Florida Auto Insurance [Rates + Providers]

Pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, Walt Disney World, high-end shopping, and college spring break all come to mind when you think of Florida. Beyond the beaches and resorts, there are museums, endless restaurants, islands, some natural springs, and adventures to be had.

Florida is the perfect location for a girls’ trip, family vacation, bachelor weekend, and more. It’s also a great place to live and work.

No matter where you’re headed in the state (whether you live in Florida or are enjoying it on vacation), you need to have the appropriate car insurance coverage to both keep you financially protected and ensure you’re following the coverage laws in the state.

We know finding this information can be complicated and time-consuming. And we know you probably don’t want to spend hours trying to find all the information you need to purchase insurance. But don’t worry, we’ve got you.

Keep reading to learn more about coverage laws in Florida, what you can expect your insurance company to cover, how much you may pay for coverage, rules of the road to keep you safe (from those pesky distracted drivers, for instance), and more.

To get started on your insurance-shopping journey, take a couple of minutes to use your ZIP code, and get a FREE quote right now!

Florida Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

Having car insurance coverage is both responsible and a legal requirement throughout the country. But how do you know which company is right for you? What coverage amount and type should you purchase? What are the legal requirements you must meet in Florida?

These are just a few of the questions you’re probably asking yourself as you shop for insurance. To help you out, we’ve done the research for you, and in the following sections, we’ll cover this and other important information you need to make an informed decision on your insurance coverage.

To get started, we’ll assess price (which is probably a primary consideration for you as you shop around). When we look at price, there are a number of things to discuss, including what factors companies include as they adjust your rates, what you can do to keep your rates lower, and more.

As a first look, we’ve listed the average rate for all types of car insurance coverage in Florida, as compared to the national average for the same.

As you can see, Floridians pay about 18 percent more for car insurance coverage than the national average, which, while expensive, is not nearly as high as states like West Virginia (whose average rates are over 70 percent higher than the national average).

What is Florida’s car culture?

Other than the rains the state can face during hurricane season, weather in Florida is relatively mild. Drivers will likely never find themselves on ice or snow-covered roads. At most, they’ll be rain-slicked. As a result, a number of the vehicle and driving considerations residents of many other states must consider when purchasing or modifying vehicles are not a factor for Floridians.

This may be one reason the “Donk” car got its start in Miami (though it has since spread across the country). This trend includes extra-large wheels and rims on large, older (typically models from the 1970s) American cars with custom paint-jobs.

To celebrate this style choice, Miami hosts an annual Donk Day Car Show, where anyone can experience the tradition or enter a vehicle themselves.

As the Donk cars demonstrate, Florida residents like to make a statement with their vehicles. For other residents of the state, this means driving luxury vehicles from companies like Jaguar, Bentley, and Ferrari.

Car racing is also a big piece of the car culture in Florida, with the Daytona 500 and other large (and heavily watched) car races calling the state home.

How much coverage is required for Florida minimum coverage?

By now, you know car insurance is legally required in the state. This means in order to drive in Florida legally, you must carry car insurance that meets at least the minimum liability coverage level in the state. But what does this mean exactly?

In the table below, we outline the minimum coverage requirements for drivers in Florida, as provided by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. Without at least this coverage, you risk fines, suspension of your license and driving privileges, and more.

Knowing the minimum coverage requirements in Florida is important both because you’ll stay out of trouble by ensuring you have at least that coverage and because it can give you an idea of what other drivers are carrying (at a minimum) in the state.

This can help you determine if you need additional coverage in your policy (which we’ll discuss in a further section) and if so, how much and what kind.

It is interesting to note that unlike most states in the country, Florida does not require any kind of bodily injury coverage as a part of the minimum liability requirements. However, you can add it to your policy, should you choose to do so.

What are forms of financial responsibility Florida?

If you are stopped by law enforcement or find yourself party to a car accident, you’ll be required to provide proof of financial responsibility, which indicates that you meet the legal requirements necessary to pay for damages.

In Florida, proof of financial responsibility comes in a few different forms:

• Proof of insurance coverage that meets at least the minimum liability required in the state
• Certificate of self-insurance (which indicates a cash deposit of at least $30,000 with a certified financial institution)
• Certificate of self-insurance provided by the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission

Florida does allow drivers to provide an electronic insurance card as proof of insurance.

How much percentage of income are premiums in Florida?

Since you know that insurance is a requirement in Florida, budgeting for insurance coverage is necessary. But how much of your income will have to be dedicated to insurance premiums?

In this table, we’ve listed the average percentage of disposable income spent on car insurance in Florida, compared to the national average of the same.

Averages	2012	2013	2014
Florida Average	3.22%	3.30%	3.15%
National Average	2.34%	2.43%	2.40%
Percent Difference	38%	36%	31%
Get Your Rates Quote Now				#blank#	#blank#	#blank#

As you can see, Floridians typically spend about 35 percent more of their income on car insurance than is average for drivers across the nation.

To provide further insight into the percentage of disposable income spent on car insurance in Florida, we compare the state average to the average of the same in neighboring states in the table below.

Residents in Florida spend more, on average, of their disposable income on car insurance than all of their neighbors except Louisiana.

CalculatorPro

What are the core coverages in Florida?

Minimum liability coverage will keep you legal and ensure you avoid fines and license suspension, but it may not provide you with the financial protection you need.

In general, minimum liability coverage only covers you and others involved in an accident up to the amount listed as required. In Florida’s case, this means you’ll only have coverage for $10,000 worth of property damage (for the other driver, not you) and $10,000 worth of personal injury protection.  Any additional cost will be paid out of your own pocket.

For financial protection beyond the minimum coverage, which will include damages you experience, as well as injuries and other costs, you should consider adding core coverage to your policy.

To learn more about the core coverage options at your disposal, take a few minutes, and watch this video.

Now that you know what protection core coverage can provide, just how much will you have to pay if you choose to add one or more options to your policy?

In this table, we’ve listed average rates for the core coverage types in Florida.

When you look at these National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) numbers, it’s important to remember they are an average based on Florida’s minimum coverage requirements, and may not reflect exactly what you’ll pay, based on your specific circumstances (we’ll discuss this in greater detail in later sections).

What additional liability is available in Florida?

If core coverage does not seem like it provides you with the financial protection you’re looking for, you can consider additional liability coverage. This coverage is typically added to policies to provide protection against situations that are not already included in core coverage.

An example of this is additional liability protection in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. With 26.7 percent of drivers in Florida currently uninsured (making the state number one in the country for uninsured drivers), there is definitely a chance this can happen to you.

To ensure you have the protection you need, you can purchase Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage for your policy.

Another one of the primary forms of additional liability, personal injury protection (PIP), is already included as a requirement in the minimum coverage for Florida drivers.

