What Is the Minimum Car Insurance in Florida?

Florida's Minimum Insurance Requirements

Required coverage:

$10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

• Covers your medical bills and lost wages (80% of medical, 60% of lost wages)
• Applies regardless of who caused the accident (no-fault)
• Also covers passengers, pedestrians you hit, and family members
• Does NOT cover pain and suffering

$10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)

• Covers damage to other people's vehicles and property
• Does NOT cover your own vehicle
• Example: You rear-end a $30,000 sedan. Insurance pays $10,000; you owe $20,000.

What Florida does NOT require (but should):

Bodily Injury Liability (BI)

• Florida is one of only two states (along with Virginia) that doesn't require bodily injury liability
• Without BI, you have zero coverage for other people's medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering
• If you seriously injure someone, you're personally liable for all their damages—potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars

Bottom line: Florida's 10/10 minimum is the weakest in the nation. It protects you (via PIP) but leaves you massively exposed to lawsuits.

For a complete breakdown of liability coverage, see our guide on liability car insurance explained.

Why Florida's Minimum Coverage Is Dangerously Low

1. $10,000 PIP is rarely enough for serious injuries.

• PIP only covers 80% of medical bills (capped at $10,000)
• Average ER visit for serious injuries: $10,000–$50,000
• Surgery and hospitalization: $30,000–$150,000+
• If your medical bills exceed $10,000, you pay the rest (or rely on health insurance)

2. $10,000 property damage doesn't cover modern vehicles.

• Average new car price: $48,000+
• Moderate accident repairs: $7,500–$15,000
• Totaled vehicles: $20,000–$60,000+

If you cause an accident and total a $40,000 SUV, you're personally liable for $30,000.

3. No bodily injury liability = unlimited personal liability.

This is the biggest risk.

Without BI coverage, if you injure someone:

• You pay 100% of their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering out of pocket
• They can sue and garnish wages, seize bank accounts, and place liens on your home
• A single serious injury can cost $100,000–$1,000,000+

Real-world example: You run a red light and T-bone a minivan with a family of four. The driver suffers a traumatic brain injury ($250,000+ in treatment), and two children are seriously hurt ($100,000 each).

Your Florida 10/10 policy pays:

• $0 for their injuries (no BI coverage)
• $10,000 for vehicle damage (you owe the remaining $25,000)

Total you owe out of pocket: $465,000+.

Without BI coverage, you're financially ruined.

For more guidance on coverage levels, read how much car insurance do I need.

Recommended Coverage for Florida Drivers

Do NOT drive with Florida's minimum coverage.

Recommended minimum: 100/300/100 + $10k PIP

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 property damage liability
• $10,000 PIP (required)

Why 100/300/100 is essential:

• Protects you from devastating lawsuits
• Covers serious injuries without exposing personal assets
• Only costs $400–$800/year more than 10/10 minimum
• Required by many lenders and landlords

Consider higher limits if:

• You own a home or significant assets
• You have high income or substantial savings
• You drive in high-traffic areas (Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville)
• You have teen drivers on your policy

Options:

• 250/500/100: Strong protection for homeowners
• 500/500/100: Maximum coverage for high-net-worth individuals
• Umbrella insurance: Adds $1–$5 million in liability coverage beyond your auto policy (costs $200–$500/year)

For state-by-state requirements, see our complete guide on minimum car insurance requirements by state.

When Florida Requires Bodily Injury Liability

Florida will require BI coverage if:

1. You cause an accident with injuries or significant property damage.

• After a serious at-fault accident, Florida requires you to carry BI coverage (typically 10/20/10 minimum)
• This requirement lasts for 3 years

2. You're convicted of DUI.

• You must file an FR-44 (proof of high-risk insurance)
• Required BI limits: 100/300/50
• Lasts for 3 years from license reinstatement
• Insurance costs increase by 50–300%

3. You accumulate too many points on your license.

• Repeated violations may trigger BI requirements

4. Your license is suspended for any reason.

• Reinstatement often requires proof of BI coverage

Bottom line: Don't wait until Florida forces you to buy BI coverage after an accident. Get it now—before you're personally liable for someone's medical bills.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Florida

Florida has strict penalties for uninsured driving.

Fines and fees:

• First offense: Up to $500
• Second offense within 3 years: Up to $1,000

License and registration suspension:

• DHSMV suspends your driver's license and vehicle registration
• Suspension lasts until you provide proof of insurance
• Reinstatement fee: $150–$500

SR-22/FR-44 requirement:

• After a suspension, you may need to file an SR-22 (proof of insurance) for 3 years
• For DUIs, you need an FR-44 (higher coverage proof)
• These filings increase insurance costs by 20–50%

For more on SR-22 requirements, see our guide on SR-22 insurance.

