By Roberto Gomes | Updated October 2026. This guide compares published 2026 rate studies from ValuePenguin and NerdWallet with official information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and the Florida Senate. Prime Capital Report does not sell insurance and is not a licensed agent. Every price below is an average or median from the source named next to it, so your own quote will be different.
The best car insurance in Florida for most drivers in 2026 comes from a short list: GEICO, State Farm and Travelers, plus UAIC for drivers with poor credit and USAA for military families. GEICO had the lowest statewide full coverage rate in both major studies we checked: $213 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a $175 median in NerdWallet’s. Florida is still one of the most expensive states to insure a car. ValuePenguin puts the average at $311 a month for full coverage. The good news is that prices are now falling. OIR said in March 2026 that the state’s five largest auto insurance groups were indicating an average rate change of -8% for 2026.
Key takeaways
- Florida is expensive: ValuePenguin’s average is $311 a month for full coverage and $102 for minimum coverage. NerdWallet puts the typical full coverage cost at $3,295 a year, compared with a national average of $2,361.
- Companies to quote first: GEICO ($213 a month in ValuePenguin’s data), State Farm ($215) and Travelers ($239). In NerdWallet’s data, GEICO ($175), UAIC ($191) and Travelers ($197) had the lowest medians.
- Legal minimum: $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (FLHSMV). Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability for most drivers, but you should buy it.
- No-fault is still the law: The 2026 bill to repeal PIP (SB 522) died in committee on March 13, 2026, according to the Florida Senate.
- Rates are falling: OIR reports that the top five auto groups, with 78% of the market, are indicating -8% for 2026. ValuePenguin found State Farm cut rates 10.2% in 2026.
- City matters: ValuePenguin’s full coverage average is $401 a month in Miami and $391 in Tampa, but $252 in Tallahassee and $235 in Gainesville.
How much does car insurance cost in Florida?
| Measure | Florida | United States | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full coverage, average per month | $311 | n/a | ValuePenguin, Oct 2026 |
| Minimum coverage, average per month | $102 | n/a | ValuePenguin, Oct 2026 |
| Full coverage, per year (clean record) | $3,295 | $2,361 | NerdWallet, Oct 2, 2026 |
| Full coverage, per month (clean record) | $275 | n/a | NerdWallet, Oct 2, 2026 |
Sources: ValuePenguin, Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida (2026) (accessed Oct. 19, 2026; rate filing data current as of Oct. 6, 2026). NerdWallet, Cheap Car Insurance in Florida for 2026 (updated Oct. 2, 2026). “n/a” means the source does not publish that figure in a comparable form.
ValuePenguin says Florida car insurance is about 55% more expensive than the national average. By NerdWallet’s numbers, a clean-record Florida driver pays about 40% more than the national average for full coverage (our calculation from $3,295 vs. $2,361). The two studies use different drivers and coverage limits, which is why their averages differ. For a state with lower prices, compare our guide to the cheapest car insurance in Texas for 2026.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Florida?
Uninsured drivers
The Insurance Research Council estimates that 20.6% of Florida drivers were uninsured in 2023, the seventh-highest share in the country, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Triple-I also notes that Florida’s compulsory insurance law applies to PIP and property damage, not to bodily injury liability. When an uninsured driver hits you, your own policy often ends up paying. ValuePenguin names the state’s many uninsured drivers as a main reason for high prices.
Hurricanes and flooding
Comprehensive coverage is the part of a policy that pays for flood, wind, hail and falling-tree damage. ValuePenguin lists 151,892 cars damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022, 62,578 by Helene in 2024 and 42,951 by Milton in 2024. Those claims feed into full coverage prices. If you don’t have comprehensive and a storm wrecks your car, ValuePenguin says FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program may help in some cases. It doesn’t pay for cosmetic damage.
Traffic, tourists and lawsuits
ValuePenguin also points to dense traffic and millions of visiting drivers. NerdWallet adds that Florida’s PIP system and lawsuits over serious injuries push costs up, so drivers in PIP states tend to pay more than drivers in non-PIP states.
Best car insurance companies in Florida
ValuePenguin: average rates for a 30-year-old driver
ValuePenguin analyzed 442,470 quotes from six large Florida insurers across 1,031 ZIP codes. Its sample driver is a 30-year-old man with good credit and a 2018 Honda Civic EX. Full coverage includes 50/100/50 liability, 50/100 uninsured motorist coverage, $10,000 PIP, and collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible.
| Company | Full coverage (monthly) | Minimum coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $213 | $37 |
| State Farm | $215 | $67 |
| Travelers | $239 | $71 |
| UAIC | $255 | $127 |
| Progressive | n/a | $138 |
| Allstate | $463 | n/a |
| Florida average | $311 | $102 |
Source: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026; Quadrant Information Services data). “n/a” means the company wasn’t among ValuePenguin’s cheapest listed for that coverage.