PIP provides coverage for medical costs for everyone involved in an accident, no matter who is at fault. The amount required as a part of the minimum liability coverage is quite low, however (recall it is $10,000), so you can add more PIP to your policy if you so choose.

Finally, the third form of additional liability coverage you can speak to your insurance agent about adding to your policy is MedPay, which provides additional coverage for medical costs for you and anyone listed on your policy.

However, when considering whether the additional expense of purchasing this coverage is worth it, you need to know whether what you’re paying is reasonable based on the overall number of premiums an insurance company receives.

One way to determine this is by using loss ratio numbers provided by the NAIC. The loss ratio specifies the percent of claims on which insurance companies pay out as compared to the total number of premiums written.

Take a look at this table to see the average loss ratio numbers for MedPay, PIP, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage in Florida for 2013 through 2015.

While numbers and data are always interesting, its important to understand what the data means, to be able to use it for making insurance policy decisions.

It is generally accepted that a good loss ratio number falls between 40 and 75 percent.

Anything below 40 percent means insurance companies are collecting more in premiums than is necessary based on the number of claims it receives. In other words, the insurance company is charging you too much for your premiums for additional liability coverage.

If the loss ratio is above 75 percent, it means insurance companies are not charging enough for premiums, based on the number of claims they are receiving. While long-term, this could mean financial instability (and even bankruptcy) for insurance companies, this is unlikely, because insurance companies can simply increase their rates to compensate.

Based on this information, when we look at the loss ratio data for Florida, we can expect rates will likely increase for all three forms of additional liability in the near future because the loss ratios are all above 75 percent.

What add-ons, endorsements, and riders are available in Florida?

If the liability, additional liability, and core coverage options don’t meet all your needs, there are still other items you can consider. These items (which are listed below) are typically referred to as add-ons, endorsements, and riders.

• Guaranteed auto protection (GAP) – covers the gap between what your car is worth and what you still owe on your loan
• Personal umbrella policy (PUP)  – provides protection if you’re ever faced with a lawsuit because of your part in a car accident
• Rental reimbursement – provides coverage if you have to rent a car if yours is damaged in a car accident and is unavailable to drive while it’s being repaired
• Emergency roadside assistance – provides coverage for various roadside needs, such as a flat tire or towing
• Mechanical breakdown insurance – provides repair coverage, often beyond what’s covered by your vehicle’s warranty
• Non-owner car insurance – provides insurance coverage when you don’t own a car
• Modified car insurance coverage – provides coverage for vehicles with special modifications (wheels/tires, specialty paint jobs, spoilers)
• Classic car insurance – provides coverage for vehicles that are considered collector’s items
• Pay-as-you-drive or usage-based insurance – insurance coverage that’s specifically focused on individual driving habits

If any of these sound like something you need to add to your coverage, or to learn more about what your insurance company offers, you should speak to your insurance agent.

Does gender and age affect my car insurance in Florida?

Growing up, its common to hear the statement that teenage boys will pay the most for insurance coverage. It is often generally accepted that men pay more for insurance than women. These statements come from the practice many insurance companies follow of using gender and age to adjust rates.

The use of gender as a factor when adjusting insurance rates is becoming more and more controversial, and several states, including California, Hawaii, and North Carolina, have prohibited the practice. However, it is still legal for companies to include gender as a factor in their rate adjustments in Florida.

Essentially, gender and age (and other factors we’ll discuss) are used to assess the risk of insureds. The higher risk you pose (in other words, the higher the chances that you will be in an accident, drive recklessly, etc. that will result in claims being filed), the higher your insurance premiums will likely be, to compensate for the potential risk you represent.

To see how gender and age can affect your insurance rates in Florida, take a look at this table.

In looking at this table, it immediately becomes obvious that 17-year-olds pay significantly more for insurance than any other age group. Rates decrease dramatically by the time you reach 25, and drop even further at 35 and again by the time you are 60.

At 17, it is also apparent that males pay more than females. In fact, depending on who you’re insured by, the disparity can be quite significant.

If you purchase insurance from Liberty Mutual, 17-year-old males pay, on average, 54.16 percent more for insurance than 17-year-old females. By contrast, 17-year-old males insured by Allstate only pay about 8 percent more for insurance than 17-year-old females.

Across the full list of insurance companies included in the table, the average rates for 17-year-old males are about 23.32 percent higher than the average rates for females of the same age.

However, as we already noted, with age comes lower insurance rates. At 25, the rates for males are only 7.49 percent higher than the average rates for females. The one exception is Liberty Mutual, whose rates for males are almost 36 percent higher than rates for females.

Once you’re 35 and married, the gender disparity is almost non-existent.

For some companies, the pattern flips, and females pay just a bit more than males. If you’re insured by Allstate, Allied P&C, Progressive, or USAA, this is the case. Only Geico still charges males more (though only slightly, as the difference is less than half of a percent).

The remaining companies charge males and females the same rates.

The data we’ve analyzed here is from Quadrant, and was collected from actual Florida drivers, including those with the minimum coverage required in the state, those with more than the required liability coverage, and those considered high-risk. This ensures the data is representative of the full gamut of drivers in the state.

What are the cheapest rates by ZIP code in Florida?

One risk factor that insurance companies consider that is not related to you personally is your ZIP code. Companies want to know the crime and accident rates in your area so they know the potential risks you may face where you live and work that could result in claims being filed.

Companies look at the crime rates in an area by ZIP code and adjust rates accordingly. In this table, we’ve listed all the ZIP codes in Florida so you can search and see what average rates look like where you live.

The most expensive ZIP code for car insurance in Florida is 33162. The average rates there are $7,110.30. On the other hand, the ZIP code with the cheapest car insurance rates is 32694, with an average rate of $3,481.35.

To better understand this difference, we calculated the percent difference between the cheapest and most expensive rates. We found that rates in ZIP code 33162 are 104 percent higher than rates in ZIP code 32694.

What are the cheapest rates by city in Florida?

To consider this from a different perspective, we’ve also pulled average rates by city, and ranked them from least to most expensive, compared to the overall state average of $4,680.46 (which was calculated by averaging the rates in every city and ZIP code).

You can also search this table for your area, to see what the average rates are.

It’s interesting to note that within the same city rates can show fairly large variations. For example, in Tampa, the most expensive rate is $6,976.36 (ZIP code 33607), while the least expensive rate is $5,575.56 (ZIP code 33647). The difference between the rates is just over 25 percent.

Best Florida Car Insurance Companies

While price is a predominant factor when shopping for insurance, there are other considerations that should be included.

For example, it would be important to know whether a company you’re considering purchasing insurance from is financially stable, right? After all, you’re counting on them to be able to pay out on claims, should you ever need to file one.

Wouldn’t you also like to know whether or not a company you’re looking at has a reputation for providing good customer service?

Check out the next few sections to learn both financial status and customer service ratings for major insurers in Florida.

