Cheapest car insurance in Florida 2023

Looking for the cheapest car insurance in Florida? Geico and State Farm are the cheapest car insurance companies in Florida, among carriers analyzed by Insurance.com.

However, there are a lot of factors that affect Florida insurance rates, and the cheapest company for someone else might not have the best deal for you.

If you live in Florida, even for just a few months a year, you must have Florida auto insurance coverage to be able to drive your vehicle legally. Since Florida is a no-fault state, that includes personal injury protection (PIP).

So how much is car insurance in Florida and what can you expect to pay? Read on for help finding the best and cheapest car insurance in Florida. 

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Florida?

Cheap car insurance in Florida takes a little work to find. At an average of $2,560 a year for full coverage, Florida has the most expensive car insurance rates in the nation. The national average is $1,682.

Car insurance companies in Florida have a wide variety of discounts and coverage options. You’ll need to do a little research and shop around. Comparing car insurance quotes in Florida is the best way to find quality, affordable coverage. 

How much is car insurance in Florida by company? Take a look at the following Florida car insurance rates, based on 2022 data, for a driver with a clean record carrying full coverage. 

• Geico: $1,554
• State Farm: $1,776
• Travelers: $2,140
• Nationwide: $2,156
• Allstate: $2,757
• Progressive: $2,926

Cheap liability insurance for Florida drivers

For drivers who don’t need comprehensive and collision coverage and want liability only Geico and State Farm again have the lowest average rates.

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

• Geico: $400
• State Farm: $678
• Travelers: $703
• Mercury: $762
• Nationwide: $825
• Allstate: $871

The cheapest auto insurers for higher liability limits of 50/100/50 and their average rates are:

• Geico: $787
• State Farm: $1,081
• Travelers: $1,153
• Nationwide: $1,450
• Mercury: $1,466
• Allstate: $1,500

Minimum coverage isn’t recommended because it’s typically not enough to pay for even minor accidents, leaving you responsible for the balance of medical and repair bills. However, if you have an old car that’s not worth much and no savings or assets, state minimum liability coverage will suffice.

Cheapest car insurance rates in Florida by driving record

How much coverage you buy, and from which company, are among key factors that influence your insurance cost. We’ve seen that USAA, Geico and State Farm are the cheapest companies for the average driver (above). But not everyone is average. To give you an estimate of what you can expect, we've gathered car insurance quotes for Florida drivers for common scenarios. These include motorists with the following:

• Accidents
• Speeding tickets
• Bad credit

Cheapest insurance for Florida drivers with accidents

Geico, State Farm and Travelers have the lowest car insurance rates in Florida for drivers with an at-fault accident, among those surveyed by Insurance.com. In Florida, a recent at-fault accident claim will hike your rates by an average of 46%. Geico has the cheapest rates with an accident, followed closely by State Farm.

• Geico: $2,454
• State Farm: $2,522
• Travelers: $3,577
• Nationwide: $3,589
• National General: $4,966
• Allstate: $5,030

Cheapest Florida car insurance for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm has the lowest rate for Florida drivers with a recent speeding violation. In Florida, a minor speeding ticket will hike your rate by an average of 24%. Typically, you'll pay more for three years. The good news? You can still save money by comparing Florida car insurance companies. Geico has the cheapest insurance for Florida drivers after a speeding ticket, followed by State Farm.

• Geico: $2,340
• State Farm: $2,356
• Nationwide: $3,174
• Allstate: $3,215
• Travelers: $3,706
• Mercury: $3,854

Cheap car insurance in Florida for drivers with bad credit

State Farm is the cheapest car insurance in Florida for drivers with bad credit, among those surveyed by our experts. Car insurance for drivers with bad credit costs significantly more than it does for those with good credit. Florida ranks 15th among the worst states for drivers with bad credit, based on Insurance.com's data analysis. Compared to good credit drivers, those in Florida with bad credit pay 74%more, on average. The good news is that you can still shave some money off your coverage costs if you compare car insurance companies. You'll see below that the difference among major insurers is nearly $2,618 for a full coverage policy for a driver with bad credit. That's how much you can potentially save by comparing car insurance quotes.

• Geico: $3,105
• National General: $3,769
• Nationwide: $3,942
• State Farm: $4,045
• Mercury: $4,660
• Travelers: $5,287

The minimum required car insurance in Florida

Florida law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance. The minimums are:

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

PIP car insurance in Florida

PIP is also called Florida no-fault insurance. PIP insurance will cover your medical expenses as well as lost wages and some other damages if you're in an accident, whether or not it's your fault, up to the limits of your policy.

PIP also covers:

• Your children
• Members of your household
• Passengers who don't have their own PIP
• PIP policyholders injured while riding on a bicycle and pedestrians

Property damage liability

Property damage liability covers damage you cause to other cars and others’ property. The coverage includes light posts, street signs, struck bicycles and more.

How much car insurance do you need?

If you’re moving to Florida from out of state, you’re probably familiar with the more common type of coverage, which includes property and bodily injury liability. The state of Florida replaces bodily injury with personal injury protection.

In addition, Florida minimums ($10,000) are extremely low. If you’ve ever had to repair a newer-model vehicle or pay for a hospitalization, $10,000 doesn’t get you very far. You’ll have to pay for any amount over the $10,000 limit out of pocket. For the best auto insurance in Florida, it’s advisable to bump up coverage limits to ensure you have enough financial protection in case of a serious accident.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Florida?

Florida car insurance prices are much higher than the national average. The cost of a policy for the average Florida driver is $2,560, that’s nearly $1,000 more than the national average of $1,682.

