fire, severe weather events, falling objects, and cracked windshields.

• 

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for damages to your vehicle and injuries to you and your passengers after a collision with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance or who has insufficient coverage.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

At-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI)s are all examples of incidents that can result in higher auto insurance rates for three to five years. Because insurers consider them less risky, Athens drivers with clean driving records usually pay the cheapest rates. But that doesn’t mean drivers with incidents on their records can’t find affordable insurance.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Hugo

Speeding can cause you to lose control of your car and affects your ability to drive safely, so insurers often charge drivers with speeding tickets higher rates than drivers with clean records.

Athens drivers with speeding violations see average monthly rates of $289 for full coverage and $184 for minimum coverage. Here’s what you can expect to pay for liability auto insurance with a speeding ticket compared to a clean driving record.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Hugo

If you’re responsible for a car accident, insurance companies perceive you as a greater risk and, in turn, charge you higher premiums for several years. Buying accident forgiveness coverage before something happens can help ensure your rates don't increase following your fist at-fault accident.

An at-fault accident pushes average car insurance rates for Athens drivers to $302 per month for full coverage and $192 for liability-only insurance. The data below outlines the average cost of auto insurance if you’re in an accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Hugo

Insurers see drivers with DUIs as very risky to insure and charge them extremely high rates or refuse to provide coverage altogether. Some insurers could cancel your policy mid-term following a DUI conviction.

Athens drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average of $344 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $219 for liability. The table below highlights liability rates from other affordable insurers for Athens drivers with DUIs.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Hugo

Age-related factors — like mobility, vision, and cognitive issues — make senior drivers more likely to get into accidents than middle-aged drivers, so they usually pay more expensive premiums. Average rates typically decrease around age 25 and increase again around age 70 due to a higher risk of accidents. Seniors can still lock in affordable coverage with the right insurer, however.

Seniors in Athens pay an average of $105 per month for liability-only car insurance and $166 for full coverage. The table below shows some other cheap auto insurance companies for seniors in Athens.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: Hugo

Teen drivers have less driving experience than other age groups, making them more likely to get into accidents, so insurers charge them higher premiums to account for this increased risk. They can save on policies by staying on their parents’ insurance, completing an approved defensive driving course, or taking advantage of good student discounts. Teens younger than 18 can't legally buy their own insurance policies without written consent from a parent or guardian.

Teen drivers in Athens pay an average of $402 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $256 for liability-only policies. The table below shows some of the cheapest monthly car insurance quotes for teens with their own policies in Athens.

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Athens car insurance quotes by credit tier

Georgia allows insurance companies to consider your credit-based insurance score when determining car insurance premiums. Insurers view drivers with good to excellent credit as less risky than drivers with bad credit and charge them cheaper premiums.^[3]

The chart below highlights average rates for drivers of varying credit-based insurance scores in Athens.

Is car insurance more expensive in Athens?

Compared to the state of Georgia average of $196 per month, Athens drivers pay less for car insurance. However, they pay much more than the national average monthly cost for car insurance of $158.

More cities in Georgia

Factors such as crime rate and population density can affect your premiums. Cities with higher population densities, like Atlanta and Savannah, typically have higher rates than smaller cities, such as Albany and Woodstock. Here’s how the average cost of car insurance in Athens compares to average costs in other Georgia cities.

Athens car insurance FAQs