What are the financial ratings of the largest car insurance companies in Florida?

Let’s get started with financial standing. While many companies (like Liberty Mutual) publish their financials, this doesn’t necessarily help you determine overall financial standing or how one company compares to others you are considering.

Luckily, A.M. Best, a global credit firm that focuses specifically on the insurance market, has the information you need. They collect financial data on insurance companies to generate ratings that indicate companies’ stability and financial outlook.

Take a look at this table to see A.M. Best’s financial ratings for some of the largest insurers in Florida.

According to A.M. Best, any company with a rating of A- or better is typically considered financially stable and with a solid financial outlook for the future.

Fortunately for Floridians, nine of the 10 largest insurers in the state all have stable outlooks. The 10th company, J. Whited Group (Windhaven), does not necessarily have a poor financial standing, they are simply not currently rated by A.M. Best.

Which car insurance companies have the best ratings in Florida?

Moving from financial ratings, we’ll take a couple of minutes to consider the customer service ratings for insurance companies in Florida. This is important so you know companies you’re considering purchasing insurance from are available when you have questions, need to file a claim, and more.

According to J.D. Power, customer service satisfaction with insurance companies across the country is currently high. But what does this look like in Florida? Take a look at this table to find out.

The company with the highest customer satisfaction rating, at 898 out of 1,000 and a J.D. Power Circle Rating™ of five (meaning “among the best”), is USAA. However, USAA is only available to military members and their families.

The highest-rated company with policies available to all purchasers is Allstate, with a customer satisfaction rating of 847 out of 1,000 and a JD Power Circle Rating™ of five.

The lowest rated company in Florida that is included in J.D. Power’s rating list is Safeco, with a customer satisfaction index rating of 798 and a J.D. Power Circle Rating™ of two (meaning “the rest”).

Which car insurance companies have the best ratings in Florida?

Looking at customer satisfaction ratings is just one way to consider the overall customer service of a company. Another way to look at customer service is to look at the total number of complaints a company receives.

What does the number of complaints a company receives look like compared to their J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Rating? How many complaints have they received?

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides complaint ratio data for insurance companies in the state. Take a look at the below table to see this information for 2016.

A complaint ratio is derived by dividing the total number of complaints a company received by their total direct premiums written. To better understand the data in the above table, it is important to note that an average number of complaints is represented by the number 1.00.

Anything above 1.00 indicates a company has received higher than the normal number of complaints, while anything below the number 1.00 means a company has received less than the average number of complaints.

Based on this, all but two of the companies listed have received less than the average number of complaints. The two companies with more than the typical number of complaints are Windhaven Insurance Co, with a complaint ratio of 7.75 and Infinity Auto Insurance Co, with a complaint ratio of 2.14.

While neither of these companies are listed in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings for Florida, it is interesting to note that the Windhaven Insurance Co was unrated by A.M. Best.

It is also important to note that according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation report we pulled this data from, any car insurance company operating in Florida who is not listed in the table did not receive any confirmed complaints for the time period listed.

Should find yourself needing to file an insurance complaint or ask questions, you have a few options. You can:

• Call 1-877-693-5236 within the state
• Call 850-413-3089 outside of the state
• Call the TTD Line at 1-800-640-0886
• Email [email protected]

What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Florida?

Now that we’ve discussed some other considerations beyond price, we’ll spend some more time looking at pricing.

To get started, we’ve compiled average rates for some of the major insurance providers in Florida and compared them to the state average.

The state average (which we noted each of these rates is compared to) in Florida across the major companies is $4,680.46.

Like some of the other averages we’ve considered, these numbers are useful in helping you formulate a baseline for fair prices for car insurance in Florida. However, it is even more useful to understand better how companies formulate these prices, so you can see how your rates may be affected.

Keep reading to learn more about the factors companies consider when adjusting insurance rates.

Does my commute affect my car insurance rate in Florida?

The first factor we’ll consider, beyond age, gender, and ZIP code, is commute distance. It should not be too much of a surprise that some insurance companies consider this a risk factor, because the longer the distance of your commute, the more time you’ll be spending on the road.

The more time you spend on the road, the higher your chances of ending up in a situation (whether it be a car accident, a traffic stop, or something else), that can result in claims being filed. The higher your risk, the higher your insurance rates may be.

To see whether companies in Florida weigh commute length heavily when adjusting your rates or not, take a look at this table.

As you can see, while some companies (like Nationwide and Progressive) do not change their rates all based on commute distance, others do. It may not have as significant of an effect on rates as credit score or driving record (which we will discuss in the next couple of sections), but it is not to be discounted, either.

For example, Allstate increases their rates by an average of 5.88 percent for longer commutes, and State Farm increases their rates by 7.29 percent for that same commute increase.

Can coverage level change my car insurance rate with companies in Florida?

Earlier we spent some time discussing the coverage options you have, from minimum liability to core coverage, additional liability coverage, and further add-ons, riders, etc.

Depending on what you actually include in your policy, your coverage level can be described as low, medium, or high. Based on these three categories, we can consider the average rate changes you may see, depending on your level of coverage.

In general, the higher the level of coverage, the higher your rates will be. The below table outlines the average rates for low, medium, and high coverage across some of the major companies in Florida.

As you might expect, each increase in coverage level affects your rates fairly significantly. For low to medium coverage, rates increases between 10.87 percent (Liberty Mutual) and 35.71 percent (Allstate). For medium to high coverage, rates increase between just under 5 percent (Liberty Mutual) and 11.73 percent (Allstate).

How does my credit history affect my car insurance rate with companies in Florida?

As with the other factors, credit history can affect your rates, from a risk perspective. This is because a good credit score is considered to be a sign of responsible choices. It is certainly an indication that you are fiscally responsible, and insurance companies take this to mean you will also be responsible in other areas of your life, like when you’re behind the wheel.

With this in mind, it is no surprise that the higher your credit score, the lower your insurance premiums will be.

Florida residents have an average credit score of 668, as reported by Experian. In general, the minimum credit score you need to be considered as having “good credit,” is 670, so Floridians are just under a good credit score.

To see how a credit score can affect you in Florida, take a look at this table.

To consider this from another perspective, we look at average rate increases by percent per credit ranking, listed below:

• Good credit (670+) = average annual premiums: $3,424.15
• Fair credit (580-669) = 10.72-33.13 percent increase: $4,206.71
• Poor credit (300-579) = 51.3-181.98 percent increase: $6,410.52

How driving my driving record change my rates with car insurance companies in Florida?

Perhaps the most obvious risk factor insurance companies consider is your driving record. A clean driving record will result in lower rates than a driving record with speeding tickets and other moving violations.

To give you an idea of what various violations on your record can do to your rates, take a look at this table. We’ve compiled average rates for a clean driving record, one speeding ticket, one car accident, and one DUI.