Vehicle impoundment:

• Police can impound your vehicle
• Impound and storage fees: $150–$300+
• Daily storage: $50–$100/day

Personal liability:

• You're personally responsible for all accident costs
• No insurance protection—injured parties can sue

Lapse in coverage: Florida tracks insurance coverage electronically. If your policy lapses (even for one day), DHSMV is notified and may suspend your registration.

Understanding Florida's No-Fault System

Florida is a no-fault state.

Here's how it works:

Your PIP covers your medical bills—regardless of who caused the accident.

• You can't sue the other driver for medical expenses unless you meet Florida's "serious injury threshold"
• PIP covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages (up to $10,000)
• PIP also covers passengers and household members

Serious injury threshold: You can step outside no-fault and sue for pain and suffering only if you suffer:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury (other than scarring or disfigurement)
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

If your injuries meet this threshold, you can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, lost wages, and full medical costs.

Property damage is NOT no-fault.

• The at-fault driver's PDL covers your vehicle damage
• If they don't have enough coverage, you can sue or use your collision coverage

Pros of no-fault:

• Faster payment—your own insurance pays, no waiting for liability investigations
• Reduces minor lawsuits

Cons of no-fault:

• PIP limits are low ($10,000)
• You can't sue for minor injuries
• Doesn't protect you from lawsuits if you seriously injure someone (unless you have BI coverage)

Additional Coverage to Consider

Collision coverage:

• Covers damage to your vehicle in accidents (regardless of fault)
• Required by lenders if you finance or lease
• Recommended if your car is worth $3,000+

Comprehensive coverage:

• Covers theft, vandalism, weather (especially important in hurricane-prone Florida), fire, and animal strikes
• Required by lenders
• Recommended for all vehicles worth $3,000+

Learn the difference in our article on comprehensive vs collision insurance.

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM):

• Not required in Florida, but essential
• About 20% of Florida drivers are uninsured (one of the highest rates in the U.S.)
• UM covers your injuries if hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver
• Recommended: Match your BI limits (100/300)

Learn more in our guide on uninsured motorist coverage.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay):

• Supplements PIP for medical bills exceeding $10,000
• Covers 100% of medical costs (no 80% limit like PIP)
• Costs $50–$200/year for $5,000–$10,000 coverage

For full coverage options, see our guide on types of car insurance coverage.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Florida?

Average annual premiums in Florida:

• 10/10 + PIP (minimum): $1,200–$1,800/year
• 100/300/100 + PIP (recommended): $1,600–$2,400/year
• Full coverage (BI + PIP + PDL + collision + comprehensive): $2,500–$4,000/year

Why Florida is expensive:

• High uninsured driver rates (20%+)
• Frequent hurricanes and weather damage
• High fraud and litigation rates
• Dense urban traffic (Miami, Tampa, Orlando)
• No-fault PIP system increases insurer costs

Factors that affect your rate:

• Location (Miami-Dade has the highest rates in the state)
• Age (under 25 pays significantly more)
• Driving record (accidents, tickets, DUIs)
• Credit score (Florida allows credit-based insurance scoring)
• Vehicle type (luxury and sports cars cost more)
• Coverage limits and deductibles

For tips on reducing costs, read how to lower car insurance.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Florida

Compare quotes from multiple insurers.

• Rates vary dramatically between companies in Florida
• Compare at least 3–5 quotes annually
• Use comparison tools like Coverwise

Learn more in our guide on how to compare car insurance quotes.

Increase your deductibles.

• Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 saves 10–20%
• Only do this if you have emergency savings

Ask about discounts:

• Good driver: 20–30% off
• Bundling (home + auto): 15–25% off
• Good student: 10–15% off
• Low mileage: 5–15% off
• Defensive driving course: 5–10% off
• Pay-in-full: 5–10% off
• Anti-theft devices: 5–10% off
• Hurricane-resistant features (storm shutters, impact glass): 2–5% off

Maintain continuous coverage.

• Gaps in coverage increase rates by 30–50%
• Florida's electronic verification system tracks lapses

Improve your credit score.

• Florida insurers heavily weigh credit-based insurance scores
• Better credit = significantly lower premiums
• Pay bills on time and reduce debt

Drive less.

• Low-mileage or usage-based insurance (UBI) saves money
• Programs like Snapshot, SmartRide, or Milewise track mileage and driving behavior

Shop after major life changes.

• Getting married, moving, or turning 25 can lower rates
• Re-shop annually to capture savings

Frequently Asked Questions