Florida Auto Insurance FAQ

Florida requires all drivers to carry at least: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of $10,000 and Property Damage Liability (PDL) of $10,000. Florida does not require Bodily Injury Liability (BI) for most drivers, though lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage if you have a car loan or lease.

Yes. Florida is a no-fault state. This means after an accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical bills and lost wages, up to your PIP limit, regardless of who caused the accident. You can only sue the other driver for damages in serious cases involving significant injury, permanent disability, or death. No-fault laws are one reason Florida insurance rates are higher than most other states.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is mandatory in Florida. It covers up to 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages after an accident, up to $10,000 (the minimum required). PIP covers you, your household members, and passengers who don’t have their own PIP coverage. You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of an accident to make a PIP claim.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you when you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance. It’s not legally required in Florida, but it’s highly recommended: Florida has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country (roughly 1 in 5 drivers is uninsured). UM coverage is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from significant out-of-pocket costs.

“Full coverage” is not a formal insurance term — it typically refers to a policy that includes the state minimums (PIP + PDL) plus Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Comprehensive covers non-collision events like theft, vandalism, flood, and fire. Collision covers damage from accidents. Lenders require both on financed vehicles. In Florida, some drivers also add Bodily Injury Liability and Uninsured Motorist to build a truly comprehensive policy.

Yes — if you have Comprehensive coverage. Flood damage to your vehicle from a hurricane or storm is covered under comprehensive insurance (not collision). The minimum required PIP and PDL coverages do not cover flood damage. If you live in a coastal or flood-prone area of Florida, comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended.

Florida has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the US due to several factors: high population density and traffic volume, a 20%+ uninsured driver rate, high insurance fraud rates (particularly in South Florida), aggressive personal injury litigation, high vehicle repair costs, and exposure to hurricanes and flooding. These systemic risk factors drive up costs for all Florida drivers.

The most effective ways to lower your Florida auto insurance rate: (1) Compare rates across carriers — this is the single biggest savings lever, often saving $500–$1,200/year; (2) Raise your deductible (if you can afford the out-of-pocket cost); (3) Bundle policies (auto + home/renters); (4) Ask about discounts (safe driver, multi-vehicle, good student, defensive driving course); (5) Improve your credit score over time; (6) Shop at renewal — don’t let your policy auto-renew without comparing first.

Yes. Florida allows insurers to use a credit-based insurance score as a rating factor. Drivers with lower credit scores typically pay significantly higher premiums than those with excellent credit. Improving your credit score can reduce your insurance rate at renewal. This is different from your credit report being “pulled” — insurance companies use a soft inquiry that doesn’t affect your credit score.

In Florida, most traffic violations stay on your driving record for 3–7 years depending on severity. Minor violations (speeding, running a red light) typically affect rates for 3 years. At-fault accidents typically affect rates for 3–5 years. Serious violations like DUI can affect your record for 10+ years. Once violations drop off your record, your rate should decrease at renewal.

Yes. You can switch auto insurance companies at any time, even mid-policy. Most insurers will provide a prorated refund for unused premium if you cancel early. Your new policy should start the same day your old one ends to avoid any coverage gap. In Florida, a lapse in coverage can result in your vehicle registration being suspended, so make sure to have continuous coverage.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it’s a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurer files with the Florida DHSMV to prove you carry the required minimum coverage. You’ll need an SR-22 after serious violations like DUI/DWI, driving without insurance, or license suspension. Not all insurance companies file SR-22s — a licensed agent can help you find one that does. SR-22 requirements typically last 3 years.

Florida takes insurance lapses seriously. If your insurer cancels your policy or your coverage lapses: (1) They notify the Florida DHSMV; (2) The state may suspend your vehicle registration and driver’s license; (3) Reinstatement requires new coverage and paying reinstatement fees. Insurers also charge significantly higher rates for drivers with recent lapses. The best action is to get new coverage immediately — a licensed agent can often get same-day coverage.

Your rate is fixed for the current policy term (typically 6 or 12 months). At renewal, your insurer may adjust your rate based on changes to your driving record, claims history, credit score, or market-wide rate changes. This is why it’s smart to compare rates at every renewal — the company that offered the best rate last year may not be the best this year.

No. Submitting a rate check request through AffordableAutoProtection.net has no effect on your current insurance policy. You remain fully covered under your existing policy until you choose to make a change. Requesting rate information is not the same as cancelling your policy — only you can initiate a policy change.