Your Rights After an Accident in Georgia

After a crash, insurance companies often move quickly with estimates, recommendations, and settlement discussions.

Georgia law gives vehicle owners important rights during the claim process. This page explains what insurers can and cannot do, and what you should understand before repairs begin.

You Have the Right to Choose the Repair Shop

In Georgia, you have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. Insurance companies may suggest or recommend shops, but they cannot require you to use a specific repair facility.

Choosing your own shop does not void your coverage, reduce your claim payment, or eliminate warranty protections.

Insurance Cannot Steer Your Repair Decision

Georgia law prohibits insurers from using pressure, misleading statements, or unnecessary delays to influence where your vehicle is repaired.

Claims that your repairs will take longer, be lower quality, or not be guaranteed because of your shop choice are about insurer preferences, not your legal rights.

What Insurers Are Expected to Do During the Claim

Georgia has standards that require insurers to investigate claims reasonably, communicate clearly, and avoid unfair settlement practices.

If an insurer needs more information or denies part of your claim, it should be able to explain why in clear terms.

Initial Estimates Are Often Incomplete

Initial insurance estimates are commonly written to start the claim, not to serve as a complete repair plan.

Missing procedures, inspections, and required repair steps are especially common on photo-based estimates.

Safety Systems Must Be Considered

Modern vehicles rely on cameras, sensors, radar, and advanced driver assistance systems to operate safely.

These systems can be affected by even minor collisions and do not always trigger warning lights when out of calibration. If inspection or calibration is required, it must be considered in the repair.

Need Help Reviewing a Georgia Estimate

EstiVerify reviews insurance estimates for missing repairs, underwritten procedures, and safety-related items before repairs begin.

Related topics: Georgia Total Loss | Georgia Diminished Value