The best car insurance companies in Florida are State Farm, Travelers, Geico, Progressive and Allstate, according to our industry-wide research
Updated:
Mar 23, 2024
Written by:
Daniel Robinson
Daniel Robinson
Writer
Edited by:
Rashawn Mitchner
Rashawn Mitchner
Senior Editor
If you’re one of the nearly 18 million licensed drivers in Florida, you have numerous options when it comes to buying car insurance. To help you find the best car insurance, we at the MarketWatch Guides team researched and identified the top auto insurers in Florida.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the five most reputable car insurance companies, outlining our findings and explaining how we came to our recommendations for the best Florida car insurance. We’ll also highlight the pros and cons of each insurer to help you understand which of these top companies might best fit your budget and needs.
Key Takeaways:
- State Farm is the best car insurance company in Florida for its affordable rates, versatile coverage options and customer experience.
- Minimum car insurance costs $115 monthly or $1,385 annually in Florida. A full-coverage policy costs $270 monthly or $3,244 a year.
- Florida drivers are required to have at least $10,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident and $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP).
- You can save on car insurance by looking for discounts, choosing minimum coverage, increasing your deductible and comparing quotes.
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What Is the Best Car Insurance in Florida?
Based on our industry-wide research, the five best car insurance companies in Florida are:
Our research includes ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), plus evaluations of auto insurance companies based on industry standing, availability, coverage, cost and discounts and customer experience.
Compare Florida Auto Insurance
To identify the top car insurance companies in Florida, we compared five different companies using the following factors to analyze each:
- Industry standing: We used ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the BBB to show how each company performs overall within the car insurance industry.
- Availability: We determined whether each company is available to all (or most) drivers in Florida.
- Coverage: We compared coverage options and coverage availability for each company on the list.
- Cost and discounts: We highlighted companies showing the best prices and the most discounts for Florida drivers.
- Customer experience: We used reviews, reputation and overall sentiment to understand the satisfaction levels of each insurer’s customers.
Using these key factors, we created an overall score for each company. The ranking order of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in Florida. However, the ratings themselves reflect the companies’ performances across the entire nation, which is why Travelers has a higher overall rating but is ranked in second place compared to State Farm.
| Best Car Insurance in Florida | Our Score | Industry Standing | Availability | Coverage | Cost and Discounts | Customer Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 9.4 | 10 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Travelers | 9.5 | 9 | 10 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 8.7 |
| Geico | 9.1 | 9.7 | 10 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Progressive | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 7.8 | 8.7 |
| Allstate | 8.8 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.2 | 7.4 | 8.7 |
Customer Experience
In addition to price, customer experience is a key element in determining the best car insurance companies in Florida — or any state. To score car insurers on customer experience, we wanted to understand individual experiences and the overall sentiment from a given car insurance company’s customer base.
We conducted secret shopper analyses, which involved calling companies and seeing firsthand how we were treated as customers by representatives and agents. We also used data from our recent car insurance satisfaction survey and analyzed reviews on company websites and social forums like the BBB and Trustpilot.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Florida
Read below to see why we chose State Farm, Travelers, Geico, Progressive and Allstate as the top five car insurance companies in Florida. All J.D. Power ratings are in overall customer satisfaction and come from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠.
#1 State Farm: Best Customer Experience
J.D. Power rating: 877 out of 1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A- for Florida
BBB rating: C-
Pros
Local agents in 130+ Florida cities
Tailored policies with the Personal Price Plan®
Cheapest car insurance in Florida
Up to $1,127 savings for bundling home and auto
Cons
Has a C- rating from the BBB
Read more: State Farm Insurance Review
State Farm Car Insurance Coverage
State Farm’s Florida car insurance includes all of the following standard coverages:
- Property damage liability insurance covers damage to someone else’s property. Bodily injury liability insurance covers any injury you might cause to another driver.
- Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle as a result of a covered accident.
- Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle as the result of something other than a collision (hail damage, vandalism, for example).
- Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) covers you if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance or any at all.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who’s at fault for an accident. PIP can pay for ambulance bills, emergency room charges, lost wages and funeral expenses.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay) pays for the medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. It’s often a cheaper alternative to PIP.
State Farm also has a handful of optional coverages for Florida drivers looking to bulk up their protection. Among them are:
- Emergency road service coverage, which helps pay for the cost of towing or other roadside services if your car breaks down.
- Rental car reimbursement, which helps cover the cost of renting a car if yours is in the shop following a covered car accident.
- Travel expenses coverage, which helps pay for things like food, lodging and the like if you’re in an accident more than 50 miles from home.
- Rideshare driver coverage, which offers protection if you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft.
State Farm Insurance Company Reputation
In business since 1922, State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurance company, with a 16.84% market share in 2022, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It consistently earns high ratings for its financial strength — A++ overall from AM Best (an A- in its Florida branch).
State Farm has shown to get consistently high ratings in customer satisfaction from industry watchdogs like J.D. Power. In the Insurance Shopping Study, it was first place for large insurers. Our team recognized State Farm as having the “Best Customer Experience” for its affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and strong accessibility and service towards customers.
Currently, State Farm doesn’t have the best rating from the BBB, which rates companies from A+ to F based on their customer complaints and how likely they are to interact with customers. Once State Farm addresses the complaints, this letter grade will likely rise. The company’s high level of complaints on this site is a very small percentage of its policyholders.
#2 Travelers: Best for Most Drivers
J.D. Power rating: 848 out of 1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
BBB rating: A
Pros
Excellent financial strength
Numerous optional coverages available
Responsible Driver Plan™, which includes accident forgiveness
Cons
Optional coverages can significantly impact your car insurance premium
Roadside assistance coverage is limited unless you purchase the Premier plan
Read more: Travelers Insurance Review
Travelers Car Insurance Coverage
Travelers offers drivers in Florida all the standard car insurance coverages but also has a wide range of extra coverages, including:
- Accident forgiveness
- Loan/lease gap insurance
- Named non-owner coverage
- New car replacement
- Rental car coverage
- Rideshare coverage
- Roadside assistance
With many ways to customize plans, Travelers is a smart auto insurance option for Floridians to consider.
Travelers Insurance Company Reputation
With its A+ rating from AM Best and A rating from the BBB, Travelers has a solid reputation for financial strength and customer service. In business since 1865, it also has a lengthy and proven track record and more than 150 years of industry experience.
As with most car insurance companies, however, Travelers’ reviews bring a mixed bag. When reading customer reviews for any car insurance company, keep in mind that angry customers who’ve had bad experiences are often more likely to take the time to write a review than customers for whom everything has gone smoothly.
#3 Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
J.D. Power rating: 857 out of 1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
BBB rating: A+
Pros
Consistently affordable rates
Numerous products available with many opportunities to bundle
Easy online experience
Cons
More expensive than State Farm in Florida
Scored a bit below the industry average on the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study
Read more: Geico Insurance Review
Compare: State Farm vs. Geico
Geico Car Insurance Coverage
Geico tops our list for offering consistently cheap car insurance rates. It also has a vast product range, including home insurance, motorcycle, RV, pet, collector car and jewelry insurance. The company’s extensive product line gives customers many chances to save by bundling products.
Geico’s optional car insurance coverages include emergency road service, rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance. It also has usage-based insurance through its DriveEasy program.
Geico Insurance Company Reputation
Gecio has strong customer service ratings from the BBB and excellent financial strength ratings from AM Best. Our recent car insurance satisfaction survey revealed that Geico’s customer reviews were generally positive and most respondents reported being happy with the company’s claims experience. Given all these factors, Geico earned a 9.7 out of 10 from us for industry reputation.
