If you are thinking about moving from Florida to Virginia or vice versa, auto insurance requirements in Florida vary from those in Virginia.
In Florida, property damage liability per accident is required to be $10,000. In Virginia, car insurance is optional but mandates certain limits if purchased.
In this guide, MoneyGeek researched the differences in car insurance requirements and laws in Florida and Virginia to identify the cheapest companies.
- I want to compare car insurance laws in Florida vs. Virginia
- I want to see the cheapest insurance companies in Florida vs. Virginia
- I want an analysis of how and why car insurance costs differ in Florida vs. Virginia
- I want to see how car insurance costs differ by city
- I’m moving between Florida and Virginia, what should I know?
Car Insurance Laws in Florida vs. Virginia
Florida auto insurance regulations require drivers to carry minimum coverage of property damage liability per accident and personal injury protection per person. Virginia's minimum car insurance requirements include 25/50/20 coverage limits, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. This is one of the most important factors influencing insurance costs.
In Florida, a minimum-coverage vehicle insurance policy costs an average of $1,123 annually. The same coverage costs $433 in Virginia. Virginia has more insurance requirements than Florida, but it is less expensive. This could be related to a variety of factors, including population density and accident frequency.
Florida Requirements
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
- $10,000 personal injury protection per person
Virginia Requirements (optional)
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
- $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
How Are Car Insurance Laws Enforced in Florida and Virginia?
In the United States, there are 12 no-fault states, including Florida. The state of Florida is known as a no-fault state because it has a statute that requires a form of car accident insurance that pays regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Keep in mind that this type of coverage may result in higher premiums.
Meanwhile, Virginia is an "at-fault" tort state. This means that drivers who cause an accident must bear the financial responsibility.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Florida vs. Virginia
Car insurance premiums fluctuate between companies and states. MoneyGeek recommends that you shop around to get the best rates.
On average, the following are the most affordable companies in Florida and Virginia:
- Cheapest in Florida: GEICO ($590 per year)
- Cheapest in Virginia: Progressive ($333 per year)
MoneyGeek found USAA to be the cheapest company on average in Florida, at $406, and Virginia, where it tied with Progressive at $333 a year. However, it is only available to military families.
Keep in mind that costs vary by state. For example, GEICO, which is the cheapest insurer in Florida, is one of the more expensive options in Virginia.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Florida
Company | Annual Rate | |
---|---|---|
1. | $406 | |
2. | $590 | |
3. | $1,034 | |
4. | Allied | $1,056 |
5. | $1,085 | |
6. | $1,120 | |
7. | $1,356 | |
8. | $1,564 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Virginia
Company | Annual Rate | |
---|---|---|
1. | $333 | |
2. | $333 | |
3. | $350 | |
4. | $350 | |
5. | $392 | |
6. | $425 | |
7. | $439 | |
8. | $460 | |
9. | $464 |
The cheapest car insurance company in Florida is GEICO, while the cheapest auto insurance company in Virginia is Progressive. These rates apply to the state’s minimum coverage. Your premium will be determined by the amount of coverage you buy, your age, driving history, location and other factors. MoneyGeek analyzed the most cost-effective options in both states:
Compare Auto Insurance Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Virginia
How much coverage you purchase impacts the cost of your car insurance.
The average cost of state minimum coverage in Florida and Virginia is $1,123 and $433, respectively. This means that drivers in Virginia save an average of $690 on the state's minimum coverage when compared to drivers in Florida. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage in Florida is $2,208. In Virginia, it’s roughly $790.
These are average prices. Your actual charges may vary based on the level of coverage you choose.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Virginia
Driver | Florida Annual Premium | Virginia Annual Premium |
---|---|---|
Minimum Coverage | $1,123 | $433 |
Full Coverage | $2,208 | $790 |
Adding a Young Driver | $4,913 | $2,202 |
Drivers With a Violation | $2,902 | $977 |
Drivers With Poor Credit | $4,194 | $1,263 |
Why Are Car Insurance Rates More Expensive in Florida vs. Virginia?
Car insurance rates can be impacted for various reasons, but it’s impossible to blame the differences on one factor. Several reasons, like the state's high theft rate, the state's high number of uninsured drivers and natural disaster probability, contribute to Florida's higher rates when compared to Virginia.
Car Insurance Costs by City in Florida vs. Virginia
The cost of auto insurance varies by state, and your rates are influenced by the city in which you reside. MoneyGeek found the cheapest and most expensive cities for vehicle insurance in Florida and Virginia on average.
Florida
- Cheapest city: Gainesville ($693 per year)
- Most expensive city: Hialeah ($1,461 per year)
Pennsylvania
- Cheapest city: Newport News ($408 per year)
- Most expensive city: Alexandria ($462 per year)
Although car insurance requirements are the same in all cities in each respective state, this is not a cost consideration. Higher rates are more likely in areas with higher population densities.
Car Insurance Costs by City in Florida
City | Average Annual Rate |
---|---|
$813 | |
$1,054 | |
$1,214 | |
$1,157 | |
$1,277 | |
$693 | |
$1,461 | |
$1,248 | |
$869 | |
$846 | |
$1,334 | |
$1,390 | |
$1,107 | |
$964 | |
$853 | |
$1,094 | |
$1,208 | |
$932 | |
$1,086 | |
$738 | |
$1,288 | |
$1,338 |
Car Insurance Costs by City in Virginia
City | Average Annual Rate |
---|---|
$462 | |
$419 | |
$417 | |
$408 | |
$443 | |
$440 | |
$432 |
Moving Between Florida and Virginia? What to Know
If you are moving from Florida to Virginia or vice versa, you need to transfer your driver's license, vehicle registration and auto insurance coverage.
If you're moving to a state where your current insurance provider is available, you may be able to keep it. However, your rates may increase to reflect the additional risks and coverage requirements.
MoneyGeek provides a number of resources to help you select the insurance coverage that best meets your needs.
Use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculators for Florida and Virginia
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculators in Florida and car insurance calculators in Virginia will show you an estimate of how much you'll pay for auto insurance in each state depending on the information you provide.
Figure out your options for temporary car insurance in Florida and Virginia
Keep in mind that most plans are valid for at least six months. However, there are methods to get temporary car insurance in Florida or temporary car insurance in Virginia if you are only visiting the state for a short time.
If you’re a low-income driver, see if Florida or Virginia offer car insurance programs
MoneyGeek’s resources can help you find ways to save money on premiums for low-income drivers in Florida as well as low-income drivers in Virginia.
FAQs About Florida and Virginia Car Insurance
The regulations and rates for auto insurance in Florida and Virginia vary. MoneyGeek answered some commonly asked questions regarding car insurance in Florida and Virginia to help you get the best coverage.
Methodology
To calculate average car insurance rates by company and across Florida and Virginia, 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
