Florida Auto Insurance: A Buyer's Guide (2021)

Florida’s auto insurance rate is the highest in the United States

Before you purchase car insurance, shop around to compare rates and get the best deal.

Florida has low auto insurance requirements, but it’s a good idea to pay more for broader coverage.

Florida drivers report the highest satisfaction with Allstate and GEICO, according to the J.D. Power 2020 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study

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Florida car insurance can be expensive. In fact, Florida drivers pay some of the highest premiums in the U.S. There are several reasons for this, and some of the factors used to set rates are beyond drivers’ control.

While many providers may claim to have the cheapest Florida car insurance, the fact is that there is no one cheapest option for every driver. Such providers may be good places to start your search, but rates vary depending on factors like your age, driving history, and location within the state.

To find the most affordable car insurance in Florida, you’ll need to shop around, comparing car insurance quotes from a handful of companies. We’ve researched many of the top auto insurance providers to help narrow your search. Fill out the form below to see what auto insurance providers are available in your area.

Florida Car Insurance Requirements

What About Bodily Injury Liability?

Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Florida

What Happens if I Don’t Have Car Insurance in Florida?

Why You Shouldn’t Get Just The Minimum Florida Car Insurance

Is Florida A No-Fault State?

How Much Does Florida Car Insurance Cost?

How to Find Affordable Car Insurance in Florida

Our Top Picks for Florida Auto Insurance

GEICO: Best Overall

State Farm: Best For Student Drivers

Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers

Florida Car Insurance Requirements

Florida is a no-fault state, so only two types of auto insurance coverage are required for all drivers: property damage liability and personal injury protection. Bodily injury liability coverage is optional for most drivers but required for those who have a history of traffic-related offenses. Florida drivers also have the option to purchase collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

According to state law, all drivers must maintain the following minimum required Florida auto insurance coverage:

$10,000 property damage liability

$10,000 personal injury protection

What About Bodily Injury Liability?

Bodily injury liability insurance covers the other driver if you’re at fault in an accident. Many states require drivers to have this coverage, but the state of Florida is an exception, as it is a no-fault state. This means that after an accident, each party must file medical-related claims with its own insurer, no matter who is at fault.

Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Florida

Although most Florida drivers are exempt from needing bodily injury liability insurance, the state’s Financial Responsibility Law requires drivers with a DUI or other serious infraction on their record to carry a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage per person and per accident.

If you’re a high-risk driver and cause an accident that injures another person and don’t have bodily injury liability coverage, you will have to post a bond for the required coverage amount, or you may lose your driving privileges until you are able to do so.

These are the bodily injury liability coverage requirements for drivers who have been convicted of driving under the influence.

If you were convicted on or before October 1, 2007, a minimum of $10,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $20,000 per accident is required.

For an individual convicted of a DUI after October 1, 2007, a minimum of $100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person and $300,000 per accident is required.

High-risk drivers in Florida must have bodily injury liability coverage for three years after driving privileges have been reinstated. In addition, at least $50,000 in property damage coverage is required.

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you must also file an FR-44 certificate with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) before your driver’s license can be reinstated. If you don’t, your license may be suspended and you may have to pay fees.

Drivers who had their license suspended for motor vehicle offenses not related to alcohol or drugs may be required to file an SR-22 form with the FLHSMV. The form is proof that the driver meets coverage requirements of $10,000 bodily injury liability per person and $20,000 per accident, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.

What Happens if I Don’t Have Car Insurance in Florida?

All Florida drivers are required to carry auto insurance. If you’re thinking about not buying insurance to avoid high premiums, think again. If you get pulled over and don’t have valid Florida car insurance, your driver’s license and/or registration could face the following penalties:

First offense: license suspension for up to three years with a $150 reinstatement fee

Second offense: license and registration suspension with a $250 reinstatement fee

Third offense: license and registration suspension with $500 reinstatement fee

If you don’t have car insurance and you cause an accident, you could be found liable for the other party’s bodily injuries and property damage. If this happens, your driver’s license may be suspended until you pay these bills.