NerdWallet: median rates for a 35-year-old driver
NerdWallet’s study uses a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a 2023 Toyota Camry LE driven 12,000 miles a year. It averages rates for men and women. Its full coverage policy has higher limits: 100/300/50 liability, 100/300 uninsured motorist coverage and $1,000 deductibles.
| Company | Full coverage (median per month) | Minimum coverage (median per month) |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $175 | $30 |
| UAIC | $191 | $105 |
| Travelers | $197 | $51 |
| Mercury | $326 | $37 |
| Allstate | $377 | n/a |
| Direct Auto | n/a | $91 |
Source: NerdWallet (updated Oct. 2, 2026; Quadrant data). “n/a” means the company wasn’t among NerdWallet’s five cheapest for that coverage. NerdWallet’s analysis excludes Liberty Mutual and does not rank USAA with the others.
Where the two studies agree
GEICO is the cheapest statewide option in both studies, for both full and minimum coverage. Travelers is in the top three of both. The main difference is State Farm, which is second in ValuePenguin’s data but isn’t among NerdWallet’s five cheapest. Different ages, cars, limits and deductibles explain the gap. So a practical shortlist is GEICO, State Farm, Travelers and UAIC, plus USAA if you’re eligible. Quote the same coverage at each one.
Customer service and financial strength
ValuePenguin chose GEICO as the best Florida insurer overall. It says GEICO tied as the top-rated company in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction survey in Florida. It also says GEICO General, GEICO’s largest Florida subsidiary, gets 47% fewer complaints than an average company its size in NAIC data. NerdWallet gives GEICO 5.0 out of 5 and Travelers 4.9. It also rates Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm 4.8, USAA 4.7 and Liberty Mutual 4.5 in Florida.
| Company | J.D. Power score (as listed by ValuePenguin) | AM Best financial strength |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 650 | A++ |
| GEICO | 645 | A++ |
| Allstate | 635 | A+ |
| Progressive | 621 | A+ |
| Travelers | 613 | A++ |
Source: ValuePenguin, Florida (accessed Oct. 19, 2026), citing J.D. Power and AM Best. You can check complaint records yourself with the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.
Car insurance rates by Florida city
| City | Average full coverage (monthly) | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hialeah | $428 | GEICO | $224 |
| West Palm Beach | $417 | Travelers | $278 |
| Miami | $401 | GEICO | $224 |
| Tampa | $391 | GEICO | $256 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $371 | State Farm | $267 |
| St. Petersburg | $340 | State Farm | $238 |
| Orlando | $314 | GEICO | $191 |
| Jacksonville | $300 | GEICO | $188 |
| Cape Coral | $269 | GEICO | $181 |
| Tallahassee | $252 | State Farm | $175 |
| Gainesville | $235 | State Farm | $162 |
Source: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026). Same sample driver and full coverage policy as above.
In ValuePenguin’s data, the same driver pays about 71% more in Miami than in Gainesville (our calculation). State Farm has the lowest rates in 59% of Florida cities and towns, GEICO in 33%, Travelers in 5% and UAIC in 2%. The cheapest place in the state is Santa Rosa Beach in the Panhandle, at $224 a month. The most expensive is Westview, just outside Miami, at $453.
NerdWallet’s city medians for a 35-year-old with a clean record point to GEICO in most big cities. Its full coverage medians are $1,878 a year in Jacksonville, $1,966 in Orlando, $2,267 in Miami, $2,681 in Tampa and $2,869 in Fort Lauderdale. UAIC was cheapest in St. Petersburg, at $2,466 a year.
Best car insurance in Florida by driver profile
Young drivers
In ValuePenguin’s data for 18-year-olds, GEICO had the cheapest minimum coverage ($83 a month) and full coverage ($527). For comparison, the Florida teen average for minimum coverage was $252. USAA was lower still for eligible military families ($48 and $264). NerdWallet found UAIC cheapest for 20-year-olds buying their own full coverage policy, at a median of $309 a month. For a 20-year-old added to a parents’ policy, Travelers was cheapest in NerdWallet’s May 2026 analysis, at $438 a month for the whole household.
Drivers with a ticket, accident or DUI
- Speeding ticket: GEICO was cheapest in both studies. ValuePenguin’s rate was $213 a month, unchanged from a clean record, and NerdWallet’s median was $175. ValuePenguin says one ticket raises Florida rates about 13% on average.