#4 Progressive: Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers
J.D. Power rating: 853 out of 1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
BBB rating: A
Pros
Solid financial ratings from AM Best
Low rates for high-risk drivers
Usage-based insurance via Snapshot
Cons
More expensive than other auto insurers in Florida
Overall customer satisfaction slightly below industry average
Read more: Progressive Insurance Review
Compare: Geico vs. Progressive or Progressive vs. State Farm
Progressive Car Insurance Coverage
Progressive offers Florida drivers all the standard car insurance coverages needed to ensure a well-rounded auto insurance policy. It also has one of the widest selections of optional (add-on) coverages, including:
- Auto roadside assistance
- Custom parts and equipment value coverage
- Deductible savings bank
- Loan/lease payoff
- Pet injury coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- Rideshare coverage
- Trip interruption
Progressive Insurance Company Reputation
As the second-largest car insurer in the U.S. with a 14% market share, Progressive enjoys a strong financial rating from AM Best and a solid customer satisfaction rating from BBB. The company is known for having easy-to-use technology, including a mobile app and Snapshot®, its usage-based insurance program and technology.
In our nationwide car insurance satisfaction survey, Progressive scored only slightly lower than the industry standard for overall customer satisfaction — and slightly higher than the industry standard for its shopping process. These scores, plus our finding that most customers had positive things to say about the company, earned Progressive a spot on our list of best car insurance companies in 2024.
#5 Allstate
J.D. Power rating: 853 out of 1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
BBB rating: A+
Pros
Strong agent representation in Florida
Usage-based offering via Drivewise®
Programs for teen drivers
Cons
Full-coverage premiums 45% higher than the national average
Stronger focus on agents vs. simple online experiences
Read more: Allstate Insurance Review
Compare Allstate to: Geico, Progressive or State Farm
Allstate Insurance Coverage
Allstate has a lot of options for standard minimum-liability and full-coverage policies and also a few optional coverages, which include roadside coverage, personal umbrella, rental reimbursement, sound system insurance, classic car insurance and even coverage options for drivers traveling to Canada and Mexico. Florida drivers can sign up for Drivewise to save money from Allstate’s usage-based program.
Allstate Insurance Company Reputation
In business since 1931, Allstate is the fourth-largest auto insurer in the U.S. with 10.7% of the market share. The company has a reputation for excellent financial strength as evidenced by its AM Best rating.
Based on our recent car insurance satisfaction survey, our team gave Allstate car insurance a rating of 8.8 out of 10 for its range of coverage options and large number of discount opportunities. With an overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.1, it was just below the industry average (4.2).
How To Find the Best Car Insurance in Florida
To find the best car insurance in Florida, start by finding the best rate. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help keep rates low.
| Choose the right coverage options | If you’re trying to save money on your premiums, you can choose minimum-liability coverage according to your state’s requirements. A liability-only policy is much cheaper than full coverage. Remember that it also offers a lot less protection than a full-coverage policy. |
| Shop around | Consider collecting car insurance quotes from other insurers to ensure you get the best coverages at the best prices and ideal savings opportunities. If you’ve recently had any major changes in your life, such as getting married, having a baby or buying a house, these can affect the cost of insurance. You may find a cheaper rate from another insurer. |
| Maintain a clean driving record | When insurers see previous accidents and violations, they view the driver as an increased risk. Driving safely and avoiding tickets and accidents can significantly lower your rate. |
| Select a higher deductible | A deductible is the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Usually the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly rate. Set your deductible as high as you could comfortably afford to pay in the event of an accident. |
| Improve your credit score | In some states, insurers use credit scores to help determine auto insurance rates. The better the credit score, the better the premium rate. |
| Enroll in usage-based insurance (UBI) | Unlike traditional car insurance, UBI programs personalize your rate based on how safely you drive and could potentially save you significantly on your monthly premium. Many major carriers offer UBI programs. |
| Bundle your policies | Most insurance companies offer discounts to customers who buy multiple insurance policies with them. So, bundling your home and auto insurance can yield lower rates. |
| Avoid a lapse in coverage | Having your coverage lapse for any reason can mean higher rates when you reinstate coverage. |
Check Florida Car Insurance Requirements
Car insurance coverage requirements in Florida are:
- $10,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 in personal injury protection
Florida is a no-fault auto accident state and requires resident drivers to carry liability coverage. Liability coverages essentially protect others drivers if you damage their property or injure them in a covered accident. It breaks down into two parts:
- Property damage liability, which covers any damage you might cause to someone else’s motor vehicle or other property (the only type of insurance Florida requires)
- Bodily injury liability, which covers any injury you cause to other drivers or their passengers
Consider How Much Car Insurance Coverage You Need
When shopping for car insurance, make sure your policy fits your lifestyle and budget. Most insurers offer two policies: minimum liability and full coverage.
