Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive in Florida?


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Key Takeaways

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Florida has the third-highest average car insurance cost in the U.S., with the average cost of minimum coverage being $1,207 per year, while full coverage averages $2,912.

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Factors that cause high auto insurance rates in Florida include extreme weather risks, expensive health care costs and average driver profile.

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Based on our analysis, Travelers and State Farm offered the most affordable rates for our sample driver profiles in Florida. Your actual rates may vary based on your specific circumstances, driving record and coverage needs.

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Factors Why Car Insurance in Florida Is Expensive

Florida’s high insurance costs are driven by busy roads, extra insurance requirements, expensive health care, high-risk drivers, uninsured drivers and severe weather risks.

If you’ve noticed higher premiums recently, you’re not alone. Car insurance rates have risen across the U.S., and Florida is following the same trend. Here are the main reasons car insurance rates are so high in the state.

1. Traffic and Busy Roadways in Florida

Research shows that around 79.8 million people visited Florida in 2020. With its ports, beaches and top amusement parks, it’s no surprise Florida ranks as the third-busiest state in the U.S.

More visitors mean busier highways, which raises auto insurance rates statewide. Crowded roads increase accident risk, so insurers charge higher premiums.

2. Florida's No-Fault Insurance System

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning your own insurance covers certain medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. This system centers around personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for 80% of your medical bills up to your policy limits without requiring fault determination first. PIP coverage typically has no deductible, so benefits begin immediately after an accident.

Like most states, car insurance is required in Florida. To drive, you must have a policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements:

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

While this provides faster access to medical care compared to traditional liability systems, it also means every Florida driver must purchase this additional coverage, contributing to the state's higher insurance costs.

3. Florida as a High-Risk State

If you're charged with a DUI, multiple at-fault accidents or another serious violation, many states require you to buy an SR-22. These policies typically cost much more than standard coverage. However, in Florida, drivers with a DUI must file an FR-44 instead. This filing requires higher coverage limits of 100/300/50, plus $10,000 in PIP.

The higher rates linked to this filing may contribute to Florida’s expensive car insurance costs. See the table below for the average insurance cost based on driving violations:

Drivers With A DUI$135$317
Drivers With An Accident$142$345
Drivers With A Speeding Ticket$118$291
Drivers With Bad Credit$130$270

4. High Number of Uninsured Drivers in Florida

Although Florida law requires drivers to carry insurance, about 20% of drivers are uninsured, much higher than the national average of 12.6%. This makes Florida one of the states with the highest rates of uninsured motorists, increasing the risk of accidents with uninsured drivers.

While uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't required in Florida, it's highly recommended. UM coverage helps protect you financially if you're in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. It raises your premiums but provides crucial protection against potential expenses from accidents with uninsured motorists.

5. Florida's Severe Weather Risks

Extreme weather is a common cause of auto insurance claims, especially for drivers with comprehensive coverage. In Florida, weather hazards like tornadoes and hurricanes can cause severe damage, sometimes resulting in a total loss. When insurers face massive payouts from widespread storm damage, they spread those costs across all policyholders statewide.

This geographic reality creates rate variations across the state. Drivers in hurricane-prone coastal areas and high-traffic metropolitan regions like Miami-Dade face higher premiums than those in inland counties with lower storm surge risk.

6. High Vehicle Theft Rate in Florida

Vehicle theft is a key factor in Florida's high car insurance premiums. Insurance companies view areas with higher theft rates as higher risk, which results in higher premiums for drivers in those areas.

The most stolen vehicles in Florida are:

  • Ford pickup (full size) – 2006 model
  • Honda Accord – 2021 model
  • Nissan Altima – 2015 model
  • Chevrolet pickup (full size) – 2021 model
  • Toyota Camry – 2021 model

7. High Number of Young and Senior Drivers in Florida

Florida's large young adult and senior populations contribute to higher insurance costs. According to Census data, people aged 18 to 24 and seniors comprise 18% of the state's population, which is 2% higher than the national average.

Age is a key factor in determining car insurance rates. On average, young students and seniors pay more than the typical driver for coverage.

8. Florida's Expensive Health Care Costs

When you're in an accident, insurance providers use premiums paid by consumers to cover your expenses. This includes medical costs for injuries to drivers, passengers, or, in tort states, treatments needed by the other party.

The U.S. spent $4.9 trillion on health care in 2023, per Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While health care costs are high nationwide, Florida residents pay more than average. According to the Commonwealth Fund, Florida is one of five states where residents spend 14% or more of their income on health care, so insurance companies charge higher premiums to cover these medical costs.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida

Based on MoneyGeek's analysis of major insurers, the average driver in Florida pays about $2,912 per year or $243 per month for full coverage car insurance for our sample driver profile.

Over the past six years, auto insurance rates in Florida have steadily risen. According to our rankings, the state moved from being the 46th most-affordable state for coverage to the 48th. Since 2015, rates have increased by an average of $865.