In looking at the rates in this table, it is immediately obvious that speeding, DUIs, and car accidents have an effect on your rates, as compared to average rates of someone with a clean driving record.

To further prove this point, we’ve also calculated the percent increase of each violation over a clean record in the below table.

If your record includes a speeding ticket or two, USAA or State Farm may be good options for you, as they have the lowest increase in rates for that particular violation, at 4.82 and 9.42 percent, respectively.

However, if you’ve recently been in an accident, Nationwide may be a better option, as they have the lowest rate increase for an accident, at 9.73 percent.

One interesting point to note is how different companies handle rate increases for DUI, as compared to rate increases for speeding or accidents.

Typically, companies have significantly higher increases in rates for DUI than for the other two incident-types shown here. However, State Farm is an exception to this. Their rate increases for speeding and DUI are the same, at 9.42 percent, while their rate increase for an accident is nearly double that at 18.84 percent.

Which car insurance companies are the largest in Florida?

When shopping for car insurance, it can also be helpful to know the size of the companies from which you are considering purchasing a policy. In this case, the company size is indicated by the percentage of the market each company holds.

This market share information, combined with loss ratio and complaint ratio (recall we’ve already discussed this) can help you build a more complete picture of the state of the companies from which you are considering purchasing a policy.

Ultimately this will help you determine if a company is both willing and able to pay out on claims, should you need to file one, and whether or not a rate increase is imminent.

Take a look at this table to see the market share and direct premiums written for the 10 largest car insurance companies in Florida.

How many insurance companies are available in Florida?

When shopping for insurance in Florida, you have hundreds of options from which to choose. In fact, there are a total of 1,067 insurers operating in the state at this time.

There are two primary categories of insurance companies, described below:

• Domestic – domestic insurers are those companies that are incorporated in Florida. Of the 1,067 insurers in the state, 114 are considered domestic.
• Foreign – foreign insurers are those companies that are incorporated somewhere outside of Florida. Of the 1,067 insurers in the state, 953 are considered foreign.

To ensure all companies are providing similar services, Florida has specific laws all insurance companies must follow, regardless of whether they are incorporated within the state or not.

Florida Laws

Now that we’ve spent time covering many of the factors that can affect your insurance premiums, including where you live, your age, your gender, your credit score, and more, it is time to consider some of the legal details.

You know you must carry an insurance policy that meets at least the minimum liability coverage requirements. But there are other laws, both for you as an insured and for the companies that sell insurance policies, of which you should be aware.

Know these laws so you can follow those that apply to you and can be your own advocate in ensuring the company that holds your insurance policy is providing you what is required by the state.

Knowing you should be aware of the laws is one thing. Actually finding the information is something else. We know all that “legalese” can feel like a waste of time as you try to slog through reams of information. To help, we’ve done the research for you.

Keep reading to learn the car insurance-related legal information you need to know in Florida.

What are the car insurance laws in Florida?

You already know the law has something to say about car insurance. There are laws you as the insured must follow (like meeting the minimum liability coverage requirement) and laws insurance companies must follow to be able to legally operate in the state (which we briefly alluded to in the section regarding domestic and foreign insurers).

Take a few minutes to read through the next several sections, as we’ll spend some time covering laws insurance companies must follow that are put in place to protect and help you as an insured.

We’ll also give you the information you need regarding insurance fraud, what it is, how Florida handles it, and ways you can report suspected fraud.

How State Laws for Insurance are Determined

Since we’ll be spending some time discussing state laws, both that you and insurance companies must follow, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review just how those laws are put in place.

The first step is for someone or a group of individuals to decide an idea should be made into a law. Once they do so, they work with a member of the state legislator to put together a bill proposing the law.

This bill defines the law, why it should be enacted, etc. Once it is ready, the sponsor of the bill will present it to the legislative chamber of the state, and it will be assigned to a committee. The committee discusses the bill and makes recommendations to pass, amend, or refuse the bill.

Once the committee is finished with the bill and it is ready to be presented to the legislative chamber for a second time, the whole legislature reviews, discusses, and debates it. Then it is put up for a vote.

After it is has been passed by the legislature, it is sent to the governor, who either signs or vetoes the bill. If the governor signs the bill, it is enacted as law.

Windshield Coverage

If your windshield is damaged, specifically if it is chipped or cracked, what kind of coverage do insurance companies provide? Many states specifically define the repair and replacement options insurers must provide to their insureds, as well as whether or not a deductible applies, and if so, how much.

In Florida, statute 627.7288 states that if you have a comprehensive policy from your insurance company, they must provide you with the repair or replacement at no cost to you (including no deductible).

The state does allow insurance companies to choose the kind of parts used for repair or replacement. This means they are not required to use original manufacturer (OEM) parts. However, the parts used must meet the same standards as OEM parts.

High-Risk Insurance

Maintaining at least the minimum liability coverage required in Florida is necessary for you to legally drive in the state. You already know that if you have traffic violations like speeding, DUI, or car accidents on your driving record, your insurance rates will go up, because you are considered a higher risk.

However, if you end up with too many violations on your record, insurance companies may decide you are too high-risk and refuse to sell you an insurance policy. If this happens to you, what recourse do you have?

Florida has a solution referred to as the Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (FAJUA), which was put together by the Florida Insurance Commissioner in 1973. FAJUA operates like an insurance company, and drivers who apply for insurance through FAJUA can purchase the typical insurance offerings that are available through traditional insurers.

One of the laws all insurance companies in the state are required to follow is membership with the FAJUA. As a part of this membership, insurers are required to pay into a fund, from which FAJUA pays out claims when their insureds file claims.

The only requirements you must meet to apply for insurance through FAJUA are being a Florida resident and owning a vehicle that is legally registered in the state. Even if you’re not a Florida resident, you can apply for insurance through FAJUA under the following circumstance:

• You own a vehicle registered in Florida
• You are in the military and stationed in Florida, but your vehicle is registered in another state
• You are a college student attending school in Florida, but your vehicle is registered in another state

There are a number of coverage options you can purchase as a high-risk driver through the FAJUA, which include:

• A basic policy with at least the minimum coverage required by the state
• Additional coverage like bodily injury liability (which, while not required as a part of standard minimum insurance coverage, may be required if you have a history of car accidents)
• MedPay
• Core coverage

Depending on how high your premiums are, you may be required to pay your rates in full, or you may qualify for a payment plan. Regardless of how you are required to pay your premiums, if you don’t pay on time, your policy will be canceled.

To apply for car insurance through FAJUA, all you need to do is speak with a licensed insurance agent, as they will already be a member of FAJUA.  The organization also provides a complete list of insurance agents on their website. If you have questions, you can reach out to them through their email service.

As is common when purchasing insurance through a high-risk insurance program, rates you’ll be required to pay will be significantly higher than rates for insurance purchased through traditional means.

