With over 20 million licensed drivers in Florida, a reliable auto insurance policy is a must. Florida car insurance is among some of the most expensive in the country because of the number of cars on the road and the likelihood of getting into an accident with an uninsured driver. The best way to get the cheapest car insurance in Florida is by shopping around. Rates can vary drastically from one company to the next. That’s where Cheap Car Insurance comes into play.
We’ve taken the time to gather all the information you need to find the perfect policy for your needs. Compare hundreds of quotes from car insurance companies in Florida instantly with the help of our insurance experts.
This guide will break down example insurance quotes from different cities, so you can quickly compare rates. We also provide information about Florida driving laws and minimum coverage requirements.
Average Car Insurance Costs in Florida
Only one year in the last 30 has seen Florida’s average auto insurance premiums drop to match the national average. NAIC.org indicates an upward trend in average rates that have been well above national figures for several years now.
Here is a breakdown of average costs by FL county and vehicle type on auto insurance policies:
Florida County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
---|
Alachua | $811 | $636 | $825 | $768 | $766 |
Baker | $956 | $712 | $929 | $930 | $905 |
Bay | $922 | $723 | $934 | $884 | $874 |
Bradford | $880 | $680 | $876 | $846 | $836 |
Brevard | $925 | $725 | $925 | $898 | $880 |
Broward | $1,197 | $922 | $1,203 | $1,148 | $1,133 |
Calhoun | $1,105 | $787 | $1,007 | $1,105 | $1,055 |
Charlotte | $875 | $686 | $882 | $843 | $831 |
Citrus | $965 | $748 | $957 | $931 | $918 |
Clay | $905 | $686 | $878 | $891 | $862 |
Collier | $885 | $683 | $870 | $870 | $843 |
Columbia | $895 | $696 | $890 | $863 | $851 |
DeSoto | $981 | $757 | $969 | $953 | $934 |
Dixie | $988 | $718 | $923 | $987 | $941 |
Duval | $945 | $749 | $965 | $900 | $896 |
Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance in Florida
- As you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance in Florida, make sure it offers sufficient coverage to keep you in line with the law.
- The The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) states that liability coverage is mandatory for all vehicles registered in the state.
- Liability Coverage minimums:
- Florida is a no-fault state, so $10,000 personal injury protection coverage is required by law.
- Personal Injury protection coverage helps cover costs if someone receives an injury as a result of an accident. Personal injury costs can include medical expenses as well as lost wages.
- $10,000 property damage liability coverage.
- If a driver fails to maintain current insurance coverage, the DHSMV can suspend driving privileges and vehicle license/registration for up to 3 years. A reinstatement fee ranging from $150 to $500 will be required depending on the number of subsequent offenses. Don’t risk driving uninsured!
New Driver License Requirements
- The Florida DHSMV requires every Florida driver to be licensed. To become licensed, applicants must first pass a vision screening and written test. Next comes a road test, and then applicants must pay applicable fees.
- Vision Screening:
- An applicant must have visual acuity of 20/40 with or without corrective lenses. Anyone with visual acuity of 20/50 or worse will be referred to a specialist for improvement, but visual acuity of 20/70 may pass if the worse eye is 20/200 or better and verification is required by a specialist.
- Written Test:
- The exam tests the applicant’s knowledge of the Florida Driver’s Manual. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions regarding road rules and 10 questions regarding specific traffic signs.
- Road Test :
- The vehicle, provided by the applicant, must be insured, registered and safely operable. A licensed driver is required to drive the vehicle to and from the testing site.
- The applicant will be tested in several areas, including but not limited to turns, gear shifting (if applicable to the vehicle), parking, stopping, backing, obeying traffic signals and signs, passing, lane management and following distance.
- Fees.
- A regular driver’s license requires the applicant to pay a $48 fee.
- Applicants at least 15 years old can obtain a Learner’s Permit, and applicants ages 16 and 17 who have held a Learner’s Permit for one year with no violations can obtain an Intermediate License. Specific requirements are in place for obtaining either a learner’s permit or an intermediate license, and driving restrictions apply for holders of either one.
DUI – DWI Laws
- BAC limit: .08 The Florida Driver’s Manual notes that Florida holds a Zero Tolerance Law regarding drivers under the age of 21. It states that if a driver under the age of 21 is stopped and determined to have a BAC of .02 to below .05, he/she will receive a 6 month license suspension. A driver under the age of 21 with a BAC of .05 or higher receives the additional penalty of attending a substance abuse program. Following are the penalties pertinent to Florida DUI/DWI offenses:
- First Offense:
- Minimum $500 and maximum $1,000 fine. If the driver has a BAC of .15 or higher and/or accompanied by a minor, the fines are minimum $1,000 and maximum $2,000.
- Community service of 50 hours.
- Probation maximum of 1 year.
- Possible imprisonment of 6 months maximum. If the driver has a BAC of .15 or higher and/or accompanied by a minor, the maximum is 9 months.
- License revocation of 180 days.
- DUI school for 12 hours.
- Possible Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for a maximum of 6 months.
- Second Offense:
- Minimum $1,000 and maximum $2,000 fine. If the driver has a BAC of .15 or higher and/or accompanied by a minor, the fines are minimum $2,000 and maximum $4,000.
- Imprisonment of 9 months maximum.
- License revocation of 180 days.
- DUI school for 21 hours.
- Ignition Interlock Device for a minimum of 1 year.
- Third Offense:
- Minimum $2,000 and maximum $5,000 fine. If the driver has a BAC of .15 or higher and/or accompanied by a minor, the fines are a minimum of $4,000.
- Imprisonment of 12 months maximum.
- License revocation of 180 days.
- DUI school for 21 hours.
- Ignition Interlock Device for a minimum of 2 years.
- Fourth or Subsequent Offense(s):
- Minimum $1,000 fine.
- Imprisonment of 5 years maximum.
- Permanent license revocation.
- DUI school (hours unspecified).
- Ignition Interlock Device for 5 years.
Car Insurance Discounts
Cheap Car Insurance understands you work hard for your money. Why spend more on your auto insurance coverage? As you sift through car insurance quotes in Florida and consider which of the cheap insurance companies to go with, keep in mind these car insurance discounts that can help your hard-earned money stay in your pocket:
- Multi-car insurance discount
- Good student discount
- Military discount
- Car safety features discount
- Anti-theft discount
- Bundling your auto with home or renters
- Defensive driving discount
- Usage or low-mileage discount
- Senior citizen discount
- Mature driver discount
Insurance discounts may vary by state, so contact us today to see if you qualify for any of these car insurance discounts!
RESOURCES
State Department of Insurance
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
200 E. Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 413-3140
www.floir.com
Get Directions
Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450
(850) 414-4100
(866) 374-FDOT (3368)
www.dot.state.fl.us
Get Directions
Department of Motor Vehicles
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
(850) 617-2000