If you’ve been in a car accident in Georgia, you might be wondering if you can buy insurance on the same day to cover your damages. Unfortunately, that’s not how insurance works. Insurance is meant to protect you from unforeseen events, not from something that has already happened.

In this article, we explain why buying insurance after an accident isn’t a good idea, and what you can do instead to get the compensation you deserve.

Why You Need Insurance in Georgia

Georgia requires drivers to have minimum liability insurance. This means that if you cause an accident, your insurance will pay for the other party’s injuries and property damage, up to a certain limit. The minimum liability insurance in Georgia is:

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage

These are the minimum amounts required by law, but they may not be enough to cover the full extent of the damages in a serious accident. If the other party’s losses exceed your insurance limit, you could be held personally liable for the difference. This could put your assets and future income at risk. Therefore, it is advisable to have adequate insurance coverage before you get behind the wheel.

Why Buying Insurance After an Accident Won’t Help

You might think that buying insurance the same day as an accident will save you from paying out of pocket. This isn’t the case. Insurance companies have policies and procedures to prevent fraud and abuse. They will investigate the details of your accident and check the date and time of your insurance purchase. If they find out that you bought insurance after the accident, they will deny your claim and refuse to pay for your damages.

Insurance companies are not in the business of paying for something that has already happened. They are in the business of predicting and managing risk. They charge premiums based on the likelihood of an accident happening in the future, not in the past. Buying insurance after an accident is like buying a lottery ticket after the numbers have been drawn. It won’t help you win anything.

What Can You Do Instead?

If you’ve been in an accident without insurance, or with insufficient insurance, you might feel hopeless and helpless. But don’t give up. There are still options available to help you recover from your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you might be able to:

  • File a claim with the other party’s insurance company, if they were at fault.
  • File a lawsuit against the other party, if they were at fault and their insurance was not enough.
  • Seek compensation from your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it.
  • Seek compensation from other sources, such as your health insurance, personal injury protection, or medical payments coverage.

However, these options are not easy or straightforward. You will likely face challenges and obstacles from the insurance companies, the other party, and the legal system. You will need to prove who was at fault, how much your damages are worth, and why you deserve compensation. You will also need to deal with deadlines, paperwork, and negotiations.

Contact a Georgia Insurance Claim Attorney

Insurance policies can be confusing and complicated, especially when you’re dealing with an accident or a legal issue. Fortunately, our team of dedicated attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia can help. At Flanagan Law, we know what it’s like to be the underdog. That’s why we passionately advocate for you and your case. We go the extra mile, ensuring your story is heard and valued. Schedule a free consultation today.

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