- At-fault accident: State Farm led ValuePenguin’s list at $251 a month, while GEICO led NerdWallet’s at $243. ValuePenguin says one accident raises full coverage about 46%.
- DUI: Travelers was cheapest in ValuePenguin’s data ($382 a month), and GEICO in NerdWallet’s ($301). ValuePenguin says rates rise 68% on average after a DUI.
After a DUI conviction, Florida requires an FR-44 filing. ValuePenguin says FR-44 limits are 100/300/50, far above the normal minimum. After a crash with injuries, you may also need an SR-22 with 10/20 bodily injury liability.
Drivers with poor credit
UAIC was cheapest in both studies: $255 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a median of $192 in NerdWallet’s. ValuePenguin says Florida drivers with poor credit pay about twice as much as those with good credit, and that Florida law lets insurers use credit information.
Seniors
GEICO was cheapest for older drivers in both studies. ValuePenguin’s full coverage averages for GEICO were $181 a month at 65, $198 at 75 and $240 at 85. NerdWallet’s median for a 70-year-old was $156 a month.
Florida car insurance requirements
According to FLHSMV, every vehicle with a current Florida registration must carry at least:
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $10,000. PIP covers 80% of necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000, no matter who caused the crash.
- Property damage liability (PDL): $10,000.
FLHSMV also says coverage must be continuous, even if the car isn’t being driven, and that you should surrender the plate before you cancel. Failing to keep coverage can lead to license and registration suspension for up to three years and a reinstatement fee of up to $500. ValuePenguin lists the fees as $150 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 after that.
Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability for most drivers. ValuePenguin says bodily injury and uninsured motorist coverage come standard with most policies, but you can reject them in writing. We don’t recommend it. NerdWallet notes that $10,000 of property damage coverage may not pay to fix or replace many newer cars. ValuePenguin recommends full coverage if your car is worth more than $5,000 or is less than eight years old. If no company will insure you, the state-created Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (FAJUA) is the market of last resort.
Florida’s no-fault (PIP) law explained
Under Florida’s no-fault system, everyone hurt in a crash turns first to their own PIP coverage, whoever caused it. PIP pays 80% of medical bills and, according to ValuePenguin, 60% of lost income, up to the $10,000 limit. NerdWallet explains that you can step outside no-fault and sue the at-fault driver only if the injury is serious. That means significant disfigurement or scarring, permanent limitation of a body part, significant loss of a body function, or death. If you cause that kind of crash with no bodily injury coverage, you would pay out of pocket.
NerdWallet also notes that Florida uses modified comparative fault. If you’re found 50% or more responsible, you can’t recover damages from the other driver.
Did Florida repeal PIP in 2026?
No. Senate Bill 522 would have repealed the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. The Florida Senate’s bill page shows it was introduced on January 13, 2026 and “Died in Banking and Insurance” on March 13, 2026. Its House companion, HB 769, died in the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee the same day. Insurance Journal reported on May 5, 2026 that some websites and AI search answers wrongly said PIP had been repealed. It also noted that a repeal passed the Legislature only once, in 2021, and Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it. PIP is still required.
Are Florida car insurance rates going down in 2026?
For most drivers, yes. On March 5, 2026, OIR said Florida’s top five auto groups (Progressive, GEICO’s parent Berkshire Hathaway, State Farm, Allstate and USAA) were indicating an average -8.0% rate change for 2026. They requested -7.4% for 2025. OIR credits the state’s 2022-2023 legal reforms. It also reported that State Farm’s most recent requested decrease was 10%, AAA’s rates fell 15% over the past year, and USAA lowered rates 7% effective by May 2026.
ValuePenguin’s review of Florida rate filings, current as of Oct. 6, 2026, tells a similar story:
| Company | 2026 rate change | 5-year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | -10.2% | +29.5% |
| Auto-Owners | -8.6% | +46.7% |
| USAA | -7.0% | +54.9% |
| Allstate | -5.3% | +43.6% |
| GEICO | -4.2% | +36.6% |
| Liberty Mutual | -3.6% | +74.7% |
| Travelers | -0.5% | +37.9% |
| Progressive | 0.0% | +44.8% |
| American Family | +3.6% | +71.8% |
Source: ValuePenguin, using Florida OIR filings via S&P Global RateWatch (data current as of Oct. 6, 2026). Filings may apply only to some drivers, so your renewal may differ.
Even after the 2026 cuts, every company listed is well above its rates of five years ago.
Car insurance discounts in Florida
Discount names and amounts vary by company, so ask each insurer what you qualify for. These examples come from the studies we reviewed:
- Defensive driving course: ValuePenguin says GEICO and State Farm both offer a discount to seniors who complete an approved course.
