How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Florida

Your age, driving history, preferred coverage limits and credit score affects your annual premium. Although GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Florida for the average driver, what is most affordable for you may be different.

If you have a DUI or a speeding ticket on your driving record, you may find cheaper rates from State Farm. For military families, USAA is also an affordable option.

cheapest auto insurance Florida 2021

The Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Florida

The cheapest car insurance in Florida is a liability coverage policy that meets the state's minimum auto insurance requirements. This policy only covers the other driver's costs in an at-fault accident and not your own expenses.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Florida for minimum coverage are:

• USAA: $406 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• GEICO: $590 per year

The most expensive car insurance for minimum coverage is Progressive, at $1,564 per year on average.

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Florida

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Florida driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

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Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Florida

A full coverage policy in Florida with higher liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance can protect you against accidents that happen on and off the road. It costs more than minimum coverage, but it shields against the cost of damages to your vehicle, not just others. To find the cheapest full coverage rates, compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers.

The most affordable car insurance carriers in Florida for full coverage auto insurance are:

• USAA: $940 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• GEICO: $1,337 per year

Progressive charges the most for full coverage insurance in Florida, with average yearly costs of $2,728.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Florida

Please note that your premiums will be different than these examples. The prices listed above are for a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance and $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

How to Compare Cheap Florida Car Insurance Quotes Online

Most insurance companies will allow you to get a reasonably accurate quote on their website. You should ideally determine the amount of coverage you need so that you can compare insurers with consistent limits. For instance, if you get a quote with one insurer for $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance, you should ensure to use the same number when comparing quotes with another carrier.

You can get an estimate of how much car insurance in Florida costs by inputting your ZIP code into MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator. For a personalized quote, you'll be asked to provide more specific information. USAA, GEICO and Allstate are the three cheapest carriers in Florida for liability coverage, so we suggest you start your search by comparing their rates.

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Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in Florida

Florida drivers with a severe driving violation in their history, such as driving under the influence (DUI), are considered "high risk" by insurers and are therefore charged higher rates. The average cost of car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Florida is $3,763 per year, compared to $2,208 for a driver with a clean record.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Florida for a driver with a DUI and full coverage are:

• USAA: $1,715 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• State Farm: $2,018 per year

Although GEICO is the second cheapest insurer for Florida drivers with a clean record, State Farm has lower rates for those with a DUI.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 7,573 car crashes in Florida involving a drunk driver between 2009 and 2018, a rate higher than the national average. Florida imposes strict penalties for people convicted of driving under the influence. Such penalties include jail time, fines and fees, license suspension and a mandatory ignition interlock device — not to mention increased auto insurance rates. If you have a DUI on your record in Florida, it's important to maintain safe driving habits and shop around for auto coverage to find the lowest rates.

Florida maintains some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. People found guilty of driving under the influence can have the DUI remain visible in their records for 75 years. Individuals with a DUI should contact many different insurance agencies to find the best rate. While there are long-term costs of a DUI, you can work to improve your driving record over time to lower costs.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida for Drivers With an At-Fault Accident

Having violations in your driving record can significantly affect the cost of car insurance in Florida. A driver with a clean record pays an average of $2,208 per year for car insurance. In comparison, your rate increases to $3,021 annually if you have at-fault accidents on your record.

The companies offering the cheapest car insurance in Florida for drivers with at-fault accidents are:

• GEICO: $1,859 per year
• State Farm: $2,170 per year

USAA offers the cheapest policy at $1,225 per year, but these are only available to present and former military members and their families.

Cheapest Car Insurance With an At-Fault Accident

Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With Tickets in Florida

Insurance companies charge Florida drivers with even minor driving violations in their history, such as tickets, higher rates than those with a clean driving record. In this state, a driver with a recorded speeding ticket needs to pay an average annual rate of $2,902 for their auto insurance coverage, compared to $2,208 for a driver without any tickets.

The least expensive car insurers in Florida for a driver with a speeding ticket and full coverage are:

• USAA: $1,039 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• State Farm: $2,018 per year

State Farm has lower rates for those with a speeding ticket on their record than GEICO, the second cheapest provider for drivers with a clean record.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

Whether using a cellphone, fishing for items in your car or fiddling with the radio, distracted driving has real consequences. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles uses a points-based system for penalized drivers. Those who get tickets may incur points on their driving record, causing their auto insurance rate to increase. If you have points on your license, be sure to seek out several car insurance quotes to find the best rate for you.

Distracted driving can be costly, resulting in not only more expensive auto insurance rates, but also higher rates of reckless driving and crashes. The amount your insurance premium rises depends on the severity of your infraction and the number of points on your record. Those who get more than 12 points in a year, for example, receive a 30-day suspension. If you have points on your license, seek out several car insurance quotes to find the best rate for you.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Florida for Drivers With Bad Credit

Drivers with low credit scores in Florida pay more costly premiums than those with high credit scores. The average cost of auto insurance for drivers with poor credit in Florida is $4,371 per year, compared to $2,208 for the average driver with good credit.

