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It is illegal to drive in Florida without an active car insurance policy. Penalties start with fines and temporary license suspensions, but other severe financial repercussions can occur if you were to be involved in an accident without insurance. Florida does have some of the most expensive car insurance in the country, making it tempting to skip paying your premium. However, as Bankrate’s insurance team explains, the potential consequences of driving uninsured in Florida are simply not worth the risk.
Florida car insurance laws
Florida’s car insurance laws make it clear that every driver must have an active car insurance policy that meets the following coverage limits in order to operate a vehicle legally:
- $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
You may be surprised to find out that bodily injury liability coverage is not technically a requirement for a minimum car insurance policy in Florida. However, you can’t just skip this coverage outright. To forego bodily injury liability coverage, you would need to apply for a self-insurance certificate, which proves you have an “unencumbered net worth” of at least $40,000 to cover expenses you’re liable for in an accident. However, most people opt to buy bodily injury coverage instead of putting their assets at risk. If you do decide to buy the coverage, these are the minimum limits:
- $10,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $20,000 bodily injury liability per accident
Florida is also one of 12 no-fault states in the country, which adds a layer of complexity to how insurance claims process after an accident. Regardless of who causes the accident, your PIP coverage will initially pay for your injuries and those of your passenger. PIP also pays for other costs related to injuries you may sustain in an accident, such as the cost of necessary household services and lost wages.
These are a few other key aspects of Florida’s car insurance laws:
- You must purchase a minimum car insurance policy before registering your vehicle.
- You must purchase your car insurance from a legally licensed provider in Florida.
- If your vehicle is registered in Florida, you must maintain auto coverage, no matter where your vehicle is physically located. There are exceptions for members of the military.
- If you move out of Florida, you must surrender your license plates and registration before canceling your insurance policy.
What are the penalties for driving without insurance in FL?
The legal penalties for driving without insurance in Florida include fines and a probationary license suspension. See the chart below for a full breakdown:
| Penalty type | First offense | Subsequent offenses |
|---|---|---|
| Fines | $150 | Up to $500 for subsequent offenses within three years of the first offense |
| License suspension | Lasts until reinstatement fee is paid and proof of noncancelable coverage is provided | Lasts until reinstatement fee is paid and proof of noncancelable coverage is provided |
There may be other financial implications in addition to fines if you are found to be driving without insurance in Florida. One of the most serious challenges you may face is what will happen if you are in an accident. In this case, you may find yourself having to pay out of pocket for damage or medical costs. You will also likely face higher insurance costs if you apply for insurance after a coverage lapse. In some cases, you may need to purchase your policy from an insurer that specializes in high-risk insurance, which is often more costly than a regular policy.
Getting into an accident without insurance
Getting into an accident without insurance in Florida can be complicated. Since Florida is a no-fault state, the other driver’s PIP should initially provide coverage to them for their injuries (and lost wages, as explained above) — even if you’re the one who caused the accident. If the other driver also has uninsured motorist coverage, they could also receive reimbursement from that coverage.
But don’t take the term “no-fault” at face value. You can still face major financial repercussions for causing an accident without insurance. Following Florida’s “financial responsibility law,” you still have to prove to the state that you can pay for the injuries you cause to someone else; that means that you can’t expect another driver’s PIP to pay for injuries you cause and not face any penalties. If you don’t have insurance or the financial capacity to pay for the injuries and damages you caused, you may face a lawsuit, court costs, wage garnishments and more. For this reason, it may be a safer course financially to purchase full coverage car insurance to protect your assets.
You may also be required to carry an SR-22 form if you’re caught driving without insurance, regardless of whether you caused an accident or not. This is a form that an insurance company files with the state to prove that you have insurance before reinstating your license. It’s basically a way for the state to limit repeat offenders. In more severe cases, such as driving uninsured while under the influence, you may have to file an FR-44 form instead. This form requires the offender to prove they’re carrying even higher limits of liability coverage before having their license reinstated.
Frequently asked questions
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There is no simple answer for the best car insurance company in Florida — everyone’s tolerance for risk and financial capacity are different. Is budget your greatest concern? Or maybe you value excellent customer service above all else. You can find the best car insurance in Florida by deciding what is most important to you in a company. From there, select a few insurers that meet that criteria and request quotes.
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The average cost of car insurance in Florida is $3,594 per year for full coverage and $1,111 per year for minimum coverage. Florida drivers pay significantly more than drivers in the nation as a whole, where the average annual rate is $2,388 for full coverage and $664 for minimum coverage. However, these rates can vary based on several factors, including your driving history, the type of car you drive and the coverage limits you choose. In addition, where you live in Florida may substantially impact your rates, especially if you live on the coast where your car is more vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
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Finding affordable coverage in Florida can be a challenge since the state’s average rates are fairly high. But there are strategies you can use to help save money on your auto insurance premiums. When you are searching for a policy, it’s generally a good idea to ask for quotes from more than one insurer to find the lowest rate for your desired coverage. You can also consider which discounts each carrier offers during the quoting process to see how they impact your rate. You can also consider raising your deductible, which often lowers your rate—but be careful not to raise it higher than you would be comfortable paying out of pocket. Once you secure a policy, one of the best ways to keep your rate low is to maintain a clean driving record.
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Yes, your license will be suspended for not having insurance in Florida. Whether you received a ticket for driving uninsured or FLHSMV’s online tracking system identified that your coverage lapsed, your license will be suspended until you reactivate your car insurance policy. Once you can provide proof of coverage, you can unsuspend your license by paying a reinstatement fee, which ranges from $150 to $500, depending on how many times you’ve violated this law.
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