Car Insurance in Florida vs. Arizona: Costs, Laws and Resources


Updated: October 3, 2024

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If you are moving from Florida to Arizona, be aware of the difference in car insurance requirements. In Florida, state law requires you to have a policy with property damage liability and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, Arizona’s drivers are only required to have liability coverage.

MoneyGeek researched average policy costs, the cheapest options and differences in requirements and laws for car insurance in Florida vs. Arizona.

Car Insurance Laws in Florida vs. Arizona

Car insurance laws in Florida require a policy with at least $10,000 in property damage liability and PIP coverage. Arizona car insurance laws in Arizona require drivers to have a policy with 15/30/10 in liability limits.

The average cost of the minimum coverage in Florida is $1,123 per year, while it costs an average of $649 annually in Arizona. Florida requires less coverage, but car insurance costs are higher than Arizona because of factors like population density and frequency of accidents.

MINIMUM CAR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS IN FLORIDA AND ARIZONA

Florida Requirements

  • $10,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $10,000 personal injury protection per person

Arizona Requirements

  • $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Car Insurance Resources for Florida and Arizona

 

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes for auto insurance in Florida vs. Arizona to help you find the companies that offer the cheapest policies and the best service quality. We also explain where you could get quotes and how rates vary from state to state.

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MoneyGeek scored the companies that offer the best car insurance in Florida and best car insurance in Arizona.

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MoneyGeek explained how car insurance costs in Florida and car insurance costs in Arizona differ depending on a variety of factors.

How Are Car Insurance Laws Enforced in Florida and Arizona?

Since Florida is a no-fault state, drivers have to cover their medical bills and other expenses themselves in case of an accident. On the other hand, Arizona is a tort state, meaning that the at-fault driver has to pay for the other driver's medical expenses and cover damages in the event of an accident.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Florida vs. Arizona

MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance quotes and found that GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage policy on average in both states:

  • Cheapest in Florida: GEICO ($590 per year)
  • Cheapest in Arizona: GEICO ($366 per year)

In Florida, USAA offers the cheapest minimum coverage policy at an average cost of $406 per year. However, the company only provides car insurance to military families.

In both Florida and Arizona, GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage policies. However, it charges more for a policy in Florida than in Arizona, which shows that rates can differ significantly from state to state.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Florida
Company
Annual Rate

1.

USAA

$406

2.

GEICO

$590

3.

Allstate

$1,034

4.

Allied

$1,056

5.

State Farm

$1,085

6.

Travelers

$1,120

7.

Mercury

$1,356

8.

Progressive

$1,564

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Arizona
Company
Annual Rate

1.

GEICO

$366

2.

USAA

$383

3.

Progressive

$506

4.

CSAA

$540

5.

Country Financial

$571

6.

Nationwide

$607

7.

Hartford

$609

8.

State Farm

$619

9.

Travelers

$630

10.

Mercury

$657

11.

Esurance

$692

12.

Allstate

$699

13.

American Family

$783

14.

Farmers

$820

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THE CHEAPEST COMPANY FOR YOU MAY DIFFER

In Florida and Arizona, GEICO offers the cheapest policy at an average cost of $590 and $366 per year, respectively. However, these rates are for a minimum coverage policy. Your premiums can vary based on your location, coverage levels, age and more. You can read the following guides to find the cheapest options for your situation.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Arizona

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy in Florida is $1,123 per year, while it’s around $649 per year in Arizona. For a full coverage policy, drivers in Florida pay an average of $2,208 per year, while the policy costs an average of $1,284 annually in Arizona.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Arizona
Driver
Florida Annual Premium
Arizona Annual Premium

Minimum Coverage

$1,123

$649

Full Coverage

$2,208

$1,284

Adding a Young Driver

$4,913

$3,231

Drivers With a Violation

$2,902

$1,583

Drivers With Poor Credit

$4,194

$2,495

Why Are Car Insurance Rates More Expensive in Florida vs. Arizona?

Since car insurance rates in one state can be higher for various reasons, it’s impossible to blame it solely on one factor.

One reason for Florida’s high rates is it is a no-fault state. Also, its highway density, percentage of uninsured drivers and odds of experiencing a natural disaster is higher than in Arizona. These factors contribute to higher rates in the state.

Car Insurance Costs by City in Florida vs. Arizona

Car insurance rates can vary depending on where you live in the state. MoneyGeek’s research shows that, at an average of $693 annually, Gainesville is the cheapest city for the minimum coverage. Alternately, insurers offer the most expensive policy in Hialeah at an average of $1,461 yearly.

In Arizona, Tucson is the cheapest city for a state-minimum policy, at an average of $578 annually. The most expensive policy is offered in Glendale and Phoenix at an average of $713 yearly.

Since car insurance requirements don’t change within a state, higher costs are likely due to high population densities.

Car Insurance Costs by City in Florida
Car Insurance Costs by City in Arizona
City
Average Annual Rate

Chandler

$614

Gilbert

$615

Glendale

$713

Mesa

$623

Peoria

$657

Phoenix

$713

Scottsdale

$609

Surprise

$597

Moving Between Florida and Arizona? What to Know

After relocating from Florida to Arizona or vice versa, you'll need to transition your driver’s license and registration. If your current insurer offers sufficient coverage and is available in your new location, you can stay with them. However, you might have to pay different rates that reflect your new state's risks and requirements.

If you decide to find a new insurer, MoneyGeek offers resources to help you find the one that will fit your needs.

FAQs About Florida and Arizona Car Insurance

Since car insurance laws and requirements are different in Florida and Arizona, MoneyGeek researched the following frequently asked questions to help you understand how car insurance works in both states.

How do car insurance laws and requirements differ in Florida and Arizona?
Are the cheapest car insurance companies different in Florida and Arizona?

Methodology

To calculate average car insurance rates by company and across Florida and Arizona, MoneyGeek collaborated with Quadrant Information Services to collect auto insurance quotes from both locations. We used a sample profile for a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and minimum coverage unless modified by criteria like coverage level, age, driving offenses and credit score. Learn more about how costs are calculated in our MoneyGeek car insurance methodology.

Minimum car insurance requirements by state were sourced from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the respective state.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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