Full Coverage$243$2,912
Minimum Coverage$101$1,207

Average Car Insurance Cost in Florida by Cities and ZIP Codes

Car insurance costs vary significantly across Florida cities, with drivers in major metropolitan areas like Miami and Tampa typically paying higher premiums than those in smaller cities. Take a look at how rates change in Florida based on your city using the table below.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
City:Miami
Miami33122$123$289
Miami33125$129$304
Miami33126$127$300
Miami33127$129$304
Miami33128$126$296
Miami33129$174$402
Miami33130$125$295
Miami33131$120$282
Miami33132$179$414
Miami33133$120$281
Miami33135$128$301
Miami33136$126$296
Miami33137$124$292
Miami33138$123$289
Miami33142$129$304
Miami33144$126$297
Miami33145$181$415
Miami33150$129$302
Miami33169$178$417
Miami33185$120$284
Miami33194$121$285
Miami33195$124$293
Miami33198$131$309
Miami33199$121$284

How to Lower Car Insurance Rates in Florida

Since affordable car insurance in Florida is rare, it's helpful to know ways to reduce your premium. MoneyGeek outlines several steps you can take to make insurance more affordable.

  1. 1

    Shop around for quotes

    One of the best ways to find the lowest rates is to compare quotes from at least three providers. While insurers consider similar factors when setting premiums, each calculates rates differently, so provide the same information for each quote to find the company that offers the best rates for your needs.

  2. 2

    Bundle your policies

    Insurance companies often offer more than just car insurance. For example, bundling your auto and homeowners insurance with the same provider can result in lower rates than buying separate policies from different insurers.

  3. 3

    Take advantage of discounts

    Every insurance company offers multiple discount programs. Some focus on safety, like discounts for having anti-theft devices or a clean driving record. Others offer discounts if you switch from another provider. However, not all discounts are available in every state or with all insurers, so contact each provider directly to find out which savings you qualify for.

  4. 4

    Use an insurance comparison tool

    Use a car insurance comparison tool to get multiple quotes fast. These tools let you compare rates side by side without visiting different websites. However, they may not show all options for your policy. Still, they're an efficient way to narrow down your choices and save time when looking for estimates.

  5. 5

    Increase your deductible

    Your deductible affects your auto insurance rates. It's the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer covers your expenses. A higher deductible usually leads to a lower premium, but you'll pay more out of pocket after an accident.

  6. 6

    Consider pay-per-mile insurance

    Car insurance policies typically use factors like your age, driving history and location to determine your premium. Pay-per-mile insurance also considers these factors but is mainly usage-based, meaning your rates depend on how many miles you drive. This type of insurance is cost-effective if you don't drive often.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida

Travelers consistently provides the cheapest car insurance in Florida for different driver profiles. Below, we've highlighted the most affordable car insurance options to help you compare and save money.

Drivers With Newer CarsTravelers$56$678
Drivers With Old CarsState Farm$67$806
Adult DriversTravelers$82$983
Drivers With Low IncomeTravelers$82$987
Drivers With A Speeding TicketTravelers$104$1,247
Drivers With A DUIState Farm$108$1,298
Drivers With An AccidentTravelers$109$1,310
Senior DriversTravelers$110$1,318
Drivers With Bad CreditTravelers$127$1,525
Young DriversTravelers$181$2,168

Why Is Auto Insurance Expensive in Florida: Bottom Line

The average annual car insurance cost in Florida is $2,912, making it the third-highest in the country. Several factors contribute to these high rates, including weather risks, traffic density, health care costs, driver profiles and additional insurance requirements. We explored how each factor affects car insurance rates and discussed ways for Florida drivers to find more affordable options.

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Why Is Florida Car Insurance Expensive: FAQ

MoneyGeek answered common questions about Florida car insurance rates to help you understand the different factors causing high premiums in the state:

Is car insurance expensive in Florida?

What makes Florida car insurance expensive?

Can you find affordable car insurance in Florida?

How do natural disasters impact Florida car insurance rates?

Does fraud affect car insurance costs in Florida?

Why do uninsured drivers raise rates in Florida?

Are recent economic factors raising Florida car insurance rates?

Do traffic conditions make Florida car insurance more expensive?

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Car Insurance Rates in Florida: Our Review Methodology

Sample Driver Profile

We used a sample driver profile to determine average car insurance rates in Florida:

  • 40-year-old man
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 miles driven annually

We modified this driver profile by age, vehicle, credit score and driving record to determine averages for different driver profiles and needs.

Coverage Levels and Deductibles

Unless otherwise noted, average rates on this page are for a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, a $1,000 deductible for each and the following liability limits (100/300/100):

  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 in property damage liability per accident

When minimum coverage is specified, we used the following minimum liability-only limits as mandated by Florida:

  • $10,000 for property damage liability per accident.
  • $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per person

Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.

Florida Car Insurance Costs: Related Pages

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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