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Best 5 Car Insurance Companies in Florida 2020
Florida is the fourth most expensive state for car insurance, due to its no-fault insurance laws, subtropical weather and a high percentage of elderly drivers. Most Florida residents pay nearly $50 more than the national average every month. According to The Zebra, car insurance in Florida costs $1,878 per year on average.
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However, most car insurance companies in Florida offer steep savings that drivers can take advantage of. All it takes is a bit of comparison shopping to find the best auto insurance in Florida that meets your needs and budget. You can save money every year by picking the right insurance company. Because getting car insurance quotes is a customized process, there is no single company that is the best fit for every Florida resident.
The factors that influence how much car insurance companies will charge you include your age, marital status, driving history and even ZIP code. Each insurer weighs those factors differently. The best strategy for finding cheap car insurance in Florida will always be to compare quotes.
Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Car Insurance in Florida
These insurers were ranked at the top of J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study in the Florida region, and have an AM Best rating of excellent or better. J.D. Power is a global leader in customer service surveys, and AM Best evaluates companies’ financial solvency.
Statistics show that the average driver has an accident every 18 years. When an accident does happen, poor customer service from the insurance agency only makes things worse. Any insurance company worth recommending should have a proven track record of great service and financial stability. Here’s why we chose these five providers as the best car insurance companies in Florida.
Best for rewards – Allstate
Allstate has many benefits Florida drivers should consider, and their customer service is top-notch.
Allstate offers many features that make it an enticing option to consider. They’re among the best in customer satisfaction, earning a five out of five rating with J.D. Power. Along with this, they offer rewards programs that can help you save on your deductible and your policy premium.
What’s more, they offer a great selection of optional coverages such as a personal umbrella policy. How it works is it provides additional protection that could offset any additional expenses your regular policy doesn’t cover. And with rental reimbursement, you remain mobile if your car has to go to the shop for any repairs after an accident.
Allstate also has easy to use tools to manage your policy on the go and file claims quickly, making them a great choice for those who are tech-savvy. Allstate also has a good reputation for affordability. Overall, Allstate’s selection of optional coverages, coupled with its extensive discounts makes them a smart option to consider.
Best for quick coverage options – Esurance
Esurance makes it simple to get good car insurance fast, and they’re high customer satisfaction ratings means they’ll be there when you need them the most.
Esurance offers a simple way to get the auto insurance you need quickly. Simply, visit their website, fill out the quote, and have coverage fast. Speaking of coverage, Esurance does a great job with additional coverage options including GAP–this can offset the difference between the value of your vehicle and how much you owe on your loan at the time of total loss.
Esurance does offer a good amount of discounts especially if you bundle multiple policies or use their app Drivewise. That said, other providers like Allstate offer more savings that’ll help you save more money over time with their vanishing deductible and other reward programs.
And like Allstate, Esurance does exceptionally well taking care of its customers. They earn high marks from J.D. Power for customer satisfaction. Therefore, if you’re looking for a no-frills car insurance option that’s affordable, Esurance isn’t a bad one to consider.
Best for coverage options – State Farm
We like State Farm’s robust choice of coverage options and discounts. We dislike the lower satisfaction scores among its customers.
State Farm might fall short in customer satisfaction ratings compared to other providers making this list. However, they do offer a unique mix of coverage options you might not find with other providers.
To demonstrate, State Farm offers coverage options for rideshare drivers. This helps Uber, Lyft, and other ride sharers fill in the gaps in the coverages provided by the company. Moreover, if you’re on a trip and you have an accident, with travel expenses and rental car reimbursement coverage, you’ll have coverage for a rental car, hotels, and even your meals while you’re away from home.
State Farm is also a better option for those who want a traditional insurance buying experience. With close to 19,000 agents nationwide, you can stop into your local office to buy in person if that’s your preference. On the affordability end, they won’t be the least expensive option in many instances but they’re still affordable.
Overall, State Farm offers a healthy mix of coverage options with discounts to make them a viable option for many Florida drivers.
Best for affordable rates – GEICO
Geico offers a good mix of value and choice. Their customer satisfaction ratings and financial health are also driving factors making them a smart choice to ponder.
Review: Geico is among one of the least expensive auto insurance providers in the state. Drivers can rack up the savings with ample selection of discounts including accident-free (5 years or more without an accident), bundling multiple policies, or for earning good grades.
Geico also delivers a 97% customer satisfaction rating, meaning that when you need help, they’re more than likely to deliver. They also offer a healthy array of coverage options to help out Uber and Lyft drivers, who need to supplement their insurance policies.
Geico is also among the best in financial standings. They earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and earned high ratings with each of the independent financial companies.
All told, Geico is a great choice for Florida drivers who need expanded coverage options. And with some of the least expensive rates, this is one of the best choices for the budget-conscious buyer.
Best for comprehensive coverage – Liberty Mutual
We like Liberty Mutual’s great mix of coverage options and discounts. However, their average customer satisfaction ratings leave something to be desired.
