Finding inexpensive car insurance in Florida is not an easy task, given the demands drivers require. The state must deal with hurricanes and heavy rains regularly. Florida also has one of the highest elder driver populations in the country. You will need to do some research to find the best options available.
Location Impacts Insurance Coverage
Living in Florida comes with higher premiums simply for living in the state. You can expect to pay almost double the average premiums in some situations. As mentioned before, Florida is the highest risk state for weather impact on claims.
Most Floridians have filed a claim for everything from hail, hurricanes, and tropical storms to high winds. If you have not and you already live there, consider yourself fortunate. You probably will at some point in the future because it is nearly impossible to live in Florida and not have to file a claim.
Minimum Requirements
Every state has minimum insurance requirements, and Florida is no different. As a no-fault state, anyone involved in an accident is responsible for their own situation. You should have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability.
You should know that bodily injury is not required in Florida, but should you be involved in an accident where you need to pay for damages, having this policy would be a good idea. The minimum requirement is $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident in Florida.
If accidents result in significant damages, you could end up with higher expenses you will be responsible for paying. It might be a good idea to spend a little more to get higher coverage if a severe accident happens because no one ever plans for it, but you will be glad to have the coverage if it ever happens.
Local Vs. Regional Car Insurance Companies
Regional car insurance companies can be an excellent choice to know the kind of coverage you are getting and what to expect. You can also opt to shop around local insurance companies because they’ll usually be less expensive. Another perk to getting local insurance is knowing that your company will be in full compliance with Florida requirements without any issues.
On the other hand, as the market is still largely unstable, small companies may suffer considerably when faced with lots of claims. After a hurricane or other significant event, widespread claims can be difficult for a smaller company to handle.
Florida-specific companies may also have extra discounts unavailable that regional car insurance companies do not. All things considered, it’s still worth talking with smaller companies and larger regional companies to compare car insurance to get the best deal possible.
Getting the Best Car Insurance in Florida
Everybody has a different coverage requirement because of different circumstances, and everyone wants the best coverage they can get. Finding the best car insurance in Florida depends on where you want to place your priorities.
Do you have multiple people you need to insure or more than one vehicle? What about a teen driver? Someone in those situations would need something different than a single person driving a luxury vehicle.
You may also have to contend with your credit score as it can significantly impact your premiums. Having additional protection is also something to consider making sure you are completely covered in case of a hurricane or other disasters.
Insurance Discounts Aplenty
Do not forget about the discounts you can get from your insurance provider, like a multi-policy discount. Companies are often willing to provide you with bundled rates to include homeowners, multiple vehicles, and multiple driver insurance options.
Students can also get discounts. If you are under 25 years old and in school full time, you might qualify for a student discount. Alternatively, if you are a parent and have a student on your policy, you might also be able to get a deal. Ask the insurance companies questions to determine if there are any other discounts you can take advantage of to lower your premiums.
Final Thoughts
Getting the best car insurance in Florida can be challenging, but you can get it done by thinking about the minimum state requirements compared to the conditions that you need for your peace of mind. Do not forget to shop for local and regional insurance quotes, and you will be getting the best discounts and insurance your money can buy.