Discovering the right Florida auto insurance company for you can be difficult however with a little bit of effort researching and comparing quotes online it is possible to locate affordable plans which give you the security of comprehensive coverage. This article will provide you with some valuable information to help your search for auto insurance in the Sunshine State:
The Basics:
- Florida is a “no-fault” state which means that you (and your insurance company) must make payments for the costs of injury and damages caused in an accident up to a specified limit, regardless of who was at fault.
- You are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage (PD) liability coverage with a minimum of limit of $10,000 each. PIP will help to pay for all “reasonable and necessary” medical expense for you and your passengers.
- This coverage may not cover you if you are in an accident with a motorist who is not insured or in a hit and run. Therefore Uninsured Insurance is an add-on which you may want to consider including in your auto insurance package. Because of the higher costs associated with auto insurance in Florida it was estimated in 2007 that 23% of motorists were driving uninsured!
- Driving without insurance in Florida is a crime and violators will receive a penalty between $150 and $500 for a first offence depending on their previous violations. For multiple offenders the penalties can be as high as $4000 fines and even lead to jail time in extreme cases.
- The average cost of Florida auto insurance in 2010 was $1,674 in 2010 compared with the national average of $1,538.
How to find the best Florida Auto Insurance online
In the past, comparative shopping for auto insurance was extremely time-consuming however with the growth of the internet and online websites which specialize in finding the best deals, most of the grunt work is now done for you. Rates can differ by as much as 300% so you doing your online homework is absolutely essential to finding the best deal.
The auto insurance rates that you will receive depend upon many different factors such as your sex, your age, the type of vehicle you drive, your previous record and much more, so every individual will have different results. Here are a few tips to get anyone started on their search for the best Florida auto insurance rates on the internet:
- Always look at the available discounts which the insurance company is offering. Oftentimes they will give excellent discounts to specific groups they are trying to attract such as individuals with a clean driving record or college students.
- Higher deductibles = lower insurance premiums. However by raising deductibles you are making yourself more vulnerable should an accident occur so make sure that you do not risk your long term financial security trying to save a relatively small amount of money in the short term.
- Always provide the insurance companies with as much relevant information as possible or they may give you an inaccurate quote which does not take into account the discounts that you may be entitled to.
- Anti-theft devices can help you to lower your auto insurance under some plans making them a simple and affordable way to save money, not to mention safeguard your car from thieves.
- Auto insurance rates fluctuate frequently so have a look at an online trends graph in order to determine when is likely the best time to buy.
- The sex of the main driver of a vehicle as well as the type of vehicle is extremely important in determining your auto insurance premiums. Families should look at the different rates which they can get for having certain family members be insured for specific vehicles. For example, women will often pay significantly lower rates for driving trucks and 4×4’s than men will. Teenagers will pay much lower rates being the primary driver of a safer vehicle like a family sedan than they will as the driver of a sports car!
To find the top Florida auto insurance rates take a look on the online auto insurance comparison websites and find the best package for you. With some thorough research and bargain hunting it is possible to locate some fantastic deals which are both affordable and will give you and your family peace of mind.