The most affordable car insurance companies in Florida for a driver with poor credit and full coverage are:

• USAA: $2,303 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• GEICO: $2,413 per year

These two insurers also offer the cheapest full coverage insurance for drivers with healthy credit.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Florida ranks 37th in the nation regarding credit scores, with an average credit score of 694. According to Experian, any credit score below 670 is considered a bad one. Even though a less-than-ideal credit can impact your insurance premiums, there are many ways to improve your credit score.

Even though a less-than-ideal credit score can impact your insurance premium, there are many ways to improve your credit score. Changes won't happen overnight, but positive changes can happen over time.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida for Seniors

Car insurance for seniors is slightly more expensive than it is for young adult and middle-aged drivers. On average, senior drivers in Florida pay $2,325 annually for their car insurance, compared to $2,208 for the average non-senior driver.

The cheapest car insurance providers in Florida for senior drivers with full coverage are:

• USAA: $1,072 per year (only available to former and current military members)
• GEICO: $1,304 per year

These two carriers also offer the cheapest full coverage for the average 40-year-old adult driver.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

Even seniors who possess a perfect driving record may still see their auto insurance premiums rise over time, especially if they don't have the right coverage for their current age group. While insurance costs may increase with age, comparing car insurance companies and rates can help seniors find competitive premiums and discounts.

Factors that may reduce the chance of finding cheap car insurance for seniors in Florida include their age, how much they drive, the type of car they own and if they possess a clean driving record. You can find ways to protect yourself and others on the road, but it may take a bit of extra research to find the best rates, especially for senior drivers.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida for Young Drivers

Car insurance companies find young drivers more likely to file claims. This makes them riskier to insure, resulting in higher premiums. For example, car insurance for a 16-year-old driver costs an average of $4,763 per year. In comparison, a 25-year-old driver pays an average of $2,148 annually for a policy with similar coverage.

MoneyGeek studied the available policies for drivers between 16 to 25 in Florida. We found that GEICO offers the cheapest insurance for all ages within this range.

Annual Car Insurance In Florida for Young Drivers

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• Age

  Average Cost

  Cheapest Company

  Company Cost

• 16

  $4,763

  GEICO

  $2,965

• 17

  $4,789

  GEICO

  $2,965

• 18

  $4,403

  GEICO

  $2,776

• 19

  $4,053

  GEICO

  $2,457

• 20

  $3,630

  GEICO

  $2,401

• 21

  $3,005

  GEICO

  $2,111

• 22

  $2,743

  GEICO

  $1,918

• 23

  $2,506

  GEICO

  $1,787

• 24

  $2,347

  GEICO

  $1,725

• 25

  $2,148

  GEICO

  $1,503

Florida allows for talking on a cell phone while driving and does not limit the number of passengers new drivers can have in their vehicle with them. Cathy Chase, vice president of governmental affairs at Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, finds these facts troubling. "Teen drivers are far more likely to be involved in fatal crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks," Chase said.

If you have a teen, you already know that he or she is expensive to insure. Your teenager can help maintain cheap car insurance rates by keeping a clean driving record and by avoiding accidents and moving violations. You can also check to see if your insurance company offers discounts for good grades or for the completion of a driver safety course.

Florida residents attending college out of state must maintain personal injury protection and property damage insurance on their vehicle if it has been in the state for more than 90 days at any point during the previous year.

If you're insuring your child's car while they're away at school, you may want to warn them not to lend the car to their friends. You could be liable if there is an accident. Consult with your insurance company for specific details.

More than 815,000 drivers under the age of 20 currently hold Florida licenses. Of that amount, 36,216 were involved in crashes as a driver during 2018. Even the best high school and college-age drivers simply have not been behind the wheel long enough to anticipate everything that can happen while driving. Because of this factor, their auto insurance rates are typically higher. Approximate estimates are given below, but you can ask for personalized quotes to get more accurate figures.

Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans

Florida is home to nearly 140,000 active, reserve and civilian members of the military. If you are deployed outside the state and won't be driving your car, contact your insurance company to discuss options. Florida law requires insurance on all registered vehicles, even if they are not currently being driven. Insurers may offer to discount your premiums. USAA, for example, offers deep discounts to members who store their vehicles on a military installation.

If you can prove your deployment and that you did not drive any civilian vehicles during that time, you may be able to temporarily cancel your registration and insurance and reinstate it when you return with no penalty.

If you're an honorably discharged, disabled veteran with a valid disabled veteran ID card, you are exempt from Florida vehicle licensing and registration fees.