A minimum-liability policy meets the minimum liability limits set by the state but includes nothing else. It typically only covers damage that you cause to other people’s property or persons and does not cover your car or you, should you be injured in an accident. Though some states (like Florida) also require additional coverages like PIP insurance.
A full-coverage policy includes at least liability coverage (usually at higher limits than the minimum required in your state) plus comprehensive and collision insurance, which protect your car if anything should happen to it during a covered incident. If you lease or finance a vehicle, your lender probably will require you to carry full coverage.
If you own your car outright, it’s at your discretion to decide how much car insurance you need. If you have enough money saved up to cover any damage to your car, you can choose to buy a minimum-liability policy. If you have a newer car — or can’t afford to replace your repair or replace your car out of your pocket — a full-coverage policy is likely a better option.
What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida?
The average cost of car insurance in Florida is $3,244 per year for a full-coverage policy. Unfortunately, Florida is one of the most expensive states for car insurance, being well above the national average of $2,008 for annual full coverage. All this makes for finding an affordable car insurance company all the more important.
| Minimum Annual | Minimum Monthly | Full Annual | Full Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,385 | $115 | $3,244 | $270 |
Florida Car Insurance Costs by Provider
Whether you’re looking for minimum or full-coverage insurance in Florida, State Farm offers the lowest rates on both, with a minimum-liability policy costing $650 annually and a full-coverage policy coming in at $1,813 annually.
| Car Insurance Provider | Minimum-Coverage Annual Average Cost | Full-Coverage Annual Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $650 | $1,813 |
| Geico | $682 | $2,057 |
| Travelers | $1,019 | $2,121 |
| American International | $1,162 | $3,862 |
| National General | $1,418 | $3,718 |
| Progressive | $1,606 | $3,196 |
| Allstate | $1,803 | $3,712 |
| Farmers | $1,948 | $4,464 |
Florida Car Insurance Costs per Age Group
When determining premium rates, car insurance companies look at perceived risk. So, younger drivers can expect to pay more for car insurance because they’re statistically more likely to make mistakes or take unnecessary chances behind the wheel.
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 usually pay the most for car insurance with rates lowering and leveling out as they get older.
| Age | Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Average Full-Coverage Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $1,015 | $12,184 |
| 25 | $302 | $3,624 |
| 35 | $270 | $3,244 |
| 45 | $262 | $3,142 |
| 55 | $240 | $2,882 |
Provider Car Insurance Costs by Age in Florida
Auto insurance rates are more expensive for younger drivers, but they fluctuate from carrier to carrier. That makes rate-shopping a good idea, regardless of your age.