Liberty Mutual won’t be the cheapest provider available, but they do offer optional coverages you won’t find with many other providers. They thought of practically everything with coverage options, including Mexico car insurance and teacher coverage, which covers any damage to a teacher’s vehicle in a school zone.
Meanwhile, Liberty Mutual does offer a healthy mix of discounts. Using their RightTrack app could save you up to 30% on your car insurance if you exhibit safe driving behaviors. You can also bundle multiple policies to help you save money.
Liberty Mutual is in the middle of the pack pertaining to customer satisfaction, so your experiences with them could vary. However, if you don’t mind this and potentially paying a little more, you’ll have a wide variety of coverage options available to you that you won’t find with other providers.
Florida’s minimum coverage requirements for 2019
Florida requires $10,000 personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage liability coverage in order to maintain a valid license plate. That’s a shockingly low amount of coverage; it’s easy to imagine even a minor accident causing more than $10,000 in property damage.
What’s PIP?
PIP stands for personal injury protection. With Florida being a no-fault state, if two drivers become involved in a car accident both are required by state law to have PIP to help offset any medical costs resulting from the accident. Along with medical expenses, it can provide coverage for lost wages as well.
What does no-fault mean?
Florida is one of the states with no-fault laws. How this works is if you’re involved in an accident, you’ll go to your insurance company to cover the costs regardless of who is at fault. The goal behind this was to limit lawsuits arising from car accidents. That said, there are special circumstances where lawsuits could happen such as one person becomes permanently disabled after the crash. Another special case could be if the medical bills exceed the $10,000 coverage the driver’s PIP provides.
How to find cheap car insurance in Florida
The auto insurance Florida providers on our list offer some of the most affordable rates in Florida. Remember that your rate is calculated based on a number of individualized factors, including your age, gender, marital status, the type of car you drive, your history of accidents and your credit score.
To give you an idea of the average monthly rate for each provider, we received quotes for a single, 26 year-old female driver living in Orlando.
- Allstate — $1, 524
- Esurance — $1,490
- Geico — $1,352
- Liberty Mutual — $1,620
- State Farm — $1,388
Florida average minimum coverage car insurance cost per carrier
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| Florida Minimum Avg. Cost | Florida Min Monthly Avg. Cost | Florida Min Weekly Avg. Cost | Florida Min Daily Avrg. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,072.00 | $89.33 | $22.33 | $2.94 |
| Direct General Ins | $1,351.67 | $112.64 | $28.16 | $3.70 |
| Metropolitan | $1,634.40 | $136.20 | $34.05 | $4.48 |
| State Farm | $1,726.50 | $143.88 | $35.97 | $4.73 |
| Allstate | $1,826.00 | $152.17 | $38.04 | $5.00 |
| Progressive | $2,054.00 | $171.17 | $42.79 | $5.63 |
Florida average full coverage car insurance cost per carrier
| Florida Full Avg. Cost | Florida Full Monthly Avg. Cost | Florida Full Weekly Avg. Cost | Florida Full Daily Avg. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $2,359.89 | $196.66 | $49.16 | $6.47 |
| State Farm | $2,848.00 | $237.33 | $59.33 | $7.80 |
| Direct General Ins | $3,057.33 | $254.78 | $63.69 | $8.38 |
| Allstate | $3,352.67 | $279.39 | $69.85 | $9.19 |
| Metropolitan | $3,972.11 | $331.01 | $82.75 | $10.88 |
| Progressive | $3,972.67 | $331.06 | $82.76 | $10.88 |
Before getting a quote, take a look at the provider’s discounts page. You’ll find a complete list of the discounts it offers, which could help you save a significant amount of money. Some insurance companies offer discounts that others don’t, like special savings for military, federal employees or other group affiliations. As you’re shopping around, find which company offers the most discounts that you can take advantage of.
Car insurance FAQs
Florida’s rates are among the highest in the nation for several reasons, but primarily because it’s a no-fault state. Residents are required to pay their own expenses after an accident, and they need to maintain personal injury protection, or PIP. Many Floridians are also covered for accident-related medical expenses through their health insurance, so many residents will be paying for the same thing twice.
The state’s no-fault car insurance plan has been in effect since 1972 and was intended to reduce lawsuits. However, the number of legitimate and fraudulent PIP claims began skyrocketing in 2008 and continues to rise. State bills have been introduced to repeal the no-fault system, so far to no avail. If it is repealed, Florida drivers’ insurance rates could drop. But that remains a big “if.”
Aside from no-fault insurance, Florida is the nation’s leader in careless driving accidents and logs more fatal crashes than any other state, with the exceptions of Texas and California. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Florida had almost 15 vehicle fatalities per 100,000 population in 2017, while the U.S. number was 11.4 fatalities. Considering that statistic and Florida’s dense population, it’s easy to see why rates there are pricier.
