Augusta is perhaps best known as being the home of the Masters Golf Tournament. But despite being a sporting Mecca, the people who live there still need regular services, including car insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance In Augusta, GA, cost?
The price of the average Augusta, GA, insurance policy is $1,517 in 2022, which is lower than both the state average for Georgia at $1,609, and the national average, at $1,548.
The price of your actual premium, however, will depend on the risk that insurance companies’ believe you pose. It could be higher or lower than that Augusta average.
How Much Do Augusta Insurance Companies Charge?
The insurance market in Augusta is not perfect. In fact, there is significant discrepancy in the rates that different companies charge. Therefore, the best way to save on car insurance is to compare the market and find the cheapest price.
To see just how much auto insurance varies by company, check out the following table:
Average annual car insurance premium by insurer
| Insurer | Average annual rate |
| Progressive | $1,753 |
| GEICO | $1,490 |
| State Farm | $1,432 |
| USAA | $1,239 |
| Georgia Farm Bureau | $1,113 |
There is a $640 difference between the highest average premium from Progressive, and the lowest, from the Georgia Farm Bureau. Remember, insurance rates change all the time, and companies may adjust their calculations, so you should not interpret this table as being indicative of general brand affordability. Also, note that many other insurers offer policies in Augusta, GA, so you do not need to buy cover from any of the companies on this list to get a great deal.
How Much Does The Cost Of Augusta Car Insurance Vary By Age?
As you might expect, the cost of Augusta car insurance varies considerably by age, as it does in the rest of the country. Those who are in their fifties pay an average of $1,329 per year, while teenagers must fork out a whopping $6,136.
Fortunately, once you stop being a teenager and get into your twenties, the cost of insurance falls dramatically. Premiums more than half to just $2,105 per annum.
Note, though, that this is an average figure for those between the ages of 20 and 29. Some insurers still charge high rates for those in their early twenties.
Average annual car insurance premium by age
| Age category | Average annual premium |
| 16 -19 | $6,136 |
| 20 – 29 | $2,105 |
| 30 – 39 | $1,503 |
| 40 – 49 | $1,495 |
| 50 – 59 | $1,329 |
| 60 – 69 | $1,371 |
| 70 + | $1,714 |
Insurance rates rise for those over the age of seventy because they are more likely to be involved in accidents. However, the increase in the premium is minimal compared to the cost of insuring a vehicle for a young driver.
How Much Does Driving History Affect Insurance Premiums In Augusta?
Driving history can have a significant impact on the car insurance rates that people pay in Augusta. If you have tickets, citations or accidents on your record, it can bump up your premiums significantly. How much they rise depends on the risk that your insurer believes that you pose.
Augusta car insurance rates by driver history
| Citation/History | Average annual premium |
| Speeding ticket (16-20 mph over limit) | $1,909 |
| At-fault accident with damages < $1,000 | $2,112 |
| Reckless driving | $2,300 |
| At-fault accident with damages > $2,000 | $2,352 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,664 |
Insurers may raise your premiums slightly for a minor speeding violation, 15 mph or less above the limit. However, if you go 16 to 20 mph faster than allowed and get caught, you’ll have to fork out $392 more per year in insurance. The most expensive traffic violations are DUIs which carry a premium of $1,146 per year on top of your regular bills.
The message is this: if you want to keep your insurance premiums low, avoid any incidents on your driving record. Insurers will treat these as a sign that you are a risky or dangerous driver and use it as rationale to ask for more money.
How Does Credit Tier Affect Auto Insurance Rates In Augusta?
In most states, credit score is not a major determinant of auto insurance rates. In fact, some states, such as California, Massachusetts and Michigan, insurers are either limited or prohibited from using it in premium calculations. However, in Augusta, Georgia, it makes a significant difference in the price that drivers pay.
Credit score affects auto insurance rates because they help insurers learn more about drivers. Those with good credit scores are much more likely to pay their monthly premiums on time, increasing the chance that the insurer will receive more in premiums than they give out in cover.
FICO categorizes credit scores as either “exceptional” (800 – 850), “very good” (740 – 799), “good” (670 – 739), “fair” (580 to 669) and “poor” (300 – 579) depending on your credit history. The higher drivers are on the schedule, the lower the premiums they pay.
Augusta car insurance premiums by credit rating
| Credit tier | Average annual premium |
| Very poor | $2,654 |
| Fair | $1,728 |
| Good | $1,517 |
| Very good | $1,429 |
| Exceptional | $1,306 |
As you can see, the benefits of improving your score from “very poor” to “good” are significant. You could save an estimated $1,137 per year if you make this switch.
Improving your credit score above “good” may provide additional benefits, but not as great as before. Drivers that improve to “very good” can reduce their premiums by an average of $88, while those with exceptional credit ratings could cut costs by an additional $123 per annum.
How Does Gender And Marital Status Affect Car Insurance Premiums?
Your gender and marital status can have a small impact on the insurance premiums that you pay, but not a great deal.