In Florida, State Farm consistently offers the cheapest rates on full-coverage policies for drivers in each age group.
| Provider | 16 | 25 | 35 | 45 | 55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $16,732 | $3,921 | $3,712 | $3,705 | $3,444 |
| National General | $7,486 | $4,276 | $3,718 | $3,435 | $3,312 |
| Geico | $6,055 | $2,590 | $2,057 | $2,047 | $1,921 |
| Farmers | $21,470 | $4,981 | $4,464 | $4,355 | $4,032 |
| Travelers | $7,915 | $2,214 | $2,121 | $1,929 | $1,735 |
| State Farm | $5,757 | $2,049 | $1,813 | $1,768 | $1,684 |
| Progressive | $11,107 | $3,385 | $3,196 | $3,098 | $2,777 |
| American International | $13,300 | $4,686 | $3,862 | $3,938 | $3,620 |
Florida Car Insurance Costs by City
Auto insurance rates vary from state to state because they’re partially based on where you live. Because of higher rates of accidents, thefts and vandalism occurrences around big cities and densely populated areas, drivers in those locations pay more for car insurance than drivers in more rural areas.
The cheapest city in Florida for full-coverage car insurance is Gainesville, at $2,037 annually. The most expensive city is Delray Beach at $3,693 annually for a full-coverage policy.
| City in Florida | Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Average Full-Coverage Annual Cost |
| Boca Raton | $278 | $3,337 |
| Cape Coral | $192 | $2,304 |
| Daytona | $192 | $2,303 |
| Delray Beach | $308 | $3,693 |
| Dunedin | $232 | $2,788 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $276 | $3,311 |
| Gainesville | $170 | $2,037 |
| Hollywood | $280 | $3,356 |
| Jacksonville | $214 | $2,562 |
| Jupiter | $220 | $2,642 |
| Kissimmee | $224 | $2,682 |
| Lakeland | $210 | $2,514 |
| Largo | $229 | $2,744 |
| Miami | $306 | $3,676 |
| Miami Beach | $281 | $3,367 |
| Orlando | $266 | $3,190 |
| Palm Bay | $191 | $2,287 |
| Pompano Beach | $281 | $3,367 |
| Royal Palm Beach | $270 | $3,240 |
| Port St. Lucie | $206 | $2,473 |
| Spring Hill | $223 | $2,677 |
| St. Petersburg | $244 | $2,926 |
| Tampa | $282 | $3,383 |
| The Hammocks | $278 | $3,335 |
| West Palm Beach | $305 | $3,654 |
Florida Car Insurance Discounts
Car insurance companies often offer a wide array of discounts as a way of keeping rates low and attracting more customers. When you shop for car insurance, look for the following discounts.
| Discount | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy | For bundling more than one policy with the same insurance company — car and home, for example |
| Multi-auto | For including more than one vehicle on the same policy |
| Good student | Typically offered to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher |
| Distant student | For parents with a student younger than 22 who lives more than 100 miles from home |
| Safe/accident-free driver | Offered to drivers who’ve maintained a clean driving record for the past three years |
| Defensive driving | For drivers who’ve completed an approved defensive driving course |
| Driver training | For teen drivers who’ve completed a driver’s ed course |
| Pay in full | For paying your premium all at once vs. monthly |
| Automatic payments | For setting up auto-pay on your car insurance account |
| Continuous insurance | For drivers who’ve been continuously insured for six months or more |
Best Florida Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best car insurance in Florida, the MarketWatch Guides team recommends State Farm. It has financial strength and receives high marks from the BBB. It also has some of the lowest rates in Florida for drivers of all ages.
However, before picking any carrier, shop around and get price quotes from at least three insurance companies you prefer.
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Best Auto Insurance in Florida: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about car insurance in Florida:
State Farm has the best car insurance rates in Florida, consistently offering the lowest prices for drivers in every age bracket.
In Florida, you can buy either a minimum-liability policy or full-coverage policy. A minimum-liability policy only protects other drivers, while a full-coverage policy also protects you and your car. Good car insurance coverage should ensure that your finances are well protected no matter what happens on the road.
Subarus (the Outback and the Crosstrek) are some of the cheapest cars to insure in 2023.
Along with offering the cheapest rates in Florida, State Farm also has high customer satisfaction ratings in that state.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
