General Information
Before you register a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, you must show proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) automobile insurance. PIP covers 80 percent of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 resulting from a covered injury, no matter who caused the crash. PDL coverage pays for damage to another person’s property caused by you or someone else driving your insured vehicle.
Proof of PIP/PDL coverage must be issued by an insurance company licensed in Florida to sell policies or by qualifying for a self-insurance certificate issued by FLHSMV.
Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must:
- be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration.
- have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL. Vehicles registered as taxis must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for (PDL) coverage.
- have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance.
- purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida. (If you are new to the state, you may ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to a Florida policy.)
- maintain Florida insurance coverage continuously throughout the registration period regardless of the vehicle’s location. (Military members stationed out-of-state/country may be exempt. Visit our military page for more information.)
Non-Resident
The vehicle you own must have a Florida registration and license plate and be insured with a Florida policy when a non-resident:
- accepts employment or engages in a trade, profession or occupation in Florida; or
- enrolls children to be educated in a Florida public school.
- You must obtain the registration certificate and license plate within 10 days after beginning employment or enrollment. You must also have a Florida certificate of title for your vehicle unless an out-of-state lien holder/lessor holds the title and will not release it to Florida.
Moving Out of State
Do not cancel your Florida insurance until you have registered your vehicle(s) in the other state or have surrendered all valid plates/registrations to a Florida driver license office and motor vehicle service center or Tax Collector’s office. If you are keeping the insurance carrier, they can change your coverage to your current state of residence when you make the registration change.
Penalties
You must maintain required insurance coverage throughout the registration period or your driving privilege and license plate may be suspended for up to three years. There are no provisions for a temporary or hardship driver license for insurance-related suspensions.
Turn in your license plate at your nearest driver license office and motor vehicle service center or Tax Collector’s office BEFORE canceling your insurance to avoid suspension and reinstatement fees.
Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of your driver license/registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.
Definitions:
Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) pays for injury or death to others.
Judgment occurs when an at-fault party is sued in a civil court for damages caused in a motor vehicle crash and has not satisfied property damage and/or bodily injury requirements.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers you regardless of whether you are at-fault in a crash, up to the limits of your policy.
Property Damage Liability (PDL) pays for the damage to other people’s property.
Security Deposit is an amount of monies posted in lieu of obtaining a release in an at-fault crash.
SR22 an insurance filing certifying bodily injury liability (BIL) and property damage liability (PDL) to comply with the reinstatement requirements of the Florida Financial Responsibility Law
Self-Insurance
Section 324.171, Florida Statutes outlines the financial requirements for the department to issue a certificate to qualified individuals or other specified entities as a self-insurer.
Visit our Self-Insurance Section to read more.
FAQs
What type of auto insurance coverage is required in Florida? To register a motor vehicle in Florida, you need to have a minimum of $10,000 in both personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL). Florida does not require policyholders to carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage.
What are the insurance requirements for owning a vehicle in Florida? ›
Florida Insurance Requirements
- be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration.
- have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL. ...
- have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable.
Liability insurance in Florida
Because Florida is a no-fault state, every driver, regardless of fault, must carry $10,000 in PIP coverage to drive legally, which means that each driver's PIP will help cover medical expenses and lost wages, up to the policy limits, after an accident.
How does car insurance work in Florida? ›
Car insurance usually follows the car in Florida. The types of car insurance that follow the car in Florida are collision, comprehensive, and property damage liability. You're required to carry property damage liability and personal injury protection in Florida. PIP follows the driver, unlike liability coverage.
What are the two types of required insurance in Florida? ›
PIP and PDL coverage are there to cover medical expenses and property damage, respectively. These are the two types of required insurance coverage to comply with Florida's no-fault law, and thus every driver must carry the minimum amount of PIP and PDL coverage.
Do you need comprehensive and collision in Florida? ›
Collision and comprehensive coverage are not required in Florida. But if you don't have them you could be facing a large bill out-of-pocket if your car is damaged. There are many uninsured drivers in Florida. If one of them damages your vehicle, you will have to pay for the damage.
Can I own a car without insurance in Florida? ›
If your car is registered you will need to have insurance on it, even if you are not driving it. If you do not have insurance, the state of Florida can suspend your license.
What is the new insurance law in Florida in 2024? ›
$500 MILLION IN PROPERTY INSURANCE TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS
The bill also includes a one-year insurance premium tax relief on flood insurance policies, reducing the cost of flood insurance policies written between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.
Can I drive a car I just bought without insurance in Florida? ›
The state of Florida is considered a “No fault” state which requires that drivers be covered with property damage liability coverage and personal injury protection coverage. So, in short, no you cannot drive a car without insurance in Florida.
Is Florida a mandatory insurance state? ›
Is car insurance in Florida required? Absolutely. In fact, having some level of car insurance is the law in every state except two (Virginia and New Hampshire). In Florida, you must carry proof of insurance with you whenever you drive and it must be current.
Florida is a no-fault automobile insurance state. This means that drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance (PIP) to pay for their medical expenses and other accident-related damages, regardless of who caused the collision.
Is Florida getting rid of no-fault insurance? ›
Even though the Florida legislature passed an auto insurance overhaul bill that would have done away with the State's No-fault insurance system, Florida motorists are not currently required to obtain new insurance policies since the bill was not passed.
Why is Florida car insurance so expensive? ›
“A lot goes into Florida,” Martin said. “Florida drivers are aware extreme weather really plays a strong part in your auto and home insurance rates.” In addition to severe weather, accidents are more severe, there are more litigated claims, and increased costs of parts and labor are all factors, according to Martin.
How long can you go without car insurance in Florida? ›
If your insurance lapses or you drop it and don't get new insurance right away, the DHSMV has the authority to suspend your driving privileges, your vehicle license plate and your registration for up to three years, or until proof of Florida insurance is provided – whichever is first.
What is the cheapest car insurance in Florida? ›
State Farm, Geico, Travelers, Mercury and Progressive are the cheapest car insurance companies for most drivers in Florida based on our rate data. According to rate data, on average, Florida auto insurance costs $3,244 per year for full coverage insurance policies, which is 62% higher than the national average.
Do I need 100 300 auto insurance in Florida? ›
Do I need 100/300 auto insurance in Florida? No. The state only requires $10,000 in both personal injury protection and property damage liability coverage. A “100/300” plan would cover $100,000 per person for bodily injury and $300,000 for injuries per accident.
What is the minimum amount of insurance you should have? ›
The most commonly required liability limits are $25,000/$50,000/$25,000, which mean: $25,000 in bodily injury per person. $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident.
What is the minimum PIP insurance in Florida? ›
PIP is applicable regardless of who causes the accident. If you are a driver in the Sunshine State it is important to know that the minimum PIP coverage required under Florida law is $10,000 coverage. Our experienced Florida auto accident lawyers will explain what you should know.
What two types of insurance is the minimum required by law? ›
Coverage Summary
- Bodily injury liability pays for bodily injury you cause someone else.
- Property damage liability pays for property damage you cause someone else.
- California law requires you to have this coverage.