If you meet certain risk criteria, like for example, being convicted of driving under the influence or without insurance (along with some other violations) that result in a license suspension, the state may require that you purchase SR-22 or FR-44 insurance before your driver’s license is restored.

SR-22 and FR-44 insurance is simply paperwork your insurance agent files with the Florida DMV as proof that you currently have at least the minimum insurance coverage required by the state. Typically, you’ll be required to keep SR-22 or FR-44 insurance filed with the state for at least three years.

Low-Cost Insurance

While Florida, like most states in the country, offers some kind of program (in this case, FAJUA) to assist high-risk drivers in obtaining insurance, they do not currently have a commensurate program for low-income drivers.

To date, only California, Hawaii, and New Jersey have programs in place to assist low-income drivers with obtaining and maintaining insurance coverage.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Florida

Insurance fraud is illegal across the country, and in Florida, it is considered a crime.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), insurance fraud is a significant and growing problem across the country. In fact, it makes up almost 10 percent of the total losses insurance companies must absorb each year. Ultimately this results in higher insurance premiums you have to pay.

Insurance fraud can include anything from fudging numbers on your application to faking an accident so you can file a claim and obtain the funds. Specific definitions of insurance fraud are outlined in Florida Statue Title XLVI, Chapter 817.

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services was formed to combat fraud in Florida.  This organization investigates insurance and workers’ compensation fraud, arson, and theft or misuse of state funds.

They report on car insurance fraud in Florida by fiscal year (FY), which we’ve compiled below. For vehicle fraud:

For automobile/personal injury protection (PIP) fraud:

To report suspected fraud, you can do so through the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services. You have a couple of options:

• You can call 1-800-378-0445
• You can contact them through their online email tool

Statute of Limitations

If you are in a car accident, most states indicate a set amount of time (referred to as a statute of limitations) in which you, as a claimant, have to either file and resolve a claim or file a lawsuit.

In Florida, the statute of limitations for both personal injury and property damage resulting from a car accident is four years.

Florida-Specific Laws

Regardless of where you live, you are required to follow the laws enacted in your area. With regard to driving and insurance, most states are fairly consistent about requirements, with some minor variations.

For example, nearly every state in the country has a law stating some level of minimum liability car insurance coverage is required to drive in the state legally. The variations across the country for this law are typically related to the exact amounts and types of liability insurance you must carry.

However, there are some laws that are only found within a particular state, and Florida is no exception. Often these laws are somewhat bizarre or seem like common sense, but they’re on the books anyway.

One example of this in Florida is the law that states it is illegal to drive on top of graves. Another example is that it is illegal to park in the middle of an intersection, on a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or along the curb.

What are the vehicle licensing laws in Florida?

Another requirement in every state across the country is registering your vehicle in the state.

Vehicle registration in Florida includes:

• A metal license plate installed on your vehicle
• A registration certification that must be kept in your vehicle
• A registration sticker (which you’ll receive with your registration certification) that must be placed in the designated location on your license plate

To initially register a vehicle, you must do so in person at a service center in your area. You’ll need to bring with you:

• The initial registration fee of $225
• Proof of identity
• Proof of insurance
• Filled out Certificate of Title Application

You can renew your vehicle registration for either one or two years. Vehicle registrations for personal vehicles expire on your birthday, but renewals can be completed up to three months before the expiration date.

Renewals can be done in-person at a service center, but for convenience, you can also conduct renewals online and through the MyFlorida mobile app.

To renew online, which includes both the one- and two-year renewals, you can visit their online renewal website. Once your registration renewal application is complete, and your insurance has been verified, you should receive your renewal through the mail (usually seven to 10 days later).

On the MyFlorida mobile app, you can renew your vehicle for one or two years. As a part of this process, you’ll need to be prepared to provide your license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN).

You can also use the app to check the status of your registration and secure a copy of your registration. Until you receive the hard copy of your vehicle registration, a digital version on your app is acceptable.

If your vehicle registration renewal is late, you’ll be required to pay a delinquent fee, the amount of which varies depending on the amount of the vehicle’s license tax.

If you have questions, you can call the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Customer Service line at 850-617-2000.

REAL ID

In the aftermath of 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created the REAL ID Act of 2005 to decrease the chances of a similar tragedy occurring again on U.S. soil.

Essentially, the goal of the REAL ID Act is to ensure all driver’s license and identification cards are accurate and correctly represent the individuals who hold them.

Implementation of this act has been slow, as states have gradually accepted and begun rolling out the programs to ensure residents can obtain compliant identification documents.

Currently, DHS reports that Florida is one of 47 states (plus Washington D.C.) that are compliant with the Act, which is a good thing, because starting in October of 2020, you will no longer be able to use non-compliant forms of identification to board domestic, commercial flights or access nuclear power plants and certain military installations (assuming you have a need to do the latter two).

Florida has been offering REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses since January 2010. REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses will include a white star in a gold circle in the upper-right-hand corner.

To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Florida, you’ll need to visit a local service center, and bring the following documentation with you:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residence
• Proof of social security number
• Two proofs of residence

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department also provides a complete and detailed list of the necessary documentation you’ll need to bring with you when you apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

As we’ve discussed a number of times already, you’re required to have at least minimum liability coverage in order to legally drive in Florida.

But if you’re found driving without insurance, what happens? Take a look at this table to see the consequences you’ll face if you drive uninsured (which, as we noted early-on, 26.7 percent of drivers in Florida are).

As you can see, at a minimum, your license and registration will be suspended, and you’ll have to pay a fine and fees to get them reinstated. The amount of your financial restitution varies depending on whether it is your first or any consecutive offense.

Teen Driver Laws

In Florida, you can obtain a learner’s permit at age 15. You’ll be required to hold the permit for a minimum of one year. During the first three months, you’ll only be able to drive during the day. After the three months, you can drive after dark, but not after 10:00 p.m.

While holding the permit, you’ll need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving. Of those, 10 must be at night (before 10:00 p.m.).

At age 16, you can apply for an intermediate or provisional license. During the time you hold this license at 16, you’ll be prohibited from driving unsupervised between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. During the time you are 17 and holding a provisional license, you’ll be prohibited from driving unsupervised between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

There are no restrictions on the number or age of passengers in your vehicle. However, you will not be able to obtain an unrestricted license or drive without any timing restrictions until you turn 18.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

Florida does define different renewal requirements for individuals categorized as members of the “older population,” as opposed to the driver’s license renewal requirements of the general population.

Drivers in the older population are those age 80 and older. License renewals must be completed every six years (as opposed to the eight years for the general population). In addition, proof of adequate vision must be provided at every renewal.

However, both the general population and the older population can renew their driver’s licenses online or through the mail at every other renewal.

New Residents

If you’re new to Florida, once you’re considered a resident, you’ll have a few requirements you’ll need to meet to be able to drive on the road legally.

