Florida car insurance laws and requirements: 2026 changes

Florida car insurance laws

Florida law requires drivers to maintain at least 10/20/10 in car insurance coverage. In Florida, drivers are also required to carry PIP. This insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage when you cause an accident. However, if accident expenses exceed the policy limits, you will be responsible for paying the remaining costs yourself.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, a serious crash can generate medical and repair bills that exceed the state minimum limits. Once the available coverage is exhausted, the at-fault driver will be personally responsible for the unpaid amount.

Florida car insurance requirements

Drivers in Florida must carry the coverage required by state law, including liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. and any other mandatory protections. The minimum liability limits are 10/20/10. These limits help pay for injuries, property damage, and other required accident-related expenses covered under Florida law. In Florida, drivers are also required to carry PIP

Florida requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Florida liability minimums are 10/20/10.

Personal injury protection (PIP). Personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. pays medical costs, such as doctor visits, childcare expenses, and lost wages, for you or your passengers injured in an accident. PIP may be required for drivers who live in at-fault states.

Florida PIP requirements are $10,000.

Minimum coverage in Florida costs an average of $1,208. GEICO offers the lowest average rate at $611, but your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. will depend on your driving record, age, location, and other factors.

The table below shows the average rates of the top insurers for minimum coverage in Florida.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
GEICO	$611	$51
Travelers	$784	$65
State Farm	$901	$75
Mercury Insurance	$1,056	$88
Farmers	$1,140	$95
Allstate	$1,238	$103
Nationwide	$1,309	$109
National General	$1,523	$127
Progressive	$1,734	$144
UAIC	$1,815	$151

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Florida car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

Minimum coverage car insurance in Florida costs an average of $1,208. However, the amount you pay will depend on your insurer, age, location, driving history, and other rating factors. GEICO has the cheapest average minimum coverage rate at $611 annually.

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $1,208. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average annual rates for the old minimum liability limits in Florida. We will soon revise the rates to align with the updated limits.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Florida is GEICO at an average rate of $611 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	10/20/10
Average annual premium	$1,208
Average monthly premium	$101

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Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in Florida?

Florida car insurance requirements will not change in 2026. Drivers who already carry the state-required minimum coverage do not need to update their policies. If requirements change later, insurers will inform affected policyholders and explain any necessary coverage or premium adjustments.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated coverage values and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Florida?

Minimum car insurance in Florida covers certain accident-related expenses up to the limits required by law. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. These coverages pay for injuries, property damage, and other losses included under Florida's minimum insurance requirements.

Florida requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Florida drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protection (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Florida minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 10/20/10, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Florida?

The amount of car insurance you need in Florida depends on your assets, income, savings, and vehicle. Higher liability limits can protect you from lawsuits and major out-of-pocket expenses. Drivers with financed or leased vehicles will also need collision and comprehensive coverageComprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. It is subject to a deductible..

Drivers with substantial savings, property, or other assets should avoid choosing limits that are too low. If you cause an accident that exceeds your policy limits, the injured party may pursue your income or assets for the remaining costs.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease, you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Florida penalties for driving without car insurance

Driving without required insurance in Florida may lead to fines, license suspension, registration penalties and more expensive insurance in the future. Repeated violations may result in harsher consequences. If you cause an accident without coverage, you will also have to pay medical bills and property damage costs yourself.

Failing to carry Florida car insurance has penalties, including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$500
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	No

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Florida minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers tend to pay the most, and rates decline with age and experience. GEICO is the cheapest option for teens, while GEICO has the lowest average adult rate

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. GEICO has the best rates for teens, with minimum coverage averaging $1,686. GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $620.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $1,267, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $1,149, a difference of $118.

Florida minimum coverage cost by city

Minimum coverage is cheapest in Tallahassee, where drivers pay an average of $981. Tampa has the highest average minimum coverage rate in Florida at $1,693. Differences in traffic, accident claims, theft, and local repair costs can cause premiums to vary from one city to another.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Florida.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Cape Coral	$1,108	$92
Fort Lauderdale	$1,548	$129
Hialeah	$1,640	$137
Jacksonville	$1,198	$100
Miami	$1,641	$137
Orlando	$1,342	$112
Port St. Lucie	$1,223	$102
St. Petersburg	$1,366	$114
Tallahassee	$981	$82
Tampa	$1,693	$141

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Optional car insurance coverage in Florida

Optional car insurance protects your vehicle and finances beyond the minimum coverage required in Florida. Collision and comprehensive insurance pay for damage to your own car, while rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and gap insurance address specific expenses that a state minimum liability policy does not cover.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive coverage. This coverage pays for damage to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance coverage. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery, roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap coverage. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Why do limits change?

Minimum car insurance limits change when state lawmakers determine that existing coverage amounts are no longer sufficient to meet current accident costs. As vehicle prices, repair bills and medical expenses rise, lower liability limits may leave both accident victims and at-fault drivers with large unpaid balances.

Methodology

Insurance.com partners with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. National and state average rates are based on state minimum coverage and on the following parameters:

40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Learn more about our data and methodology.

Florida car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Florida?

Yes. Drivers in Florida must maintain the minimum insurance required under state law. Mandatory coverage includes 10/20/10, PIP, $10,000. Driving without the required policy can result in fines, license or registration penalties, and higher premiums when you purchase insurance again.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance will cover an eligible claim when you drive in another state. If the state where the accident occurs requires higher liability limits, your policy will automatically adjust to meet those limits for the claim. However, this does not add collision or comprehensive coverage to a minimum policy.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Florida?

Driving without car insurance in Florida can lead to fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and increased insurance premiums. Repeat offenses may carry more serious consequences, including jail time. You will also be personally responsible for medical bills, repairs, and other damages if you cause an accident while uninsured.