If you’re traveling to Florida for business or for an extended vacation, or if you’re there and driving more than 90 days within a 365-day period, you need to purchase minimum car insurance coverage. If you’re a part-time resident with valid Florida license plates and registration, you must be covered by a Florida insurance policy — and not just while you’re living in the state.
Yes, absolutely. The minimum for collision in Florida is $10,000, and it’s been that way since the 1980s. Back then, you could replace a car for that cost. Nowadays, it takes a lot more money to replace one vehicle that’s been in an accident.
Think about it this way: Statistically, the average driver has an accident every 17.9 years, and the average medical cost of an accident that permanently injures someone is $93,800, according to the National Safety Council, and that’s not including property damages. If you wreck an expensive car or injure multiple people, damages could easily skyrocket from there.
Let’s say you get in a wreck with someone who maintains minimum coverage, and you permanently injured that person to the tune of $60,000 (a low estimate, by the way). The victim could take you to court and you might wind up being responsible for $40,000 out of pocket. With the upgraded coverage, you’re responsible for $10,000 if the worst happens. It still isn’t a good situation, but it’s much better than a $40,000 judgment.
You should also consider adding underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. More than a quarter (26.7 percent) of Florida’s drivers are uninsured, the highest rate in the nation, according to the Insurance Research Council.
If you’re trying to decide whether to get collision or comprehensive coverage, or both, you need to know the difference. Collision coverage will kick in if you hit an object, such as a guardrail or a tree, or if your car hits another vehicle. Collision coverage also is useful if you have a rollover or incur damage as a result of driving into a pothole.
Comprehensive coverage kicks in if your car is vandalized, stolen, damaged because of a natural disaster or an object falling on it, or if your car hits an animal.
If you’re caught without insurance or you are underinsured, your driving privileges will be suspended for up to three years. To get your license reinstated, you’ll need to cough up $150 (up to $500 for subsequent violations) and provide proof of valid insurance. The long-term repercussions, however, include a tainted driving record, higher premiums and possibly even jail time, especially if you are involved in an accident without being insured.
Technically, SR-22 is not a type of insurance. If you have ever had a car accident while uninsured, been cited for driving under the influence, or you get a lot of traffic tickets in a short period of time, you may be required to file for SR-22 insurance.
You can pick up SR-22 insurance through your regular policy provider, who will simply file the paperwork in order to make you compliant. SR-22 insurance is much more expensive than regular car insurance. Once your violations drop off your record, you will be able to quit using the SR-22 policy.
Too long, didn’t read?
Florida is the nation’s most expensive state for car insurance, this is why it’s important to find the most reputable car insurance companies that offer the best prices, which are on this list, understand Florida’s unique no-fault laws and how they work as well as buy more than the minimum coverage amount required by the state to ensure you have the financial protection you need.
Keep Reading
Methodology
The SimpleScore makes it easy to compare products and services featured here on The Simple Dollar in a transparent, open and honest way. We rate these products and services using five factors and average them to calculate a single SimpleScore. For auto insurance, we compare:
- Discounts
- Coverage options
- Support
- Customer satisfaction
- Accessibility
You can read more about each factor and the details of each score in our auto insurance methodology. Use our ratings and editorial recommendations as you shop for the best auto insurance that fits your coverage needs.
Car insurance rates: We used insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services. This includes analyzing thousands of rates from all 50 states that were publicly sourced from 2019 insurer filings. Rates are based on a 30-year-old male or female that had a clean driving record. Full Coverage premiums assumed a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible, and we looked at those who had both good and poor credit. These rates should be used to inform your car insurance shopping process, but your own quote may differ.
Why do some brands have different SimpleScores on different pages?
To ensure the SimpleScore is as helpful and accurate as possible, we developed unique criteria for every category we compare at The Simple Dollar. Since most brands offer a variety of financial solutions, their products and services will score differently depending on what we’re scoring on a given page.
However, it’s also possible for the same product from the same brand to have multiple SimpleScores. For instance, if we compare State Farm’s home insurance according to our criteria for the best home insurance, it scores a 3.8 out of 5. But when we compare State Farm according to the criteria for the best auto insurance, it scores higher, since the features the company offers can vary by the type of insurance.
Discounts
We looked at the number of discounts each company offers — more discounts mean a higher score.
Coverage Options
We awarded higher scores to the companies that have the most coverage options.
Support
We awarded higher scores to lenders with the most channels for customer support.
Customer Satisfaction
We leveraged the J.D. Power 2019 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study℠ to see how customers rated their experience with each company. (If a company wasn’t included in J.D. Power’s study, we skipped this aspect and averaged the four remaining aspect scores.)
Accessibility
We looked at the level of accessibility of each company –– the more resources they have the higher their score.
Reviewed by
Aylea Wilkins
Aylea Wilkins is an editor specializing in insurance for The Simple Dollar. After getting a degree in European studies and editing from Brigham Young University, she worked as a writer and editor for a variety of small websites before transitioning to the insurance field.