In order to be considered a resident of the state, you’ll need to complete one or more of the following in Florida:

• Obtain a job
• Enroll your children in school
• Register to vote
• File for homestead tax exemption
• Live in Florida for more than six months

Once you’ve established residency in the state, you’ll need to obtain:

• A Florida driver’s license within the first 30 days
• Car insurance within the first 10 days
• Title and register your vehicle within the first 10 days (after you’ve obtained the necessary car insurance)

To get a driver’s license in the state, you’ll need to do these things in-person at a local service center, and you’ll be required to take a vision test. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may or may not need to take a written or road test a well.

You’ll also need to bring required identification documentation (we discussed this in more detail in the REAL ID section) and pay a fee of $48 plus applicable service fees.

To register your vehicle in the state, you’ll need to visit a service center in-person, and bring the following:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of insurance in the state
• Original vehicle title
• Completed and signed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration
• Verification of inspection of the VIN (which is certified on the application noted in the previous bullet)

VIN inspection can only be conducted by law enforcement, licensed motor vehicle dealers, county tax collectors, division of motorist service compliance examiner, Provost Marshal, or active duty commissioned military officer (must be a 2nd lieutenant at a minimum).

License Renewal Procedures

Drivers part of the general population (anyone aged 79 or younger) are required to renew their driver’s licenses every eight years. They’ll also be permitted to renew their driver’s license either online or through the mail at every other renewal.

On the opposite renewal, drivers are required to do so in person. At that time, they’ll also be required to provide proof of adequate vision.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

One way states work to keep you safe is to institute points-based programs that are focused on ensuring drivers follow the rules of the road (we’ll talk in more detail about some of these rules of the road in the next few sections).

These points-based systems typically assign a specific number of points to various moving violations. When you’re convicted of a particular moving violation, the associated number of points will be added to your driver’s license.

If you accrue too many points in a given time period, your license will be suspended. In California, this system is called the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS), and in Florida, its simply referred to as the points and points suspensions program.

To see the most common traffic violations in Florida and the associated points, take a look at this table.

A full list can be found here. These points will be added to your driver’s license even if the violation took place in another state, as long as you hold a Florida driver’s license.

All points remain on your license for a minimum of five years.

• If you accrue 12 points within 12 months, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days
• If you accrue 18 points within 18 months, your license will be suspended for a minimum of three months
• If you accrue 24 points within 36 months, your license will be suspended for a minimum of one year

What are the rules of the road in Florida?

To keep you and other drivers on the road safe, Florida has enacted a number of rules of the road, including things like speed limits and seat belt laws.

There are also laws in place governing ridesharing services and driverless cars, which help keep you safe as a passenger and driver. Some of these laws also include requirements specific to the kind of insurance that must be carried by those entities, to ensure your and others’ financial protection.

Keep reading to learn more about these rules of the road. It’s important you be aware of these so you can follow them, and as a result, keep your driving record clean and your insurance rates low.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Florida is considered a no-fault state, with qualifications. What does this mean?

Essentially, regardless of who is at fault, your insurance pays for medical bills resulting from the accident. This is covered under the PIP portion of your policy. PIP does NOT cover any “pain and suffering” damages, however.

The only way to obtain pain and suffering and other similar compensation is to file a lawsuit or third-party insurance claim against the at-fault driver. But you can only do this if the severity of your injuries meets the definition of “serious injury.”

According to Florida state law, serious injury must include at least one of the injuries listed below:

• Serious and permanent loss of a major bodily function
• Serious and permanent injury other than scarring
• Serious and permanent scarring
• Death

Unlike the bodily injury portion of your insurance coverage, property damages do not fall under the no-fault legal structure. Instead, if your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you can file a third-party insurance claim regardless of the amount of damage.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

You’re required to wear a seat belt any time a vehicle is in motion throughout the country. However, specifics are defined at the state level.

In Florida, any child under the age of five must be in an appropriate child safety restraint in the back seat of a vehicle. At age six and older, children can use typical, adult seat belts.

All adults age 17 and older are subject to wearing a standard seat belt. If you or your passengers are not appropriately seat-belted, you can be ticketed by law enforcement.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

When you’re driving in Florida, you’re required to yield and move to the right if your speed is slowing or blocking the traffic in the left lane.

If you are traveling in the same direction as a stationary emergency vehicle (including tow trucks and other vehicles), you’re required to slow down such that you are driving 20 mph slower than the posted speed limit.

If it is safe to do so, you are also required to move out of the lane closest to the stationary vehicles.

Speed Limits

Speed limits are set at the state level by the Florida Department of Transportation. These limits are set based on the road type, conditions, and more to ensure you and other drivers can move both efficiently and safely throughout the state.

The maximum speed limits in the state for specific road types are listed below:

• Rural interstates: 70 mph
• Urban interstates: 65 mph
• Other limited access roads: 70 mph
• Other roads: 65 mph

Keep in mind these speed limits are the maximums, so the speed limits on specific sections of road may vary (at or below the maximum level), based on Florida Department of Transportation determinations.

Regardless of the posted speed limit, you should lower your speed based on current road, weather, and lighting conditions.

Ridesharing

Transportation network companies (TNCs) that offer ridesharing services in Florida are required to meet a number of state requirements to operate in the state legally. These requirements are put in place to keep you safe as a ridesharing customer as well as a driver sharing the road with TNCs.

Florida requires all TNC drivers to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage of the following when the app is open, but the driver is not actively providing a ride:

If a driver is actively providing a ride through the application, they must maintain minimum liability coverage of at least $1,000,000.

Currently, there are only two insurance companies that explicitly offer insurance coverage for ridesharing services: Foremost and Prime.

In addition, all TNCs are required to conduct background checks on their drivers before those drivers can be permitted to provide services through the respective ridesharing app.

All TNC drivers are considered “independent contractors,” and to ensure this is the case, Florida requires all TNCs to assert that drivers set their own hours and schedules, drivers are not required to sign any kind of non-compete agreement (for both other TNCs and any other non-related work), and implement a signed agreement that states drivers are independent contractors.

Automation on the Road

Autonomous vehicles, more colloquially known as driverless cars, are becoming more and more common as companies further the technology and testing of such vehicles. Though they are not currently available for regular use by the average resident, that day is likely coming.

There is little federal legislation on autonomous vehicles currently, so states are individually determining how to approach allowing the testing and use of autonomous vehicles.

State legislation varies quite dramatically, from states that refuse all testing and use of autonomous vehicles to those that have opened their doors to the technology. Still others have chosen not to institute any legislation currently.

Florida has indicated support of the development and testing of autonomous vehicles within the state.

As of July 1, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis has ensured it’s legal for autonomous vehicles to operate and be tested throughout the state. This law also allows companies to deploy their vehicles with no human inside, assuming the vehicle is designed to be operated in such a way.