Some of the reasons Florida car insurance is higher than average include:

• The largest number of uninsured drivers in the country: Almost 27% of drivers in Florida don’t have car insurance. If you’re involved in an accident, you’ll have little recourse against an uninsured driver.
• No-fault insurance laws. No-fault insurance can lead to a lot more insurance payouts and raise rates for everyone.
• Bad weather: Hurricanes and hail are a regular occurrence in the state of Florida. Heavy rainfall and flooding are also hazard for drivers, causing frequent accidents. 
• Demographics: Florida has a large population of senior drivers. A 2019 report found that Florida drivers 65 years and older are twice as likely to be involved in a deadly crash. 
• Traffic and tourists. Florida already has a large population and a lot of traffic. The many tourists who visit the state each year also contribute to traffic, and can pose a risk on the roads since they don't know their way around.

Florida car insurance recommendations

While every driver's needs are individual, it's recommended that most drivers consider adding coverage above the state minimum. Some optional coverages you should include to make sure you have the best car insurance in Florida include:

Bodily injury liability

Bodily injury liability (BIL) pays for serious and permanent injury or death to others should you cause a crash. If you have BIL insurance, your insurance company will not only pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy but it also will provide legal representation should you get sued. 

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage will provide you with extra coverage if the other party doesn’t have car insurance or is underinsured. It’s not mandatory coverage but when you consider that one in four drivers don’t have car insurance in Florida, it's a good idea to have it.

Full coverage

Buying comprehensive and collision coverage is known as “full coverage”. If you’ve financed your car and making payments, you’re probably required to have full coverage. If you don’t owe money on your vehicle, it’s still a good idea to have full coverage.

Comprehensive insurance will cover your vehicle’s damages for things like fire, theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, or severe weather damage. Collision will pay to repair your vehicle if an object or vehicle strikes your car. Some examples include hitting a pothole or striking a pole while backing out of a parking spot.

How can you save on Florida auto insurance?

There are a few ways you can cut the cost of your premiums and still have the best auto insurance Florida coverage. Here are five tips.

1. Take advantage of auto insurance discounts

The best car insurance companies in Florida have a variety of ways you can save on your coverage. You may even be able to take advantage of more than one. Some discounts include:

• Payment discounts for prepayment, automatic payments and paperless billing
• Safety and security vehicle equipment
• Safe driver discounts for no claims or accidents
• Occupational discounts for military, educators, doctors and more

2. Bundle your insurance

If you also own a home or have renter’s insurance, bundling all your policies with one insurance company can net you a nice discount. It will be much easier to manage them, too.

3. Compare quotes from multiple companies

Before you sign up for coverage, get three to five quotes. The same type of coverage could vary in price from one insurance company to another.

4. Raise your deductible

The deductible is the amount you’ll pay when you file a claim before the insurance company pays the rest. Consider raising the deductible to lower your monthly insurance premiums. Just make sure you can afford the higher deductible in the future.

5. Take a driving safety course

Many insurance carriers will give you a significant discount on your car insurance if you complete an approved defensive driving or driver safety course. The best part is, the discount will apply for the next three years.

Best car insurance companies in Florida

There are a number of ways to determine which Florida car insurance companies are the best, and what's most important to you will determine which is best for you.

However, to help you narrow down your choices, we've gathered the 2022 car insurance company ratings for Florida from J.D. Power. Scores are out of 1,000.

Other things Florida drivers should know

If you’re new to Florida, it’s also important to be aware of the state’s rules and requirements.

Make sure you’re properly insured

If you move to Florida from another state, ask your insurance agent if your company writes in Florida (most do) and to transfer your insurance to Florida. You can look up insurance companies licensed to do business in Florida at the company directory on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Have proof of insurance with you at all times

Your insurance company will issue you a Florida insurance I.D. card. Keep this card with you and present it to law enforcement when asked. If you don't carry a valid car insurance policy and you’re stopped by the police or involved in a crash, you could lose your driver's license. The state of Florida could suspend your license for up to three years or until you prove you have purchased coverage. Driver’s license reinstatement fees in Florida are:

• $150 for the first offense
• $250 for a second offense within three years
• $500 for a third offense

Register your out-of-state vehicle in 30 days

You’ll need to trade in your out-of-state tags for a Florida one within 10 days of moving to Florida. The registration fee is $225. To register your vehicle:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of Florida car insurance
• A signed and completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration

Auto insurance in Florida also applies to snowbirds

If you only live in Florida during the winter months, you still have to keep a valid car insurance policy in force. The state requires any vehicle with a Sunshine State license plate and registration to be covered by a Florida insurance policy. If you leave your car in Florida while you head north, it still must be insured while you are away. Some car insurance companies in Florida provide you with seasonal coverage — be sure to ask your insurance carrier about it.

Discounts for drivers over 55

If you have a Florida driver's License and you’re 55 or older, you may complete a six-hour motor vehicle accident prevention course. You can take the course online. As long as the completed course is recognized by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you’ll be eligible to receive a discount on your automobile insurance, good for three years.

Florida's graduated licensing system for new drivers

Florida is one of many states that has graduated drivers' licensing. You can apply for a learner's permit after you turn 15. You’ll need to pass:

• Traffic law and substance abuse course
• Written test
• Hearing exam
• Vision test

With a permit, you can drive as long as a licensed driver who is at least 21 is in the front passenger seat.

Once you're 16, you can earn an intermediate license and drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. When you're 17, you can drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. When you turn 18, all restrictions are removed.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned Florida insurance rates through Quadrant Data Services in 2022 from multiple companies. The driver profile is a 40-year-old male with a clean record, good credit and driving a 2021 Honda Accord LX.