Cheap Car Insurance in Florida
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Car insurance requirements for Florida drivers
The basics of Car insurance in Florida
The required coverage is state minimum liability insurance. This is the most basic type of Florida car insurance covering any damage or injuries you are at fault for after an accident or collision with another driver.
When people refer to basic car insurance, this is the coverage they are referring to.
Not carrying car insurance or driving uninsured can result in severe penalties that can even result in losing your driving privileges. The good news is that you have several local and national car insurance companies to choose from in Florida.
Minimum requirements for Car insurance in Florida
Drivers in Florida must carry at least the following in coverage:
Personal injury protection (PIP): $10,000
Property damage liability: $10,000
How Florida drivers are penalized for driving without Car insurance
These penalties include:
First-time offenders driving uninsured in Florida are subject to a driver’s license suspension of up to one year and a reinstatement fee of $150.
Second-time offenders who drive uninsured in Florida are subject to a driver’s license suspension of up to two years and a reinstatement fee of around $250, along with SR22 requirements for three years.
Third-time offenders who drive uninsured in Florida are subject to a driver’s license suspension of up to three years and a reinstatement fee of around $500, along with SR22 requirements for three years.
Cheap car insurance in Florida for basic coverage
How much you pay for car insurance also depends on driving record, age, ZIP code, and credit score.
How much does Car insurance cost in Florida?
Florida car insurance costs much more than the national average. This is primarily due to Florida not being an at-fault state and the reliance on drivers' appropriate coverage of their own.
Basic coverage alone costs a lot in Florida, at an average cost of $2,313 annually. Full or Comprehensive car insurance coverage in Florida can cost upwards of $6,685 annually.
How traffic violations can raise your Car Insurance in Florida
An accident, in general, can increase your car insurance rates by 4% in Florida.
One PIP claim won’t increase your car insurance rates in Florida, but at least two will increase it by 7%.
A speeding ticket can increase your car insurance rates by 8% in Florida.
Reckless driving can increase your car insurance rates by 38% in Florida.
Street racing can increase your car insurance rates by 71% in Florida.
A DUI can increase your car insurance rates by 72% in Florida.
Driving with a suspended license in Florida can increase your rates by up to 50%.
An SR-22 or FR-44 requirement can increase your car insurance rates by 70% or even double them in Florida.
*These listed increases are more so based on averages than actual cases. The rate increases you may personally experience will differ based on your car insurance company and where you live in Florida.
SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance in Florida
SR-22 insurance is only required in Florida after committing serious driving offenses that result in you losing your driving privileges. The state will notify you when you are required to obtain FL SR-22 insurance.
The following traffic violations will require you to get a FL SR-22 certificate:
Reckless driving
Driving without insurance
Driving with a suspended license
Accumulating multiple minor traffic violations
Multiple at-fault accidents
FR-44 insurance in Florida
FR-44 insurance is relatively similar to SR-22 insurance in that you must file it with your insurance carrier, and it proves to the state of Florida that you meet their vehicle insurance requirements.
However, the circumstances in which you must obtain an FR-44 filing differ from an SR-22.
Florida requires a driver to purchase FR44 insurance after being convicted of a DUI violation. For this reason, it is often referred to in Florida as “DUI insurance.”
How much car insurance you must carry in Florida to file your FR-44 form also differs from an SR22 certificate. To fulfill your FR44 requirement, you must purchase much higher coverage limits than a standard auto insurance policy.
Listed below are the minimum liability requirements you will have to meet at least to meet Florida’s FR-44 insurance requirements:
$100,000 for bodily injury per person
$300,000 for bodily injury per accident
$50,000 for property damage
How Much Does SR-22 or FR-44 Insurance Cost in Florida?
Filing an SR-22 or an FR-44 in Florida will be a costly undertaking. The one-time filing fee your Florida auto insurance agency charges you will only be about $15-$25. However, your car insurance premiums will increase significantly.
How much they increase will depend on which type of financial responsibility form you must file, the circumstances of your violation, and your insurance company. You may also have to pay reinstatement fees to get your drivers license back.
The average cost a Florida driver may pay is around $3,500 per year for auto insurance following an SR-22 requirement.
Suppose they are convicted of a DUI violation and need FR44 insurance. In that case, it is likely to be even higher as their liability insurance limits will increase.
How Long Must You Maintain an SR-22 or FR44 in Florida?
So long as you keep a good driving record and don’t get additional violations, you can drop your SR-22 or FR44 insurance after a few years.
In Florida, on average, drivers are required to maintain their SR-22 insurance or FR44 insurance for around three years. This is on par with the national average.
Depending on the infraction’s severity, Florida could require you to maintain SR-22 or FR44 insurance policies for longer than three years.
Whatever has been decided by the state of Florida, once your designated maintenance period is over, you are responsible for informing your insurance company. They will then go about canceling your SR-22 or FR44 insurance.
Failure to maintain your SR-22 or FR44 insurance for the assigned period of time can be incredibly damaging to your driving record. Letting your insurance coverage lapse will effectively end your SR-22 or FR44 insurance.
If this happens, your insurer must inform the state of Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles. That is why it is very important to maintain continuous coverage on your vehicle during your SR-22 period
As a result, your license can be suspended again, and you will have to restart your SR-22 insurance filing period.
This includes paying all the associated fees once again. It is likely that your provider will drop you after you let your car insurance coverage lapse.
Florida Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
Even if you do not own a car, you can still be required to purchase SR-22 insurance in Florida. Not owning the car you were driving during your traffic violation does not exempt you from any SR-22 or FR44 insurance laws.
You will want to purchase a non-owner SR-22 insurance policy in this situation. A non-owner policy provides mandatory coverage and fulfills your Florida SR-22 requirements.
By carrying a non-owner car insurance policy, you will be recognized as an insured driver. You can go about filing your SR22 form or FR44 certificate with Florida. However, purchase car insurance before you have an SR-22 requirement.
Florida DUI Convictions
After your first DUI conviction, you could face a fine between $500 and $1000. If blood alcohol content (BAC) is over 0.15, the fine can be between $1,000 and $2,000.
Regarding jail time, a first offense could land you in jail for up to six months and even higher, depending on your BAC. Penalties escalate in subsequent offenses. Impoundment of your car could also be on the table, depending on your case.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Requirement in Florida
If convicted of a DUI or DWI, the state of Florida may require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your car.
An IID is a device that prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath or if you fail to complete the breath test.
What you can do to save money on Car insurance
There are also ones you can get involved with, like a safe driver discount, anti-theft discount, or one for paying for your coverage all at once rather than monthly.
While you can’t change certain factors like your age, you can take control of things like your driving record or credit score.