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Florida Car Insurance Guide

Discover auto insurance requirements, the best companies, and how to get the lowest rates in Florida.

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Florida, known for its sunshine and beautiful beaches, is the third-biggest state in the country by population. There are 13,898,347 motorists in the state. That’s a lot of drivers! Many of them live in large population centers like Jacksonville and Miami. This also means your car insurance rates could see a rise. This state is also a hub for natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which can impact your comprehensive coverage rates.

Like any other state, Florida has many unique laws and policies. This page will break down how auto insurance works in the Sunshine State. You’ll learn about how much, on average, you can expect to pay for a policy in the state. We’ll also thoroughly define each law and policy every driver should know.

Florida Average Auto Insurance Rates

When shopping for a new policy, it’s a good idea to look at how the cost of premiums in your state compare to the rest of the country. It can help you find out how much you can expect to pay. Note: your state’s average rates don’t mean you’ll pay that much. Even so, the location of your home is a rate factor. How much you end up paying depends on many other factors, too, such as:

  • Age
  • Driving record
  • Credit score
  • The car you drive
  • Your zip code

Florida’s average auto insurance rates appear to be significantly higher than the rest of the country. The table below shows that three out of the four major coverages tend to cost more here than the national mean.

CoverageFlorida AverageUS Average
Liability$997.20$650.35
Collision$355.69$381.43
Comprehensive$153.00$171.87
Full Coverage$1,414.17$1,070.47
Price Per Month$117.85$89.20
Note: cost totals are for one year of coverage. All data is from the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Average Full Coverage Rates

The graph below shows the change in average Florida full coverage prices from 2012 to 2019. You can see that Floridians pay more for auto insurance than most Americans. Premiums here also rose from $1,127 in 2012 to $1,414 in 2019. This was an increase of $287, or 25%.

Florida Average Full Coverage Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Liability Rates

In this next graph, you can see that Florida’s average yearly liability insurance rates have been increasing from 2012 to 2019. Liability costs here climbed from about $820 in 2012 to around $1,000 in 2019.  It’s also clear that each year, prices were higher than the US mean. This may be because of the large number of crashes each year. Per the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 401,867 crashes in 2019.

Florida Average Liability Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Collision Rates

Below is a graph displaying how Florida’s average collision insurance rates. Fortunately, this coverage costs less here than most of the US. Despite this, collision prices have been steadily increasing in price since 2012. They went from about $240 per year in 2012 to around $310 per year in 2019.

Florida Average Collision Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Comprehensive Rates

The graph below shows Florida’s average comprehensive insurance rates. Again, prices for this coverage are lower than the national mean. This is surprising, considering the perpetual struggle with hurricanes and floods. While the state’s comprehensive costs are relatively inexpensive, they’ve been steadily increasing each year, rising from around $110 to about $150 from 2012 to 2019.

Florida Average Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Every state, outside of New Hampshire and Virginia, requires auto coverage to drive. But not all states require you to have the same amount. State requirements tell you which coverages to buy and how much of each one, at minimum, you need to carry.

Property Damage Liability (PDL) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PDL and PIP are insurance requirements to drive and register a car in the state of Florida. PDL covers damages and injuries to the other driver if you were to cause an accident. Meanwhile, PIP would cover any injuries that you sustain in an accident.

Florida requires PIP minimum limits of at least:

  • $10,000 of PDL
  • $10,000 of PIP

You’ll need even more coverage if you want to register your car as a taxi. Vehicles that you register as a taxi must carry additional coverage of:

  • $125,000 per person bodily injury liability (BIL)
  • $250,000 per occurrence bodily injury liability (BIL)
  • $50,000 property damage liability (PDL)

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM and UIM)

Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) protect you if someone who doesn’t have or has too little coverage causes an accident. Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry UM and UIM. But you may still want to add it. In 2019, about 20.4% of Sunshine State drivers were not covered by a policy, per the III. If you don’t have insurance and the other party has none, you could end up paying for costs out of pocket.

Self-Insurance

Florida drivers may self-insure vehicles. To do so, you’ll need at least a $40,000 net worth. You’ll also need to maintain the minimum net worth for as long as you are self-insuring your car. If you meet these requirements, you may obtain a self-insurance certificate from the FLHSMV.

Keep in mind that, as of July 2013, drivers can’t use a surety bond to get a certificate. You’ll need to fulfill the $40,000 net worth requirement to obtain one.

Proof of Insurance

You must always have an ID card proving coverage and registration in your car. Florida law allows an image of your ID card on a phone or other electronic device. You’ll need to show valid proof of insurance when you register a vehicle. It should show that you carry the minimum amount of PDL and PIP on your policy at the time of registration.

Penalty for Failing to Maintain Coverage

Florida state law requires that you maintain coverage throughout your vehicle’s registration period. If you’re caught driving without coverage, you could lose your driving privileges and have your license plate suspended for up to three years. Should this happen, you’ll also need to pay a $500 reinstatement fee before you can drive again.

