Navigating Florida's Dmv Website: A Guide To Changing Your Car Insurance Details Online

If you need to change your insurance details on the DMV website in Florida, you can do so by visiting the MyDMV Portal. Here, you can update your car insurance information to remove existing penalties. Before you begin, make sure you have information relating to your identification card, driver's license, and motor vehicle records. This includes registration information, your current driver's license/ID card, primary proof of identity, and any legal presence documents. You can also update your insurance information by calling (850) 617-2000 and using the DHSMV's automated system.

Cancelling insurance and registration

If you are cancelling your insurance and registration in Florida, there are a few important steps you need to take to avoid fines and penalties.

Firstly, if you are cancelling your insurance because you no longer own the vehicle and do not plan to transfer the Florida tag to another vehicle, you must surrender the Florida tag at a driver's license office, motor vehicle service centre, or tax collector's office.

If your vehicle is inoperable or otherwise not being driven on public roadways, you must surrender the Florida tag and registration immediately upon cancelling your insurance at the aforementioned locations.

If you have moved to another state and plan to keep your Florida tag and registration on the vehicle, you must register the vehicle in your new state of residence. To maintain a Florida registration, the vehicle must be insured in Florida unless you are an active-duty military member (including a spouse or dependent) currently stationed in another state.

It is important to note that you should not cancel your Florida insurance until you have registered your vehicle in another state or surrendered all valid plates and registrations at a Florida driver's license office, motor vehicle service centre, or tax collector's office. If you plan to keep the same insurance carrier, they can change your coverage to your new state of residence when you make this registration change.

If you fail to maintain the required insurance coverage in Florida, your driver's license, registration, and license plate may be suspended for up to three years, and you may be required to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.

To avoid suspension and reinstatement fees, be sure to turn in your license plate at your nearest driver's license office, motor vehicle service centre, or tax collector's office before cancelling your insurance.

Updating insurance information

In Florida, you are required to maintain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance on every vehicle that is registered in your name, regardless of whether you drive it regularly. If you fail to do so, your driver's license, tag, and registration will be suspended.

If you do provide proof of insurance before your suspension date, you will not have to pay reinstatement fees. However, if you do not, the fees are as follows:

• 1st Offense: $150 reinstatement fee
• 2nd Offense within 3 years: $250 reinstatement fee
• All subsequent offenses: $500 reinstatement fee

To update your insurance information, you can:

• Go online and update your information on the DHSMV website.
• Mail your information in response to the "warning letter" you received from DHSMV.
• Take physical proof of insurance to a Florida driver's license office in your area.
• Call (850) 617-2000 and use DHSMV's automated system to update this information.

If you have sold your vehicle or moved out of Florida, you must surrender your Florida tags and registration immediately after you cancel the insurance for that vehicle to avoid mistakenly receiving a warning letter.

If your insurance company notifies DHSMV that you have canceled your policy and no other active policy has been reported by another company, you will receive a letter from DHSMV telling you that they need the information on your new coverage.

Surrendering plates/cancelling registration

Surrendering your license plates and cancelling your registration in Florida is a straightforward process, but there are a few important steps to keep in mind to avoid any issues with the Bureau of Financial Responsibility and the Division of Driver Licenses. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

When to Surrender Your License Plates:

• Cancelling Insurance: If you are cancelling your insurance, it is important to surrender your license plates to avoid a driver's license suspension. This is because your insurance coverage is tied to your vehicle registration.
• Selling Your Vehicle: When you sell your vehicle and do not transfer the license plate to a new vehicle, you are required to surrender the plates. Florida law requires all sellers to file a Notice of Sale.
• Moving to a New State: If you move out of Florida and register your vehicle in another state, you must surrender your Florida license plates.

How to Surrender Your License Plates:

You can surrender your Florida license plates by mail or in person:

• By Mail: Send your license plate, proof of photo identification, and a written request for cancellation and recycling to your local Tax Collector's office. Include your email address to receive a notification of receipt. If your license plate is unavailable (lost, stolen, or destroyed), complete an affidavit and mail it to the motor vehicle service center or Tax Collector's office.
• In Person: Bring your license plate, registration, and the most current decal/sticker to a motor vehicle service center or your local Tax Collector's office. They will print a new vehicle registration indicating that your license plate has been canceled, and you will receive a "Surrendered Registration" receipt.

Additional Considerations:

• Keep the "Surrendered Registration" Receipt: This receipt can exempt you from the $225 initial registration fee when you register a replacement vehicle.
• Avoid Scams: Surrendering your license plates protects you from scams, as your license plate is tied to your registration. If someone attaches your plate to their vehicle and runs tolls or red lights, or uses it in a crime, your name and address will appear on file.
• Update Your Insurance Information: Remember to update your insurance information with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to avoid any warning letters or suspensions.

Proof of insurance

The minimum insurance requirements in Florida are:

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

It is important to note that while Florida is a no-fault state, an injured party could still sue you for damages if they are extensive or go beyond what your minimum insurance requirements cover. Therefore, it is recommended to carry more coverage than the minimum requirement to protect yourself in case of a lawsuit.

Additionally, proof of insurance must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV.

If you are a new resident of Florida, you must obtain auto insurance from a valid Florida insurance agent and register your vehicle(s) within 10 days of establishing residency. You must also obtain a valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident to legally drive in the state.

Insurance reinstatement

If your insurance has been cancelled, you will receive a warning letter from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) that your insurance has lapsed and you are at risk of losing your driver's license.

If you receive such a letter, you will need to provide proof of insurance before your suspension date. If you do this, you will not have to pay reinstatement fees. If you do not, you will have to pay a fee to reinstate your license. The fees are as follows:

• First offense: $150 reinstatement fee
• Second offense within 3 years: $250 reinstatement fee
• All subsequent offenses: $500 reinstatement fee

To reinstate your license, you will need to go to a Florida DMV office and go through the reinstatement process. You will need to pay any fines and fees associated with your license suspension. The amount you pay will depend on the reason for the suspension.

You may also have to provide specific documentation to the DMV, depending on the reason for the suspension. This could include proof of insurance, proof of address, or other documents.

How to Avoid Insurance Reinstatement Fees

To avoid insurance reinstatement fees, make sure you always have valid insurance and that your insurance information is up to date with the DMV. If you switch insurance companies or change policies, your new insurance company should report this information to the DMV electronically. However, it is a good idea to check that this has been done to avoid any issues.

You can update your insurance information online through the MyDMV Portal or by calling the DMV.

If you are cancelling your insurance because you are selling your vehicle or moving out of state, make sure to surrender your license plates and registration to the DMV to avoid future warning letters and reinstatement fees.

Frequently asked questions