Florida Car Insurance Regulations
Florida's car insurance requirements include liability insurance and personal injury protection for all drivers. Read on to learn how to get the right coverage to drive in Florida.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
UPDATED: Sep 28, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 28, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
If you need car insurance in Florida, ensure that you know Florida’s car insurance regulations to have the coverage you need while living in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s auto insurance requirements are lower than many states, but car insurance rates tend to be higher due to many uninsured drivers.
- Florida requires just $10,000 in property damage liability and $10,000 in personal injury protection
- Taxi drivers and those with DUIs or other driving records are also required to purchase bodily injury liability insurance
- You must maintain Florida insurance as long as your vehicle is registered there
Florida Car Insurance Minimum Requirements
Florida’s car insurance laws require just two types of coverage for most drivers:
- Property damage liability (PDL)
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
You must show proof of minimum coverage before registering your vehicle in Florida. If you want to cancel your insurance coverage, first alert your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) and surrender your license plates.
According to Florida car insurance law, some Florida drivers, like taxi drivers and those with DUI records, must comply with higher car insurance requirements.
Liability Coverage in Florida
Florida requires drivers to carry property damage liability (PDL) insurance with a limit of $10,000. This type of insurance coverage pays for damages to another driver’s vehicle when you are at fault in an accident.
Unlike many other states, Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage for most drivers. Instead, you’ll need personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance.
You’ll need to purchase bodily injury liability insurance in Florida if you:
- Drive a taxi
- Have a DUI conviction
- Were deemed at fault in an accident that injured or killed someone
We’ll cover the minimum car insurance requirements for these drivers in a later section.
No-Fault Insurance in Florida
Instead of bodily injury liability insurance, Florida requires PIP coverage, sometimes called no-fault insurance. Personal injury protection covers 80% of your medical expenses and loss of income, up to your policy limit, in the event of an accident.
Florida is a no-fault state, which means your PIP insurance covers your medical expenses regardless of who caused an accident.
In a no-fault state, you don’t have to wait for insurers to determine fault before getting your medical bills covered. Instead, your insurance covers you, no matter who’s at fault.
Read more: What are the DUI insurance laws in Florida?
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Other Florida Car Insurance Laws
Some Florida drivers have higher minimum car insurance requirements based on their work or driving record.
Florida Car Insurance Requirements for Taxis
Taxi drivers must have bodily injury liability insurance of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per accident. In addition, if you drive a taxi, you’ll also need $50,000 of property damage liability coverage instead of the lower minimum for regular drivers.
Under Florida car insurance law, taxis are different from rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. However, rideshare drivers do need additional auto insurance coverage. Rideshare drivers in Florida should check with their rideshare app to determine if they are covered by the company or need their own rideshare insurance policy.
Florida Auto Insurance Requirements After a DUI or Accident
If you’re determined at fault in an accident that injures or kills someone in Florida, you must purchase $30,000 of bodily injury liability insurance. This coverage can be a lump sum per accident or split into per person and accident limits.
If you’re convicted of a DUI, you’ll need to purchase bodily injury liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. You’ll also have to increase your property damage liability coverage.
What happens if I don’t have minimum coverage?
If you don’t meet Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements, you’ll face penalties gradually increasing with each offense. Ultimately, you could face a $500 fine and a three-year license suspension for lacking Florida car insurance.
How much does car insurance cost in Florida?
You can expect to pay just over $100 per month for the required coverage in Florida, making it one of the most expensive states for car insurance.
Florida car insurance rates are high due to several factors, including significant tourist traffic, increased healthcare costs, and an uninsured driver rate far higher than the national average. To get the best rates, compare car insurance quotes in Florida.
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Are Florida’s car insurance requirements adequate?
Florida’s car insurance laws require very basic protection with low payout limits for most drivers. Because of the extra risk factors associated with driving in Florida, it’s wise to buy additional coverage to protect yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.
You may want to consider these types of car insurance if you live in Florida:
- Bodily injury liability. Covers injuries to other drivers if you are at fault in an accident
- Collision coverage. Covers damage to your vehicle after accidents with objects, buildings, or cars
- Comprehensive coverage. Covers damage from non-collision events, like weather or theft
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Provides extra coverage if the other driver lacks sufficient insurance
Get auto insurance quotes to compare these different types of coverage in Florida.
Case Studies: Illustrating Florida’s Car Insurance Regulations
Case Study 1: Uninsured Driver Dilemma
John, a Florida resident, got into a car accident with an uninsured driver. Since John had only purchased the minimum required coverage, his insurance company covered his medical expenses and vehicle repairs. However, his coverage limits were quickly exhausted, leaving John with significant out-of-pocket expenses. The risks associated with relying solely on minimum coverage.
Case Study 2: Taxi Driver’s Liability
Maria, a taxi driver in Florida, was involved in a collision that resulted in injuries to the passengers of another vehicle. Due to her higher insurance requirements, Maria had purchased bodily injury liability insurance of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per accident. This coverage ensured that the injured parties received adequate compensation for their medical expenses and other damages.
Case Study 3: DUI Consequences
David, convicted of a DUI in Florida, faced the consequences of not meeting the state’s increased insurance requirements. As a result of the accident he caused, David had to purchase bodily injury liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, in addition to higher property damage liability coverage.
Florida Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Florida has low minimum car insurance requirements, with just $10,000 required for PIP coverage and another $10,000 required for property damage coverage. Some Florida drivers may have higher insurance requirements. But, even if you’re not required to purchase extra coverage, getting protection for accidents with uninsured motorists is a smart move.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) mandatory in Florida?
Yes, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is mandatory in Florida. It covers your own medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
Do I need to carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage in Florida?
Florida law does not require drivers to carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage. However, it is highly recommended as it provides coverage for injuries you may cause to others in an accident.
What is the Florida Financial Responsibility Law?
The Florida Financial Responsibility Law requires drivers to demonstrate their ability to cover potential damages resulting from an accident. This can be done by carrying car insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements or by posting a bond or cash deposit with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Where can I find more information about Florida car insurance regulations?
For more detailed information about Florida car insurance regulations, you can visit the official website of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or consult with licensed insurance agents in the state.
What happens if I fail to maintain car insurance in Florida?
Failing to maintain car insurance in Florida can result in penalties and consequences, including:
- Suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
- Reinstatement fees and fines.
- Requirement to obtain and file an SR-22 certificate as proof of insurance.
- Difficulty obtaining affordable insurance in the future due to a lapse in coverage.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.