ATLANTA - Since January, Georgia's car insurance rates have increased 6.8 percent. According to filings with the state insurance commissioner, 18 companies increased their rates this year - both large corporations and small insurers. Twelve insurers filed for a slight decrease or no rate change at all.

The lowest average car insurance quote in Georgia has increased for three straight quarters, from $1,572 in 2007, to $1,681 in the third quarter of 2008, according to Insurance. com. That's an average increase of $109 per policy in ten months.

Georgia isn't the only state experiencing this trend. Across the country, car insurance premiums have increased 7.5 percent. Alabama was the only southeastern state to experience a rate decrease between the second and third quarters of 2008. Georgia's lowest average quote is the fifth lowest in the southeast, behind Tennessee ($1,529), North Carolina ($1,560), Virginia ($1,629) and South Carolina ($1,636).

In May 2008, Gov. Purdue signed Senate Bill 276, which took away most of the state insurance commissioner's power of "prior approval" and gave insurers the ability to compete in a captive market without justifying rate increases. As of October 1, the commissioner's prior approval authority only extends to rate filings on policies for the minimum coverage required by state law.

Prior approval requires the insurance commissioner to sign-off on an insurance company's request for a rate change before it can take effect. Under prior approval, rate increases are typically reduced or denied.

"The fact that we're seeing these increases nationwide suggests that this is an industry trend," said Allison Wall, executive director of Georgia Watch. "Changes to Georgia's regulation and review of car insurance rates went into effect this month, which could have an additional impact on rates in 2009 and moving forward."

"With the economic downturn, the credit crunch, the foreclosure crisis and record job losses in Georgia, there couldn't be a worse time to raise the cost of mandatory insurance coverage," she continued.

After receiving notice of a rate increase, Georgia consumers have a 45-day shopping period to change policies or companies before the new rates go into effect. Georgia Watch's Insurance Company Accountability Network (ICAN) provides indispensable tips, warnings and other stepby step information on how to shop smart for adequate, affordable coverage.