Florida Car Insurance Laws: How Much Coverage Do I Need?
Florida drivers are required to carry $10,000 of property damage liability coverage and $10,000 of personal injury protection, but most policyholders purchase extra coverage.
policy that includes at least $10,000 of property damage liability coverage and $10,000 of personal injury protection. For added financial protection, most drivers upgrade their policies with supplemental coverage and higher coverage limits.
Florida auto insurance minimum requirements
Florida’s minimum insurance requirements include the following coverage limits:
app, you can explore different types of coverage and see how they impact the cost of your insurance.
Through Jerry, you can find the insurance and coverage you need, tailored to your individual needs. One popular option is the State Minimum coverage.
In addition to Florida’s required car insurance limits, drivers who lease or finance their vehicles are typically required to purchase a full coverage auto insurance policy. If your vehicle is leased or financed, be sure to ask your lender about their insurance coverage requirements.
What are Florida's new no-fault laws?
As of 2023, Bill SB 54 is in the works to refresh the standards for Florida’s car insurance requirements. 1 Due to fraud and a lack of efficient coverage, Florida’s Chambers of the State Legislature are supporting the removal of the state’s PIP coverage requirement. In place of PIP, Florida drivers would be required to purchase $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of
Is minimum coverage the most cost effective option?
Florida’s minimum auto insurance requirements offer limited financial protection. As a result, drivers with minimum coverage often face high out-of-pocket costs after an accident—especially if found at-fault.
For example…
Average car accident costs: The Insurance Information Institute (III) states that the average bodily injury claim comes out to $22,743, while property damage claims cost $5,314 on average.
No coverage for injuries you cause: Your state-mandated PDL insurance might cover damage to another person’s property, but you’d have $0 of bodily injury liability insurance with Florida’s minimum plan.
You could be sued: If the other driver also has state minimum coverage, their PIP will only cover $10,000 in medical bills—meaning that they could sue you for the remainder, plus pain and suffering.
You will be responsible for your medical expenses over $10k: If you sustain injuries worth over $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage, you will be responsible for covering your medical bills out of pocket.
You will be responsible for your vehicle repair bills: Florida’s minimum coverage offers zero coverage for your vehicle’s repairs.
Licensed Insurance Agent @ Jerry - 6 years experience
As a licensed agent, I highly recommend [carrying] higher limits than state minimums for bodily injury and property damage coverages. Your coverage limits should always exceed your current net worth. I'd consider limits of $100,000/$300,000 as these coverages can better protect you from the damages and injury you may cause in an auto accident.
Florida’s minimum car insurance coverage meets your financial responsibility requirements, but it’s not the most cost-effective option for optimal financial protection. Instead, insurance experts recommend higher coverage limits and additional coverage:
$50,000 to $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$50,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
Florida car insurance rates: Minimum and full coverage costs
Florida car insurance costs vary from driver to driver and company to company, but the average costs of minimum coverage and full coverage are as follows:
Average cost of minimum coverage: $153 per month or $1,840 per year
Average cost of full coverage: $223 per month or 2,676 per year
While full coverage gets a higher price tag, it also offers comprehensive and collision insurance to protect your vehicle—which state minimum coverage overlooks.
Comparing quotes is the best way to find a car insurance policy that meets all your needs without going over-budget.
: Designed to help you if you’re in a car accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, an uninsured driver, or a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injury costs.
: Helps you cover your personal medical costs after an accident, including emergency room visits and doctor bills. It does not cover lost wages or pain and suffering.
: Covers the difference between the actual cash value (ACV) of your financed vehicle and the total remaining on your loan if the vehicle is totaled.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Florida
Car insurance is required by law in Florida, so if you are caught by a police officer without valid proof of insurance, you could face the following penalties:
Driver’s license suspended for up to three years or until proof of insurance is provided
Driver’s license for up to three years or until proof of insurance is provided
$250 license reinstatement fee
SR-22 filing requirement for three years
Driver’s license for up to three years or until proof of insurance is provided
$500 license reinstatement fee
SR-22 filing requirement for three years
FAQs
What car insurance is required by law in Florida?
Property damage liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) are required by law in Florida. You must meet a $10,000 coverage limit for both types of insurance in the state of Florida.
Is Florida a no-fault car insurance state?
Yes. Florida is considered a no-fault insurance state—but drivers who aren’t at fault can still sue for damages that aren’t covered.
What does Florida require for full coverage insurance?
There’s no specific requirement for full coverage insurance in Florida, but a full coverage policy typically refers to a policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to liability insurance.
A full coverage policy in Florida will include $50k/$100k/$50k in liability insurance along collision and comprehensive insurance to replace your vehicle in the event of an accident, theft, or other covered loss.
How long can you go without having car insurance in Florida?
It is illegal to drive without car insurance for any amount of time in Florida—and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can find out as soon as your coverage lapses.
Florida requires insurance companies to report to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) when you initiate or cancel your car insurance or remove a vehicle from your policy. If the FLHSMV doesn’t receive a notification from another insurance provider that you’ve opened another policy, they will send a letter asking you to provide proof of insurance.
