Florida Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Florida

Modern laws require that all vehicle owners must have a valid insurance policy, which offers adequate protection in case of accidents. Whether the vehicle is used for personal or professional purposes, insurance is mandatory. If you do not have such a policy, then you should be prepared to pay fines of up to $1,000. You might also have your driver's license or vehicle registration suspended, for a period of up to six months. To find out more details on the topic of auto insurance in Florida, keep on reading this article. In the paragraphs below, you will find a wealth of useful information.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Florida?

The Mandatory Liability Insurance Act requires that all Florida residents who operate a moving vehicle are covered by a liability insurance policy. If there is a lapse in the mandatory insurance, the local authorities have the right to suspend the driving documents for several months. They can also make use of an online insurance verification system, in order to ascertain whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Florida, the corresponding auto insurance must meet a few requirements. According to current laws, these include: bodily injury liability ($20,000 per accident and $10,000 per person), property damage liability ($10,000 per accident), personal injury protection ($10,000) and uninsured motorist bodily injury ($20,000 per accident and $10,000 per person). The full coverage insurance offers superior protection in contrast to the minimum liability coverage, as it can also include comprehensive and collision insurance. Specialists advise opting for a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by the law. This offers the best possible protection in case of accidents.

The sums mentioned in the paragraph above represent the amount insurance providers are capable to cover, should an accident for which you are fault has occurred. The law requires that all vehicle owners carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. It is forbidden by law to drive without insurance in Florida, with consequences such as legal fines and the suspension of one's driving documents. Drivers can have their license or vehicle registration suspended; if they continue to drive without a valid policy, jail time can be enforced.

Average cost of auto insurance in Florida

How much does car insurance cost in FL? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Florida has a value of $1,084. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $2,780 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverage are not always included, so you will have to factor in the additional costs. The factors influencing the overall insurance rates include: type of vehicle, marital status, presence of prior insurance, gender, number of miles driven, age, driving record, etc. Even though a cheap insurance policy might be attractive, it might not offer adequate protection. It is for the best to choose one with wider coverage.

You can expect the auto insurance rates to vary from one state to the other. Naturally, this is valid for both the minimum and full coverage, including when it comes to options such as comprehensive and collision. Several factors contribute to these differences, including: accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, at-fault accidents, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, and road conditions.

Florida has significantly higher rates for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. Among the states with the most expensive policies, there are: Colorado, California, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. As for the most affordable states, these include: Oregon, Maine, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Washington, Tennessee, New Mexico, North Dakota, etc. Maine has the most affordable auto insurance rates, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one. New York has among the most expensive rates, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Florida, you might also find differences between various cities. Jacksonville has among the most affordable rates, while Miami has the most expensive auto insurance in the city. The overall costs are as follows: Jacksonville - $2,745; Orlando - $2,958; St. Petersburg - $3,204; Tampa - $3,653; Miami - $3,938.

One of the main factors that influence the value of the auto insurance is the age of the driver. This type of insurance is always more costly for young drivers, as insurance companies see them as less responsible. A teenage driver might expect an annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver might be prepared to pay around $2,000 for the same premium. There are also gender differences worth mentioning, with men benefitting from better rates on their insurance policy. The same thing can be said for married couples, who benefit from more affordable coverages than those who are single, divorced, or widowed.

The value of a potential coverage policy is also influenced by the driver's credit history. For instance, a driver with an exceptional credit can save significant sums on his or her car insurance premium. On the other hand, a driver with a poor credit history might have to cover a higher insurance rate. Higher rates are also demanded for those with prior driving offenses, such as speeding, DUI/DWI, at-fault accidents, and reckless driving. The rates vary in accordance with the type of coverage. It is recommended to add both comprehensive and collision to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Florida. Find car insurance in Florida by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right insurance in FL

We know how difficult it can be to find the right insurance policy. Allow us to help by providing our expert assistance. Backed by years of experience and knowledge accumulated in the field, we match drivers with the best policies for their needs. The available budget is taken into consideration as well. Just give us a call and we will offer all the information you might need on the topic of auto insurance in Florida. Keep in mind that this service is free of charge.