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

• Auto insurance rates in Florida are among the highest in the United States.
• Before purchasing auto insurance, do a price search to compare prices and get the best deal.
• Florida has low auto insurance requirements, but paying more for broader coverage is recommended.
• According to JD Power 2020 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study ^SM , Florida drivers are most satisfied with Allstate and GEICO services.

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

While many providers may claim to have the cheapest car insurance in Florida, the fact remains that there is no single cheapest option for every driver. These providers can be good places to start looking, 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 need to shop around by comparing car insurance rates from multiple companies. We have researched many of the leading car insurance companies in order to narrow down your search. Fill out the form below to find out which auto insurance providers are available in your area.

Auto Insurance Requirements in Florida

There is no fault in Florida, so only two types of auto insurance are required for all drivers: Property Damage Liability and Personal Injury Protection. Personal injury liability insurance is optional for most drivers, but required for those with a history of traffic-related offenses. Florida drivers also have the option to purchase Collision, Full, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist insurance.

All drivers are required by state law to have the following minimum mandatory insurance coverage for Florida vehicles:

• $10,000 Property Damage Liability
• Injury protection for $ 10,000

What about personal injury liability?

Personal injury liability insurance covers the other driver if you are at fault in an accident. Many states require drivers to have this coverage, but Florida is an exception as it is an error-free state. This means that after an accident, each party must file medical claims with their insurance company, regardless of who is at fault.

Requirements for high-risk drivers in Florida

While most Florida drivers are exempt from the requirement for personal injury liability insurance, the State Financial Liability Law requires drivers with a DUI or other serious violation on their record to carry a minimum amount of personal injury liability insurance per person and per accident.

If you are a high-risk driver who causes an accident that injures another person and you do not have bodily injury coverage, you will have to post a deposit for the required amount of insurance coverage or you may lose your driver's license until able to do it.

These are the personal injury liability insurance requirements for drivers caught 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 for an accident is required.
• A person convicted of a DUI after October 1, 2007 requires personal injury liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 for accidental damage.

High-risk drivers in Florida must have personal injury liability insurance for three years after their driver's license is reinstated. In addition, a minimum of $50,000 in property damages is required.

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

Drivers whose license has been suspended for motor vehicle offenses not related to alcohol or drugs may be required to file Form SR-22 with the FLHSMV. The form is proof that the driver meets the $10,000 per person and $20,000 personal injury liability insurance requirements and $10,000 property damage coverage.

What happens if I don't have car insurance in Florida?

All Florida drivers are required to have auto insurance. If you're thinking about not buying insurance to avoid high premiums, think again. If you get pulled over and do not have valid Florida car insurance, your driver's license and/or registration may be subject to the following fines:

• First Violation: License suspension for up to three years with a $150 reinstatement penalty.
• Second Violation: Suspension of license and registration with payment of a $250 reinstatement fee.
• Third Violation: Suspension of license and registration with payment of a $500 reinstatement fee.

If you do not have car insurance and cause an accident, you may be held liable for bodily injury and property damage to the other party. In this case, your driver's license may be suspended until you pay these bills.

Why You Shouldn't Get Only Minimum Florida Car Insurance

If you have a home, savings, and other investments, it would be a good idea to opt for higher insurance coverage limits and include personal injury liability insurance in your policy. If you cause an accident that results in serious injury or property damage and you do not have proper insurance, you will be responsible for paying bills. If you cannot pay, the other party involved in the accident could sue you, endangering your property and your family's financial security.

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

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

Florida - a state without guilt?

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

How much does auto insurance cost in Florida?

Auto insurance fees in Florida are among the highest in the US. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost of auto insurance in Florida in 2017 was $1,356.90. This averages out to about $113 per month, about $30 more than the national average for that year.

There are several reasons why Florida residents pay so much for auto insurance:

• Lawyers . In most auto accident cases in Florida, lawyers are involved. This leads to an increase in the costs of insurance companies, which are passed on to customers.
• Uninsured drivers . Study III found that Florida had the highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the nation at 26.7% in 2015. Auto insurance companies pass on the cost of uninsured driver claims to drivers who have insurance.
• Increased Risk . There are many high risk factors in Florida. It is home to many older people as well as young and inexperienced drivers. In addition, tourists come to Florida on vacation, and many of them are not familiar with state highways and local roads. All these factors contribute to a large number of accidents and insured events.
• Weather . Florida often experiences severe weather, such as heavy rain and high winds. This creates dangerous driving conditions that cause or contribute to a significant number of accidents. Fallen tree branches, flying debris, and water can also damage parked vehicles. This leads to a lot of costly claims. Insurance companies shift the burden onto government customers by charging high insurance premiums.

How to Find Affordable Car Insurance in Florida

The rate factors that determine the cost of auto insurance in Florida are set by the state's Insurance Regulatory Authority. The office currently allows insurance companies to set premiums based on:

• Floor
• Location
• Driver age
• Credit rating
• Family status
• driving record
• Vehicle type
• How far has the car traveled
• Whether the vehicle is used for business or personal use

Each insurance company makes its own decisions about how to weigh each of these factors when setting premiums. Therefore auto insurance rates can vary greatly from one company to another, even for the same driver requesting a quote for the same types of coverage.

Auto insurers usually offer several types of discounts that can lower insurance premiums. Examples of discounts for:

• Safe drivers
• good students
• Clients insuring multiple vehicles
• Vehicles with anti-theft and security features
• Clients who combine two or more policies with the same company

With so many factors and discounts used to determine rates, it's almost impossible to tell which company offers the lowest rates in Florida or which one is the best choice across the board. The only way to find the most affordable auto insurance for you is to request free auto insurance quotes in Florida from several companies. You can start using the free price comparison tool below.

Our Best Auto Insurance Deals in Florida

We took a close look at several of the top auto insurance companies in the US, comparing average rates, coverage options, customer service reviews, and other factors to determine which are the best. Here are a few options that can provide you with affordable car insurance in Florida.

GEICO: Best Overall

GEICO auto insurance is our top choice, with a score of 96 percent. AM has received the best GEICO A++ rating in terms of financial strength, which means it has an excellent ability to pay customer claims. The company offers auto insurance in all 50 states, and its insurers can save money with several discounts. GEICO also received high marks for customer service, technology, and network experience.

State Farm: Best for Student Drivers

Florida has several major colleges and universities scattered 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 undergraduate and graduate students. Like GEICO, it received an A++ AM Best and A+ financial strength rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Progressive: Best option for high-risk drivers

If being able to manage your policy, make payments, and file claims online is important to you, progressive auto insurance may be your best bet. We have found that Progressive is the leading company when it comes to customer interactions online. The insurer has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and offers several discounts to its customers, as well as other savings options such as the Name Your Price tool. ^® and Snapshot ^{® < / sup> mobile application.}