Auto insurance in Florida

For minimum, state-mandated coverages, the average cost of car insurance in Florida is $822 per year for drivers with “excellent” credit scores, $1,346 per year for drivers with “fair” credit scores, and $2,000 per year for drivers with “poor” credit scores according to the latest data available from the Consumer Federation of America. However, premiums for recommended coverage levels are significantly higher, and vary drastically depending on other factors, including the driver's location.

Insurance companies set your rate by estimating how risky you are to insure. They look primarily at your age, driving history, and where you live. They also check your credit score and specific details about your car, such as how safe it is and how much it costs to fix. In some parts of Florida, drivers with comprehensive coverage may pay higher-than-average rates due to the high risk of extreme weather events that can damage vehicles.

At Kin, a basic policy covers liability, which pays for injuries or damage you cause to other people. If you get 'full coverage,' it also includes collision (to fix your car after a crash) and comprehensive (for things like theft, fire, or storms). You can also add coverage for medical bills or protection in case you get hit by an uninsured driver.

At Kin, as at most insurers, your car insurance doesn't cover normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, or routine maintenance (like oil changes). It also won't pay for personal items stolen from your car — that’s usually covered by your home or renters insurance. Finally, you aren't covered if you use your car for business, like delivering food or driving for a rideshare app, unless you add special coverage for it.

Experts suggest buying enough liability coverage to match your net worth (like your savings and home value) so you aren't wiped out by a lawsuit. State minimums might be legal, but they usually aren't enough to pay for a bad accident, meaning you'd have to pay the rest out of pocket. Also, if you have a loan or lease on your car, the lender will likely force you to buy full coverage (collision and comprehensive).

Yes, car insurance is legally required in Florida for any vehicle with four or more wheels. In fact, before you can even register a car and get a license plate, you have to show proof of insurance coverage.

Florida has relatively low requirements compared to other states, but drivers must have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers your medical bills and lost wages if you get hurt, regardless of who caused the crash, as well as $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL), which pays for damage you cause to other people's property (like their car, a fence, or a street sign).

Beyond the basic state requirements, Florida drivers should strongly consider Uninsured Motorist coverage to protect against the high number of uninsured drivers on the road, as well as Medical Payments (MedPay) to cover the 20% of bills that mandatory PIP leaves unpaid. It is also crucial to carry Bodily Injury Liability to protect your personal assets from lawsuits, and Gap Insurance if you finance your vehicle, ensuring you aren't left paying a loan balance on a totaled car.