Living in the Sunshine State has its pros and cons, one being Florida’s expensive average cost of car insurance at $2,364 per year for full coverage. This is significantly higher than the national average of $1,674 per year. Florida’s coastal location helps make it a popular home for many U.S. citizens and as of the last decade, the state has seen the second-fastest population growth — falling only behind Texas. However, with increased population comes an increased number of drivers on Florida’s roads and a higher likelihood of traffic-related incidents. As of 2019, Florida averaged 1,101 daily car accidents, more than half leading to injuries.
With an estimated over 20% of drivers being uninsured in the state, it is likely that many Florida motorists struggle to find cheap car insurance. But car insurance in Florida does not have to be outside of your financial reach. To help make the search easier, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team gathered 2021 rates from popular providers in the state, based on market share, using Quadrant Information Services. From there, we narrowed down the cheapest car insurance companies in Florida and used trusted third-party ratings to assess each carrier’s customer service and financial strength.
The cheapest full coverage car insurance in Florida
Out of the companies listed below, State Farm offers the cheapest full coverage rate, at $1,739 per year — $625 less than the Florida average. State Farm’s rates, as well as the other companies’ listed below, represent up-to-date average quoted premiums and reflect inclusions for liability, uninsured motorist, comprehensive and collision coverages. Although State Farm has the lowest average annual premium, your rate may be different or you may even find another provider to offer the cheapest quote.
It helps to get a personalized quote from multiple providers to determine exactly how you might be rated based on your personal information, driving and insurance history. There are multiple car insurance companies worthy of consideration for their average premiums and quality of coverage. As a starting point, we have provided the following for review.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium | Average monthly full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,739 | $144 |
| Geico | $2,085 | $174 |
| Allstate | $2,441 | $203 |
| Progressive | $2,573 | $214 |
| Direct Auto | $2,766 | $231 |
State Farm
Of the providers showcased, State Farm offers the cheapest auto insurance in Florida on average, but you do not have to sacrifice quality coverage for affordable rates. State Farm ranks highly in the 2020 J.D. Power Auto Claims Study, coming in sixth overall for consumer satisfaction based on a successful claims settlement experience. Like its jingle would suggest, State Farm has agents set up in 131 Florida towns and cities, which might add another level of confidence if you prefer working one-on-one with an insurance expert.
Learn more: State Farm insurance review
Geico
As the largest auto insurer in Florida, it may be surprising that Geico also offers the second-cheapest rate on average of the providers on our list. Fortunately for Florida motorists, its average quoted full coverage premium comes in at just under $280 less than the state average. With the premium savings, you could opt for additional coverages like mechanical breakdown insurance or further boost your budget by applying for one or more of Geico’s long list of discounts. For instance, there are discounts available for federal employees, drivers with new cars and various kinds of vehicle safety equipment.
Learn more: Geico insurance review
Allstate
Although Allstate’s premium is slightly above the state average, its policies are a favorite amongst Florida drivers. As the top-ranked Florida provider in the 2020 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, Allstate excels in several important areas such as claims, customer service, policy offerings and price. To make its policies even more worthwhile, there are a range of discounts that might apply to your coverage, like a paperless discount, or its Drivewise program, which could earn you up to 40% off your premium for safe driving.
Learn more: Allstate insurance review
Progressive
Progressive does not offer the cheapest car insurance policy on our list, but its coverage options may be worth considering for potential long-term savings. For instance, drivers who use their car for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft in one of Florida’s top-earning cities — like Tampa, Miami or Jacksonville — may benefit from adding Progressive’s rideshare coverage option to fill the gap that the rideshare company leaves. To begin selecting the right Progressive policy for you, you could use its Name Your Price tool to find a policy within your budget.
Learn more: Progressive insurance review
Direct Auto
Direct Auto may offer the most expensive full coverage auto insurance policy on our list, but the insurer actually specializes in providing affordable coverage. One of the ways it does this is through customizable payment plans that you can set up by influencing your monthly payment amount, selecting the day of the month you would like your bill due and choosing an installment plan that works with your budget. Direct Auto also offers multiple discounts that you may talk through with one of its 100 plus agents across Florida to see which ones you qualify for. While not among the largest providers in the state, Direct Auto does have useful coverage options like accidental death, which pays up to $5,000 to your beneficiaries should you die in a covered accident.
Learn more: Direct Auto insurance review
The cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Florida
Minimum coverage tends to yield the cheapest car insurance policies available due to limiting coverage to instances involving liability. Out of the providers on our list, Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage premium on average at $841 annually and $70 monthly. This is considerably less than the minimum coverage average in the state of $1,101 annually and $92 monthly. However, depending on your driver profile, you may find that another insurer offers you a cheaper rate or has a policy worth considering. Like most states, drivers in Florida have to carry at least a minimum amount of coverage following state-set limits. Because Florida is a currently a no-fault state, these include:
- $10,000 property damage liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) coverage per person
However, Florida drivers can expect these minimums to change, as the passing of Senate Bill 54 removes the requirement for PIP altogether. The change goes into effect in January 2022.