Liability insurance is required for autonomous vehicles on the road in Florida. If ridesharing companies begin using these autonomous vehicles, they’ll be subject to the same liability insurance coverage requirements TNCs must currently follow.

What are the safety laws in Florida?

Florida laws are put in place to keep you and other drivers safe. We’ve already discussed a number of the rules of the road that have been enacted to reduce the chances of road incidents and fatalities.

There are a number of other laws in place, which we’ll discuss in the next few sections, that have also been enacted to help keep you safe. These primarily focus on ensuring you are able to stay focused while behind the wheel.

First off, Florida has very defined laws regarding windshield tinting, to ensure drivers have the necessary visibility on the road.

For sedans:

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint can be placed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line
• Front side windows: A minimum of 29 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 25 percent reflective
• Backside windows: A minimum of 16 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective
• Rear window: A minimum of 16 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle

For SUVs and vans:

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint can be placed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line
• Front side windows: A minimum of 29 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 25 percent reflective
• Backside windows: A minimum of 7 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective
• Rear window: A minimum of 7 percent of outside lighting must filter into the vehicle and tint reflection cannot be more than 35 percent reflective

In addition, if you choose to tint any of your back windows, you’ll also be required to have dual side mirrors. You cannot use colored tinting of any kind, and any vehicle that is tinted must include a sticker on the inside of the door jamb on the driver’s side indicating the tinting meets the legal requirements in Florida.

Read through the next few sections to review the laws Florida has in place for driving while impaired as well as driving while distracted.

DUI Laws

We all know driving under the influence is illegal and dangerous. Nearly every state in the country maintains some kind of committee, coalition, or program to raise awareness about DUI. Most states are also home to various groups that support legislation for DUI laws. Even with all this information available, people still choose to get behind the wheel after a few drinks.

We’ve already spent some time reviewing how a DUI can affect your insurance rates. But what other consequences will you face if you make the choice to drive while under the influence?

Driving under the influence can mean fines, suspension of your license and driving privileges, jail time, and other penalties.

More seriously, these legal ramifications do not take into consideration the seriousness of the physical results that driving under the influence can cause, like seriously injuring yourself, passengers in your vehicle, and other drivers and passengers on the road, or even taking a life or lives.

Florida’s blood alcohol (BAC) limit is a level of 0.08, while the high BAC (HBAC) level in the state is 0.15. If you receive a DUI conviction, it will stay on your record for the rest of your life.

Responsibility.org reports that there were 839 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in Florida in 2017. In other words, there were four deaths per 100,000 people, while the national average is 3.4 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100,000 population.

Take a look at this table to see the consequences of DUI in Florida.

Regardless of how “fine” you feel, you should never get behind the wheel after drinking. Be responsible. Plan ahead and choose a designated driver. If it’s too late for that, take advantage of the ridesharing services available in the state. Either way, there is no excuse for driving while under the influence.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

Marijuana is only legal for medical use in Florida. No recreational use is currently permitted.

However, the state does not currently have any marijuana-specific driving under the influence laws. This does not mean you can drive while impaired.

There is a statute that allows law enforcement the opportunity to prove the impairment of a driver. If they can successfully do so (and provide both documentation of evidence and proof of recent drug use), prosecution can be effective.

Distracted Driving Laws

Texting and driving, talking on the phone while you’re on the road, or even glancing at your phone quickly are all included in the term “distracted driving,” as is putting on makeup, eating, and any other activity that takes your full attention away from the road.

However, in general, distracted driving laws are focused on cell phone usage, because it is one of the more dangerous and prevalent forms of distracted driving. Nearly every state has laws in place governing when, where, and how drivers can (or cannot) use their cell phones while driving.

Distracted driving laws in Florida apply to all drivers, regardless of age. Texting is strictly prohibited and is a primary offense in the state (meaning you can specifically be pulled over and ticked for it).

Handheld use of cell phones is permitted, except when you are driving through school and work zones.

Driving Safely in Florida

Despite the number of laws Florida has in place focused on safety, you already know that accidents happen, people get hurt, and sometimes crashes are fatal.

While you can’t control other drivers, road conditions, or the weather, it can help to know where and when most accidents happen, and what may be the cause of those accidents. With that information, you can get behind the wheel with more awareness and be better prepared as you traverse the state.

With that in mind, we’re going to spend the next few sections reviewing crime and road safety statistics, along with some traffic congestion information in the state, and more.

How many vehicle thefts occur in Florida?

As we’ve already mentioned, where you live can have an effect on your insurance rates. This is largely due to the risk posed in various areas based on crime. One crime, in particular, that may affect your insurance rates is vehicle theft.

Regardless of where you live, this can happen to you. However, it can be helpful to know a few facts about vehicle theft in Florida. First off, in the below table, we’ve listed the 10 most commonly stolen vehicles in the state, with number one being a full-size Ford pickup.

As you review the data in this table, please note that the vehicle year listed was the most commonly stolen year model in Florida in 2016.

If your vehicle is on this list (and even if it’s not), there are things you can do to protect yourself, starting with speaking your insurance agent about what additional protection you can purchase and add to your policy, should you feel like your vehicle is at risk.

The second piece of vehicle theft data we’ve collected is FBI theft numbers for counties across the state in 2017. You can search this table to see the number of vehicles that were stolen in your county of residence in 2017.

There were a total of 26,592 vehicle thefts in Florida in 2017, spread across a total of 285 cities and towns throughout the state. Of these, the cities with the highest number of vehicle thefts in Florida for 2017 are:

• Orlando – 1387, which is 5.22 percent of the total number of thefts in the state
• Miami – 1835, which is 6.9 percent of the total number of thefts in the state
• Jacksonville – 2925, which is 11 percent of the total number of thefts in the state

These three cities are in the top four most populated cities in the state, so these numbers do make sense. By contrast, out of those 285 cities, there are total of 21 with no car thefts logged in 2017, but these 21 all have populations of under 10,000.

How many road fatalities occur in Florida?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this section, no matter how many laws are put in place or how safely you (or others) drive, accidents still happen.

Take a few minutes to read through the next several sections to find out more information on where the most road fatalities occur, how weather and light conditions can be a factor in accidents, and more.

Most Fatal Highway in Florida

The most fatal highway in Florida is the U.S.-1. It has the most fatalities of any highway in states across the country, with 1,011 crashes and 1,079 resulting fatalities in the past 10 years.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Both weather and light conditions can be a factor in tragedies that occur on the road. These factors are outside your control, so knowing how they can affect you can help you be more prepared.

In this table, we’ve collected data on how weather and light conditions may have effected 2017 road fatality rates in Florida.

No matter what the situation, you should always drive defensively and reduce your speed whenever, road, weather, or light conditions change.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

The NHTSA Crash Report for Florida includes data on all vehicle-related fatalities for 2014-2018, by county.

