Car Insurance in Florida
Shown here is the most recent available data regarding Florida auto insurance. Scan this page to learn about minimums, premiums, state laws, and how to choose the Florida car insurance plan that works best for you.
Florida Minimum Liability Coverage
Currently, Florida has the lowest car insurance requirements of any U.S. state. The minimum required amount of car insurance coverage for each vehicle owned in the state of Florida is 10/20/10. This means that Florida drivers must purchase at least $10,000 in coverage for personal (bodily) injury, $20,000 in coverage for injuries to others, and $10,000 coverage to pay for property damage. However, most state-imposed car insurance minimums are insufficient to pay for the actual cost of an accident.
Statistical researchers at the Insurance Information Institute actually recommend 100/300 coverage for drivers throughout the nation. That’s $100,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $300,000 in per-accident coverage. Experts also recommend Comprehensive insurance for Florida drivers, due to the state’s stormy, tropical climate. In Florida, the deductible on Comprehensive coverage does not apply to windshield damage.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Florida
Getting caught driving a car without insurance in the state of Florida is punishable by fines, license suspension and, in extreme cases, jail time. Subsequent offenses lead to stiffer penalties. As an added headache, drivers reinstating their licenses are hit with hefty fees.
Auto Insurance Rates in Florida
When insurance agents calculate car insurance premiums, they consider factors like climate, economy, percentage of uninsured drivers, abundance of insurance carriers and population density, for instance. Other factors affecting yearly premiums include the age, gender, marital status and driving habits of the vehicle’s owner, among other things.
According to statistical reports from insurance experts, the average annual auto insurance premium for drivers in the state of Florida was $1,654 in 2016. This is quite a bit higher than the national average annual car insurance premium, which was about $1,347 at that time. One reason is that large-scale fraud has sent rates skyrocketing, especially around Miami and Tampa. Also, Florida, ranks among the states with the most uninsured motorists, according to the Insurance Research Council. Finally, the fact that Florida is a “no fault” state contributes to higher premiums on car insurance.
Low Cost Car Insurance Programs in Florida
A Florida driver can save a lot on car insurance by taking advantage of various discount programs offered by insurance carriers. Among the many available driver discounts are safe driver discounts, good student discounts and multiple auto discounts, as well as price reductions for using anti theft devices, attending courses in accident prevention, or purchasing several policies. Ask every agent you speak with about your eligibility for available discounts on Florida car insurance. Then run your own cost comparison.
Obtaining Auto Insurance Quotes in Florida
Among the nation’s most highly regarded carriers of auto insurance are Geico, Allstate, Auto Owners Insurance, The Hartford, Encompass, State Farm and 21st Century. Still, a number of Florida drivers opt for coverage from smaller, regional carriers. Either way, Florida is home to many dozen auto insurance companies offering a full range of services and discounts at highly competitive rates. No matter which company you end up choosing to insure your most prized possession, remember to compare quotes first.