Bodily injury liability may not always be required in Florida as a minimum coverage. In Florida, a driver can satisfy the state’s “financial responsibility law” in another way, like posting a surety bond. Most insurance experts recommend purchasing more than the minimum amount of car insurance required to better financially cover yourself in an at-fault accident. Similarly, you may be required to purchase full coverage if your vehicle is leased to protect your financial obligation. However, most drivers likely satisfy the law by purchasing at least a minimum coverage of:
- $10,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
| Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average monthly minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $841 | $70 |
| State Farm | $842 | $70 |
| Allstate | $1,138 | $95 |
| Progressive | $1,356 | $113 |
| Direct Auto | $1,379 | $115 |
Cheapest car insurance with an incident in Florida
Insurance companies provide rates based on an assessed level of risk, meaning that driving violations such speeding tickets and at-fault accidents often lead to premium increases. Of the Florida providers highlighted below, State Farm is the cheapest carrier for drivers with one speeding ticket or one accident on their record, at $2,204 and $2,512 per year for full coverage, respectively. Because Florida is a no-fault state, fault may not contribute to rate increases, as all involved drivers in an accident would share some financial responsibility for the resulting damages. However, rates below from Quadrant Information Services do indicate that an accident can impact your rate, even if fault is not a determining factor.
Drivers without clean driving records may find it challenging to find the cheapest car insurance available, especially if they have multiple incidents on their record. For example, first and subsequent offenses are usually judged differently in severity and could be reflected in drastically different rate increases, depending on the company. With this in mind, it helps to receive quotes from multiple insurers to see which company offers the best, cheap rate.
| Car insurance company | One speeding ticket | One accident |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,204 | $2,512 |
| Geico | $2,954 | $2,888 |
| Allstate | $2,987 | $3,393 |
| Progressive | $3,318 | $3,955 |
| Direct Auto | $4,428 | $4,798 |
Learn more about high-risk drivers in Florida and where to coverage.
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Florida
Adding an 18-year-old to your Florida car insurance policy can be expensive, but Geico offers the cheapest premium on average at $3,672 per year, which is $2,251 more than it might be for a 40 year old. Nearly 500,000 of Florida’s licensed driver population includes drivers under the age of 19. Younger age groups, especially teens aged 16-18, are typically more costly to insure than older drivers because of their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of road incidents, such as speeding and accidents.
You are likely to see a significant increase in rates when adding a young driver to your policy, which may cause you to switch carriers or shop around to see how rates compare.
| Car insurance company | 18-year-old | 40-year-old |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $3,672 | $1,421 |
| State Farm | $4,137 | $1,453 |
| Allstate | $6,152 | $2,302 |
| Progressive | $6,287 | $1,545 |
| Direct Auto | $7,549 | $3,060 |
How to get cheap car insurance in Florida
When looking for cheap car insurance in Florida, it helps to know the many factors that could impact your quote. Your age and driving record are two of the most important factors, but insurers also typically consider your gender, vehicle type, vehicle age, ZIP code, length of insurance and credit score. In addition to discounts, there are several ways to save on car insurance, including:
- Check quotes from other insurers before renewing your policy.
- Insure multiple lines, such as your home and auto, with the same insurer.
- Improve your credit score.
- Consider usage-based insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance in Florida?
There is not one car insurance company in Florida that is the best for every driver because every driver has a unique set of circumstances. To find the best car insurance in Florida for your needs, you could start by doing some research and shopping around. Understanding what you are looking for in a car insurance company can be helpful in narrowing down your options.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Florida?
Several companies offer rates that are cheaper than Florida’s state average for car insurance, but finding the cheapest carrier for you will depend on your individual driving record and coverage needs, among other factors. To determine which insurer offers the best coverage at a rate within your budget, consider researching policies from several providers, getting quotes and consulting with an insurance agent to make sure you have considered the most useful coverages.
What happens if you drive without insurance in Florida?
Driving without car insurance is illegal in Florida. You must carry at least the minimum levels of property damage liability coverage and personal injury protection, as well as bodily injury coverage (if you do not satisfy the state’s financial responsibility law in another way, like posting a bond).
If you are caught driving without insurance, you may be facing fines, license suspension and jail time. If convicted of an incident, you may be required to carry an SR-22 or FR-44 to reinstate your license. If you cause an accident without insurance, you could also be responsible for paying for the injuries and damages out of pocket.
Is buying cheap car insurance in Florida worth it?
When shopping for coverage, it may be easy to focus solely on price. However, each car insurance company is unique and offers a different overall experience between its policies, customer service, reliability and agent availability. Many people value a company’s financial strength, in which case they might be willing to pay a bit more for coverage for the added peace of mind in a covered claim. Before settling on the best cheap car insurance company for you, consider making note of everything you value in a company and researching multiple providers based on your criteria.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner.
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