Just as in most states, drivers who live in Florida are required to have minimum amounts of insurance coverage on their vehicles. The Sunshine State requires at least $10,000 of auto insurance coverage in both property damage liability and personal injury protection. The average cost of auto insurance in Florida is higher than the national average. Car insurance rates are of course affected by many factors. Average prices vary throughout the state. Your Florida zip code is a determining factor.
Least Expensive Zip Codes
Your age, driving record, gender, and marital status all contribute to what you will pay for auto insurance. Actuarial tables determine the amount of risk there is that a driver will be involved in an accident and these factors have an impact. That said, where you live makes a big difference. The cheapest zip code for auto insurance in Florida is 32694, the city of Waldo. Rates vary depending upon the insurance company but the average is $3,481.35 per year.
Other Florida zip codes with rates below $3,500 per year include:
- 32643 – High Springs – $3,486.23 yearly
- 32618 – Archer – $3,486.59 yearly
- 32667 – Micanopy – $3,489.59 yearly
- 32669 – Newberry – $3,486.59
- 32601 – Gainesville – $3,489.42
These averages give an indication of where insurance is less expensive but will vary depending upon the typical factors used by underwriters to determine rates.
Most Expensive Zip Codes
Drivers in large cities tend to pay higher costs for auto insurance. Not surprisingly, Florida’s highest-priced zip codes are in the Miami and Hialeah area. These include:
- 33142 – $7631.16
- 33147 – $7,626.18
- 33125 – $7,606.64
- 33135 – $7,606.64
- 33130 – $7,592.83
- 33136 – $7,592.83
Just as with the least expensive zip codes, these averages will vary from driver to driver. A clean driving record is the factor over which you have the most control.
Other Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
Driving safely and defensively is the best way to lower your rates. Drivers with few or no accidents are far less risky to insure and will receive the best rates. Your age and marital status will also affect your rates. While you can’t do much about those things, be assured that there are many steps you can take to improve your insurance costs.
Driving a car with extra safety features such as front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, blind spot cameras, and lane exit warnings will help lower the cost. Keeping your car in a garage and having an anti-theft system installed lowers the risk of weather damage, theft, and vandalism. All of these factors are covered by the actuarial tables and can reduce the price of your policy. It’s also important to keep in mind that high-performance vehicles such as sports cars will always have very high rates.
Insuring your car in Florida is the law. There are minimum coverages that you must have to legally drive on public roads. Insurance prices vary and you can shop around for the best deals, keeping in mind that where you live will impact your rates.