Cheap Florida State Minimum Car Insurance & Requirements
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Whether you're cruising through Miami, heading to the theme parks in Orlando, or exploring the scenic Gulf Coast, having the right car insurance is an important part of every drive in the Sunshine State. Direct Auto Insurance helps make it easy to get covered in Florida with cheap car insurance options, a low upfront payment, and flexible payment options that work with your schedule and budget. Get a free quote today and learn about Florida's required coverages, plus optional protections you can add for even more peace of mind.
Florida Car Insurance Laws
Do you have to have car insurance in Florida?
Florida law requires that vehicle owners carry at least the state's minimum required auto insurance coverage: $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage. PIP helps pay for covered medical expenses and lost income after an accident, regardless of fault, while PDL helps pay for damage you cause to another person's property.
Florida law also requires drivers to be financially responsible for injuries or deaths they cause in a motor vehicle crash. While bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage is not required for most drivers, it may be required in certain situations and can help cover injuries you cause to others in an accident.
What is a no-fault state?
Florida is a no-fault state for car insurance. This means drivers typically turn to their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for covered medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who is responsible. Owners of vehicles registered in Florida are required to carry PIP coverage, which helps pay for covered injuries up to policy limits. Florida's no-fault laws generally apply to injury-related claims. Property damage claims are generally filed with the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Florida Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Wondering what your insurance policy needs to make sure you’re fulfilling Florida’s insurance requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.
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Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
|
Bodily injury liability coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It can help pay for their medical expenses and your legal defense services (if necessary). Because Florida is a no-fault state, it can help protect you if you're held responsible for another person's injuries. |
Not required for most drivers. Certain violations and other situations may require it, along with an SR-22 filing. |
|
Property damage liability coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged if you’re at fault in an accident. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more. |
Yes. $10,000 property damage per accident. |
|
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if an at-fault driver has no insurance (UM), doesn’t have enough insurance (UIM), or, in certain cases, can’t be identified after certain hit-and-run accidents. |
Not required unless you buy BIL. If your policy includes bodily injury liability coverage, it includes UM coverage unless you reject it or choose lower limits in writing on a state-approved form. |
|
Personal injury protection helps pay a portion of your covered medical expenses and lost income resulting from a covered auto accident, regardless of fault. |
Yes. $10,000. |
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Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
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Comprehensive coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing state-mandated coverage may satisfy Florida’s minimum insurance requirements, it doesn’t necessarily protect you and your vehicle in every circumstance. You might need to add additional coverage to more fully protect yourself and your vehicle from damages.
1Your lender might require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
Are there additional coverage options?
For added peace of mind, Direct Auto offers optional coverages, services, and protection plans for Florida drivers:
Florida Proof of Financial Responsibility & Penalties
What if I don’t meet Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements?
When you own a vehicle registered in Florida, you must have proof of financial responsibility to drive legally. If you’re caught driving without insurance, your driver license and vehicle registration may be suspended, and you may face reinstatement fees. The penalty depends on the circumstances and whether you're involved in an accident.
Drivers must always carry proof of insurance and be able to present proof of insurance upon request, such as during a traffic stop, at an accident scene. You can do so by showing your physical ID card or downloading an electronic copy to your mobile device.
To help ensure drivers maintain required coverage, insurance companies in Florida notify the state if your policy terminates or you remove a vehicle from it, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This means it’s critical to follow all car insurance laws and maintain continuous coverage to avoid any penalties.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Florida
Thinking about getting behind the wheel with a suspended license? Think again! The penalties for driving while suspended in Florida depend on your circumstances, but they can include fines, jail time, or a combination of the two.
SR-22 Insurance in Florida
Some high-risk drivers are required to have an SR22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) filed with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage required for their situation. You might be required to have one on file after certain situations, including:
- Driving-related violations.
- Insurance or financial-responsibility violations
- Crashes or driver’s license suspensions
FR-44 Insurance in Florida
Florida and Virginia are the only two states that use FR44s. An FR44 is not actually a type of insurance. “FR” stands for “financial responsibility.” An FR44 is a certificate that verifies a driver's insurance coverage meets the mandated financial responsibility requirements. Your auto insurance company files the FR44 with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Under Florida law, a driver who is found guilty of or pleads guilty or no contest to driving under the influence (DUI) may be required to have an FR-44 filed and maintain higher financial-responsibility limits for at least three years.
The main difference between an SR22 and an FR44 is that an FR44 requires higher liability insurance limits:
- $100,000 for injury or death to one person
- $300,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash
- $50,000 for property damage liability in one crash
If you need an SR22 of FR44 filed or have questions, we can help. Direct Auto specializes in helping people find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their history. Give us a call today for a free quote.
Cheap Car Insurance in Florida
Whether you have a clean driving record or need high-risk auto insurance, Direct Auto offers affordable coverage options for Florida drivers. No matter your driving history, we’re committed to helping you find quality coverage that fits your budget.
Your car insurance rate depends on factors like your coverage, vehicle, driving habits, location, driving record, and credit history (where permitted by law).
Ready to save? Get a Florida car insurance quote from Direct Auto today. Call, click, or stop by a local store to find affordable coverage.
Other Florida Auto Insurance Resources
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
- Official State of Florida website
- Florida Department of Transportation
*Cost and down payments will vary based on coverages and pay plan selected, state requirements, and how you buy. A lower down payment does not equal premium savings. Additional fees may apply.
**Emergency Protection Plans (EPP) and Roadside Assistance are not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits are available in all states.
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