Car Accident in Georgia: What to Do If It Happens
Got into an accident in Georgia? Here's exactly what to do: who to call first, how to reach police, what to photograph, and why leaving the scene kills your insurance.
Getting into an accident in a foreign country is stressful enough without having to figure out the rules on the spot. If you're involved in a car accident in Georgia, follow a clear sequence: call your rental company first, then dial 112 for police. Do not leave the scene under any circumstances — it voids your insurance and carries serious legal consequences.
The First 60 Seconds
Stop the car, turn on your hazard lights, and place the warning triangle from the trunk behind the vehicle. Only get out if it's safe to do so. Check whether anyone is injured.
Then follow this order exactly:
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Call your rental company. This is the mandatory first step when driving a rental car. They'll confirm your insurance coverage, advise you on next steps, and arrange assistance or a replacement vehicle if needed. The number is in your rental agreement.
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Call police on 112. Works without a SIM card. In Tbilisi, patrol units typically arrive within 10–30 minutes. Outside the city it can take significantly longer — occasionally several hours.
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Don't move the car until police arrive and give permission. Moving the vehicle without authorisation is a separate offence under Georgian law. The only exception: if the car is blocking traffic and creating a safety hazard — in that case, film everything first to document the original positions.
What to Photograph While You Wait
Good documentation is your best protection. Before police arrive, shoot:
- Wide shots: both vehicles in relation to lane markings, road signs, and the intersection
- Damage close-ups: every scratch, dent, or broken glass on both cars
- License plates of all vehicles involved
- Nearby road signs and traffic lights, especially if they're relevant to what happened
- The other driver's documents — only with their consent. If they refuse, write down their name, licence number, insurance company, and policy number manually
Shoot from multiple angles and check for focus. A slow panning video is also worth doing.
Why You Cannot Leave the Scene
This is the most expensive mistake you can make.
If you leave the scene of an accident:
- Your insurance is automatically void — all repair costs come out of your pocket
- The rental company has the right to bill you the full cost of repairs
- Police treat it as a separate offence, carrying a fine of 250 GEL (around $90) on top of everything else
Stay even if you're clearly not at fault. Stay even if the damage looks minor. Trying to "sort it out later" doesn't work in Georgia — road cameras cover most of the country, unpaid fines have no statute of limitations, and outstanding violations can block you from re-entering the country on your next visit.
Dealing with Police and the Report
Georgian traffic police are generally professional and straightforward. Never offer a bribe — it's a criminal offence regardless of the amount.
The officer will assess the situation, file a report, and issue a fine of 250 GEL to the at-fault driver. If fault can't be determined or both drivers are considered responsible, both get fined. In practice this happens frequently, even when the situation seems clear-cut.
Fines cannot be paid on the spot — payment goes through any Georgian bank within 30 days. On day 31 the amount doubles; by day 61 it reaches 1,000 GEL. Unpaid fines don't expire and will surface at the border on your next visit.
Make sure you leave with a copy of the accident report. Without it, no insurance claim is possible — neither against the other driver's liability policy nor through the rental company's own coverage.
If you disagree with the officer's assessment, say so calmly and ask for your objection to be noted in the report. Don't argue aggressively — it won't help.
Three Real Scenarios — and How They Play Out
Someone hit your parked car and drove off
You come back to find a dent and no one around. Call your rental company first, then call 112. Without an official report, there's no way to prove the damage wasn't caused by you. Police will document the incident with an unknown at-fault party, and that report protects you from liability when you return the car. Don't try to quietly hand the car back — any damage gets logged on return.
You caused the accident
Unpleasant, but manageable. Stop, call the rental company, dial 112, wait for police. You'll receive a 250 GEL fine and a report — after that, the rental company's insurance handles the damage claim. The key is not to try to settle things informally: verbal agreements have no legal standing.
The other driver is at fault and has no insurance
This happens. Third-party insurance has been mandatory in Georgia since 2018, but not everyone complies. Either way, insist on going through police — the report is your only legal basis for any claim. If your rental car has solid coverage, the rental company's insurer covers the damage — provided you have the police report.
Minor Damage: Do You Still Need Police?
Technically yes — any accident involving damage requires a police report under Georgian law. When you're driving a rental car, going without documentation is especially risky. Insurance only applies when there's an official report. Without one, any damage falls on you regardless of who caused it. When in doubt, call your rental company first and describe the situation — they'll tell you the right move.
The Short Version
A car accident in Georgia is manageable if you follow the sequence: rental company → 112 → stay at the scene → document everything → get the report. The one thing you cannot do is leave — that turns a fixable situation into a serious financial and legal problem. Everything else is procedural and straightforward.
Questions before or during your trip? MY.DRIVE support is available at mydrive.club/en/support.