For the five years of data, the most fatal counties in the state remained fairly consistent from year to year, and are listed below.

• Hillsborough County – 943 fatalities
• Broward County – 1,105 fatalities
• Miami-Dade County – 1,491 fatalities

Traffic Fatalities

That same NHTSA Crash Report includes data for the number of vehicle-related fatalities for 2014-2018 in Florida.

Vehicle-related rural fatalities are notably higher than urban fatalities. They are actually an average of 162 percent higher than urban fatalities.

Fatalities by Person Type

NHTSA Crash Report data for Florida also groups the same 2014-2018 vehicle-related fatalities by vehicle occupant type:

More fatalities of passengers of cars than of any other vehicle type by a significant margin. We did a quick calculation, averaging the total number of fatalities for each person type and found there were almost 66 percent more car passenger fatalities than the next highest fatality type (motorcyclists) across the five-year time span.

Fatalities by Crash Type

To see the same data across the five-year span by vehicle type, take a look at this table:

The data shows the three most common factors for vehicle-related fatalities are a single vehicle, a roadway departure, and an intersection.

Five-Year Trend For the Top 10 Counties

The top 10 counties in Florida for fatalities across the five-year span are listed below from NHTSA:

About three-quarters of the counties show an increase in vehicle-related fatalities across the five-year time span. Additionally, the three counties with the highest number of vehicle-fatalities remained the same and showed an overall increase in fatalities across all five years.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

The same NHTSA Crash Report for Florida also offers data for speeding-related fatalities for 2014-2018, by county.

For the five years of data, the most fatal counties in the state vary from year-to-year. However, Hillsborough County was consistently the most fatal county each year, except for 2016 and 2017, when Broward was the most fatal county. Overall, the three most fatal counties were:

• Miami-Dade County – 128 fatalities
• Palm Beach County – 131 fatalities
• Hillsborough County – 131 fatalities

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by County

For alcohol-related fatalities for the same time-span,

For the five years of data, the most fatal counties in the state vary from year-to-year. However, the overall three most fatal counties were:

• Hillsborough County – 256 fatalities
• Broward County – 269 fatalities
• Miami-Dade County – 354 fatalities

Teen Drinking and Driving

While we know the legal drinking age in Florida is 21 (as it is everywhere else in the country), we also know that not everyone waits until it’s legal to party.

While underage drinking is both illegal and dangerous, it still happens, and Florida is ranked 47th in the country for DUI arrests of individuals under the age of 18 (looked at another way, this is 26.29 arrests per million people).

Responsibility.org reports there were 1.6 alcohol-related fatalities per 100,000 population for drivers under the age of 21 in Florida, compared to the national average of 1.2 per 100,000 population of the same.

While state law defines the BAC at 0.08, if you are under the age of 21, the BAC is 0.02. If drivers under the age of 21 are convicted of DUI with a BAC of 0.02, they will face a license suspension of at least six months. If its not the first offense, the suspension is extended to at least one year.

If the BAC is 0.05, the convicted driver will be required to complete a substance abuse evaluation.

EMS Response Time

As we’ve described, accidents still happen, no matter how safely you drive. In these situations, you want to know emergency medical services (EMS) will respond to you in a timely manner. Minutes can sometimes be the difference between life and death.

In this table, we’ve collected NHTSA Traffic Safety information on EMS response times in Florida in both rural and urban areas. However, data is not available in all of the categories.

This data indicates that urban response times are an overall average of about 52 percent faster than rural response times, for the available data.

It is important to remember that there are a number of factors that can affect EMS response times, including weather, road conditions, and the size of the geographic area for which the team(s) is responsible.

What is transportation like in Florida?

While this might seem like information overload at this point, let’s remember that all this data and research is focused on helping you make an informed decision about what insurance coverage you need, based on your lifestyle, age, gender, place of residence, and more.

With that in mind, there are just a few more pieces of information we think can help you as you drive across Florida and shop for insurance so you can legally do so.

Take a few more minutes (we promise we’re almost done), to review the data we’ve collected on car ownership, commute time, transportation type, and traffic congestion in Florida, to build a fuller picture of the state of driving in your area.

Car Ownership

Like the average across the country, the largest percentage of households in Florida own two vehicles, according to DataUSA. The total percentage of households owning those two vehicles in Florida is 43.6 percent, which is just a little higher than the national average of 40.3 percent of the same.

The remaining car ownership statistics per household are listed below:

• No cars – 2.69 percent in Florida, compared to 1.26 percent across the country
• One car – 22.6 percent in Florida, compared to 20.2 percent across the country
• Three cars – 20.7 percent in Florida, compared to 21.5 percent across the country
• Four cars – 7.72 percent in Florida, compared to 9.23 percent across the country
• Five cars – 2.66 percent in Florida, compared to 4.56 percent across the country

Commute Time

The same DataUSA report also provides information on the average commute time in Florida. Currently, Florida’s average commute time of 26.3 minutes is about 2.3 percent higher than the national average of 25.7 minutes.

It is also interesting to note that 2.34 percent of workers are considered “super commuters” who have a commute time of more than an hour-and-a-half.

Florida’s average commute length is about mid-range among its neighbors. It’s lower than Georgia’s average commute length of 27.3 minutes and higher than Alabama’s average of 24.3 minutes.

Additionally, Florida’s commute length has increased by about 6 percent between 2013 and 2018.

Commuter Transportation

With regard to commuter transportation, it is helpful to know how much of the population is driving themselves to work (thereby increasing the number of cars on the road, traffic, etc.) versus how many residents find other modes of transportation to and from work.

DataUSA reports that 79.1 percent of commuters drive themselves to and from work alone, compared to the national average of 76.4 percent of the same.

The next most common forms of commuter transportation in Florida are:

• About 9.36 percent carpooled to work, compared to 9 percent across the country
• About 6.21 percent work from home, compared to 5.23 percent across the country

Traffic Congestion in Florida

Finally, we’ll spend a couple of minutes taking a look at traffic congestion in the largest cities in Florida, which rounds out our discussion about traffic in the state.

We’ve pulled data from TomTom (a company that collects traffic congestion data for cities across the world) for Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami and included it in this table.

Traffic congestion in Florida varies from city to city. According to TomTom’s report, you’ll see the most traffic congestion in Miami, while it’s significantly lower (though definitely still present) in Jacksonville.

While traffic congestion in the state is still quite a bit lower than cities like Los Angeles, California, Miami is ranked ninth in the nation for traffic congestion, according to TomTom.

Conclusion

To ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed insurance policy decision, we’ve worked to pull all the data and research and complete the analyses that answer your questions.

Finding this information on your own can be time-consuming, and sometimes even seem impossible, especially if you don’t know where to look, which is why we’ve done the work for you.

With all this information, are you ready to get started on shopping for insurance? Use your ZIP code today to get a FREE quote on car insurance!