Average Rates for Florida service members

25 years $1,581
50 years $1,331

25 years $1,537
50 years $1,325

Car Insurance in Florida: What You Need to Know

All vehicles with a valid Florida registration must have insurance coverage. Even "snowbirds" need Florida vehicle insurance if visiting the state for more than 90 days per year.

Proof of Insurance in Florida

Insurance ID cards must be carried in your car at all times and shown to police when requested or after an accident. If you don't comply, the police may issue you a ticket for lacking proof of insurance.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires insurance companies to electronically report all new or canceled personal injury protection policies. If your insurance company notifies the department that you canceled your policy and haven't activated a new one, the department will send a notice requiring new insurance information.

If you're unable to prove that you replaced the insurance without a lapse in coverage, you must pay a reinstatement fee of $150 for the first offense. If you can't provide proof of insurance, your driver's license and license plate(s) will be suspended for up to three years.

Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Florida

Everyone who drives a vehicle in Florida must have at least these minimum levels of coverage:

• $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Alternatives to Insurance in Florida

Florida residents have a few alternatives to buying insurance, but they are more difficult and require additional upfront resources. You can fulfill your financial responsibility obligation by:

• Posting a surety bond
• Depositing cash or securities with DHSMV
• Providing the DHSMV with evidence that you have sufficient capital and are self-insuring your vehicle

How Much Coverage Do You Need in Florida?

Although you are only required to purchase $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability, experts at the Insurance Information Institute warn that such low levels of coverage are risky because you may wind up having to pay a lot of money out of pocket if you are sued. Experts recommend getting liability insurance of at least $100,000 per injury and $300,000 per accident.

If you own a valuable car, you may want to look into collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision covers car accidents and collisions with objects like trees or telephone poles, while comprehensive insurance pays for non-traffic damages caused by fire, theft and natural disasters, like floods and hurricanes.

Given the high rate of uninsured drivers in Florida, you may also want to consider purchasing uninsured motorist protection.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida by City

Where you live in Florida can impact your annual car insurance premium. Drivers residing in Gainesville pay the lowest rates, spending an average of $1,387 per year for full coverage car insurance. In comparison, residents of Hialeah pay the highest rates, spending an average of $2,812 annually for the same coverage.

You can find more details regarding car insurance costs for your area by clicking your city.

Average Insurance Rate by City in Florida

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FAQs About Car Insurance in Florida

To help you select the best car insurance package for your needs, MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions about the best and cheapest auto insurance providers in Florida.

USAA and GEICO offer the lowest rates for liability coverage in Florida. However, USAA serves only veterans, current military personnel and their families. GEICO's average annual costs are $590, or $49 per month.

The average cost of car insurance in Florida is about $184 per month.

To save on premiums, you can compare quotes from multiple companies and purchase the appropriate coverage for your needs.

The average auto insurance policy in Florida costs $2,208 per year for 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision insurance. However, your rate will vary based on many factors, including your age, driving record, vehicle and credit score.

Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Florida

To help you find credible and accurate insight on car insurance in Florida, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The perspectives and opinions expressed are those of the individual contributor.

1. What are the key factors drivers in Florida should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
2. What steps can drivers in Florida take to find affordable car insurance?
3. How do regulations and rules in Florida impact insurance pricing and how consumers might shop for coverage?

Dr. Alexandra Aguirre-Rodriguez

Associate Professor Department of Marketing & Logistics at Florida International University

Alex Horenstein

Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Miami Herbert Business School

Dr. Amanda J. Phalin

Senior Lecturer, Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida

Lealand Morin

Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Central Florida

Dr. Robert W. Tiller

Director of the University of South Florida's Financial Planning & Wealth Management Program

Dr. Arun Upadhyay

Associate Professor - Department of Finance at Florida International University

Jeffrey Brown

Professor of Finance at Johnson University

Valrie Chambers

Associate Professor of Accounting at Stetson University

Barbara VanderWerf

Assistant Professor of Business and Management at Palm Beach Atlantic University

Dena Hale

Assistant Professor of Sales & Marketing at Stetson University

Dr. Andrew Burnstine

Associate Professor of Marketing at Lynn University

Dr. Rawi Naranong

Professor at the School of Applied Business at Daytona State College

Dr. Mark Case

Marketing Instructor at Florida Gulf Coast University

James Farrell

Associate Professor of Finance and Economics at Florida Southern College

About the Author

sources

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• Driving Laws . "DUI Laws by State." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• DWI Records . "Florida DWI Records." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Experian . "2019 Consumer Credit Review." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Experian . "How to 'Fix' a Bad Credit Score." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles . "Points & Point Suspensions." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles . "Traffic Crash Facts, 2018." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Florida Legislature . "The 2019 Florida Statutes." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners . "2018 Market Share Report." Accessed March 3, 2020 .
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . "Traffic Safety Facts, 2017." Accessed March 3, 2020 .

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Florida

Source: https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-florida/

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