How much is car insurance for a new driver in Florida?

You can get car insurance discounts in Florida based on how you drive, the car you own, and your relationship with your insurance company. In Florida, car insurance companies are allowed to consider factors like employment, residential, and marital status when setting premiums. That means there are also discounts available for being married, owning a home, or being affiliated with certain employers or educational institutions.... read full answer

Almost anyone can get a discount on car insurance in Florida because most insurance companies make it easy to qualify for a variety of savings. Florida insurers typically offer discounts that fall into one of three categories—policy discounts, driver discounts, and vehicle discounts.

Policy discounts typically reward customer behavior that is desirable to the insurance company. For example, most Florida drivers can save by registering for paperless billing or getting both home and auto policies from the same company. Driver discounts are available to Florida residents who are lower-risk to insure, like those with clean driving records. And vehicle discounts help drivers save if their car has certain safety features or anti-theft systems.

Car Insurance Discounts in Florida

Remember, discounts vary among different insurance companies, so it’s always best to contact the provider directly to determine which discounts you qualify for.

Drivers in Florida need $10,000 of property damage liability insurance. Florida also requires personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident.

Here’s How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in Florida:

If you lease or finance your car, you may be required to carry coverage types that are not mandatory under Florida law. Lenders usually require comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers repairs to your car when you hit another car or object. If the damage to your vehicle was caused by something other than a collision—like a natural disaster, vandalism, falling objects, or animals—it is most likely covered by comprehensive insurance. Lenders may also require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what the vehicle was worth if it gets stolen or totaled.

Even if you’re not required to carry these optional coverage types, you may still need them. You can learn more about when to drop optional coverage and the penalties for driving without insurance in Florida to make sure you’re paying for the coverage you need.

Car insurance is likely to cost more than $5,500 annually for a new driver who is 17 years old to get a stand-alone policy. On the other hand, auto insurance will cost about $2,750 extra per year when adding a 17-year-old new driver to a parent’s policy. But insurance costs for new drivers vary widely.... read full answer

Age is a major factor in how much insurance costs for a new driver. Not everyone gets their first license at 16 or 17 years old. A new driver could be 25 or 40 or even 60 years old. Insurance companies set different prices for insuring a newly licensed teenager and someone getting their driver’s license later in life. They also factor in gender, state of residence and coverage amounts. Insuring any new driver, however, is more expensive than covering an experienced driver with good driving and insurance records.

Statistics show that new drivers tend to be high-risk drivers who are more likely to get into accidents and file claims. That’s why insurance companies charge more to insure them. You can’t fight statistics, but sometimes, you can make them work for you in order to get the best possible price. A look at car insurance statistics yields the following findings.

• Adding a teen to a parent’s policy is cheaper. If you are a teen driver living at home or in a dorm, ask your parents to add you to their policy. It will be about half as costly as having your own policy.

• Luxury cars are expensive to repair, and sports cars are likely to be driven too fast. Driving a cheaper, practical car with good safety and anti-theft features will lower your rates.

• Students with good grades are better drivers. Insurance companies give discounts to students with a B average or better.

• Driving courses improve drivers’ skills. Many insurance companies offer discounts for attending driver’s ed or online defensive driving schools.

• Teachers, physicians, police officers, and other well-educated professionals file fewer claims. Some insurance companies offer discounts based on occupation.

If you are a new driver of any age, it’s worthwhile to comparison shop rates and discounts carefully. The cheapest way to do this is by getting free online quotes from multiple auto insurance companies.