Finding Affordable Auto Insurance In Florida: A Guide To Lowering Your Rates

Florida is one of the most expensive states for car insurance, with rates 42% higher than the national average. The average cost of car insurance in Florida is $249 per month for full coverage. The cheapest car insurance in Florida is offered by Geico, with an average annual rate of $1,710 for full coverage. State Farm is another good option, with an average annual rate of $1,652.

Minimum auto insurance requirements in Florida

Florida is a no-fault state, which means that each person pays for their own accident expenses, no matter who is at fault. The minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage in Florida are:

• $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) per person
• $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL) per accident

Personal injury protection covers 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 resulting from a covered injury, no matter who caused the crash. Property damage liability coverage pays for damage to another person's property caused by you or someone else driving your insured vehicle.

Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage, but it is recommended. This covers injury or death to others.

Florida drivers must also continuously maintain insurance coverage. If you cancel your insurance, you must surrender your license plate/tag before doing so.

Optional auto insurance coverages

• Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage protects you in case you are sued for an accident you caused. If you have assets that you want to protect, it is a good idea to purchase higher limits of bodily injury liability coverage.
• Property Damage Liability: This coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else's property, such as their car or a fence. While the minimum requirement is usually around $10,000, it is recommended to purchase higher limits as the cost of automobile repair and replacement can be much higher.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP is required in some states and provides coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs if you are injured in an accident. In Florida, PIP is mandatory and covers up to $10,000 per accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance. It will cover your injuries and property damage caused by the uninsured/underinsured driver.
• Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage pays for medical and funeral expenses for you, your family members, or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
• Collision Coverage: This coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision with another object or vehicle.
• Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage protects your vehicle from events other than collisions, such as fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and more. It also provides a daily allowance for transportation expenses if your car is stolen.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: This coverage pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired due to a covered accident.
• Roadside Assistance: This coverage provides services such as towing, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and more.
• Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage: This coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of custom parts or modifications you have made to your vehicle, such as a stereo or custom paint job.
• Pet Injury Coverage: This coverage pays for veterinary bills if your pet is injured in an accident while riding in your car.
• Glass Coverage: This coverage is specifically for windshield and window damage, which is common. It may be included in your comprehensive coverage or purchased as a supplement.

Penalties for driving without car insurance in Florida

Driving without car insurance in Florida is a serious offence and can lead to various penalties. Here are the potential consequences:

Fines

If you are caught driving without insurance in Florida, you may be fined up to $500 for your first offence. For subsequent offences, the fine can increase to up to $1,000. The exact amount of the fine will depend on the number of previous offences and the time frame in which they occurred.

License Suspensions

Driving without insurance can also result in the suspension of your driver's license. For the first offence, your license can be suspended until you provide proof of auto insurance and pay a reinstatement fee, which is typically $150. For a second offence within three years, the reinstatement fee increases to $250, and for a third or subsequent offence within that time frame, the fee goes up to $500.

Vehicle Registration Suspension

In addition to license suspension, your vehicle's registration can also be suspended for up to three years. This means you will not be able to legally drive your car until you provide proof of insurance and pay the required fees.

Higher Insurance Costs

If you apply for insurance after a coverage lapse, you may face higher insurance costs. Insurance companies may consider you a high-risk driver, and you may need to purchase your policy from a specialist insurer, which is often more costly than a regular policy.

Difficulty in Finding Insurers

Finding an insurer after driving without insurance can be challenging. Some insurance companies may not be willing to take on the risk of insuring a driver who has been caught driving without insurance.

SR-22 or FR-44 Requirements

If you are caught driving without insurance, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 or FR-44 form. These are certificates that prove you have the minimum required auto insurance. An FR-44 is typically required for more severe cases, such as driving uninsured while under the influence.

Accident Consequences

If you are involved in an accident while driving without insurance, the consequences can be significant. If you are at fault and the other driver is injured or their car is damaged, you can be held personally liable for the entire cost of damages. You may also lose your driving privileges until you have paid off the full cost.

Imprisonment

In certain circumstances, driving without insurance can even lead to imprisonment. Repeat offenders or those involved in accidents while uninsured may face jail time.

Discounts to lower your auto insurance rate

There are several ways to lower your auto insurance rate through discounts. Here are some of the most common methods:

• Good driving record: One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance costs down is to have and maintain a good driving record. Safe drivers always save with insurance companies. Avoid speeding, getting into accidents, and other driving incidents to prove you're a less risky driver.
• Higher deductibles: You can often opt to increase your car insurance deductible, which means you pay more out of pocket if you have a claim but pay less for your policy. There are typically deductibles on auto collision coverage, auto comprehensive coverage, UM/UIM coverage, and PIP.
• Lower coverage: Nearly every state requires a minimum amount of car insurance, but your coverage might include more than what's required. If that's the case, consider lowering your liability insurance limits to reduce your premium. You can also drop optional coverages like comprehensive and collision, as long as you don't have a car lease or loan that requires them.
• Multiple policies: Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or more types of insurance. You may also get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company.
• Good credit score: In some states, a credit check may be part of your risk assessment by insurance companies. Sometimes, people with higher credit scores get lower insurance rates because it correlates to making responsible decisions when driving.
• Low mileage: Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower-than-average number of miles per year.
• Group insurance: Some companies offer reductions to drivers who get insurance through a group plan from their employers, professional, business and alumni groups, or other associations.
• Defensive driving course: Some insurers offer a defensive driving discount, and some states even require insurers to offer one. In some states, you can qualify for this discount by taking a four-hour defensive driving course.
• Student driver insurance: If there is a young driver on the policy who is a good student, has taken a driver's education course, or is away at college without a car, you may also qualify for a lower rate.

How to get the cheapest car insurance rates in Florida

Florida is one of the most expensive states for car insurance, with rates 42% higher than the national average for full coverage and 85% higher for minimum-liability insurance. However, there are several ways to get the cheapest car insurance rates in the state.

Compare Quotes from Multiple Providers

The best way to find the cheapest car insurance in Florida is to compare quotes from multiple providers. Rates can vary widely depending on factors such as age, driving history, and credit score, so it's important to shop around to find the best deal.

Consider a Higher Deductible

One way to lower your car insurance premium is to choose a higher deductible. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Just make sure you have enough money saved up to cover the higher deductible in case of an accident.

Drop Unnecessary Coverage

If you're looking to save money on your car insurance, consider dropping optional coverage types that you don't need. For example, if you have an older car, you may not need comprehensive and collision insurance, which cover repairs for damage to your vehicle.

Improve Your Credit Score

In Florida, car insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score to price policies. Maintaining a good credit score can help you get a better rate.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Many car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that can lower your premium. For example, you may be eligible for a good driver discount, a student discount, or a discount for bundling your car insurance with another type of insurance, such as homeowners or renters insurance.

Choose the Right Coverage for Your Needs

Florida's minimum car insurance requirements are $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability. However, this may not be enough coverage if you're in a serious accident. Consider purchasing higher coverage limits or additional types of insurance, such as bodily injury liability, if you can afford it.

Frequently asked questions