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Throughout the country, the number of uninsured and underinsured drivers is increasing dramatically thanks to a bad economy, lots of lost jobs, and budgets being stretched much too far. While your heart may go out to those drivers who've had to choose between insurance and food for their families or their mortgage bills, you might change your tune when you are hit by that person in a wreck. The good news is changes in auto insurance laws have added options that might help you protect yourself from such a devastating event.

The Changes in Law

Back in 2008, the Georgia state representatives passed a change in current auto insurance laws in the state. The change was heavily supported by consumer groups because it provides valuable, additional coverage for them without adding large amounts of fees to their existing auto insurance premiums.

What was this change? Now Georgia drivers can add uninsured and underinsured motorist to their coverage that stacks upon the other driver's coverage.

How the Change Affects Drivers

The best way to understand the benefits of this change in laws is by looking at an example. Assume that Driver A and Driver B are involved in an accident. Driver B is considered the driver at fault so, under the tort system used in Georgia, is financially responsible for the property and medical damages incurred by Driver A.

But what if Driver B doesn't have adequate coverage? If the property damage incurred by Driver A equals $10,000 but Driver B only has $5,000 in PDL (Property Damage Liability) coverage, the end result is that Driver A is going to be out a lot of money for those damages. Driver A could sue Drive B but after winning the case she/he may still never see a dime of the winnings.

Under the new law, however, if Driver A had purchased this new type of coverage then he or she could combine it with the insurance Driver B did have so she/he could get the damages to the vehicle paid for without going to court and without having to spend anything out-of-pocket. This is a huge benefit for drivers, particularly now that so many people are letting their insurance lapse out of necessity.

Finding Coverage

Of course, no one is required to add this coverage to their auto insurance. Instead, all Georgia drivers only need the following mandatory insurance: $25,000 per person for bodily injury; $50,000 per wreck for bodily injury; and $25,000 per wreck for property damage.

But you do have the option of adding the new and improved uninsured motorist coverage, as well as other types of policies, such as collision and comprehensive. However, if you just want the basic options and you want to keep your premiums low then you should go online to an insurance network where you can request multiple quotes and can compare them in the convenience and comfort of your own home. Find the best deal for your needs and get a great deal on the coverage you need so you won't be one of those uninsured drivers.