Many Georgia drivers believe uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is all the same. That if you have it, you’re automatically protected no matter what. That’s a myth. In reality, the type of UM coverage you select can dramatically change how much compensation you actually receive after a wreck. If you were hurt in a collision, speak with a Macon car accident lawyer who can review your policy and help you understand your options.
In the video below, Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Ashley Brodie explains the two types of UM coverage in Georgia and clears up the confusion. One option: “added-to” coverage can significantly expand the funds available to you after a serious accident.
Instead of just taking our word for it, let’s cut through the fine print. Below, we’ll break down Ashley’s explanation of Georgia UM coverage, trace how a change to Georgia’s law gave drivers a game-changing advantage, and spotlight a recent Court of Appeals case that shows this isn’t theory. It’s the difference between barely covering your expenses and actually being made whole.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage and Why You Need It
Even though Georgia law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, many drivers don’t comply or carry only minimal coverage. That leaves people like you vulnerable. If you’re unsure of your insurance protection, a Georgia personal injury lawyer can evaluate your policy and guide you through what coverage you actually have.
UM coverage helps when:
- The at-fault driver has no insurance.
- The at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to fully cover your losses.
- You’ve been hit in a hit-and-run, and there’s no known party you can pursue.
But in Georgia, UM coverage isn’t automatically included. You must opt in and even then, how the coverage is structured can make a dramatic difference.
Understanding Georgia’s Two Types of UM Coverage: Reduced-By vs. Added-On
In our video, attorney Ashley Brodie walks through the two UM coverage methods in Georgia. The difference between the two can change your entire financial recovery after a car accident insurance claim.
Reduced-By (Traditional) UM Coverage
- The amount you collect from your UM policy is reduced by whatever liability insurance the other driver carries.
- Example: If the at-fault driver carries $25,000 in liability coverage and you have $50,000 in reduced-by UM, your UM benefit is reduced by $25,000, leaving you with just $25,000 from your UM.
Added-On (Stacking) UM Coverage
- Your UM coverage is added on top of the other driver’s liability policy.
- Example: With the same numbers, you’d receive $25,000 from the at-fault driver plus $50,000 from your UM. A total possible recovery of $75,000.
Many drivers choose UM coverage based on price alone, thinking all policies offer the same protection. The problem is that the details only become clear after an accident, when medical bills and repair costs start adding up.
That difference may look modest on paper, but in serious injury cases that extra cushion can mean covering thousands more in medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.
Georgia’s 2009 UM Law Change: How It Gave Drivers More Options
Before 2009, motorists in Georgia were largely stuck with reduced-by UM coverage. However, in 2009, the Georgia legislature amended O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11 to require insurers to offer stacking (added-to) UM, unless the insured rejects it in writing.
When you renew or purchase an auto policy, your insurer must:
- Offer you the option of added-to (stacking) UM; and
- Let you reject it in writing if you prefer reduced-by.
Many policies now allow, or require, you to choose a more favorable coverage option. But simply having the option doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it; you must actively request or accept it and not reject it in writing.
Real-Life Case Example: Frey v. Jesperson (2023)
The fine print of your insurance policy often seems irrelevant until you’re forced to rely on it in court. In Frey v. Jesperson, 366 Ga.App. 488 (2023), the Georgia Court of Appeals had to untangle exactly how UM coverage should apply when the injured party’s recovery depended on whether the policy was “reduced-by” or “added-on.”
Here’s what happened and why your choice of coverage matters:
- Frey had two UM policies from Progressive which paid out a total of $50,000.
- Liberty Mutual’s policy offered $100,000 in UM coverage that was secondary to the Progressive policies and because Frey had selected reduced-by coverage, Liberty Mutual reduced its payment by $50,000 from the other primary UM policies, leaving only $50,000 payable.
- The Court found that the forms and letters unambiguously explained the options, and that Frey knowingly selected reduced-by coverage.
The real-life lesson:
“Reduced-by” allows other UM payments or the at-fault driver’s liability to eat into what you thought your UM policy would pay.
“Added-on” gives you a stack and your UM coverage is layered above what the at-fault driver owes you.
In a serious crash with multiple UM sources, that choice could be the difference between being fully covered or left footing a huge bill.
What This Means for Injured Georgians - Especially in Macon
If you live or drive in Macon or anywhere in Georgia, keep these points in mind:
- Don’t accept “default” UM without reviewing the details. Many drivers end up stuck with reduced-by because they never asked.
- Stacking (added-to) UM often costs relatively little extra but provides much more protection.
- In serious accidents, stacking may be the difference between getting fully compensated vs. falling short.
- Always confirm with your insurer: “Is my UM reduced-by or added-to?”
- Keep documentation. Any written rejection or acceptance regarding UM types might become critical later.
At Brodie Law Group, our Macon personal injury lawyers can evaluate whether your UM coverage was structured correctly. In a close case, that choice might be decisive and it’s part of our job to make sure you recover every dollar you deserve.
FAQs About Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Georgia
Can I change from reduced-by to added-to mid-policy year?
Yes. You can update your policy at any time. However, always review the fine print before changing coverage. The cheapest option isn’t always the safest. Be sure you understand your protection before you need it.
If the at-fault driver has a small liability policy, is added-to UM even worthwhile?
Absolutely. Even small additional limits can make a huge difference in serious injury cases, helping cover medical bills, ongoing care, or lost wages that the at-fault driver’s coverage won’t touch.
What if the insurer didn’t offer added-to UM or misled me about my UM structure?
That could be a bad-faith insurance issue. Under Georgia law, insurers can face extra liability if they failed to comply with the 2009 statute or misrepresented your coverage options. If this happens, talk to a bad-faith insurance claim lawyer right away.
Wrap-Up: Protect Yourself with the Right UM Coverage
Choosing the right uninsured motorist coverage is not a luxury, it’s a strategic financial decision.
The 2009 Georgia law gave you the right to stack (added-to) UM coverage, and recent court rulings confirm just how powerful that option can be. Don’t let a technical coverage choice limit your recovery after a wreck.
If you’ve been injured and aren’t sure what your UM policy actually covers or if your insurer misled you, don’t settle prematurely.
Reach out to the Brodie Law Group. Whether you’re in Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, or anywhere in Georgia, we can help you:
- Decode your UM policy
- Build your personal injury claim
- Pursue the full recovery you deserve
Curious whether your specific policy is “added-to” or “reduced-by”?
Contact us at (478) 239-2780 with your declarations page and we’ll review it for free and explain exactly what your policy provides.
