Homeowners insurance in Georgia protects you financially when things go sideways—like a tree crashing onto your roof during a storm or a friend taking a nasty spill at your backyard BBQ. It’s there to safeguard your home and belongings from life’s unexpected events.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about home insurance, so you can choose the right coverage to protect your Georgian digs.
What does homeowners insurance cover in Georgia?
Homeowners insurance in Georgia covers damage to your home, your stuff, and even unexpected liabilities—protecting you from things like fire or theft. Let’s take a look at the specifics.
Dwelling
‘Dwelling coverage’ helps pay for damages to the structure of your home. So if your pipes burst next winter and damage your walls, or a windstorm blows over a tree and damages your home, you’re covered.
Other Structures
If one of the dangers mentioned above causes damage to your driveway, fence, shed, or other structures on your property, your homeowners insurance can help you out.
Loss of Use
If your place becomes uninhabitable due to covered damages, your ‘loss of use’ coverage can help pay for a temporary place to stay and basic living expenses such as food, laundry, parking, etc.
Personal Property
‘Personal property’ covers your stuff both inside and outside your home. So if your couch is ruined due to a burst pipe or your laptop is swiped at a coffee shop, homeowners insurance has your back.
Liability protection
If your neighbor slips and falls on an ice sheet on your driveway, you could be held liable. If someone is injured on your property, or anyone on your policy causes damage to someone else’s property or stuff, your insurance company should have you covered.
Medical Protection
If your neighbor needs to go to the hospital because of that slip and fall, your medical payments will kick in. Home insurance covers you if a guest gets injured at your place, or if you accidentally cause injury to someone outside your home.
Why do Georgians need homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your property—and your stuff—from specific events, also known as “named perils” in insurance speak. Common perils include fire, theft, vandalism, and windstorms. Basically, if one of these events occurs and causes damage to your insured property, your policy can help cover repair costs or replace your belongings.
Georgia is no stranger to things like tornados, tropical storms, and other natural disasters that can wreak havoc on a home and your personal belongings. 2024 saw Hurricane Helene wreak havoc across the southeastern US, causing approximately $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion in damages due to wind alone.
And perils like burglary and theft may be more common in Georgia than you’d think. According to the most recent report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, there were approximately 1,305 instances of theft and 213 instances of burglary per 100,000 residents reported in Georgia in 2023. If someone breaks into your home and steals valuables like electronics, jewelry, or personal items, your insurance can help replace what was stolen.
It’s true that there’s not an insurance policy in the world that will magically kick in for every bad thing that might befall you and your property. But having great home insurance coverage in place is a necessary defense if you want to avoid crushing debt for unexpected repairs, medical bills, and the like.
Is homeowners insurance required in Georgia?
Homeowners insurance isn’t legally required in Georgia, but if you have a mortgage, your lender will probably require you to have it. It’s their way of protecting their investment in your home—making sure it’s covered against unforeseen events.
Even if homeowners insurance isn’t mandatory, it’s still a good investment. It protects your home and valuables while helping you avoid big out-of-pocket expenses if something goes wrong.
What’s the average cost of home insurance in Georgia?
According to Value Penguin*, Georgians can expect to pay an average of $1,483 a year for their homeowners insurance. That’s a pretty good deal, considering the national average is $2,151 per year.
With that said, there’s no standard homeowners insurance rate, since each quote is highly personal. The 50-year-old in a Canton mansion will pay a different monthly insurance premium than the school teacher who owns a condo in Duluth, of course. And rates will vary depending on which insurance provider you go with.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Georgia per city
| City | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $2,620 |
| Savanna | $2,740 |
| Augusta | $2,450 |
| Athens | $2,170 |
How to save on home insurance in Georgia
Good news for Georgia homeowners—Lemonade offers tons of ways to save on your premiums.
- Security devices: Adding a standard fire alarm or burglar alarm will lower your risk of damages due to fire or burglary, and lower risks means lower premiums
- Reinforce your home: If you live in an area with frequent bad weather, you may be able to save money on your premiums by adding storm shutters or adding laminated glass windows. You could also replace your heating, plumbing, and electrical systems to cut down the risk of fire and water damage
- Home features: Things like recent renovations or living in a gated community help lower your premium
- Increase your deductible: The higher you’ll pay on your deductible the lower you’ll pay on your premium and vice versa
- Bundle: Save money on your homeowners insurance by bundling multiple policies. If you’re a pet owner, why not bundle homeowners with pet insurance? You can start your quote by clicking the button below.
What are the different types of Georgia homeowners insurance?
Lemonade offers two types of homeowners insurance policies: one for single-family homes, (called HO3 in insurance-speak), and one for condos (HO6). There are minor differences between the two, and you’ll choose the right policy depending on the type of home you’re looking to insure. In a nutshell, whereas homeowners own and are responsible for everything on their property, (home, garage, fence, etc.), condo owners with HO6 policies are only responsible for the outermost walls of their unit, inward.
If you’re ready to get started and receive your fast and easy homeowners insurance quote from Lemonade, simply click the button below.
*https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-homeowners-insurance
*https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/homeowners/georgia-home-insurance
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
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