- Good student and driver training: ValuePenguin says teens can save with most companies through good grades or a defensive driving course.
- Usage-based programs: NerdWallet highlights Nationwide’s two usage-based programs and USAA’s SafePilot for good or low-mileage drivers.
- Accident forgiveness: NerdWallet notes Travelers offers a choice of two accident forgiveness plans, and Progressive offers it to some drivers.
How to save on car insurance in Florida
- Compare at least three to four quotes with the same coverage. Start with GEICO, State Farm and Travelers, and add UAIC if your credit is weak. Our guide on how to compare car insurance quotes walks you through it.
- Shop at every renewal. NerdWallet recommends comparing quotes at least once a year in Florida. Rates are falling at different speeds at different companies, so a quick check can pay off.
- Wait for the renewal offer after an accident. ValuePenguin says your current insurer usually won’t raise your rate until renewal, so shop about a month before your policy expires.
- Keep teens on a parent’s policy. NerdWallet says that is usually cheaper than a separate policy.
- Don’t drop comprehensive in hurricane country without thinking. Keep it if a flood or fallen tree would leave you unable to replace your car.
- Never let coverage lapse. FLHSMV can suspend your license and plate for up to three years, and there’s no hardship license for insurance suspensions.
- Work on your credit. Because Florida insurers can use credit-based insurance scores, NerdWallet says paying down balances can help lower rates over time.
Our methodology
Prime Capital Report doesn’t collect quotes. We compared two dated 2026 rate studies (ValuePenguin, accessed Oct. 19, 2026, and NerdWallet, updated Oct. 2, 2026, both using Quadrant Information Services data) and used FLHSMV, Florida OIR, the Florida Senate and Triple-I for laws and market data. We never mix studies within one ranking, because each uses a different driver profile. Percentages comparing cities or national figures are our own calculations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company in Florida?
For most drivers, GEICO is the best place to start. It had the lowest statewide full coverage rate in both ValuePenguin’s data ($213 a month) and NerdWallet’s October 2026 data ($175 median). ValuePenguin also named it the best Florida insurer overall for its rates and service. State Farm and Travelers are strong second quotes, UAIC is worth checking with poor credit, and USAA is a strong choice for military families.
How much is car insurance in Florida per month?
ValuePenguin’s average is $311 a month for full coverage and $102 a month for minimum coverage. NerdWallet puts the typical full coverage cost at $275 a month, or $3,295 a year, for a driver with a clean record.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Florida?
FLHSMV requires $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability on every registered vehicle. Bodily injury liability isn’t required for most drivers, but it protects you if you seriously injure someone.
Is Florida still a no-fault state in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 repeal bill, SB 522, died in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on March 13, 2026, and its House companion died the same day. PIP is still mandatory.
Are car insurance rates going down in Florida?
Yes, for many drivers. Florida OIR said in March 2026 that the five largest auto groups were indicating an average -8% rate change for 2026. ValuePenguin found State Farm cut rates 10.2% in 2026, while American Family raised them 3.6%.
How much is car insurance in Miami?
ValuePenguin’s average for full coverage in Miami is $401 a month, with GEICO cheapest at $224. NerdWallet’s median for GEICO in Miami is $2,267 a year for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Florida with bad credit?
UAIC was cheapest in both studies: $255 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a $192 median in NerdWallet’s.
Sources
- ValuePenguin, “Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida (Best Rates in 2026),” accessed Oct. 19, 2026: https://www.valuepenguin.com/cheap-car-insurance-florida-study
- NerdWallet, “Cheap Car Insurance in Florida for 2026,” updated Oct. 2, 2026: https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/auto/cheap-car-insurance-florida
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Florida Insurance Requirements”: https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, “Commissioner Mike Yaworsky Announces More Significant Auto Rate Decreases for Florida’s Top 5 Auto Insurance Groups,” Mar. 5, 2026: floir.gov
- The Florida Senate, “SB 522: Motor Vehicle Insurance” (2026 session): https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/522
- Insurance Journal, “No, Florida Lawmakers Did Not Repeal the No-Fault Auto Insurance Law,” May 5, 2026: insurancejournal.com
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists” (Insurance Research Council data): https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
- NAIC, Consumer Insurance Search: https://content.naic.org/cis_consumer_information.htm
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Prime Capital Report is not an insurer, agent or broker, and the author, Roberto Gomes, is not a licensed insurance agent. Confirm coverage and prices with a licensed provider in Florida.
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Roberto Gomes, Founder and Editor
Roberto researches insurance and personal finance in the United States and Canada from insurers' policy documents, regulator data and public rate filings. He is not a licensed agent or adviser. How we research.