Augusta car insurance premiums by gender and marital status
| Credit tier | Average annual premium |
| Married | $1,343 |
| Divorced | $1,517 |
| Single | $1,343 |
| Male | $1,517 |
| Female | $1,521 |
You may be able to get a lower premium on your insurance if you are married and you avoid divorce. There is no significant difference between male and female driver insurance premiums.
How Does Postal Code Affect Augusta Minimum Premiums?
Where you live also plays a role in determining how much insurance you should pay. Unfortunately, in Augusta, the risks to vehicles are higher than they are in many other cities in the U.S. For instance, Augusta is 55th out of the 300 most populous cities in America for car accident fatalities and 89th for car thefts. It is also high in terms of annual rainfall and rainy days, ranking 56th and 129th respectively. These risk factors mean that no matter how good your credit rating is, you are likely to pay slightly more, on average, for insurance in Augusta than in other populated areas.
If you live in ZIP code 30907, your minimum insurance premium is $1,173 per year. Those living in 30909 will pay a minimum of $1,197 and those in 30906 will pay $1,231. Areas with higher insurance premiums tend to have greater crime and auto thefts.
What Are The Best Car Insurance Companies In Augusta?
When choosing cover for your vehicle, it is important to find an insurer with the ability to pay out, should you need to make a claim. The vast majority of insurers operating in Augusta, GA, have good financial security, maintaining large cash balances to cover cash payouts. However, as you might expect, there are differences between them.
In some cases, it might not be prudent to choose the insurer offering the lowest-priced premiums. While you will spend less each month on car insurance, you may not get the cover or the service you desire, should you need to make a claim.
Independent insurance review sites regularly rate insurance companies in Augusta. The goal is to provide drivers with the information they need to decide on which company they should choose.
Here’s a rundown of the top car insurance companies you should consider:
#1: USAA
- Affordability: 4/5
- Claims rating: 5/5
- User satisfaction: 4/5
- Financial stability: A++
USAA is one of the United State’s leading group of financial companies, offering banking and investing in addition to insurance products. The provider primarily serves veterans and active military personnel.
#2: Auto-Owners Insurance Co
- Affordability: 4/5
- Claims rating: 3/5
- User satisfaction: 4/5
- Financial stability: A++
Auto-Owners Insurance Group is a mutual company offering life, car, home and business insurance. In 2020, it’s revenue was $8.8 billion, giving it deep pockets to honor claims made. Net income for 2020 was $832 million, a healthy profit providing financial stability.
#3: ALFA
- Affordability: 4/5
- Claims rating: 4/5
- User satisfaction: 4/5
- Financial stability: A
ALFA is not as financially stable as the two big names discussed above, but it makes up for that with quality of service. Users rate it as good in every department, including affordability and user satisfaction.
#4: GEICO
- Affordability: 3/5
- Claims rating: 3/5
- User satisfaction: 3/5
- Financial stability: A++
GEICO, also known as The Government Employees Insurance Company, is a private U.S. insurer based in Maryland. It is currently the second largest car insurer in the country, after State Farm. While it offers tremendous financial stability, other aspects of its service are satisfactory at best.
#5: State Farm
- Affordability: 3/5
- Claims rating: 3/5
- User satisfaction: 4/5
- Financial stability: A
State Farm is a conglomerate of mutual companies based in Bloomington, Illinois. The company’s high user satisfaction rating explains why it is so popular. However, it does not always offer the lower premiums, and there are some minor questions concerning its financial stability.
How To Manage Your Driving License In Augusta, GA
Augusta allows drivers to use online services, including the DDS 2 GO mobile app to manage their driver’s license. In Georgia, residents must renew auto tags in the 30 days before their date of birth. Regular residents can do tagging at either their County Tag Office or online. Non-residents and members of the military stationed at Fort Gordon need to attend offices in person.
How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance In Augusta, GA
The best way to get the cheapest car insurance in Augusta, GA, is to compare prices on a price comparison site. These sites typically display lower rates than would be available on the insurer’s own site.
However, paying as little as possible isn’t always the best policy. As discussed above, insurers vary dramatically in the type of service they provide.
If customer service is important to you, you may wish to pay more. Insurers with higher premiums are able to offer customers better phone support and fast-track claims when they call. They can also provide additional services, such as courtesy cars in the event of an accident, and even additional cover that insures against the need to pay an excess.
Companies also vary considerably according to their claims processes. Many attempt to reduce the amount of money they pay out by quoting terms and conditions that disqualify you. Before you take out any policy, you should check these terms carefully to make sure that you don’t fall foul of them when the time finally comes to make a claim.
All together
Overall, Augusta is a slightly cheaper location to insure your car from the national average, and Georgia as a whole. However, how much you pay depends substantially on your risk profile, with young drivers, and those with poor credit ratings and driving histories, paying the highest premiums.
The best way to reduce car insurance costs in Augusta, GA, is simply to get older. Failing that, you may want to find ways to improve your credit score.
In many cases, you can get a better deal when you come to renew by switching your insurer. There is no need to remain with your current provider long-term if their terms are unacceptable.