Why You Shouldn’t Get Just The Minimum Florida Car Insurance

If you have a house, savings, and other investments, it would be a good idea to choose higher coverage limits and to include bodily injury liability coverage in your policy. If you cause an accident that results in serious injuries or property damage and you don’t have adequate coverage, you will

You might be able to save money by getting only the minimum Florida auto insurance required by law, but the financial risk may not be worth it. Although other types of auto insurance coverage, such as collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist, are not required, purchasing a full coverage policy is a smart move.

Florida car insurance laws require less coverage than many other states, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy more coverage.

Is Florida A No-Fault State?

As mentioned, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that all Florida drivers are required to have personal injury protection coverage that will pay their medical expenses if involved in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. If you’re involved in a car accident, your insurance company will pay for your injuries up to your coverage limit, no matter who caused the accident.

How Much Does Florida Car Insurance Cost?

Florida car insurance premiums are among the highest in the U.S. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost of auto insurance in Florida in 2017 was $1,356.90. That comes out to an average of around $113 per month, or about $30 more per month than the national average for that year.

There are several reasons why Floridians pay so much for car insurance:

Attorneys: In a large percentage of auto accident cases in Florida, attorneys are involved. That leads to higher costs for insurance companies, which are passed on to customers.

Uninsured drivers: The III found that Florida had the highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the nation – 26.7 percent in 2015. Car insurance companies pass the cost of claims associated with uninsured drivers onto drivers who do have insurance.

Higher risk: Florida has many high-risk drivers. It’s home to many senior citizens, as well as young and inexperienced drivers. In addition, tourists flock to Florida on vacation, and many of them are unfamiliar with the state’s highways and local roads. All those factors contribute to a high number of accidents and insurance claims.

Weather: Florida frequently experiences severe weather, such as heavy rain and strong winds. This creates hazardous driving conditions that cause or contribute to significant numbers of accidents. Fallen tree branches, blowing debris, and water can also damage parked vehicles. That results in a large number of expensive claims. Insurance companies pass the burden on to the state’s customers by charging high premiums.

How to Find Affordable Car Insurance in Florida

The rate factors that determine Florida car insurance costs are set by the state’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Currently, the office lets insurance companies set premiums based on:

Gender

Location

Driver age

Credit score

Marital status

Driving record

Type of vehicle

How much the vehicle is driven

Whether a vehicle is driven for business or personal use

Each insurance company makes its own decisions on how to weigh each of those factors when setting premiums. Auto insurance rates can therefore vary widely from one company to another, even for the same driver requesting a quote for the same types of coverage.

Auto insurers typically offer several types of discounts that can lower premiums. Examples are discounts for:

Safe drivers

Good students

Customers who insure multiple vehicles

Vehicles with anti-theft devices and safety features

Customers who bundle two or more policies with the same company

Since so many factors and discounts are used to set rates, it’s almost impossible to say which company offers the lowest rates in Florida or which is the best choice across the board. The only way to find the most affordable auto coverage for you is to request free Florida car insurance quotes from multiple companies. You can get started using the free quote comparison tool below.

Our Top Picks for Florida Auto Insurance

We’ve taken a thorough look at several of the top auto insurance companies in the U.S., comparing average rates, coverage options, customer service reviews, and other factors to determine which are the best providers. Here are a few options that might provide you with affordable Florida auto insurance.

GEICO: Best Overall

GEICO auto insurance is our overall top pick, earning a score of 96 percent. AM Best rated GEICO A++ in terms of financial strength, which means it has a superior ability to pay out customer claims. The company offers auto insurance coverage in all 50 states, and its policyholders can save money through several discounts. GEICO has also received high marks for customer service, technology, and online experience.

State Farm: Best For Student Drivers

Florida has a number of large colleges and universities dispersed throughout the state, and our review team found that State Farm auto insurance is often a good choice for students. State Farm offers coverage in 48 states and has several discounts for students and non-students alike. Like GEICO, it has earned an A++ AM Best financial strength rating and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau.

Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers

If being able to manage your policy, make payments, and submit claims online are important to you, Progressive auto insurance may be your best choice. We found Progressive to be the top company when it comes to customers’ online experiences. The insurer has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and offers several discounts to its customers, as well as other options to save money, such as the Name Your Price

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