If you decide not to insure a car for any reason, make sure you turn in your plates before canceling your policy. This will help you avoid suspension and reinstatement fees.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Florida

When you’re shopping for a new policy, you’ll want to find the best provider. The best insurance companies offer great value and lots of benefits (such as discounts and loyalty programs) that you can take advantage of. It’s always a smart choice to do some research before you choose an auto insurer. This includes comparing rates and the overall quality of each company.

Top Companies by Market Share

One of the ways that you can find the top insurance companies is by looking at who has the most market share. This can help you find the biggest and most popular companies in Florida. However, the biggest company isn’t always the best for your needs. Your next insurer could be a big company, but it could also be a smaller hidden gem.

Below is a table that shows the top car insurance providers in Florida by their amount of written premiums and percentage of market share:

RankCompanyDirect Premiums WrittenMarket Share
1GEICO$5,160,72625.2%
2Progressive$3,749,32918.3%
3State Farm$3,014,788  14.7%
4Allstate$1,897,5679.3%
5USAA$1,445,3567.1%
6Liberty Mutual$623,9163.1%
7Travelers$447,3602.2%
8National General$405,8602%
9Kemper$363,6961.8%
10Auto-Owners$346,4681.7%
Note: market share data is from the III.

Top Companies by J.D. Power Rating

Customer satisfaction is important to consider when you’re looking for the best car insurance in Florida. You want a provider that puts customer service first. J.D. Power Ratings are a good way to measure how satisfied customers are with insurers. J.D. Power ranks each carrier with a customer satisfaction score out of 1,000.

Here’s J.D. Power’s 2021 list of the top auto insurers in Florida (USAA isn’t on the list because it doesn’t fit J.D. Power’s criteria):

RankCompanyCustomer Satisfaction Score (Out of 1,000)
1State Farm848
2Allstate846
3Auto-Owners844
4The Hartford842
5Travelers827
6GEICO823
7Progressive822
8Farmers811
9Automobile Club Group817

Florida Auto Insurance Laws

No-Fault or Fault

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to insurance. This means that personal injury protection (PIP) must be part of your policy. PIP covers your injuries, regardless of fault in an accident. Unlike most states, bodily injury liability coverage is optional. PIP covers your injuries instead.

Totaled Cars

Your insurance carrier will declare your vehicle a total loss if the damages cost more than your it’s worth. Most states require the damages to pass a certain threshold before the car becomes a total loss. This is usually a percentage of the damages. Other states use the total loss formula (TLF) to determine whether a vehicle is totaled. This is where the salvage value and cost of repairs are more than your car’s actual cash value (ACV).

Florida’s total loss threshold is 80%. Your car is a total loss if the damages exceed 80% of the its value. If the damages are below the percentage, you’ll be able to get your vehicle back and repair it.

Salvage and Rebuilt Titles

When your vehicle becomes a total loss, it’ll receive a salvage title from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Salvage titles are illegal to drive. You also won’t be able to insure it. But people commonly buy salvage cars because:

  • They’re a way to get cheap parts
  • It’s their dream car and they want to rebuild it

If you want to drive your salvaged vehicle, you’ll need to rebuild it to a road-worthy condition. Then, the FLHSMV will issue your car a rebuilt salvage title.

To obtain a rebuilt salvage title in Florida, you have to:

  • Have proof of ownership
  • Verify your identity
  • Display proof of insurance (PDL and PIP)
  • Apply for a title by completing HSMV form 82040
  • Complete the Statement of Builder form i.e., HSMV form 84490
  • Pay the application and inspection costs

Insuring Cars with Rebuilt Salvage Titles

Once your vehicle is repaired and inspected, rebrand it with a rebuilt title. There’s one final step before you can drive it, though. You’re going to need to find an insurance provider that covers rebuilt salvage titles. Luckily, most insurers that operate in Florida should offer you a policy. But keep in mind that your carrier may only provide liability coverage for rebuilds. Full coverage is probably not an option.

Auto insurance for cars with rebuilt titles is typically more expensive than for other vehicles. Insurers know that rebuilds were once totaled and, thus, carry plenty of safety risks. Because of this, your rates are sure to be higher.

Just because rates are higher for rebuilt vehicles, doesn’t mean every provider charges the same for a policy. Each one has its own internal rate factors. So, it’s a smart practice to shop around and compare quotes from several companies. This ensures that you pay no more than you should.

SR-22 and FR-44 Forms

An SR-22 form certifies that you have enough financial responsibility to cover damages in an accident. An SR-22 verifies that you have the minimum amount of liability coverage and personal injury protection on your policy.

Florida requires drivers who get into an accident without coverage to file an SR-22 form.  You would file this form with your insurer, and then certify it with the DMV. It would verify that you have the state minimum amount of PDL and PIP.

The state also requires drivers who have severe driving offenses, such as a DUI, to file an FR-44 form. An FR-44 form is like an SR-22, except that it has higher liability requirements. The FR-44 form requires you to carry the following liability coverage:

  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury liability (BIL)
  • $300,000 per accident for BIL
  • $60,000 for PDL

PDL and PIP are the only coverages required for most drivers. But an FR-44 form requires you to add BIL and additional PDL to your policy.

Full Windshield Replacement

As of 2021, Floridians can fully repair or replace their windshield without paying a deductible. This means you get a free window! But you can only take advantage of this benefit if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. If you don’t, you’ll need to pay for any repairs out of pocket.

Also, keep in mind that you can’t repair or replace your windshield with your insurance unless a force outside your control causes the damage. Insurers won’t cover any damages that you cause to your windshield, even if it was accidental.

Filing Claims

If you end up in an accident, chances are you’ll need to file a claim. At the very least, you’ll need to notify your insurer that it happened.

Florida is a no-fault state. If you’re in an accident and get injured, your personal injury protection will cover any of your medical bills. This includes your passengers. When there’s property damage, the other driver’s liability would cover it if they’re at fault. If you’re at fault, you cover damages.

Each state has unique rules for filing claims. This includes time limits for both you and your insurance carrier. Insurers have 20 days to settle an auto claim. Meanwhile, you have four years to file a claim or lawsuit against the other party. But keep in mind that PIP laws require you to receive medical attention within 14 days of the accident.

Credit History

Your personal credit information is a factor that many insurers take into consideration when determining your rates. However, some states prohibit this practice. Florida, however, allows insurance companies to use your credit score to calculate your premium. Providers may also use your credit rating as a reason to deny or cancel your policy.

Price Optimization

Many insurance companies use something called price optimization to determine rates. This is when they decide the highest amount of money you’d tolerate paying before you go out and find a new company. They do this by using advanced metric tools to analyze consumer data.

Some states don’t allow providers to use price optimization methods when they pick your rates. Florida prohibits price optimization to determine your premium costs.

Policy Cancellation

Providers may cancel or non-renew your policy if they find that “cancellation of some or all of the insurer’s policies is necessary to protect the best interests of the public or policyholders.” Your insurance company must give you at least 45 days’ notice before they cancel your policy.

Insurers typically cancel policies if you:

  • Are a high-risk driver
  • Don’t pay your premium
  • Commit fraud or misrepresent information
  • Have a poor credit score

If you lose your policy because you didn’t pay your premium, you could still reinstate it. It’s best to call your insurer and pay the bill ASAP. Otherwise, your insurance coverage will lapse and it could be difficult or even impossible to renew your policy.

Drunk Driving Laws

Drinking and driving are one of the worst things you can do. It puts other people in danger and can get you in serious financial and legal trouble. If you get a DUI, your insurance rates will skyrocket, and carriers will label you as a high-risk driver.

Each state handles DUI offenses in its own way. In Florida, the consequences become more severe after each offense. Below is a breakdown of what happens to you after each offense:

First offense:

  • $500 to $1,000 in fines
  • $1,000 to $2,000 in fines if blood alcohol content (BAL) was 0.15 or higher or if there is a minor in the car.
  • Up to six months of jail time. May be served in a residential alcoholism or rehab center.
  • Ten-day impoundment of your vehicle
  • License suspension of 180 days to one year

Second offense:

  • $1,000 to $2,000 in fines
  • $2,000 to $4,000 in fines if BAL was 0.15 or higher or if there is a minor in the car.
  • Up to nine months of jail time. May be served in a residential alcoholism or rehab center.
  • Mandatory jail time of ten days if the conviction was within five years of another DUI offense.
  • 30-day impoundment of your vehicle if the offense was within five years of another DUI violation.
  • A minimum five-year suspension of your driver’s license if the offense was within five years of another DUI

Third offense:

  • $2,000 to $5,000 in fines
  • At least $4,000 in fines if BAL was 0.15 or higher or if there is a minor in the car.
  • Up to one year of jail time. May be served in a residential alcoholism or rehab center.
  • Mandatory jail time of 30 days if you have a DUI within ten years of another.
  • 90-day impoundment of your vehicle if the DUI was within five years of another.
  • A minimum ten-year suspension of your license if the DUI was within five years of another.

Driver’s License Points System

Florida uses driver’s license points to keep track of moving violations. As points rack up, so does the severity of the consequences for your offenses. Various types of tickets are worth different amounts of points.

The state will suspend your license if you have too many points on your record. Below are the different amounts of points that will result in a suspension:

  • 12 points in 12 months – 30-day suspension
  • 18 points in 18 months – three-month suspension
  • 24 points in 24 months – one-year suspension

Most Popular Cars

The cars that are most popular with consumers vary based on each state. Popular vehicles are the most sought-after and, potentially, the most stolen. This can end up raising your rates if you own a highly stolen car.

Below are Florida’s most popular and best-selling cars in 2021:

  • Toyota Corolla
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Ford F-Series
  • Toyota Camry
  • Ram 1500/2500/3500

Most Stolen Cars

Insurers keep a close eye on which car models are the most stolen in each state. Owning a vehicle that’s frequently a target of thieves could cause a bump in your rates.

These were Florida’s most stolen vehicles in 2021:

  1. 2006 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
  2. 2020 Nissan Altima
  3. 2018 Honda Accord
  4. 2020 Toyota Camry
  5. 2020 Toyota Corolla
  6. 2020 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
  7. 2019 Honda Civic
  8. 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
  9. 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  10. 2019 Ram Pick-Up (Full Size)
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